<p>What departments are Northwestern best known for?</p>
<p>I think economics is one of them, right? Is that their best?</p>
<p>Yes, econ is one of them. I'd say art history, chemistry, journalism, theater, film, material science/engineering (do you know NU got the first materials science academic department in the world?), and industrial engineering/managment sciences are considered top-10. I am not sure about the music school but it may be in the top-10 also. The business/law schools (graduate) are in the top-10.</p>
<p>@ Lil<em>Wayne</em>Fan</p>
<p>The social sciences (sociology, economics, and anthropology) are very good at Northwestern. Polisci and Psych are top-30 programs.</p>
<h2>The social sciences (sociology, economics, and anthropology) are very good at Northwestern. Polisci and Psych are top-30 programs.</h2>
<p>since it's so good, does that mean that the department is loaded with students since everyone wants to be in it and the competition is fierce within?</p>
<p>English and history are in the top-20 according to USN but since USN isn't accurate all the time, let's just say they are top-30. :)</p>
<p>Yes, music is top 10. ;)</p>
<p>Yeah, I think the very obvious ones are Medill Journalism, Theater (see the alumni and judge for yourself), Chemistry sort-of, and Materials Science and Engineering. Northwestern is definitely among the top in these fields in all of the United States. Econ is also very good.</p>
<p>one common misconception is that the rating only goes for whatever is in the classroom. as a MatSciE major sophomore, i'd say you have to make the best of it by talking to professors, working with them, and enjoying what the departments and school have to offer.</p>
<p>@RisingSun, why does Chemistry get a "sort-of"? I'm not saying it's a guaranteed top program, but what are the good and bad sides of it?</p>
<p>Well, Chemistry here is great, like, definitely top 10, but there are better schools for it, whereas the other subjects that I listed are literally like top-3 in the nation. Nanoscience and nanotechnology at NU is exceptional - one of the top in the nation, which is where we really shine for Chem. Other fields are very good too, but nano is very noteworthy at NU.</p>