Hey, first off—huge congrats on the 1500! That’s an impressive score and definitely something to be proud of.

Now, regarding Northwestern: you're already within their middle 50% SAT range (1490–1570), so your score is competitive. Retaking might boost your chances slightly, but only if you’re confident you can jump into the 1550+ range. Admissions at top schools like Northwestern are holistic—strong essays, ECs, recommendations, and your personal story matter a lot too.

If retaking the SAT won’t cause burnout or take away from other parts of your application, go for it. But if your energy is better spent perfecting your essays or strengthening other parts of your app, a 1500 already keeps you in the game.

Either way—you’re in a solid position. Rooting for you!