<p>During our intense search though LAC we found college that both my D and I were really impressed. I thought I will share some info of a college that has not been discussed here on CC.
North Central College located in IL in very up and coming city Naperville. NCC locations is very convenient for easy access/ metra 1 hour/ to Chicago and Naperville area one of the fastest growing. College surprised us by quality of faculty, where professors will stop us on a walkway and seeing that we new will strike conversations and answer our questions. Strenghs are in business, management, sciences, psychology, education, theater. Good fin aid, merit aid from nice to full tuition,multiple art, treater scholarships as well. College use their own methodology calculating awards based on EFC, GPA and tests scores. It admits about 70 % and middle ACT are 24-27. NCC attracts mostly local IL students, so people from other areas might get a boost in admission/ desiribility.
Due to location college has tremendous amount of multiple internship opportunities, some of them paid nicely. NCC has long standing research opportunities with Fermy and Argonne labs which are located nearby.
Research and interships are required for some majors and if professor goes to present this reseach at some conference student can go along/ all expences paid/. Psychology department has strong industrial and education psychology research, also conflict resolution research is strong point across many departments.
Food is acceptable but nothing special. Dorms are regular with option for newly build nice suites for upperclassmens.
It is DIII in sports but they are very athletically oriented and have one of the strongest running programs, have been repeat champions in X country and wrestling. I believe athletics is one thing people are competitive there, when it comes to academics students say you compete against yourself.</p>