I’ve been looking into Northwestern and since it’s pretty expensive I was wondering if a) it’s really worth the price and b) if it is a preppy or snobby environment at all. I’ve heard some things about Evanston but none from people who actually live there so help would be appreciated 
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In my experience, there’s a decent variety of people here. I know some people who are preppy/snobby and have a lot of money, and there’s some people who come off as pretty pretentious, a lot of people are resume-focused, etc. But there’s also a lot of people who are from more normal/middle-class backgrounds, don’t have an attitude, etc. There’s a mix and you can choose who you interact with. I haven’t found it to be much of an issue personally.
It’s hard to say, there’s plenty of super rich people here. Something like 45% of the school doesn’t get financial aid (and assuming about 10% of that is international who doesn’t get financial aid in general, that’s about 35% rich enough to afford NU) so there are plenty of people who are fairly preppy. Of course, being rich doesn’t guarantee preppiness and being poor doesn’t preclude it. I would say that it’ll only really feel preppy if you get entrenched in Greek life, which is the preppiest in general. If you don’t go greek, it won’t feel preppy in my experience.
I was just accepted and am so excited to go. I got a full tuition scholarship because they are so great with aid for those who need it. im going for practically nothing, so if you need aid, im sure theyll give it. Most people ive talked to rave about the great students. Of course youre gonna have assholes anywhere you go but what can you do? My friend currently goes there and we are extremely similar, went to the same school, same interest, same city, and not snobby/preppy and she said going there was the best decision she ever made and has lots of nice friends. hope this helps!
As preppy as it can be. Come around some time soon in the winter season and you’ll see. 1 in 2 students would be wearing jackets worth $800+ (Canada Goose and Moncler etc). TNF is looked down at.
No one I know, even those who wear Canada Goose, look down on other brands. There are plenty of people who aren’t preps, and the ones who are mostly aren’t snobby.
Our kids are definitely not preppy (D favors vintage clothing) yet they both seem very happily embedded in and embraced by the NU community. As they say - “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.”
I currently go to school at a very preppy high school, but (being the super nerd that I am) have made plenty of friends that are not your typical “rich white kid.” I foresee Northwestern to be a similar environment. You will have your “preppy” kids if that is what you want but also artistic, hipster, sporty, geeky and everything other variety of person (to go by stereotypes, but, of course, people are complex and can’t be fully described by such labels). I am one example of a NU incoming freshman who isn’t preppy and I have seen people with a variety of interests that have already been admitted! Good luck with your college process
Um, preppy means old money and hand me down clothing with basic style, not North Face and mall clothing.
That’s not what preppy means to a large amount of people. It means Vineyard Vines, Polo, Sperry, North Face, etc.
I know a lot of kids who are going to or have gone to NU (including friends of my daughter’s). To tell the truth, “nice and smart” are the two words that would describe most of them best. Of all the schools she visited, D felt most “at home” there and she is definitely not preppy. She’s more nerdy, indie, vintage-boho-on-a-budget than label conscious. Maybe it’s the down-to-earth midwestern influence.
Thank you all! You’ve been great! And yes @Pizzagirl i know that is the real meaning, but i meant it in the other way. I just needed a word that got my idea across without being super mean
@shortstaxk17 Whenever one of these threads come up I always wonder what the real question is. “Preppy” is used as a negative term, but what is it that you are trying to avoid? Do you really feel uncomfortable in an environment where a bunch of other kids are wearing Polo shirts? I guess my S is “preppy.” He has a closet full of Polo shirts and dresses nicely every day, because that is the style that he likes. We are far from rich, and he attends a mediocre public school. From the vibe that I have gotten here on CC, when he steps on a college campus wearing the style of clothing he has worn since grade school, he will be instantly judged as “preppy” and consequently disliked by a large portion of the student body? That sounds an awful lot like middle school to me.
I am genuinely curious on this topic and would love to hear opinions.
Dressing “nicely,” to me, translates to “clean cut” and traditional. In no way do I think people would see that negatively, even (or especially?) on a college campus. I think OP was trying to convey a connotation of snobbery in the use of the term “preppy,” which I think was nicely clarified. For instance, clothing that reflects the purchasing of only the most expensive brands, even though similar-looking, no-name clothing could have been chosen. From my visits to Northwestern, I have observed a friendly and outgoing student body.
proundmomx3 - You can PM if you want - “From the vibe that I have gotten here on CC, when he steps on a college campus wearing the style of clothing he has worn since grade school, he will be instantly judged as “preppy” and consequently disliked by a large portion of the student body?”
Simple answer is “no”. I have a D alum and a son is current student. Neither of them ever said they “had” to have any certain brand of type of clothes while at NU. Me and wife are from @ area - so we get to see kids fairly often - and never had a complaint - everyone open & friendly. Of course you do have the parental unit bias - so discount some of that… BUT kids were/are happy there and that’s good enough for us! Like I said PM if you have specifics or follow up questions.
"I think OP was trying to convey a connotation of snobbery in the use of the term “preppy,” which I think was nicely clarified. For instance, clothing that reflects the purchasing of only the most expensive brands, even though similar-looking, no-name clothing could have been chosen. "
How is purchasing expensive brands of clothing when cheaper clothing could have been purchased “snobby,” though? The mere act of wearing clothing isn’t snobby. Frankly, the person who looks at someone who is wearing whatever-expensive clothing and concludes the person must be snobby is the person with the problem.
I love the irony from a NU student who has the screen name ivyleaguefan. Dot tell me, let me guess, you “settled” for Northwestern but really only an Ivy would do! (Hint - that’s far “snobbier” than a Montcler jacket)
My son has TNF jackets and his main winter coat is a decidedly unsexy Eddie Bauer down coat. No one cares,
Might I add, Northwestern is a major research university. From a graduate student or faculty perspective, I don’t think “preppy” would describe the overall atmosphere. The Evanston campus is well-tended, and that may not be a bad description of the students, either.
The undergraduate population on the whole do tend to skew toward upper middle class. There will be some rich students. There will be students on substantial financial aid packages. And everything in-between. I would characterize NU undergrad as somewhat pre-professional in orientation – even those in Weinberg, RTVF, etc. tend to have their eyes on career tracks. Also, there’s substantial Greek participation, but the impression seems like academics and well-rounded student life take priority. It’s not Animal House, and it’s also not a Whit Stillman movie.
My coat of preference was as warm as you could get.
Ha, this is of course years ago, but when I knew I was going to NU, I went to Burlington Coat Factory and bought a nearly to-the-floor purple down coat that lasted me through there
Down trumped couture for me. Mine was green and unflattering.
Honestly, I cared more about having some nice sweaters / clothes for indoors – looking svelte in lake effect snow was a losing proposition, imo.