What kind of students does Northwestern look for?

Successful applicants also have relevant extracurricular activities, a compelling essay, and strong recommendations. Northwestern also looks for candidates who demonstrate academic growth, intellectual curiosity, involvement in school or the community, and positive traits.

What students does Northwestern want?

What do Northwestern admissions officers look for?

A GPA close to or above the Northwestern average GPA; standardized scores at or above the average Northwestern SAT scores; and other aspects of your application. Ultimately, with a highly qualified candidate pool, Northwestern undergraduate enrollment is a game of chance.

What values does Northwestern look for?

How can I increase my chances of getting into Northwestern?

The Essay That Got Me Into Northwestern

What is the lowest GPA Northwestern will accept?

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.

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.

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 look at your personal statement?

Yes! While we no longer require the personal essay with your Common Application or Coalition Application with Scoir, should you choose to submit one we will still be able to review it, just as we can any optional or supplemental application materials.

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.

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.

Does Northwestern care about interviews?

Interviews are not a required component of the application, therefore applicants who are unable or choose not to interview are not at a disadvantage in the admission process. Note: Interviews are only available to first-year applicants.

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.

What is a popular major in Northwestern?

Does Northwestern offer interviews to everyone?

Given the limited availability of alumni interviews, it is not possible for us to offer interviews to all applicants. Interviews are not a required component of the application, therefore applicants who are unable or choose not to interview are not at a disadvantage in the admission process.

How much does Northwestern care about legacy?

Northwestern will evaluate your application based on your individual merits for the most part; however, your legacy status can demonstrate your connection and commitment to the school, which might be considered during the admissions process.

Does sibling Legacy help at Northwestern?

The school's official policy considers whether “a student has a sibling, parent, or grandparent that graduated from Northwestern,” but notes that “no admission decision will ever be made solely based on legacy status.”

Does Northwestern look at AP scores?

You may receive Northwestern credit for your Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) test scores and/or be able to skip introductory courses in some sequences.

Can I get into Northwestern with a 3.8 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 common app essay?

To that end, we welcome—but by no means expect—your submission of a personal essay or additional information in the Common Application. The following question is required for all Common Application and Coalition with Scoir applicants (optional for QuestBridge applicants).

Where do most Northwestern students come from?

The majority of the Northwestern students who live in the U.S. are from Illinois.

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 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.

Why is Northwestern so highly ranked?

“The strength of the school is its range.” Northwestern students agree, vowing their school “has everything”: “Intelligent but laid-back students, excel[lence] in academic fields,” “great extracurriculars and good parties,” “strong [Big Ten] sports spirit,” and “so many connections and opportunities during and after ...