What does a Northwestern University accepted student profile usually include?

Hey guys, so Northwestern is my dream school, and I'm really interested to know what kind of students they accept. Does anyone know the kinds of achievements, both academic and extracurricular, Northwestern looks for in their applicants?

Hey there! Academic excellence is key to a successful application to Northwestern, which means aa high GPA and strong SAT or ACT scores are important. While Northwestern is still test-optional in the wake of the pandemic, in such a competitive applicant pool, you should take advantage of any potential opportunity to stand out. Northwestern also value a rigorous course load, including AP, IB, or honors classes where available.

Beyond academics, they're looking for students with strong personal achievements and a track record of commitment and leadership in their extracurricular activities. This could be anything from holding a leadership position in student government to performing extensive community service or excelling in arts or sports. High achievement in fewer activities is looked on more favorably than just participating in a whole bunch of different things, as that demonstrates your ability to commit to something that's important to you, which in turn speaks well of your ability to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available at Northwestern.

Remember, the university is interested in your personal narrative too. Detailed descriptions of how you've pursued your interests and used your talents to make an impact can set you apart even from other students with exceptional academic and extracurricular track records.

Hope this helps, and best of luck to you!