<p>The administration is the worst group of people. They're just plain mean people.
Aug 6 2001 1st Year </p>
<p>Business - Management and Administration
It took me some time to truly appreciate all that Northwestern has to offer. I was surprised and a bit intimidated by all the great people i met here. Everyone I know has something about them that makes me say "Oh, so that's why he/she got into this school." It's more than just grades or test scores - the students at Northwestern have dynamic interests and awesome personalities. Your friends do more than have fun with you - they aren't afraid to challenge your ideas.
Norwthwestern is a great school with something for everyone. We may study a lot, but the students at NU know how to have fun to. I've had an amazing time at Northwestern and would recommend it to anyone who is up for the challenge!
Aug 31 2001 2nd Year Class 2003 </p>
<p>English
I loved Northwestern, but I know it's not for everyone. It is a place for people who want to have a serious academic experience, but not too serious. The kids at Northwestern know how to play, but they also take themselves seriously and know how to buckle down when it's time to study. I would recommend NU highly. It made me the person I am today. It is a place with something for everyone. And it's the right size: not so big that you're lost in the crowd, and not so small that you know everyone you pass on the street. Plus, they were very generous with financial aid. In general, I would advise people considering colleges not to choose some place out in a cornfield. There's nothing to do in those places, and people end up turning into drunks and messing around with every person they know. Drinking is well and good, but in places like that it's the ONLY thing to do. NU was great because alcohol was part of college, but it wasn't all of it. For example, it's a lot more fun to go to a Cubs game and have a bunch of beers, or go downtown in Chicago and hear some live music, than it is to sit in your dorm room and put down a six pack. Choose a college that offers you some atmosphere, having a big city near by is a huge plus.
May 18 2001 Alumnus Class 1998 </p>
<p>English
I have mixed feelings about Northwestern--I think I can appreciate it more now that I've been away from it for awhile. Be prepared to work hard; the quarter system makes for a heavy and fast-paced workload. There was definitely no-hand holding there, so you have to be smart about navigating through your four years there. The social life also left much to be desired--the Greek system is a big part of campus, and if you're not part of that, you have to work a little harder to find your own niche. At least Chicago is close-by. All that said, Northwestern has excellent resources as a mid-sized university and can provide a very good education, if you are just pro-active about things. Don't be afraid to stray outside your major/school; Northwestern offers a wide and diverse range of classes, from film to computer science to really round out your education. Make sure to seek out professors that you really admire. Make sure you visit the Career Center before last quarter, senior year! Wear a thick skin and surround yourself with a few good friends, and you'll do fine.
Aug 22 2001 Alumnus Class 2000 </p>
<p>English
I decided to transfer to Northwestern after completing my freshman year at Columbia. At Columbia, I felt worthless and dejected. My life ultimately had no purpose. All I did all day was lie in bed, smoke, and fantasize about being anywhere else but there. Then I transferred to Northwestern....and all I could think about was how much I wanted to go back to Columbia.
Aug 6 2002 3rd Year Class 2002 </p>
<p>Industrial Operations Engineering
Northwestern is a good school, you just have to take the time and energy to use it for all its resources. Take advantage of what it has to offer and make sure not to get lost in your schoolwork. The city is a hop skip and a jump away so use it. Yes, the quarter system is demanding, but it is do-able. Thousands of students have gone through it and succeeded so any worthy candidate could do the same. </p>
<p>Go NU!
Dec 1 2001 3rd Year Class 2002 </p>
<p>Industrial Operations Engineering
Overpriced education. There is no advantage to attending a private university over a quality state school. Where you go to school (within reason) is less important than what you do at while you're at school.
Aug 22 2002 Alumnus Class 1991 </p>
<p>Journalism
I chose NU for the journalism school, and 10 years later, I'm still a journalist and still using the stuff I learned -- including stuff from the 75 percent of classes required to be non-journalism. The things that make me remember NU fondly: Great professors, beautiful campus, Chicago, fellow geeks in marching band, plentiful and cheap entertainment. Not so fond memories: feeling out of place as a blue-collar kid on financial aid among the BMW-driving lovelies. It's easy to study too hard (we once joked in our dorm, listening to a band's records before said band's concert, "Hey, we're cramming for a concert!") -- I should have enjoyed Chicago more.
Dec 4 2002 Alumnus Class 1991 </p>
<p>Journalism
I chose NU for the journalism school, and 10 years later, I'm still a reporter and still using the stuff I learned -- especially from the 75 percent of classes required to be out of the major. While the classes were great, fellow journalism students were too cut-throat, so I hung out with engineering students. Things I remember fondly: Great professors, beautiful campus, Chicago, fellow geeks in marching band, plentiful and cheap entertainment. Not so fond memories: feeling out of place as a blue-collar kid on financial aid among the BMW-driving lovelies. It's easy to study too hard (we once joked in our dorm, listening to a band's records before said band's concert, "Hey, we're cramming for a concert!") -- I should have enjoyed Chicago more.
Dec 4 2002 Alumnus Class 1991 </p>
<p>Mechanical Engineering
From Day One, you get put with professors who are some of the brightest in their field but who actually care about teaching you. Also, coming into Northwestern I was afraid everyone would be cutthroat academic geniuses, having been here a month or so now its extremely clear that that fear was unfounded... basically everyone is my equal. Also, the campus kicks ass... so beautiful!
Nov 4 2002 Unknown Class 2006 </p>
<p>Music - Composition/Theory
I think the stature of the University helped tremendously. Even though my degree was not in Computer Science, and I pursued technology, colleagues and potential employers werem very impressed at my credentials. Just because it was "Northwestern". I am glad I attended and have very good memories of my undergraduate days!
Sep 12 2000 Alumnus Class 1985 </p>
<p>Philosophy
Northwestern is a great school, but for a non-Southern, private school, the Greek system is a bit too prevalent for my tastes. That's only a matter of taste, though. If you don't mind that, there are no real drawbacks here. If you're like me, you will find by talking to your friends that college generally isn't terribly difficult, so the fact that NU hasn't challenged me too much isn't a knock on it as a school. It's about the world's most beautiful campus, though, if you throw out the library, and every day that it's sunny, I just have to look up and smile.
Jan 29 2002 1st Year Class 2004 </p>
<p>Physics
Northwestern, despite its rap as a stone-cold crypt socially, does a fairly good job educating its undergraduates. While the bulk of the undergraduates go on to medical school or giant consulting firms (Accenture comes to mind), there are a few diamonds in the rough. The physics and math departments (both of which I had the most experience with) do a good job of taking care of their undergraduates and the faculty are always accessible and willing to work with interested students. I'd do it again, if I had the chance.
Aug 29 2001 3rd Year Class 2002 </p>
<p>Psychology
This is truly the best place in the world. Any student who doesn't give Northwestern serious consideration is doing him/herself a disservice. The students are great, financial aid is tops, the campus is beautiful, and the university as a whole is unparallel. These have been the happiest 4 years of my life!
Jul 12 2001 4th Year Class 2001 </p>
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<p>any comments? (to be continued because CC says it's too long..tellin me to shorten it to 10000 char. long)</p>