How I transferred to Northwestern University | GPA, SAT/ACT, Essays, Common App

[@tylerissoreal1331]

Watched all your NU videos around 6 months ago, literally motivated me to get active in my current school, maintain a 4.0, develop great relations w/ profs and even get research with one, all in preparation to try and transfer to NU. Thank you so much Lucy, you're an inspiration for a transfer student!

[@lucywbeck]

Wow that’s amazing!! Congrats on your 4.0 and congrats on getting research-that’s awesome! I hope you get into NU and if you do, we should definitely meet up!😊

[@tylerissoreal1331]

@@lucywbeckThat would be so cool, full circle! Thank you for the positive wishes :)

[@johncao4818]

This is such a great resource for transfer applicants!

[@lucywbeck]

Thank you!!

[@yilongli6167]

I love ur videos! Thank you so much for sharing me with the idea.

[@lucywbeck]

Thank you! Let me know if you have any follow up questions :)

[@potato6020]

hi, for the common app essay is it fine if we reuse the same essay we use for our freshman application if my essay is about an activity i did during the summer between my junior and senior year. I was accepted to most of my schools such as Northeastern and NYU but regret not applying to the schools that I genuinely wanted to try for but felt like I couldn’t get in. I do think my common app essay is one of my strongest essay for my app so I want to reuse it but I heard that you shouldn’t reuse it because you’re a different person now that you’re in college. Also I heard that some schools don’t even read the common app essay for transfer students like Columbia so that could hurt my chances which I am concern about. Thank you!

[@lucywbeck]

Hi thanks for reaching out! I’ll start off by saying that I reused my common app from my freshman application and I still got accepted to NU as a transfer student. However, it isn’t obvious that I wrote it in high school. I’d suggest using your common app essay if you’re pressed for time and if you believe it is strong. However, consider writing about a stronger more recent topic if you can think of one. Good luck!!

[@jessicabek5136]

love this!! well thought out and executed video :)))

[@lucywbeck]

thank you!! It means a lot!

[@GeraldRios2005]

Hey Lucy! I came across your videos of transferring since I am planning to apply as a transfer from a state school in Texas. I had a few questions and I hope you can respond if you can! Do you have any advice on this prompt? (What aspects of your background, your identity, or your school, community, and/or household settings have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern’s community, be it academically, extracurricular, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise?) I have no idea how to answer this prompt as a transfer since I feel like I included a lot of this in my why northwestern essay. Also, for the personal statement what should I include? Thank you so much!

[@bowenyi1833]

Hi Lucy. Thank you for taking the time to make this great video and I really appreciate your insights!!! If your why Northwestern essay is not personal and you have free time, could you please make another video reading your essay? That would be very helpful :) Thanks!

[@lucywbeck]

Hi Bowen I’m glad you liked my video! I could definitely make another video reading my why northwestern essay. I’ll let you know when it’s out :)

[@bowenyi1833]

@@lucywbeck Thank you so much for your help!!!

[@loonr_]

Hello there, I have a few questions. To transfer to Northwestern, you need to accumulate 24 semester hours, so how did you manage to garner 24 semester hours in one semester alone? Did you convert AP credits to semester hours?

[@lucywbeck]

Most classes at Cornell were 3-4 credits each and I took 4-5 classes a semester, so I was able to complete the 24 credits/semester hours. Most people will complete the 24 semester hours if they take a normal course load each semester for at least 1 year. I hope that helps!

[@loonr_]

@@lucywbeck but don’t you need to complete 24 semester hours before the second semester begins, in order to transfer after freshman year (since the application deadline ends before the end of the second semester). Or can you attain a majority of the credits in the first semester and have the remaining in progress during the second semester? I’m looking forward to transfer to another institution after freshman year.

[@lucywbeck]

@@loonr_ you do not need to complete the 24 semester hours before the second semester begins. You can have the remaining in progress for the second semester. I hope that helps!

[@loonr_]

@@lucywbeck yes, that helps. Thanks so much!

[@lucywbeck]

@@loonr_ np!

[@AmyMonroe-vp7xz]

Do you think originally being waitlisted was helpful?

[@lucywbeck]

I think so because they stated in the waitlist email “Your application and all materials that accompanied it will be kept for one full year should you choose to apply as a transfer candidate for Fall 2021. In previous years, students on the waitlist who have reapplied as transfer candidates have experienced a higher-than-average rate of admission.”

[@kdh8679]

I've already completed my bachelor's degree and due to some situation, i want to get a second bachelor's that too from the 1st year. Do I apply as a first year or transfer student in the common application? Please help me regarding this 🙏

[@lucywbeck]

Hello! I would guess you would apply as a first year since you’re not transferring credits. But you should still ask the school that you are applying to to make sure! Good luck!

[@kdh8679]

@@lucywbeck Okay, thank you

[@carlaflores3846]

Hi Lucy! You mentioned you had 2 letters of rec on file from high school, did you use them in your application? How and where did you acquire/incorporate them into your application? Just wondering if they were saved from your first-year common app and if you simply transferred them over to other optional letters of rec sections (personal/professional). Thank you!!

[@lucywbeck]

Hi Carla! They were both used from my first year application. I was waitlisted as a first year applicant so northwestern kept all of my records on file.

[@rahilpatel5509]

Hi. I had slightly above average gpa for high school with an upward trend all 4 years. First year in college i had a 4.0. Should I submit my sat to top colleges for transfer? I have a 1370

[@lucywbeck]

Congrats on getting a 4.0 during your fist year of college! That’s very impressive. If your SAT score is in the top 50% of people typically admitted to that college, I would suggest submitting your SAT. Otherwise, I wouldn’t suggest submitting it. Good luck transferring!

[@minimissmai]

Is there a section on the transfer application where they let you explain about what effected your grades (if you have a term or semester that’s a lot lower than your average)? If so, any advice on how to write an essay that doesn’t sound like an excuse? Thanks.

[@lucywbeck]

Yes I know the common app offers a section for you to add information on “anything else you’d like them to know.” If they have to do with circumstances beyond your control then it’s definitely worth mentioning. Just keep it short, concise, and honest. Don’t be over dramatic but don’t downplay it either. I hope that helps!

[@JaxTrades]

Hey I really hope your still active with these comments because I have a question.. I’m a sophomore in high school right now and in my junior year (next year) I want to go to a community college in Ohio and get college credits… I have a 4.2 gpa right now in highschool. If after 2 year of my Ohio community college, when I decide that I want to apply somewhere better like Northwestern, will my credits all transfer or is there a way I can see if they could? I’m just confused on how it works.. does it matter if I am in a different state and since Northwestern is a private school does that mean a lot of my credits may not get transferred???

[@lucywbeck]

Hey I’m still active! As long as the credits are from an accredited college or university, they should count. It does not matter if you’re in a different state. You can check NU’s website for more details! I hope that helps!

[@JaxTrades]

@@lucywbeck thank you so much! I really appreciate your help (:

[@lucywbeck]

@@JaxTrades np!

[@aaliyanzahidofficial]

How the heck do I get admission into Rice University?

[@lucywbeck]

Are there any specific concerns/questions you have?

[@aaliyanzahidofficial]

​@@lucywbeck yes, does one need SAT to get admission to, say, Cornell University or any Ivy League university in or outside of US? second, How many grades do you need to have before you can get accepted into these universities/colleges? last but not least, what recommendations do you have for any student to pursue their computer science or any other subject and/or discipline for that matter, education online or offline? for example, Penn State offers online programs, Bachelors and so on and so forth? P.S. Any tips on how to travel to US or Canada, or, say Paris (just a thought) on Study Visa (they're easier to get initially)? I am currently residing in Pakistan and writing from a town called Lalazar near aviation base in a city near Islamabad, called "Rawalpindi, Pakistan", anyways, any tips on getting a Study/Student Visa for traveling purposes, like to US for me?

[@lucywbeck]

@@aaliyanzahidofficial 1. If the college is test optional, then you do not need to submit SAT. 2. There are no specific grade cutoffs for colleges. Colleges are holistic in their admission process. 3. I think it depends on what environment you learn best in. 4. I don’t know much about getting a Student Visa, but I wish you the best of luck!

[@grapejelly6053]

I though there was no personal statement essay for transfer students in the Common App. Only the supplemental essays (program specific). Am I missing something?

[@bowenyi1833]

Hi. There's a personal statement required, and it's under the "documents" section.\ specific to Northwestern. This section is on the left of "Recommendations."

[@lucywbeck]

I can confirm what the other commenter said. If you’re on the common app home, click on program materials > northwestern university > documents and you should find it there!

[@emelinaranjo]

Hi! I know i am very late but I was accepted to Northwestern University but unfortunately chose another route to Boston University, I regret not accepting Northwestern. I am afraid , so i appreciate your video!

[@lucywbeck]

@@emelinaranjo Hi! I’m glad you appreciate my video! Im sorry to hear that you have regrets but I’m sure everything will work itself out!

[@aarthakjindal1413]

Hey! I started my studies in the Spring'23. So when should I apply for a transfer as Fall'23 would be my second semester and the transcripts for that would come in January'24 which might be after most deadlines. Please guide me through. Thanks!

[@lucywbeck]

“Successful transfer applicants typically arrive at Northwestern having completed at least one academic year of full-time college coursework (24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours). You are eligible to apply for transfer admission while in the process of completing one full-year of college coursework, as long as you will have completed that coursework prior to the start of the term in which you plan to enroll.” admissions.northwestern.edu/faqs/transferring-to-northwestern/

[@lucywbeck]

Hey! Based on the information above, it looks like you should apply in Spring 2024 but I’d check with Northwestern admissions just to be sure!

[@김명준-q3m]

This video is very helpful!! I have a question.. I want to transfer to US and I'm now in a Korean university, I wonder my credit is eligible. I have done 110 credit and 6 terms.. Are there any disadvantages regarding my credit?? Thank you!!

[@lucywbeck]

You should receive credit if you’re currently attending an accredited university. Certain universities may have their own rules about classes that can and can’t receive credit, so you should check the policies of the universities that you’re trying to transfer to. I hope that helps!!

[@Kevin-lb7jy]

is it really fine to reuse esays? specially if applying to the same school? for a supplement essay, I still believe in the same values and if asked again I would have given the same answer. But idk how well admissions officers will take that

[@lucywbeck]

I think it’s fine if you reuse essays as long as they’re still applicable. For example, I reused my common app essay. I think that most admissions officers only look at your most recently submitted essays. I hope that helps!

[@yilongli6167]

Isn’t that the notification date for transfer is on May. I am wondering how you received ur decision so early

[@lucywbeck]

I applied last year and was accepted on May 20, 2021. I’m planning on making another video on transfer timelines which will include details about when transfer decisions are typically released! Let me know if you have any other questions :)

[@holdencornfield472]

This has been so informative! I have a question though, most schools I'm thinking about transferring to have no common app personal statement but have an additional "why transfer" sorta essay? has that been your experience too?

[@lucywbeck]

Yes that’s very common! If none of the schools you’re applying to transfer to don’t require the common app personal statement, then you don’t have to worry about it! :)

[@iamiantsai]

@@lucywbeck Hi Lucy, following up this question, is northwestern personal statement optional or required?

[@lucywbeck]

@@iamiantsai when I applied it was required. I don’t think Northwestern changed the requirements but check the current application portal to make sure!

[@shujayethossain6554]

Hi Did you apply to other schools alongside NU?

[@lucywbeck]

No I didn’t

[@snowwhite936]

Hi! This video is so helpful thank you! I was wondering how important do you think the midterm report is for schools like NU, Cornell, and Columbia - would it make or break my application?

[@lucywbeck]

Hi!! I’m glad you found it helpful :) The midterm report is meant to 1. get a general sense of your courseload (what classes are you taking?) 2. check whether you’re staying on track for graduation and 3. see how you’re performing based on your current grades in those classes. The current grades are a rough estimate and don’t need to be too precise. I think as long as you’re taking a normal number of credits and you’re keeping a high gpa, you have nothing to worry about. I hope that helps!!

[@tylerissoreal1331]

Oh also, did you apply to any other schools/did you get in?

[@lucywbeck]

I didn’t apply to any other schools. I only applied to NU!

[@lucywbeck]

If you want to learn why I only applied to NU, you can check out my new video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJi4k5ypishjqJo

[@giashin1411]

Hi! Did you choose to not submit your 1440 test score?

[@lucywbeck]

Hi! I submitted my 1440 test score when I applied my first year because test optional didn’t exist back then. Since I was waitlisted, NU kept my 1440 test score when I applied to transfer.

[@prisha5406]

THANK YOU!

[@lucywbeck]

No problem! Good luck!!

[@ferociouspeeps1228]

I'm planning on transferring to another university after the first semester. If none of my transfer applications got accepted, can I stay at my current university and try again next semester? Thank you: )

[@lucywbeck]

Yes as long as you’re applying for different terms, you can apply as many times as you want :)

[@TwoManyEggs]

Since I'm deciding between cornell and a few other schools for CS, I'm interested to know what you didn't like about the school?

[@lucywbeck]

That’s a totally valid question. There were a lot of factors that went into my decision to transfer and at the end of the day, I just didn’t have a strong attachment to Cornell. If more people are interested, I’ll post a video that goes more in depth about my decision!

[@lucywbeck]

Hi if you’re still curious, I answered your question in my new video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJi4k5ypishjqJo

[@chuanwupeng9116]

Thank you very much for the video!

[@lucywbeck]

Np! Let me know if you have any follow up questions :)

[@Nadiamilller]

Hey! did you need to submit AP scores? Thanks sm!!

[@lucywbeck]

Submitting AP scores is optional. I self reported my AP scores and then once I was accepted, I sent the official report through CollegeBoard. You can also pick and choose the AP scores you’d like to report (only report the good ones). I hope that helps!

[@Nadiamilller]

@@lucywbeck Thank you so much! I’m taking AP calc tmr morning and let’s just say senioritis has taken a hit 😭

[@lucywbeck]

@@Nadiamilller haha I know that feeling. Good luck!!

[@v_-tO_N.u]

Watching these for when I inevitability get rejected 💀

[@lucywbeck]

No don’t say that! Lmk if you need help/have any questions that I can answer!

[@v_-tO_N.u]

@@lucywbeck Thanks Lucy! I'm a HS senior this year and I did have a few questions about college and transferring in general. 1. How was the process of adjusting to the new environment at Northwestern? Was it harder to make friends? 2. How do you effectively make friends and get involved on campus? 3. How did you keep your GPA up in college? How much more difficult was it for your CS/Eng classes? 4. Lastly, do you think it's beneficial for a freshman to take 'weed out' courses like Chemistry and Physics? I've heard that these are recommended for students aiming to transfer into Engineering or CS programs to stay competitive. Appreciate your insights!

[@lucywbeck]

@@v_-tO_N.u 1. Adjusting to Northwestern wasn’t that hard because (a) all transfers are required to live in a dorm which allows you to make friends (b) you move into your dorm a week before classes start. This week is called wildcat welcome and you get assigned a PA group of students with similar school/major and you do fun bonding activities throughout the week. I’m still friends with many of my PA group members (c) the transfer community is really strong at northwestern (d) nobody can tell that you’re a transfer student so I’ve made many of friends who aren’t transfer students as well! 2. PA group. Join clubs. Meet people in classes. Go to social events at Norris student center or events held by your major department. Go to parties. 3. Northwestern doesn’t have a lot of grade deflation like some schools so it’s relatively easy to have a decent gpa (3.0 and above). I actually think that NU CS does a great job of making classes accesible because most classes are average A- 4. I don’t know too much about this but I’d recommend taking classes that will allow you to keep a high gpa. Since transfer applicants don’t have a lot of time to make a significant impact through research or clubs, gpa can be weighted more heavily. I hope that helps! Good luck!!

[@v_-tO_N.u]

​@@lucywbeck Appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. Northwestern sounds great! Thanks a lot!