at your community center for one summer and have since developed a passion for designing equitable curriculum for underserved communities. In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified? If I were writing about. Are there certain professors you wish to work with? Then I could talk about my emotional connection to my studies: I function best in intimate, consistent cohorts, where theres less pressure for competition and greater opportunity to get to know my colleagues. Lets be honest: an optional essay is really just a required essay without the labelespecially for an essay that is supposed to show why you and Northwestern are a great fit. But we here at CollegeVine are here to help. Your GPA and SAT dont tell the full admissions story If you think any student could write what youve written, then you havent written something thats engaging or compelling yet. Tell Northwestern what makes you tick in a way that your Common App does not. Pursue research in a niche field? Let us help you write the best Northwestern supplemental essay. We will bring you Why Northwestern University Essay the results you're looking for. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. ISP is looking for scholars with curiosity and drive beyond the mundane. We recommend submitting this supplement as well; its your chance to show how your extracurricular experiences have impacted your life. Allow yourself a good hour to comb through ISPs website and Google, and take notes. The Dissertation Boot Camp will help motivate your writing and provide you with an atmosphere where distractions are minimal and support is plentiful. You should be setting up a Force Dyad with yourself and Northwestern as attractive poles. Our college essay experts go through a rigorous selection process that evaluates their writing skills and knowledge of college admissions. If youre discussing an award, talk less about the rank or achievement itself than the work that went into it, or how it inspired you to take your skills to the next level. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. And speaking of intangible. heap.track( If you open your response with your mom calling you downstairs to talk about a new program she found for you, this can be a great way to smuggle in an endearing family collaboration, or talk about your family and their involvement in your educational journey. With these three things in mind, writing Northwestern Universitys supplement will be a lot easier. Calculate your chances for free right now. At home, I couldnt stop thinking about my caterpillar. Heres Why Northwestern Sample Essay what our customers say about our essay service: Rated 4.7 / Well let you know what your chances are at your dream schools and how to improve your chances! Think deeply about why you've chosen to apply to Northwestern over the thousands of other colleges in the country. We have broken down this process into five steps. Is there an extracurricular that you were really seeking in your college search? for the Northwestern essay, so try to write as clearly and specifically as possible. Avoid telling Northwestern admissions readers what they already know, what you think they want to hear, or what anyone else might also say. So when writing this essay, ask yourself: What are the specific aspects of Northwestern University that sets it apart from all the other top 20 schools? Perhaps a professor said something encouraging to a student that made you realize how much you appreciated the supportive nature and sense of camaraderie there. Before we look at the two essays, though, be aware that both are answering an older, slightly different version of the "Why Northwestern" prompt, which was as follows: What are the unique qualities of Northwesternand of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applyingthat make you want to attend the University? Once you have an idea about how you want to approach the Northwestern essay prompt and what you plan to write about, use the following three tips to help you produce a great essay. If that is something that aligns with your goals, make sure to write about that. Chisel out your goals with the attention of a sculptor. You handle the STEM stuff, and well help you with the writing, OK? They know that perfection is an impossible ideal. Last summer, I volunteered with an organization that helps tenants in legal disputes, and became increasingly interested in how I could use community-wide data to identify patterns of leasing issues in at-risk areas. These courses will provide me with the tools to pursue my goal of researching and writing how we can better structure leasing law and real estate development to protect underserved populations. Well let you know what your chances are at your dream schools and how to improve your chances! Northwestern is a top-20 school with an acceptance rate of 10.7%. If you are accepted into the boot camp, you will commit to attend daily writing sessions (M-F, 9am-1pm). Remember to talk about what you will actually. You can also browse other student-geared websites, such as College Confidential and Niche, to see what people have to say about Northwestern, including what makes it unique. Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. In this guide, we'll help you get started on your answers to the "Why Northwestern" and "Elaborate on an activity" prompts. You should also check out Northwesterns. Important: Think about why you love the trombone, or something else, and how this talent will grow and flourish at the school. Therefore, at boot camp, you will spend most of your time writing; however, you will also be given the opportunity to participate optional workshops and receive feedback on your writing and writing process from fellow participants and the Assistant Director of the Writing Place, who facilitates the boot camp and runs the workshops. would allow you to get invaluable hands-on experience directly from Northwesterns Washington newsroom, and how this will help your goal to one day work as a TV writer covering developments in LGBT politics on a national level. With only 300 words, it pays to be direct and specific. I will likely pursue graduate studies in computer science at a masters level.. Thats perfectly acceptable, but you cant write I dont know. If you are undecided, you can simply say that youre still exploring your options, but you should still respond with a relatively focused idea of what you might pursue, and why the MMSS program is the best launchpad for you. Oof! 4. This applies to both your interests and your future goals. Over the course of Northwesterns previous boot camps, over 300 students from more than 50 different departments and programs at Northwestern have participated. There are many reasons you might want to go to Northwestern. Applying to Northwestern means you'll also have to submit an essay for either the Common App or Coalition App. Perhaps you volunteered at your community center for one summer and have since developed a passion for designing equitable curriculum for underserved communities. As if that werent enough, you also get the fun of being an NCAA Big Ten school and all the sports games (and free student tickets!) This prompt is essentially asking you why youre interested in Northwestern and how the school can support your goals and interests, both academic and extracurricular. Learn more about Northwestern, including its average test scores and average GPA, by reading its admissions requirements page. First, think about what youre super excited to do at Northwestern (and in its surrounding areas); it could be academic or extracurricular. The Dissertation Boot Camp will help motivate your writing and provide you with an atmosphere where distractions are minimal and support is plentiful. You should also check out Northwesterns pre-enrollment programs designed specifically for incoming first-years, and apply if youre interested! In particular, the Medill School of Journalism is consistently ranked as the best journalism school in the world, and the School of Communication is renowned for its stellar theater program. We also train them on how to interpret prompts, facilitate the brainstorming process, and provide inspiration for great essays, with curriculum culled from our years of experience helping students write essays that work. The admissions committee just wants to know what youre thinking of currently, so they can determine if the program might be a good fit with your goals. Here are some questions you can use to guide your brainstorm: Maybe a close call in the hospital as a child has inspired you to pursue a pre-medical route of study so you can attend a medical school, become a doctor, and help patients like your doctors helped you. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. You should be setting up a Force Dyad with yourself and Northwestern as attractive poles. Additionally, you must obtain permission from your advisor to participate. Have any questions about this article or other topics? Heres what every student considering Northwestern University needs to know. You handle the STEM stuff, and well help you with the writing, OK? I would also love to continue working with orchestral music in the Philharmonia. Here, the shared theme of primate groups makes the items more compelling together than they would be listed separately. areespecially in the context of the MMSS programand what steps you might need to take to achieve those goals. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. I am confident I would thrive working within the McCormick community! Mention accomplishments related to your interest but refrain from offering an embellished resume (a. is separate you can find some help with that here!). What kind of scholarship or internship opportunities within the program will you take advantage of for your research proposal? Don't look it at all during this time; you want to have a fresh perspective when you take it out again. Here, the shared theme of primate groups makes the items more compelling together than they would be listed separately. They also include this question and exhortation: Do you plan to complete the ''Why Northwestern'' Statement? Once youve written this short, compelling origin story, you want to show Northwestern the highlight reel of your passion ever since that fateful origin moment. Maybe the trombone, an assertive instrument, speaks to your desire to be heard clearly. You might write: Science center volunteer: During my 4 years at the science center, I led experiments for kids and answered questions about exhibits. If so, why? I realized, however, how the cost of entry to the museum could be a barrier to some families, and proposed an initiative to offer a free community day once a month. We presented this plan to the museum board, and were given permission to proceed. Here are some topics you could write about in your Northwestern supplement essay: If you're not sure what to write about for your Northwestern supplement essay, spend some time doing research. If those opportunities are available at many schools, youll want to do more research and pick more unique resources, to show that youre truly invested in Northwestern. For example, if youre into robotics, youll find that the school has an interdisciplinary lab on neuroscience and robotics. Ultimately, the emphasis is on your fit for Northwesterns specific resources. The boot camp is free. This could come from anyone who shares your interests. This essay works because the student demonstrates her personal interest in theater (Parisian cafe anecdote), elaborates on how she has contributed to the field (developed a fascination), and ties it to Northwesterns specific resources (. Cool story, bro. When you go to write your essay, be as concise as possible conveying the key technical details of what your job or activity entailed; dedicate most of your 250 words to memorable interactions you had, lessons you learned, or realizations you gained. 13 Sep 2019 Topic title: "Essay ". Heres an example of a vignette that might work: I realized that I had a passion for both telling stories and science in the fourth grade when my teacher had us keep caterpillars to observe their metamorphoses into butterflies. So what should you focus on? Additionally, you should go into greater depth about your intellectual interests, complex topics, and experiences youve had in rigorous settings, like AP classes and summer programs. Read on for helpful tips and tricks on tackling the Northwestern supplement. But above all, Medill has a reputation as the best journalism school in the country. For example, say you volunteered at your local science center. Maybe youd think about how your interest in robotics is really rooted in an abiding curiosity in humanity and the quirks of the human mind. The structure and purpose of this essay are fairly straightforward you want to elaborate on your activities related to science and math. It might also be interesting to describe the moment you discovered it in a brief anecdote or slice-of-life. Why is a cloudy, abstract, shifting word with a lot of gravitas. Your GPA and SAT dont tell the full admissions story Become a professor? This means that you'll need to be clear and concise in order to get your point across and ultimately be able to craft an effective response. The Stanford application gives you the rare opportunity to show off the full spectrum of your personality Getting into Harvard is no easy feat, so youll want to ensure your supplemental essays help you stand ou How to Write the "Why Northwestern" Essay and the "Describe an Activity" Northwestern Supplement Essay, A Short Guide to the 2020 Common App COVID-19 Essay, How to Write Outstanding Stanford Essays for 2020-2021, How to Go Above and Beyond on Every Harvard Essay. If you can find an unconventional thru-line for your emotions, your scholarly interests, and ISP, you can really knock this essay out of the park. Weak: The MMSS program combines math and social sciences, two of my favorite subjects. Its also a great example of how you should. Is there a program that merges two interests of yours? One of the most important tips to remember when writing the Northwestern supplement essay is to concentrate on what makes Northwestern different from other colleges. (Most college essays are around 500-550 words.) Instead of writing about research in a general sense, hone in on the problem/issue you would like to address through your research. Communicate this about yourself by identifying an intangible pull. Finally, I believe that I am a perfect fit for the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science due to its unique philosophy. You don't have a lot of space (just 300 words!) Prompts web application is now available to high schools who want to improve their students college essays and is currently used by districts such as the New York City Department of Education. Jaw-dropping. Discuss any particular models, computer programs, data sets, or comparisons that have sparked your imagination and problem-solving. Find a specific class or specific professor whose research interests align with yours, and how they could help you learn or discover. If you have any additional questions, please contact Elizabeth Lenaghan at e-lenaghan@northwestern.edu. Note: the application to ISP is separate from your general Northwestern application, and can be found on the ISP site. to be a part of the Integrated Sciences Program. Jaw-dropping. Pinpoint why you developed an interest in this intersection of math and social sciences. and AP Biology classes, I have spent the year analyzing Dillards scientific accuracy and analyzing whether scientific accuracy helps or hinders in communicating science to non-scientists for a research paper. In 300 words or less, help us understand what aspects of Northwestern appeal most to you, and how you'll make use of specific resources and opportunities here. If you love hands-on research, Northwesterns probably your place: across its six undergraduate schools, there are 90 school-based research centers and 50 more at the university level. Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. Are you interested in specific clubs, sports, or other extracurricular activities offered at Northwestern? Answering Why Northwestern? means you need to evaluate specific aspects of the university. There are many reasons you might want to go to Northwestern. Everyone can bring their own why to the table, and thats exactly what ISP wants a unique offering, a potluck dish that only you can bring. Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. And as previously stated, a concrete and specific goal looks better (and is easier to write for) than a generalized, nebulous goal. Note that ISP is mentioned explicitly. Maybe it dovetails with your interest in human communication. Here's what to do: once you finish writing a rough draft of your essay, put it away for at least a few days. The average SAT score of accepted applicants is 1510, with an average weighted GPA of 4.13 meaning that most accepted applicants were close to the top of their class. Did you have a chip on your shoulder, or something you wanted to prove? I wrote a story about a scared caterpillar in his pupa who was comforted by his family members who had already become butterflies. When youre answering these prompts, the same principles apply: be specific and goal-oriented. While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community. But I am sure of one thing: I am attending college in order to learn, contribute, and to become the best journalist I can be. Dont skimp on the extracurriculars! What is one class or program that speaks to my interests? How have I cultivated my interests and passions? Doing this will ensure that you're submitting a clean, polished, and overall well-written statement. (250 words). Not only is this specific anecdote a more appropriate way of conveying to the reader that biomedical engineering already permeates your life, it also implies that you are inventive and industrious with your time. But we also want to consider how Northwestern will contribute to your interests and goals. Remember, your Common Application will give Northwestern a picture if you can contribute to the school. Here's what the Northwestern application requirements page says in regard to the essays that applicants must submit with their applications: "Applicants to Northwestern complete two sets of essays: essays appearing on the Common Application or Coalition Application, and the Northwestern Writing Supplement essay [i.e., the 'Why Northwestern' essay]."*. Why is this optional supplement so important? I just arrived from a basketball game, I'm not nervous. If youve already done the work visualizing and planning your time on campus, thats less mental work for admissions, and a faster track to a yes.. The "Why Northwestern" essay is more of a "why us" essay than it is a "why you" essay because it's asking you to elaborate on why you're applying to Northwestern specifically, and how an education there will help you fulfill your academic, professional, and/or personal aspirations. Showcase your proudest accomplishments and most meaningful experiences. What could I do at Northwestern that would be hard for me to do at other colleges? On both the Common Application and Coalition Application (depending on which system you use), you'll be shown this message on the Northwestern application: "Do you plan to complete the 'Why Northwestern' Statement? Once youve completed this exercise, youll have lots of material to draw from for your Why Northwestern essay! It boasts Big Ten sports teams, leading research opportunities, and a beautiful campus in Evanston, Illinois that is adjacent to Lake Michigan and just miles from Chicago. Northwestern, a beacon of strong academics located in Evanston, Illinois, currently occupies the. Here's what makes this "Why Northwestern" essay work: Be specific in your essayif you're interested in studying journalism, for example, explain how you believe Northwestern can help you achieve your goals. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? You can achieve specificity in a number of ways: philosophy, how you want to engage others, a community you want to help, etc. Avoid making general statements such as: Northwesterns state-of-the-art theater program makes it the perfect school for me. That answer is one that could be given by virtually anyone, even those who havent the slightest idea of what theater is. My interest in social policy has led to my desire to pursue a career in social science research, ideally with the government. This second "Why Northwestern" essay example was written by an admitted student who chose to focus on extracurriculars at Northwestern and how the School of Engineering and Applied Science would benefit their desire to learn several skills at once. What kind of scholarship or internship opportunities within the program will you take advantage of for your research proposal? Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Think about it: If Northwestern didn't offer anything unique, why would students want to apply there specifically? To the story above, I might add the following: I would later write science stories for my school newspaper, and I won an award for my story about a butterfly called the painted ladies. With these three things in mind, writing Northwestern Universitys supplement will be a lot easier. More importantly, boot camp is a chance for you to learn more about yourself as a writer. Its like being Robin Hood: you can hit three moving targets with three arrows, but hitting three targets with the same arrow? Youve already answered why ISP, so dont waste time re-explaining why youre interested in the program. You could begin by illustrating how you would bury your head in literature written by the likes of Kafka and Camus all weekend, then show up Monday morning before everyone else arrives at school for an advanced lab that aims to find a cure for Alzheimers, then transition to discussing how Northwesterns Science in Human Culture Program is a perfect fit for you and your interdisciplinary mind. Additionally, lots of departments, research centers, or undergraduate schools have e-newsletters you can subscribe to, or publications you can find online. This writing is ineffective because its generic. Did someone recommend it to you? (Maybe youre the founder of your high schools birdwatching club.). Northwestern's reputation as a top-rated academic institution immediately drew me to the school. It boasts Big Ten sports teams, leading research opportunities, and a beautiful campus in Evanston, Illinois that is adjacent to Lake Michigan and just miles from Chicago. Brainstorm with the tangible vs. intangible T-chart. Of course, youll want to do plenty of research about Northwestern so you have specific things to tell your friend. They should also check for technical errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Now think about what emotions are triggered inside you when you engage that topic, and how ISPs philosophy would complement this. Prompts hundreds of Essay Specialists support thousands of students each year with feedback on their college essays, having helped students get into every top-50 university and earn millions in scholarships. 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