<p>So i got into Northwestern and I was really gung ho about it, except for how expensive it is. Then, people started telling me things they had heard about NW, a few of which are...
- it is known for being really snobby, even more so than the ivy leagues
- people who go there say it is really tough to get in, but once you get in the academics are somewhat of a joke
- I've heard about numerous cousins, family friends ect. who went there and came back within weeks cause they hated it so much
- people dont really care about the intellectual aspect of education, they just produce kids who can get jobs </p>
<p>Dont get mad at me, I dont necessarily believe the rumors, but it just made me a little worried. I've liked everything I've heard about NW in books (journalism, good sports, good size, cool location) I am planning on visiting, but haven't had a chance to yet. I live in the Bay Area, California so I'm worried about the atmosphere (the people and the weather) being a really extreme change. My major is undecided. I'm basically deciding between NW, UCLA and tufts? or wash u? Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I don't think it's known for being snobby. In fact, none of the schools in midwest are known for that, as far as I know. That's just so..."unmidwest". </p>
<p>Academic isn't a joke. Of course some majors are harder than others. But I can assure you will work pretty hard if you major in econ, engineering, or journalism..etc. I'd heard theater is one of the more intense one as compared to those in other schools. NU does have grade inflation and I guess that's probably what some people are thinking. But that goes with schools like Harvard and Stanford too. Even Cornell has grade inflation (despite the myth) but I wouldn't call it easy.</p>
<p>It's true that NU is fairly preprofessional but other schools on your list seem to be similarly preprofessional also. Of course, any label is just a generalization at best. You will find both types on any campus; it's just a matter of what the porportion is.</p>
<p>Ha, academics are not a joke. People here are also REALLY smart. </p>
<p>Most people I know here LOVE it. It has to be a good fit though. No one can say what college is good or bad, because it's a very personal thing. For me it is the perfect atmosphere to be in. For some it probably would not be.</p>
<p>And seriously, this is the midwest; people are not really snobby.</p>
<p>academics, as others have said are definately nothing to laugh about. i don't think i've done this much reading for classes in my life. it also hurts that you can't use sparknotes like you could in highschool. your books are either textbooks or books written by your professor haha.</p>
<p>but there is some truth that students at NU can be snobby. many of the kids who go here come from upperclass, rich white suburbian households (not to generalize, but there are a good amount more here than at other midwestern schools). and a lot of these same students are used to having everything except their grades handed to them. the people on my floor do not clean up after themselves and our kitchen is constantly covered in hair and dirty pots and pans, as if a magic housekeeping fairy is going to come and do their work for them. and many of them look down on those who work in the cafeteria and treat them as if they are nothing.</p>
<p>but this is most definately NOT true of everyone and is not the be all and end all of the student population. it is not something that has ruined my experience here in the least. just know that you will encounter some pretentious people. but seriously, once you get into the career world, you'll find that anywhere.</p>
<p>wow...I've only run into a handful of people who are really "snobby" or obnoxious about wealth or grades...most have been extremely down to earth, hardworking, and brilliant. I think that you will find obnoxious people everywhere, but in my experience, that's not the majority here.</p>
<p>Definitely visit...that will be the best indication as to whether or not NU is right for you.</p>
<p>thanks for all the replies, i am planning on visiting. The only thing thats stopping me from attending NW is the fact that I dont really want 80,000 in loans after college</p>
<p>tee06--
If you can manage the loans/finance aspect of it, I would definitely come to NU. I'm from Cali myself and deciding to go extremem and come here was the best thing I have done. I had to decide between USC and NU and I'm really happy I made the choice...</p>
<p>I have to agree w/ everyone that academics aren't a joke. The only kids who don't have tons and tons of homework/reading [such as music majors] make up for it with their class schedule. They can often go to class from 8-4 and have no homework where the rest of us only have 2-3 hours of class a day but piles of reading.</p>
<p>People here are pretty intellectual, I'd say. Yes, the profs want to get you jobs but they also want to make you think. I'm in Medill [journalism] and the faculty def. want to set us up w/internships, etc. but they also just want to make us amazing writers and make us think about our role in journalism. Also, the poli sci classes are crazy intellectual.</p>
<p>With snobbiness, I feel like it's pretty balanced here. There are the snobby kids who wear brand names and polos [sometimes two, layered] but there are also the kids who are on crazy loans and know they have to be sensible when spending their dinero. I don't feel like snobby people are dominant...you can just find other ppl to hang out with.</p>
<p>Good luck deciding, msg me if you have any questions!</p>