<p>if you do go on one of the tours, make sure to pick up the "self guided tour" brochure in the admissions office. the on campus tour only covers the southern half, but you do get in some good fun facts throughout. i wish i would've had more time for north campus, esp since that's where i'll be living and where most of my classes are going to be....</p>
<p>asdf, that's really impressive to be able to overlook the campus and consider what really matters. but, at least my view is not alone, and maybe i'll end up in your same situation in two years.</p>
<p>I think my biggest problem with Northwestern's campus is that it really lacks a campus center. There is no quad; yes, the lackfill is pretty and right next to Norris- the student center, but that's really not the center of student life. It never gets busy enough to feel that way.</p>
<p>The closest thing for a central area for the campus is The Rock, and that area does get a bit congested, but it still doesn't have the open field quality of the traditional college quad.</p>
<p>I guess I’m different than the rest of you. I happen to hate the idea of quads. </p>
<p>Also, at a place like Northwestern that is pretty much cut in half with the North/South divide, I don’t think any quad would be the center of student life anyway. It just would not be too feasible for South Campus students to walk north to hang in the quad and vice versa. </p>
<p>We must also remember that Norris is not a student center, but a “university” center. Norris is much more an office building than anything.</p>
<p>I understand what you mean about feeling dissapointed with campus. I was there three days ago; the campus was very nice, but for some reason I was turned off to the school. The absence of a place for students to go to just chill was a major downfall for me. Everything else was very nice I thought, i.e. the lake and all that jazz. Evanston is also one of the nicest cities I have ever been to. My real dilemma is that I visited University of Chicago later in the day and thought that campus was infinitely sweeter than NU. The Gothic architecture kind of won me over, but then when my family and I got lost in Hyde Park on the way out I was minorly dissapointed by the surrounding neighborhood. Coming from a small town in Wisconsin this was clearly a roll up the windows and lock the doors situation. If only I could go to University of Chicago located in the fabulous community of Evanston. <em>sighs</em></p>
<p>i couldn't agree with you more, notsomuch.</p>
<p>You are, of course, entitles to your opinions, but to me, Evanston >>>>>>> Hyde Park. The gothic architecture at Chicago also doesn’t impress me; it actually looks kind of strange and unappealing to me. Moreover, the whole campus is not made up of the gothic architecture, it’s actually quite assorted.</p>
<p>I saw the campus 4 years ago and wasn't impressed- why don't they put a union ON the lakeshore, a nice enough building but nothing with any character. Hyde Park's location is its biggest flaw. Most important are other- academic and cultural factors- another reason I was not impressed. Berkeley had character when we drove through (up and down?) it and the restaurants nearby were so much more interesting than the typical ones in Chicagoland. Remember , as a student , you spend most of your time on campus- you probably are too busy with the on campus offerings. Unless, of course, the campus doesn't have enough to hold your interest.</p>
<p>I never visited any other college campuses before going to NU, so I don't really miss having a quad or 'gathering place' ... but yeah walk past the rock at 10 am and you're certain to see at least 1/3 of the student population!!! Norris isn't amazing but there are quite a bit of people eating lunch there on weekdays, and the library is usually pretty crowded (esp. the computer area). </p>
<p>On a different note, I'm gonna be a tour guide this year! So come to my tours! Yay!</p>
<p>Lily, you are? Congratulations! I'm going to apply for next year, I think.</p>
<p>i think NU has one of the most beautiful campuses i've ever seen.</p>
<p>I lived on campus for 3 weeks doing the NHSI, and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. I've visited quite a few college campuses for debate tournaments, and IMO, even colleges like Whitman (where people gush on and on about the beautiful campus) can't compare.</p>
<p>Some of the buildings are sorta eyesores, but it never really bothered me.</p>
<p>I think some people need to realize any excitment or disapointment upon first visit usually doesn't last long. After a while, even the most stunning buildings or campuses usually become nothing special. I visited Stanford and Berkeley for grad school and I was much more impressed by Stanford's campus. But after being there for couple months, the campus wasn't all that special anymore. I went to Berkeley sometime just to hang out with some friends and I didn't feel as much of the difference between the two campuses as I did upon the very first visit. NU may not have the most beautiful buildings, but after a while, who cares? What I like the most about NU are the lagoon and lakefill area, of which I never get tired for some reasons. There are very few campuses where you can relax next to a beautiful lagoon (one of my favorites was watching someone feed the fish/ducks), jogged/biked on the tree-lined paths along the lakeshore as seagulls glide overhead, or just sit and watch the waves of Lake Michigan and listen to the sound of them.</p>
<p>i agree...as long as the school's great...who cares? and....i love sitting on the big rocks by the lake at night and talking....its nice</p>
<p>And that's possible how many days during the school year? haha</p>
<p>^ lol (10 chars)</p>