<p>OKAY. Phew.
Hey everyone! I was accepted into Northwestern U. I completely wasn't expecting it, so I hadn't researched the school as much as I had others. Throughout my college search, I was primarily looking at small liberal arts colleges. Right now, I'm down to Vassar College. I LOVE Vassar. But I'm concerned whether NU would better suit me for my intended major. (astronomy/ physics) and Northwestern certainly does have more research opportunities. I'm an artsy but nerdy kid. (extracurriculars include piano/pipe organ and painting) My question is, should I choose Northwestern over Vassar? I'm having a really tough time. </p>
<p>my concerns about NU: too many frats, too big a school, not the right student body, chicago weather</p>
<p>concerns about Vassar: not enough research opportunities, maybe too small for me (IDK?!)</p>
<p>NU's prestige is tugging me towards Chicago, and honestly, I thought I'd be going to Vassar, but I'm lost now. I feel like by not going to NU, I'm giving up a great academic opportunity.</p>
<p>Can any current students/parents/etc. help me out? What do you think?</p>
<p>Not sure what you mean by the right student body. There are pleeennnttyyy of nerds on the NU campus, and one of their most well known programs is their theatre program, so you’d have plenty of artsy sorts, as well. Their music school is pretty good, too. I think you’ll find the right sort of people there.</p>
<p>As for the frats, every NU kid I’ve talked to has said it’s not like big state schools. The frat system is important, but it’s not overpowering. You can be at NU without touching the Greek system - or you can immerse yourself in it and be taken by complete surprise. Definitely not a big deal, from what I could tell.</p>
<p>Size is totally up to you. NU has an undergrad population of around 8,000 - not huge by any means, and I’m told you won’t see a lot of huge classes. But that’s up to you. I’m coming from a graduating class of seven (!) and I’m excited to go somewhere bigger, but not overwhelming.</p>
<p>However, DO NOT LET PRESTIGE MAKE YOUR DECISION. Do not attend a school just because it is ranked highly by some lists! That is a great way to end up paying 50k to go somewhere that you hate. If you would be happiest at Vassar, placement wise, then please go to Vassar! It is a great, well-regarded school. If you want that LAC feel and Vassar offers a program you like in your intended major, I would definitely say go for that before you switch to NU simply because it has prestige.</p>
<p>However, if you like the sound of NU and you like the program, then it is a great school that would be happy to have you. =) I would say your best bet would be to visit both schools and get a feel for their atmosphere. See if you can picture yourself there for four years. Talk to some students of both schools and figure out where you think you will fit best. That’ll should make the decision a lot easier than working hypothetically.</p>
<p>Well, there plenty of artsy kids around since we have a music school and a theatre program here, and definitely no shortage of nerdy students. Unless you’re actively seeking the greek scene, I don’t think the existence of the frats should really be a bother. Either way, both are great schools so just go with which you think is the best fit for you. Btw, did you visit the campus yet?</p>
<p>I don’t know much about the astronomy/physics department here, but I’ll just say that the cosmology class I took last quarter was the best class I’ve ever taken. Also, we have the Dearborn telescope on campus which was the first to discover a white dwarf and was actually the biggest telescope in the world for a short time!</p>
<p>edit: cross posted with Perididdle; excuse the redundancy</p>
<p>@sainclair: No, I haven’t visited. I’m trying to this spring vacation…I also need $ to get a flight, so who knows.</p>
<p>@perididdle: Thanks for your sage advice. But still, I think the only reason I’m very interested in NU is bc I was caught by surprise by being accepted…and the prestige. I can’t say I would feel most comfortable there…but then again I haven’t researched it as much as Vassar…hmmm.I just hope by not going to NU, I’m not giving up a great opportunity.</p>
<p>The good thing is you still have time. I posted in the “Northwestern Class of 2014” version of the topic you made. I am also trying to make the decision, though at this point I’m pretty sure it will be NU.</p>
