🍦 Today's Scoops: US News releases their updated rankings

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. Link Lounge Refresh

2. School of the Day: Northwestern University

3. Friday News Focus: U.S. News releases their 2025 Best Colleges List

LINK LOUNGE REFRESH
New Resources & Scholarships!

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we will be updating the Link Lounge section with links to great resources such as scholarships and tools during the college application process. You’ll find it at the top of your email on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and near the bottom during the rest of the week.

Coca-Cola Scholars (3 days left!) - $20,000 college scholarship for high school seniors

(NEW) Kollegio - 100% free personal AI college counselor

(NEW) NextAdmit - Get your essays reviewed by Ivy League students. Have read 10,000+ essays

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
Northwestern University

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Evanston, IL (30 minute drive from Chicago)
🎓 Undergraduates Enrolled: 8,993
📊 Acceptance Rate: 7% (51,261 applicants)
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1530/34
💸 Cost: $62,391 (tuition), $19,440 (room and board)
📅 Admission Options: Early Decision (Nov 1), Regular Decision (Jan 2)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Public Health (#4), Public Health (#5), Economics (#8) (Niche)
📈 Most Popular Majors: Social Sciences (19%), Communications & Journalism (13%), Engineering (11%) (Scoir)

Some Positives

🎓 Top-Tier Business Programs: Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management is one of the world’s most respected business schools, offering undergraduates unique opportunities to explore business concepts through the Kellogg Certificate Program for Undergraduates. Students can leverage resources like the Levy Entrepreneurial Institute and the Garage, a startup incubator for budding entrepreneurs Learn more about Northwestern Business.

🚀 Cutting-Edge Engineering: The McCormick School of Engineering emphasizes a whole-brain approach to problem-solving, blending technical skills with creativity. From materials science to biomedical engineering, students have access to top-notch labs like the Center for Device Development and Segal Design Institute Discover McCormick Engineering.

👩‍💻 Renowned Journalism Program: Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism is internationally recognized, offering undergraduates unparalleled training in media, communications, and journalism. The program has strong industry connections, leading to exciting internship and networking opportunities Explore Medill Journalism.

🌍 Interdisciplinary Learning: Northwestern encourages students to pursue multiple fields of study, offering flexibility through its quarter system. This allows students to take more classes and explore different academic areas, creating well-rounded, interdisciplinary thinkers. Learn about Northwestern’s Quarter System.

Some Negatives

📚 Intense Academic Pressure: Northwestern is known for its rigorous academic environment, especially in competitive fields like engineering and pre-med. The quarter system can also contribute to a fast-paced and demanding workload, which might be stressful for some students.

💸 High Cost of Attendance: As a private institution, Northwestern’s tuition and fees are on the higher side. While financial aid is available, the cost of attending can be a significant hurdle for many families Tuition and Financial Aid Info.

🌬️ Cold Winters: Located near Lake Michigan, Northwestern experiences harsh winters, with cold temperatures and heavy snowfall. For students not accustomed to winter weather, the long, cold season can be challenging Explore Evanston Weather.

🚙 Limited Parking Options: Despite being located in a suburban area, parking at Northwestern can be limited and expensive. Most students rely on public transportation or walking to navigate the campus and surrounding areas Northwestern Parking Info.

FRIDAY NEWS FOCUS
U.S. News & World Report releases their 2025 Best Colleges List

U.S. News & World Report published its closely watched rankings last week. Here are some takeaways and interesting findings from the popular list that comes out once a year.

Top National Universities:

1. Princeton University (NJ)

2. MIT (MA)

3. Harvard University (MA)

4. Stanford University (CA)

5. Yale University (CT)

6. (tie) California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (CA)

7. (tie) Duke University (NC)

8. (tie) Johns Hopkins University (MD)

9. (tie) Northwestern University (IL)

10. University of Pennsylvania (PA)

Methodology Updates:

The list this year looks much like the list from last year as the 2025 rankings relied heavily on the same core methodology as last year. U.S. News continues to focus on student outcomes, with increased weight on graduation rates for Pell Grant recipients (now 5.5%, up from 3%). This means that schools demonstrating success in supporting students from lower-income backgrounds saw gains in their rankings, making them even more attractive to students looking for strong financial aid and support systems.

Two metrics that were dropped this year include first-generation graduation rates and first-gen graduation rate performance, a change due to unreliable data. However, the rankings still heavily emphasize how well schools help students of all backgrounds succeed post-graduation.

Key Shifts & Noteworthy Schools:

Claremont McKenna College: Claremont McKenna College (CMC) made a notable move this year, jumping three spots to enter a four-way tie at No. 8 on the Top National Liberal Arts Colleges list. Known for its focus on leadership and public affairs, CMC’s rise in the rankings reaffirms its position as a top-tier liberal arts college. Its emphasis on preparing students for real-world problem-solving, along with the advantages of being part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, makes it a powerful option for students seeking a balance of academics and hands-on experience.

California Polytechnic State University—San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO): Cal Poly SLO continues to dominate the West in the Top Regional Universities category, holding its No. 1 spot. Cal Poly’s hands-on approach to learning, particularly in fields like engineering and agriculture, makes it a top choice for students seeking practical, career-oriented education. Its rise to national prominence also reflects its commitment to student outcomes, with a strong emphasis on graduating students with valuable skills and manageable debt.

Find the full rankings here and read the NY Times’ analysis here.

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Coke Scholars deadline is almost here!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

Coke Scholars Round 1 Deadline: September 30
University of Texas/UNC Chapel Hill Early Action Deadline: October 15
Most ED, REA & EA Deadlines: November 1

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

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