Northwestern

if you look at the MSAR, or USnews rankings, it will tell you that the NU average GPA is around 3.6-3.65 ( I think, maybe a little lower or higher) and the average MCAT is around 32


i don't know the numbers on all the chicago medical schools and their trends in accepting out of state students from state schools.

my scenario is this, I am a California resident, went to University of Arizona, GPA 3.9, MCAT31 (two years part-time research and part-time clinical work all 4 yrs of undergrad) and I was accepted this year...so my stats weren't the highest of the high, I didn't go to an academically well known school, and I still got in. I think the key is having the stats to get an interview, and then impressing your interviewers by being yourself, honest, sincere, and enthusiastic about the school. I got intoNorthwestern and DMS and loved both schools, but I think NU will be a better fit for me personally...

bottom line, NU is selective, but no more so than other top 25 schools, its all about finding the school that fits you just as much as you fit what they are looking for in a student

hope this helps a little

 

If you get an interview Northwestern, I think you have about 50% of getting in. Now Northwestern screen out people for secondary, and not many other schools do that, so once you make it to interview, you have a high chance of getting in.

 

I got an interview, I didn't get in and I'm an out of state student from a state school. PM me if you want specifics regarding my application.

 

I should say I got waitlisted acutually, but supposedly, a waitlist is as good as a rejection at NU, given that 3 people got pulled up last year or something.

 

I'm not sure whether there's much rhyme or reason to getting into any particular med school. If you're very interested in NU, maybe you should apply early decision. I applied this year and didn't get an interview. I went to U Missouri-Columbia as an undergrad, majored in chem then got an M.Phil. from U of Cambridge before deciding to persue medicine. I ended up getting a 33-O on the MCAT, cum GPA 3.7, researched 3 years of undergrad and 1 year at gradschool which resulted in publications. Interviewers told me that my personal statement was well-written. My NU secondary was complete in mid October. There were a few weak points on my application, though:
1. never took biology class until this year (the year I'm applying) so they didn't have any biology grades
2. did minimal volunteer work through college and grad school (all non-clinical). Only started volunteering on a weekly basis this year (i.e. this application cycle year which translates into about a month before I submitted my AMCAS).
I guess you could say that my MCAT and GPA could have been better but I dont' think that's what kept me from getting an interview. Maybe I didn't answer one of their secondary essays exactly as they would have liked or one of the weak points I talked about earlier kept me from getting an interview. Good luck with your application next year. You could always call them up and ask to make an appoitment to speak with someone during the summer and ask advice about applying there next year. Oh yes, I'm also asian and obviously, an older candidate (24). I have no idea whether these things factor into the process at NU, but thought I'd mention it just in case.

 

Here's my contribution:

I majored in Biology/Genetics at Duke, took the MCAT in August 2002, and ended up (at the time I was applying) with a 3.69 GPA and a 38T MCAT. So, I think my scores had a big part in getting me -to- the interview. My GPA was around average - I think it may be what's holding me back at other schools (*ahem* WashU! ... excuse me ) Their secondary does require you to understand the basics of how they teach at NU, and figure out how that teaching style fits with yours. I never got any comments about my secondary, but apparently something worked.

Some weaknesses to my application were late research (I didn't start until late Junior year, so I only had about three or four months on my AMCAS), and low 'true' medical volunteering (I volunteered at a touchable art gallery for the blind and visually impaired, unfortunately that doesn't have as much clout, IMO, as more clinical volunteering).

I think well-rounded extracurriculars help - I played violin in a few musicals on the side, drew a campus news comic, and did a lot of stuff with my arts-themed selective living group. LORs are probably key, as well. It can't hurt you to develop good relationships with your faculty.

I do think the interview was very important. Even with a 'high' acceptance rate of 50% like other posters have mentioned, I think an applicant must show enthusiasm and the ability to communicate well with others. I felt like my NU interview was the best out of the several I had that week (busy week, that was), and I felt like it was probably what clinched it for me.

I don't know how NU 'responds' to out of state students at a state college, but I honestly think that NU evaluates people as individuals, moreso than numbers. I think if you'll be ok if you're around or above the avg. GPA and are also a well-rounded applicant.

Best of luck with your application!

04DukeBio