<p>Even if data mining was used by schools like NU (I have NO inside knowledge of their process) I wouldn’t see a problem. All highly-selective schools want to build the strongest possible incoming class. Clearly NU turns away A LOT of amazing students (I remember seeing numbers last year about the thousands of kids rejected with ACT scores of 35+), so they obviously look beyond test scores for holistic indicators of a student’s potential contribution to the NU community.</p>
<p>Given last years’ amazing rate of Fulbright awards (second only to a school 5X larger), 97% retention rate, etc… whatever NU Admissions is doing seems to be working. I say “keep up the great work”!</p>