Congratulations to all accepted students!

Colleges & Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Congratulations- you must be incredibly excited! As an alum, I know I will treat you as part of the Wildcat family regardless of where you end up in the end. Visit the school, talk to students, and make an informed choice that is the best for you, whether or not that is Northwestern. I'm partial of course because I love Northwestern and chose it over Yale and Columbia.</p>

<p>To those who didn't get in, you will have an equally bright future elsewhere. There are multiple paths to success in life, and things do have a way of working out in the end. All the best to you.</p>

2

<p>Thanks! As someone who just got into NU and is awaiting more decisions, what made you choose Northwestern over Yale and Columbia? </p>

<p>Though NU is a top choice for me, I’m still not 100% sure to committing and want to see where else I get in.</p>

3

<p>Having been accepted as an early decision applicant, I can testify to the excitement and euphoria you must all feel at this point. Hopefully you’ll all choose Northwestern and end up being satisfied with the decision you made. We’re all incredibly fortunate to be able to call NU home for the foreseeable future and I couldn’t be happier with being part of the Wildcat family.</p>

<p>To those who received some disappointing news, the fact that you put yourself in the race is a significant step; to be considered at NU is a significant testament to your abilities in and outside of the classroom. Good luck with your future endeavors!</p>

4

<p>I had a really good impression of Yale until I visited. First of all, I’m gay and conservative and felt the gay scene at Yale would have been personally stifling (I still feel this way). It is just not my style at all. I wanted to downplay this as a concern at first but ultimately, I knew that a big part of going to college was the social life and the dating scene so I could not dismiss it. To be honest, had I gotten into Harvard, I would have attended but I was wait listed there. I attend Harvard for graduate school now and I really like the vibe here, which is similar to Northwestern’s. True diversity is embraced and various subcultures are treated equally. Ultimately, I am glad things happened the way they did and that I got to attend Northwestern for undergrad. I had an amazing time and look very fondly upon my years there. I would definitely choose Northwestern all over again.</p>

<p>Another factor was Yale’s surrounding neighborhood. I’ve always been a big-city type of person to the point where even Boston (where I am now) just does not do it for me. By my standards, Boston is a small city-- places close early, the transportation is more limited (though still good by most people’s standards). Columbia would have been wonderful in this regard, but I decided that I did not want the core at the end (also the reason why I turned down UChicago). Yale’s neighborhood is also dangerous. I grew up in the inner-city (Chicago), so I know what dangerous is. It is similar to UChicago’s environment (not Hyde Park but immediately adjacent to Hyde Park)–3 blocks away from campus is literally one of the most dangerous areas in all of Chicago. Do not listen to some naive wannabe-urban suburbanite who does not understand how dangerous it truly is there. Miss a Metra stop and you’re screwed.</p>

<p>Finally, I like the social brand attached with Northwestern. Not necessarily Aaron Samuels but a more intellectual socially progressive polymath type who’s not overtly (or covertly for that matter) “trying to be different” and who acknowledges the importance of a vibrant social life as a core component of a happy life :)</p>

5

<p>Wow thanks for the answer!
And yeah I definitely felt a great mix of both a social and intellectual school, and the area is great, too!
Thanks for the extra insight into Northwestern, it’s definitely one of my top choices :).</p>

6

<p>How did you feel about the class sizes, or even just the overall size in general? Northwestern is one of the largest colleges I applied to as I mostly focused on liberal arts colleges, particularly because I really like the idea of having small classes and having easy access to professors.</p>

<p>I also like the idea of learning for the sake of learning, which is why I applied to Carleton, for example. I hear Northwestern has a pre-professional feel. Do you think it would be the wrong choice for me? </p>

<p>(Part of the reason I applied to Northwestern in the first place is because of its size and location and the possibility of more opportunities, but what I’ve read about it being impersonal is making me wary.)</p>

7

<p>"what I’ve read about it being impersonal is making me wary.) "</p>

<p>My D would argue with you about this! She chose NU because of the small class size, and the communication with profs and students. She also lived in a res college for 4 years, played a club sport, and starred on all the IM teams, and that all helped her NU experience become even smaller, so there you go. </p>

<p>Be as small or as B1G as you want - and congratulations to all.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

8

<p>That’s really reassuring to hear. I’ve spent the past several hours reading about Northwestern (putting off a paper in the process…), and it seems more and more like a place I don’t want to turn down.</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply and the congratulations. :)</p>

9

<p>My son’s only a sophomore, but as an example, this spring quarter he has class sizes of 12, 15, 30 and 134. The 134 student class does have a discussion section, though, with only 15 students.</p>

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<p>Wow, that’s even better than I was hoping for. Thanks for replying with specific numbers!</p>

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<p>Here’s another question. What does the administration at NU feel like when it comes to sorting out registration, policies in general, paperwork, etc? Reading through the housing policies, for example, seemed very stringent - which might be appropriate… but what I’ve read seems to emphasize more the rules than the opportunities. Anyone had any problems that got sorted out smoothly?</p>

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<p>Having an organized, structured process makes the process streamlined and smooth for all parties involved, so that’s a good thing. If you need to reach a higher-up, that should not be a problem. I actually emailed President Schapiro about a minor suggestion, and he personally responded to my email.</p>

<p>Every single class that’s big has a discussion section- don’t worry about this at all.</p>

<p>Northwestern professors are very happy and are very willing to meet with students because a) they genuinely care and b) they’re paid really well. Plus, Northwestern is generally just a fun happy place and that contributes to the happy mood on campus.</p>

<p>

Northwestern students are very invested in their education in and out of the classroom. This means that they’re able to have both a liberal arts focus as well as a more practical focus. For example, an English major would immerse herself deeply in her studies but also secure an internship in marketing or a leadership position on a publication. A sociology major would not only be well-versed in sociological theories but also be heavily involved in non-profits. This is how they end up at the NY Times or the White House at the end. These opportunities don’t magically happen. </p>

<p>I have to tell you that in this economy, having a simultaneously pre-professional and liberal arts foci now should be a PRIORITY if you want to land a job in the end. The real world is not lala-land and those who only focus on their studies and do not gain practical skills because they want to strictly “learn for the sake of learning” will regret it in the end when the only job they can find is at Starbucks. Furthermore, Northwestern is big on having impact on the world. When you study a concept/principle, you should be able to understand its implications for the world and how you can improve the world with this knowledge. Lastly, a liberal arts background will make you more interesting because it will make you see the world in more nuanced ways. However, coupling it with some practical skills will make you much more strongly positioned to secure employment in the end.</p>

<p>One more advice: Do not rely on online posts to find a job. The world has changed and you must INVEST time in opportunities to have face-to-fact contact with alumni and wit those in your intended field of interest starting freshman year. They key is to get to know them over time to the point where they will feel comfortable passing on your resume to the HR recruiter at their company when the time comes. It’s a fact that when you have a mutual contact in a company, you are much more likely to secure an interview because it’s just easier to turn down a piece of paper without a face than a personal recommendation. Be aggressive about developing your resume while at the same time delving yourself deeply in your liberal arts studies. You need this bifocal focus to succeed in this economy, and this is simply a reality. Make sure to secure an internship <em>every</em> summer and throughout the year if possible. The Northwestern name is powerful-- use it to your advantage.</p>

13

<p>Thanks, wildcatalum, you definitely went above and beyond with that answer. So much so that I decided to have my parents read it too–as well as the other posts in this thread–and they were suitably impressed. </p>

<p>The things you mention are basically the reason I applied to Northwestern in the first place, but it was something of an anomaly on my list. And to be honest, I never thought I’d get in. But now that I have, I want to make sure I’m not just getting caught up in the name/rankings and abandoning my earlier ideals/values (when I told my mom Northwestern was probably the college I was most seriously considering, she told me she was surprised and called it the antithesis of everything I looked for in the beginning–my previous first choice Amherst College, where I was waitlisted, for example). But your post just reminded me that Northwestern has its name for a reason. </p>

<p>So reading personal accounts of people in the know like in this thread is extremely helpful, and I want everyone to know that I really appreciate it. It seems I made a better choice than I knew in applying. </p>

<p>I don’t want to take up too much of anyone’s time, but I’d love to read any personal experiences with and opinions on certain dorms/residential colleges, the special programs (any of them, but especially Kaplan Scholars, MENU, MMSS as a sophomore, Brady Scholars, or the Kellogg Certificate), or study abroad opportunities.</p>

14

<p>Great post and insights from all esp. Wildcatalum. I have a question too. My daughter is admitted to McCormick engineering. She has heard about the rigor of the quarter system, the constant pressure from finals, lack of time for social activity, difficult to maintain high grades (curving?), etc. Don’t get me wrong, this is our favorite school and top choice. But I was looking for honest and objective perspective so she can manage her own expectations.</p>

15

<p>S is a freshman in engg + isp. He says isp is rigorous, and challenging but engg classes (the intro ones thus far) are fun and practical (involves team projects). Since the intro engg courses are not that hard, the majority do well, so getting a high grade can be a problem due to the curving.</p>

<p>S plays intramurals (basketball, soccer) for his RC and he also finds time for jogging, and hanging out with his buddies. Never once has he complained about lack of time  and he is a fairly social person.</p>

<p>The one issue that I foresee about the quarter system is w.r.t. to internship during the summer since NU finishes quite late compared to other colleges in our part (East coast).</p>

16

<p>I’m glad to help. I’m very excited for you about what lies ahead should you decide on Northwestern. A world of opportunities will open up.</p>

<p>To be honest, I had a challenging time with the quarter system because I felt that a semester’s worth of material was often crammed into a quarter-length class. Also, instead of having 2 sets of finals, you have 3. On top of that, the courseload is typically 4 classes a term instead of 3 (as at UChicago). However, because of this set up, I learned SO much and was exposed to so much more material than I could have otherwise been. For those of you who are paying a substantial amount of tuition, it definitely makes the tuition all the more worth it. You are in college for 4 years…you might as well get the most bang for your buck right? </p>

<p>But at the same time, do consider the high stress level, especially for those of you who want as close to a 4.0 as possible (I think that’s what made the quarter system especially challenging for me). You will be so happy you went through this journey after it’s all over, but the journey itself can be very challenging while you’re going through it. The plus side is if you don’t do as well as you’d hope in a class, it wouldn’t count as much. But then again, if you do really well, the same thing is true. One more thing, the quarter system is good if you like regular feedback about your work and a structure that keeps you on your toes. You are much less likely to think (as some might be tempted to do in a semester system, for example) that because you have so much time, you can afford to waste a few weeks and then cram everything in the end. For many people, the quarter system actually forces them to not dilly-dally because they know the concepts will be tested right away.</p>

<p>Feel free to keep the questions flowing.</p>

<p>Good luck on your decisions!</p>

17

<p>wildcatalum, thanks for all of your time answering these questions. I have two questions for you if you don’t mind:</p>

<p>1) I’m interested in double majoring between SoC and Weinberg. How stressful is it to manage double majoring at NU? Will I be making some serious sacrifices if I choose to do so? And will other people be in the same boat as me? Also, does the quarter system help or hinder you in trying to double major?</p>

<p>2) I’m really not into the whole Greek system thing. What is the social life like for students who choose to avoid the Greek system? I’d love to go into Chicago with a group of friends on weekends, but I’ve heard kids hardly ever go to Chicago…</p>

18

<p>Once again, CONGRATULATIONS to all admitted students. Exciting times ahead!!</p>

<p>To those still making last-minute decisions, it’s clear you’ll do great things since you’re the type of student who appeals to a school like Northwestern. Good on ya, and remember how lucky you are to have amazing choices. </p>

<p>Best wishes to everyone, and have fun “buying the sweatshirt”!</p>

19

<p>@Drewski,
I remember writing to you in another thread but I wanted to acknowledge your post here as well.</p>

<p>1) Double-majoring is very easy and very common. The quarter system makes it especially easy to do this. You will not have a problem doing it in SoC and Weinberg. A lot of people even triple major. Make sure to meet with your advisor early and lay out a plan from the very beginning. If you find you don’t have enough time to complete your requirements (which will not be the case), you get a free quarter after spring of your senior year! How cool is that?</p>

<p>2) I was not into the Greek system either coming in. However, I knew people from my dorm who rushed and they are not at all the type you would expect to be fraternity/sorority types. Through their events, I discovered that the stereotypical Greek brother/sister does not really exist. Northwestern frats have a different vibe from your average state school frat because the people who are in it are of a different sort. As I mentioned before, you can be a hipster, hippie, nerd, jock, or athlete (or a combination of these) and still fit in and thrive. Some take advantage of the fraternity system to break out of their shell and reinvent themselves, and there’s definitely room in the frats to do this. The frats don’t create the people. It’s the fraternity members who shape the culture of the frats.</p>

<p>Outside the Greek system, you will not run out of things to do. On campus, there are world-class theater performances going on every weekend and several times during the weekdays as well. Cultural shows (put on by an astounding range of cultural orgs) abound. Dance and a cappella shows are very popular. Northwestern is a vibrant and exciting place to go to school in these respects.</p>

<p>Downtown Evanston and Chicago are great regardless of what you’re in the mood for. There are so many amazing options, from theater (Second City/Goodman Theater/Civic Opera House) to museums (Field Museum/Aquarium/Planetarium) to Chicago sports (White Sox/Cubs/Blackhawks/Bulls) to shopping (Magnificent Mile, Old Orchard, State Street) to music (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Blues, concerts) to art (Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, etc) to dining/night life (Lakeview, Andersonville, Wrigleyville 20 mins away from campus or less + all the restaurant options Downtown).</p>

<p>It’s very fun to go to performances/shows on campus with friends. Additionally, the fact that you can hop on the complimentary intercampus shuttle and be able to explore all of Chicago has to offer whenever you please is amazing. At the same time, you can return to a bustling college town and a contained and cohesive campus community in peaceful North Shore. Greek or not, Northwestern is an amazing and exciting place to go to college. Remember, only 40% or less of students are even in Greek life so non-Greeks are the majority.</p>

<p>I personally loved exploring different coffeeshops in Evanston/Chicago by myself to study. I went into Chicago 3x a week and it was very easy to do so given the fact that 1) Northwestern offers a free intercampus shuttle, 2) there’s a 24-hour CTA bus running through campus, 3) there are 3 “El” stops right on campus (purple line-- Davis, Foster, Noyes), 4) Northwestern offers a free shuttle to nearby shopping locations (Target/Best Buy in Lincolnwood and Old Orchard in Skokie) on the weekends (these are accessible by CTA as well).</p>

20

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<p>Can anyone say more about this? I’ve never heard it before and am not sure what it means. Would that include requirements for a second major?</p>