Hi y’all, I am an admitted student cutting it close to the deadline. In the end, its between Rice and northwestern. Campus life is the deciding factor. What is the campus life like at northwestern? are students having a good social life or is it dominated by studying? What is the party scene like? Are there a lot of parties? Northwestern seems like a dry campus, not that having a ton of alcohol is a part of my decision, but knowing that students are able to cut loose on the weekends is a big plus.
Hey! I can speak to this - I’m a recent NU alum (<2 years) on CC trying to learn about CS undergrad problems. To answer your question point by point:
What is the campus life like at northwestern?
Is what you make it. SESPIE Majors have some of the best college experiences of anyone I know. The BME/Math Minor pre-med? Not so much.
are students having a good social life or is it dominated by studying?
The quarter system is hard. Per the above, it varies. But the quarter system keeps a high stakes test/week
What is the party scene like?
Dominated by greek life first 1.5 years, after, Chicago.
Are there a lot of parties?
Relative to? I thought there were a lot but people come from different standards. My buddy from Nebraska, thought it was a ton. My friends from NYC? Not so much
Northwestern seems like a dry campus, not that having a ton of alcohol is a part of my decision, but knowing that students are able to cut loose on the weekends is a big plus
Check out Dillo Day 
Tl;DR it’s a very flexible campus structure that works really hard and plays pretty hard. Let me know if I can clarify anything else.