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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Northwestern:

They like real genuine kids - little to no exaggeration. AO are focused on:

Intellectual impact: Northwestern isn’t just concerned about learning for learning’s sake (although that’s important, too). They also want to see how you can take your work in the classroom and use it to impact the world around you.

Research: Northwestern wants students who will take advantage of all the research initiatives on campus. They want you to think about (and demonstrate) entrepreneurship, innovation, and a keen eye for research.

Student support and community: Northwestern is big on supporting students and maintaining a strong sense of community. Browsing through information about student life will help you find your “fit.”

While academic preparation is the most important factor overall in the admissions process, this is a weeding out factor, meant to ensure that all of the students at Northwestern are academically prepared for the rigors of college courses. Excelling academically alone is not enough to guarantee acceptance. Northwestern uses a holistic admissions process, and while academics are considered in this, they are not the entirety of what the school is looking for.

Northwestern is interested in “fit,” the idea that a student and a college should be well-suited for each other. That is the students strengths, and what they want to pursue, should line up with what the school is looking for, and what they can offer to the student in turn. Students who are passionate, intellectually curious, and academically driven fit into the idea of Northwestern.

For extracurricular involvement, Northwestern is looking for passionate, focused students, as most other elite universities are. Students who demonstrate considerable talent and aptitude in their own niche as specialists are more likely to stand out and gain acceptance. Students who are good at many things but not great at any one thing have a harder time standing out. [/quote]

Other big parts of NU's application review process:

Team-Based Reading
During the Early Decision cycle, applications are initially reviewed through a method known as "Team-Based Reading." In this phase, teams of two admissions officers collaboratively review each application file. This approach ensures a comprehensive assessment from multiple perspectives, which helps the admissions team gain a deeper understanding of each applicant's unique context and potential.

Class Shaping
Following the initial review, the process moves into the "Class Shaping" stage. Here, decisions are refined to ensure a diverse class, balancing factors such as academic interests, geographic origin, and other institutional priorities. This stage is crucial for building a well-rounded student body that aligns with Northwestern's values and goals.

Evaluation in School Groups
It is important to note that applications are evaluated in "school groups." This means that your profile will be viewed not only holistically but also in comparison to peers from your own high school. This approach places a strong emphasis on selecting the most challenging courses available and standing out within your specific educational context. Excelling academically and being an active participant in your local community is critical to improving your chances of admission.

How Academic Rigor is Graded at Northwestern
Northwestern evaluates academic rigor on a scale from 1 to 5, with a '1' or '2' typically required for admission:

[b]Academic Rigor[/b]
[b]Rating	Description	        How to Achieve[/b][i]
1	       Highest Rigor	        Top 3% of class, 1500+ SAT/33+ ACT, maximizing AP/IB/Honors courses, demonstrated intellectual curiosity through research, high AP exam scores

2	      Strong Rigor	          Competitive class rank, strong SAT/ACT scores, challenging coursework within context of your school
3	      Moderate Rigor	           Solid academic performance, consistent effort in core subjects
4	      Below Average Rigor	   Minimal engagement in challenging coursework
5	      Limited Rigor	           Very limited academic effort

[b]Extracurriculars:[/b]
At Northwestern University, extracurricular activities are not just a complement to your academic performance; they are a core part of your application, [b]making up 30% of the overall evaluation[/b]. [This is higher than DUKE]

Northwestern assesses extracurricular involvement on a scale from 1 to 5, focusing on leadership and impact. It's essential that your involvement is not merely extensive but meaningful—leadership roles, national awards, or initiatives that have significantly impacted your community are highly valued.

[b]Extracurricular Impact[/b][u]
Rating	Description	                       Examples
1	National/International Recognition	Olympic athlete, major film/TV roles, national youth orchestra
2	State-Level Achievement	                State-level music ensemble, Boys/Girls State, all-state athletic team, university-published research
3	Localized Leadership	                        Captain of sports team, Gold Award/Eagle Scout, president of a significant club
4	Consistent Involvement	                Active member in multiple clubs or organizations for 2+ years
5	No Involvement	                                NA[/quote]

Fascinating. 
So if you are applying from a private without the Tier 1 EC/Awards, but your classmate(s) have that, NU is a wasted application.[/quote]

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