What does Northwestern look for?

The most important criteria for Northwestern admissions is academic record. The application aspects which are factored into the overall academic record are GPA, test scores, class rank, course rigor, and the application essay. Other important factors are extracurriculars, recommendations, and talent.

What kind of students do Northwestern look for?

Northwestern looks for candidates who demonstrate academic growth, intellectual curiosity, involvement in school or the community, and positive traits. In your application, emphasize your academic aptitude, initiative, and personality.

What does Northwestern look for in applicant?

Academic growth and intellectual curiosity

What topics are you excited to explore? What kinds of questions drive you forward? How have you shown initiative in learning more about the world around you? How have you challenged yourself?

What values does Northwestern look for?

What does Northwestern focus on?

Northwestern is a leading research university that is home to more than 90 school-based centers and 35 University research centers. With an interdisciplinary culture, our research spans a spectrum of areas including neuroscience, nanotechnology, biotechnology and drug discovery.

How to get into Northwestern University

What GPA does Northwestern want?

Though Northwestern doesn't publicly report GPA for admitted students, Northwestern applicants' GPAs should ideally be between 3.9 and 4.0 to be strong candidates. Having less than this will require compensating by having outstanding extracurricular activities or personal statement.

Does Northwestern care about class rank?

An applicant's high school class rank, when available, is considered very important and letters of recommendation are considered very important for admissions officials at Northwestern University.

What does Northwestern look at the most?

The most important criteria for Northwestern admissions is academic record. The application aspects which are factored into the overall academic record are GPA, test scores, class rank, course rigor, and the application essay. Other important factors are extracurriculars, recommendations, and talent.

Does Northwestern look at interest?

Yes, demonstrated interest is considered by the Northwestern admissions team. To show demonstrated interest, you'll want to engage as much as you can with Northwestern. Open their emails, attend virtual programming, sign up for an interview, email your admissions officer, and visit in person if you can.

What does Northwestern prioritize?

Northwestern is committed to excellent teaching, innovative research and the personal and intellectual growth of its students in a diverse academic community.

Does Northwestern care about extracurriculars?

Beyond academics, we consider candidates' engagement outside the classroom — extracurriculars, family obligations, work experience — and read their essays to gain further insight into their personal context, interests, values, goals, etc.

Does Northwestern admit based on major?

No. Undergraduates are admitted by Undergraduate Admissions of Northwestern University, not by individual departments.

Does Northwestern care about extracurricular activities?

Find or create leadership opportunities and investigate paths that could lead to your future major or career. There are no “right” or “wrong” activities to do in high school. Instead, Northwestern analyzes your character, interests, and skills through your involvement in different activities.

What is the most popular major at Northwestern?

Why is Northwestern so hard to get into?

To be seriously considered for admission to Northwestern, students must perform very well academically. In addition to having a high GPA, students should challenge themselves within the curriculum available to them at their high school. This means that students should display a high level of rigor in their coursework.

Can I get into Northwestern with a 3.7 GPA?

Northwestern University does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate admissions. However, admitted students typically have very high GPAs, ranging from 3.7 to 4.0, with an average GPA of 3.8.

Does Northwestern look at legacy?

But it does, on applications to hundreds of selective universities across the country. Locally, both the University of Chicago and Northwestern have held on to the practice, called legacy admissions — despite concerns about its impact on students from historically marginalized communities.

Does Northwestern consider AP scores?

In late summer, Northwestern posts AP and IB credit to the academic records of entering students. You may view your AP and IB credit by accessing your academic records using CAESAR. For more information on the credit process, including how to submit your scores, see the Registrar's test credit webpage.

Is Northwestern generous with financial aid?

In fact, we encourage domestic applicants to apply for financial aid; Northwestern's generous need-based aid program can assist in defraying the costs of your college education.

How do you show demonstrated interest at Northwestern?

Northwestern University weighs “demonstrated interest” in the admissions process. Therefore, you will be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit (in non-pandemic times), contacted an admissions officer, etc. Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essay offered by Northwestern.

Can I get into Northwestern with a 3.5 GPA?

You should also have a 4.1 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Northwestern, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.

What does Northwestern look for in essays?

We want to be sure we're considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background, your identity, or your school, community, and/or household settings have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern's community, be it academically, extracurricularly, ...

Can I get into Northwestern with a B?

With a GPA of 3.62, Northwestern College requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's.

Can I get into Northwestern with a 1400 SAT?

Aim for a 1540 SAT and 35 ACT

The middle 50% range of accepted students at Northwestern is 1430-1540 for the SAT and 33-35 for the ACT. Any score in the middle 50% is good, however, the closer you get to the high end of the range, the better your odds of admission become.

What dorm did Meghan Markle live in at Northwestern?

PARC's executive board voted later that year to permanently remain in the recently renovated facility. Before that, North Mid-Quads was notably the freshman year dorm of Duchess of Sussex and School of Communications graduate Meghan Markle.