Northwestern Admissions The SAT Scores, ACT Scores, and GPA You Need to Get In

Northwestern University has a lot going for it. It’s ranked #9 in Best National Universities. For aspiring pre-med students, it has arguably the best combined BS/MD program in the nation. And it’s located just north of Chicago on a jaw-droppingly beautiful campus located right on Lake Michigan. Sold? Cool. Let’s jump right in and take a look at exactly how to get into Northwestern University. Will you need to be an academic rockstar to call yourself a Wildcat? The short answer is yes. We’ll cover every aspect of how to get into Northwestern, but first, here are some facts about Northwestern admissions. Quick Northwestern Admissions Statistics Northwestern SAT scores (average composite) 120. The 75th percentile for Northwestern SAT scores is 1560. What does this mean? If you score a 19014201560 Since you can self-report scores in each section across multiple testing dates, we advise aiming for the 75th percentile score for each section. To help you reach such heights, check out the stories of students who nailed the perfect SAT score! More About Northwestern ACT Scores If you plan to submit ACT scores to Northwestern: You should self-report your highest composite test score overall (from one particular test sitting). The Writing test is optional. As far as a composite ACT to aim for, 33 is it, and as far as the percentiles: The 25th percentile for Northwestern ACT scores is 32. The 7th percentile for Northwestern ACT scores is 34. This means a 32 or lower will place you below average compared to other applicants while a 34 or higher will place you above average. That said, we recommend taking the ACT as many times as necessary to crack a 34. It’s a tall order, but we believe in you! ACT Section25th Percentile 75th Percentile Math3234 Reading3234 Keep in mind that regardless of which test you take and how well you do, your test scores are only part of the equation for how to get into Northwestern University. More About Northwestern’s GPA Average The average high school GPA of students admitted to Northwestern University is a 4.09. To earn a GPA north of 4.0, you’ll have to be at the top of your class, earning straight-A’s all the way. A good way to raise your GPA and push it over the 4.0 mark is to earn A’s in honors, IB, and/or AP courses. Depending on how your high school calculates GPA, A’s in these types of courses are awarded a higher value. In fact, it’s a good idea to take as many challenging, college-level courses as possible during high school. Excelling in them indicates to Northwestern that you are ready for the rigor of their academics. Here’s something super important to keep in mind though: it’s very difficult to change your GPA beyond your sophomore year. So if Northwestern is your dream school, you’ll have to hit the ground running with straight-A’s early on. Northwestern Acceptance Rate Historically, Northwestern has always had a low acceptance rate, but in recent years, its been lower than ever. However, the title of the recent piece Northwestern acceptance rate rises for first time in 10 years reflects a some hope for those of you looking to get into this highly competitive school! Its only rose a wee bit through from last year (class of 2022), from 8.4 to 8.9 for the class of 2023. But still the first increase in 10 years is a big deal. Application pools are expanding though, and according to the article, NU received .5% are Hispanic or Latinx 10.1% are Black or African American 11.1% are international 1% are American Indian, Pacific Islander, or Alaska Native Other Northwestern Admissions Requirements and Info Moving on to the application process, lets talk about what youll actually need to submit to Northwestern in order to apply. Here’s a super helpful overview of Northwestern’s undergraduate admissions requirements. Included are specific instructions for transfer students as well as students applying to various honors, engineering, science, music, and musical theatre programs. Otherwise, here’s a handy checklist of exactly what you’ll need to provide (and a printable version of this checklist): A formal application, either through The Common Application or The Coalition Application Your high school transcript(s) and school report(s) At least one letter of recommendation from an academic teacher who knows you well (more on this later!) A $75 application fee or application fee waiver A mid-year report Additionally, you may need to provide the following: A music audition (if you’re a School of Music applicant) 3 SAT subject tests (if you’re a homeschooled student) TOEFL or IELTS scores (if you’re an international student whose first language is not English) Northwestern FAQs These Northwestern application FAQs cover pretty much anything you could possibly wonder about during the application process, but here are a few other commonly asked questions about applying to Northwestern University: Does Northwestern accept AP credit? Yes. You can read more about AP and IB credits accepted at Northwestern or consult this awesome credit recognition chart that details exactly how much credit is awarded for particular grades on particular exams. Does Northwestern offer financial aid? Yes, Northwestern offers various types of financial aid including scholarships and grants. You can also consult Northwestern’s financial aid brochure and read this guide to completing a FAFSA application. Is Northwestern need-blind? It sure it. This means your need (or lack thereof) for financial assistance will not affect your application in any way. How to Get Into Northwestern University While theres no magic formula for getting into Northwestern, heres our distilled breakdown of exactly how to get accepted: Earn a 1560+ on your SAT Earn a 33+ on your ACT Have a 4.0 or higher GPA And beyond the numbers, heres what you can do to make your application stand out: Make Your Writing Sparkle Your personal essay is hands down the key to an amazing application. Its your chance to create a compelling and vivid picture of who you are and what you can contribute to Northwestern’s community. Your essay should be thoughtful, unique, well-developed, organized, and polished, so spend ample time crafting and revising. If you choose to submit a Common App, heres a great guide to writing a Common App essay that will get you accepted. Get The Best Letters of Recommendation Possible A strong letter of recommendation can make an application, so make sure to ask for letters from teachers who know you will and can speak to your academic ability, growth, potential and character. And remember to ask early! Give your teachers enough time to draft thoughtful, in-depth accounts of you as a student and person. Participate in Extracurricular Activities The more, the better! You want to demonstrate that you are well-rounded, responsible, and collaborative. The wider your interests, the more impressive a candidate youll be. And it may seem obvious, but as far as test taking, it’s important to start prepping for the ACT and SAT as early as possible. Check out this great, 1-week SAT free trial and 1-week ACT free trial to get you started! Good luck! We believe in you!