Northwestern Vs. Emory PLEASE HELP! :)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>Could you all help me out? Because I'm finding it REALLY difficult to decide between Northwestern and Emory! So can someone (a current student of either/people who know a lot about these 2 places) answer some of the following questions like comparing both the schools? It would be REALLY helpful! :) So Academics, Social Scene, People and Theatre scene matter the most to me.</p>

<p>1) The Academics? Is NU better or Emory? Or are they at par? I'm not too sure, but I've heard NU is better.. Also, I've heard NU becomes really tough with the quarter system so that's why I'd rather go to Emory as well.. (I think it's pretty stressful)
2) Social scene. Like when it comes to parties and general fun/atmosphere of the place. Which one do you guys think is more relaxed and a bit competitive? And also, like the partying scene is better where?
3) How are the people? Like even with diversity? Lots of different people?
4) Theatre scene. Of course NU wins in this hands down, but I would choose Emory because I've heard the theatre scene is strong if you want it to be, like if you want to be really involved in it, there's a lot to do. And NUs is very dominating. I want to be in plays in college and stuff but it sounds really hard with the quarter system :P So that's a big drawback for me. So what do you guys think?</p>

<p>Also, I want to do Film as a major but focus on Pre-Med because eventually I want to be a doctor. But Film/Theatre is the major I want to pursue. Do you think it's possible at which school?</p>

<p>I know it's a lot of questions but PLEASE if someone can just take a few minutes to answer these questions comparing the 2 schools, I would REALLY REALLY appreciate it :) I really want to apply to either of these places ED and it's such a tough task to choose. Thanks so much!</p>

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<ol>
<li><p>NU is harder and also better. If you want a really easy college time, don’t come to NU (unless you’re planning to major in Anthropology or something like that)</p></li>
<li><p>From what I’ve heard of Emory, the party scene is slightly better there, in part due to the better weather and easier classes. But it’s probably not much better.</p></li>
<li><p>NU is very diverse.</p></li>
<li><p>NU’s theater scene wins. There is no debate. It is bigger and better.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Film majors don’t have to work hard- school of communications is easier. Pre-med is really really hard. From what you’ve been intimating in this post, I doubt you have the drive to stay pre-med at NU. It is possible to be pre-med as a film major, but that would be most of your classes.</p>

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<p>The premed courses are taught at the same pace as those in semester schools. NU just spreads the 1-yr sequences over 3 quarters instead of 2 semesters.</p>

<p>The bio/math are probably comparable to others. But our chemistry courses seem to be more intense than many. The chem department is ranked very high (like 6th or 7th in the nation); maybe the professors apply the same high standard and demand more.</p>

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<p>I am a parent of a 2008 Northwestern grad (D) and a junior at Emory (S). Overall, the two schools are very similar and if you truly have the choice to go to either, well, you cannot go wrong. That noted, there are a few differences from the perspective of a parent.</p>

<p>Financials.The financials seem similar unless you have merit money. Do not ignore the monies (and the hassles) of going to a school that is not drivable. Unless you live in Kentucky, it is doubtful that BOTH Emory and NU will be drivable. The hassle of airline reservations and cost AND the difficulties of sending and STORING college stuff is one that is often overlooked. If everything else is equal, that is a consideration. But it should be a minor one. </p>

<p>Social Life: the social life is pretty similar from what I have observed. Both schools have a greek life presense which is important but not dominant. I sense that frats/sororities are slightly more open to nongreeks at Emory compared to Northwestern but not a lot. Both schools’ greek life is very different from large state schools,ie, the ‘drunken frat boy’ stereotype. Emory may be slightly more diverse than NU but not much. Emory has more Koreans and Jewish students than NU. NU is much more midwestern in its feel. Emory is in the South but does not have the feel of a Southern school like Vanderbilt. </p>

<p>Academics: Not much difference here, either. I am not a big fan of the quarter system; neither was my daughter. It has a few advantages if you are in a bad course, it is over quickly. But the pace is quick in the quarter system and it seemed like one had to buy more books overall. </p>

<p>My son is a double major in Film Studies/Business. There is a fair amount going on at Emory Film wise now. The Business school has just developed a concentration in Film so that you can come out with both business and film knowledge. Several Emory students just won a national CampusFilmFest prize for their short film. The Film faculty and students are embarking on a project for a student-run feature length film that could be a commercial release in the upcoming year. NU has always had a lot going on in Film/Theater but neither school is as strong in the “how to make films” as programs like USC, UCLA or NYU. Film studies and preMed are doable at Emory. Might be more a bit more challenging at NU but it can be done. </p>

<p>There is an active theater scene at Emory but NOTHING compares to Northwestern’s Theater for undergraduates. Theater is very time consuming and can be challenging if you are Premed, too. </p>

<p>Campus dorms: Serious difference here. The dorms, especially the freshman dorms, are infinitely nicer at Emory. I cannot believe what Northwestern gets away with. The NU dorms are not in good shape and the University does not seem to care. Emory has three new dorms for freshmen. Facilities win at Emory hands down. However, the food at Emory seems to receive more complaints than at NU.</p>

<p>Administration: Students seem to complain about the administration wherever you go. I did not see a big difference. </p>

<p>Classes and class size: Again not much different. My daughter seemed to have a few more large classes (>100 students) than my son who has not had a class over 50 students yet. Most classes have been 20 or less. Access to professors has been excellent both places. My daughter met a professor her jr year who really changed her life (in a good way). </p>

<p>Sports. Difference is noteworthy. NU has Div I sports and Sat football games still carry the day. NU is generally not in the running for the Big Ten titles in football (although occassionally it does well) or Basketball (never made the NCAA) but the two sports do carry weight on campus. My D was not into sports but went to the fb games often and follows the team now that she graduated. My son is very into sports but does not seem to mind not having a Division I team. He is very into the NBA (In fact, he has a one day a week job at Turner sports’ NBA TV) and roots for the college team of his choice. When the issue came up in college selection, I told him going to Emory a) he could root for whoever he wanted and b) Division I sports are really just entertainment for the average student. Your life at college is really not that different if you have a strong division I team, a weak division I team (aka NU) or no Division I team (read: Emory). He completely agrees now.</p>

<p>City: Both schools give access to great cities. But both are rather different. I grew up in Chicago and have lived in Atlanta for >20 years so I feel like I know them both pretty well. Chicago is more urban and at NU one can go to school without ever owning a car. Public transportation to the city of Chicago from NU works. The Evanston downtown is sufficient to live without a car. None of that is true in Atlanta. Having a car or access to a car is essential in ATL. Thus, the cost of a car should also be strongly considered in the decision.
Additionally, there is more going on in Chicago than Atlanta which is both good and bad. NU can get a bit more lost in the sea of Chicago events/institutions than Emory does in Atlanta. But depending upon your frame of reference, Chicago can be a bit more intimidating and harder to navigate. Both cities have high crime areas which need to be (and can be) avoided. The campuses are both pretty safe. </p>

<p>Weather: Do I really need to go into this? Atlanta >>>>>>>>>> Chicago weather. I don’t know if I could deal with a Chicago winter after living in Atlanta but college students can put up with a lot and weather is not that much of an issue if you really want to go the Northwestern. Altanta’s summers are very hot and long but Emory students are usually not around for the time of year when Atlanta’s weather stinks. </p>

<p>Lastly, it gets down to the feel of the campus. You did not mention if you have visited both but if you are applying early decision, this is MANDATORY. If one of the two campuses really hits a cord, that may be enough to make the decision. Choosing between the two, one cannot make a bad decision. But you are going to have to live with the decision and where you feel more comfortable could end up winning the day. I am very impressed with both places so from a parent’s perspective. Good luck what ever choice is made.</p>

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<p>I am an NU grad and decided between NU and Emory (w some merit money). I had a painstakingly detailed post on this a year or two ago, and I encourage to rummage through my profile to find it.</p>

<p>I’ll sum it up like this because I know have the benefit of hindsight - NU is a better, more complete school.</p>

<p>For the 4 years you will be in college, the differences will be relatively small. Both are good schools located outside of major cities (for the record: Chicago > Atlanta, and Evanston is a hell of a lot more fun than the glorified strip mall that is 1 block from Emory’s campus). Having D1 sports (and Big 10, no less) is awesome. It galvanizes the student body. One of the key deciders for me was that people at NU wear purple - a lot of it. Espeically when the football team is racking up wins and the basketball team is on a hot streak. We are proud to be NU. </p>

<p>My question is this - when are you truly “proud” to be an Emory Eagle? Certainly its a great school, but what events would stir those emotions? Northwestern is on tv with its sports teams. It is far more renowned as a top-flight institution across the country and the world. NU alumni have gone on to be pioneers in assorted areas (Charlton Heston, Cindy Crawford, Dick Gephardt, William Jennings Bryan, Zach Braff, John Paul Stevens etc.)</p>

<p>That brings me to my current thoughts on NU v Emory. I think NU is a great place for undergraduates. I think the difference that NU brings is more important in retrospect and context. NU has top 10 programs in myriad endeavors. I have friends that are going to the best med schools in the country, the best law schools in the country, premier banking/consulting firms, and as professional actors/actresses/filmmakers. Though I try, I doubt I can ever fully appreciate how socializing with brilliant scientists-to-be and great actors has affected me as a Political Scientist. I am better because my peers forced me to elevate my game in the most noncompetitive way. In the immortal paraphrase of 2010 Commencement Speaker (and, of course, NU alum) Michael Wilbon, “you enter the world with the most powerful weapon of them all - a damn good education”.</p>

<p>With regular frequency, NU is in the news for this accomplishment or an alumni’s newest contribution. Being linked in to a world class law school, med school, and business school is just frosting on the cake. Though you likely will not use any of these resources, they are a part of who you are and what Northwestern is. </p>

<p>Another thing that should be considered for all would-be NU applicants - having Morty Schapiro as president is phenomenal. I encourage everyone to find a top-flight research university where the undergraduate population has so immediately and universally embraced a university president. I have talked to Morty on a few occasions and he is fantastic. I have not heard of presidents of such large, prestigious universities taking time out to invite students to his house for dinner. Rare is the president who freely discusses NU kids’ penchant for late nights on the town when acknowledging any strained town-gown relations. This is someone who cares. It is difficult to quantify what that means because there is no telling what he will do for the student body by the time these applicants graduate. In less than one year, he has rallied the students, diplomatically handled a living wage campaign, began the search for a sustainability chair, met with multiple student groups, taught at the undergraduate level, been a lightning rod for school spirit after his antics at football games (he yelled at the ref after a bad call at the Outback Bowl - no joke), and pushed for the construction of a new late-night dining option in a dorm quad on the southern side of campus.</p>

<p>I had a few different leadership roles this past year, so I heard quite a bit about Morty from those who interacted with him daily. The scoop is this - Morty wants to maintain NU’s research element while tightening the student body as a true community. Moreover, he is going through all levels of NU staff and determining who is working for the students and who is lazy/indifferent/ignorant/short-sighted. Without naming names, he has pushed for the resignation of a few administrators who were known for being less than student friendly.</p>

<p>It’s a great time to be a Wildcat. The university is most definitely on the upswing.</p>

<p>Go Cats, baby. Go Cats.</p>

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<p>Thank you SO MUCH everyone who’s posted! This was really helpful! </p>

<p>In context to NU: But I think since I’m going to be doing Pre-Med (almost like 75% sure) I’ll either have to major in something kind of easy (nothing is exactly “easy” at NU) or do something else altogether, because with the quarter system and other requirements etc, I feel like I won’t be able to be involved in Theatre outside of my major and stuff. Actually, even if I don’t major major in Theatre/Film and do some other major like Psychology, I still really want to be in like at least 2-3 plays a year! With a decent role in each haha :)</p>

<p>So what I’m really wondering now is, if you just want to do productions at Emory/Northwestern, how many in year can you possibly/practically do? Like perform in? And is it really competitive at NU? Even in Emory?</p>

<p>But I think I’m leaning towards Emory honestly. Because of several factors like:

  1. Weather well ATL does beat Chicago here.
  2. Social scene (I’ve heard from a current student who’s my close friend that there is a social stipulation in the NU society, she may have her own opinion but I’m a really social guy! And I think I’ll get kind of depressed by the winter for one, and also if the social scene is kind of :/)
  3. Semester system. I really want to be actively involved in stage productions and I feel like with the pace of the quarter system, I won’t be able to manage Pre-Med requirements + a major in not only Film but anything for that matter.
  4. Campus. Emory has a pretty big campus and I don’t really like the idea of a campus mixed into a neighborhood.</p>

<p>I just want to know if these are valid points. I still love NU! And I am definitely NOT trying to bring it down in any way here, I love it. But I think because of the reasons listed above, I would rather go to Emory. I just need some help, if you guys can tell me if they’re valid reasons :slight_smile: Please! :)</p>

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<p>A few quick thoughts:

  1. Making any judgments on the quarter/semester system is somewhat silly. Nobody who hasnt transferred from one type to the other has any clue what they’re talking about. The quarter system “moves fast”? Does anybody REALLY know what that means? Are we reading more pages, covering more material, taking more exams per week?
    We take 4 classes while everyone else takes 5. </p>

<p>And college students get a TON of free time. You are in the classroom 12-20 hrs/wk. That is the equivalent of going to HS for Monday and Tuesday and being off for the rest of the week in terms of hrs. Extracurriculars (or a truly uncomfortable obsession with GPA) are what really keep you busy.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I was a Poli Sci major and did a theater show while holding down quite a few other ECs. Its doable if you want it to be.</p></li>
<li><p>In terms of location/campus type: visit the schools. NU very much has its own campus. When you go 1-2 blocks off of campus, you are in a college town. Emory is similar, but the 1-2 blocks doesn’t have much. It’s the 1-2 miles that has Atlanta.</p></li>
</ol>

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<p>I’ve done a quarter and semester system (since I was abroad for a semester). Semesters move slow.</p>

<p>I don’t know what you meant by a “social stipulation”- but I just can’t think what you mean.</p>

<p>However, you should go to Emory. You will not be able to do the amount of theater you want at NU and be pre-med. You simply wont. And NU’s theater scene is almost certainly more competitive than Emory’s.</p>

<p>Now, you may not be able to be pre-med and do theater at Emory either, but I’m nearly certain you couldn’t pull it out at NU.</p>

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<p>Where’d you get the idea that Emory is more social than NU? NU has a larger Greek presence, better sports, and a much larger city just a few miles away. It can be as social as its Big 10 counterparts if you want it to be. Plus I’ve heard that there’s not much camaraderie between Emory students.</p>

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<p>Yah but man, the weather and the dorms are better. Plus since the kids aren’t as smart they’re probably nicer :P</p>

<p>;)</p>

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<p>just some thoughts…</p>

<p>premed kind of only lasts for a year or two. i finished most of it when i was a freshman and just took bio as a sophomore. if youre good at it and its what you should be doing, itll be doable. (btw im not talking about myself i did not end up going to med school). but anyway youll have all the time in the world once youre done with premed requirements so i wouldnt really base your decision off of time you might have a little less of freshman year (i also had a ton of leisure time even while doing my premed stuff so like i said unless youre one of those crazies that takes school way too seriously youll have time for whatever else you want to do) </p>

<p>personally i found quarters preferable to semesters. the exam schedule syncs much better with the break schedule and you get to take more classes and youre much less bored. </p>

<p>social scene at NU is fine. when you go to a smart school of course you get antisocial weirdos but if youre a social person you can and will find a ton other social people. i am and i did and it was awesome. go greek if youre so concerned about it. </p>

<p>also for getting into med school and certainly for working in the film/theater world i just think a degree from NU carries more weight than one from emory. its not really in the same league as NU. if you can get into NU, i say go there unless you need money and emory gives it to you. it seems like you want to go to emory but idk i think you should think it through a little more. i applied to emory as a safety, got in, and didnt even think twice about considering it. like i said, they arent totally comparable schools…at least not in the minds of the east coast elitists i grew up around :)</p>

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<p>Guys,</p>

<p>for Ecs I have Volunteering abouve 150 hopefully,</p>

<p>Sports all 3 years. Math team. French Honors Society 11 , 12.</p>

<p>But Im also really interested in Architecture. I have visited many places in US, India, my dad works for a French Company, so whenever he goes abroad. He goes to Countries and brings me pictures and models of the buildings. I research and read a lot of books on ARchitecture.
I have been drawing and making models of buildings since I was very little. does this seem to be a passion EC that will get my application noticed by competitive colleges? but I wasn’t in the architectural club at my school. could I get into Mit?</p>

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<p>Ahh okay thanks so much arbiter213, CelebralAsassin and thewayitis for your input! I guess since I’m posting this on a NU board, most of the weight falls for NU of course :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

<p>Haha but yeah I agree with thewayitis on your view of the weight of the degree in Film from NU. But one reason why I was turned off by NU was the main reason that it has divided schools. Too many, in my opinion (some others may disagree), so idk how to do Pre-Med with a Film major! Because I want to enroll in the WCAS but then do I transfer into the Comm school? So confused :S Also, I just really want to do Theatre/Film as an extracurricular not necessarily as a major. I’m very strongly for it as an EC, may be part of a small group or a massive troupe or something, but just part of it. </p>

<p>Anyways, the point is that one thing that turned me off about NU was the division of schools and then the Inter-School Transfers etc, it sounds a bit messy :S No offense intended, just my thoughts as to why I would rather go to Emory. And of course, the weather :slight_smile: But NU is another serious consideration. I guess everything has Pros/Cons in life… <em>sigh</em></p>

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<p>the weather is definitely a con. chicago winters are pretty much the worst things ever. the school division is pretty much non-existent though…if i were you id apply to RTVF to do your film stuff because those classes are harder to get into if you’re not actually in the school/film program, but taking any WCAS class is really easy to do, you just register for it. and those premed classes are pretty big and don’t close out so youd have no trouble getting into them. seriously, like half of my friends were in the school of comm or medill and they all double majored or minored in something in weinberg and it was ridiculously easy…</p>

<p>im not trying to convince you not to go to emory, if you want to thats fine, im just saying a lot of what you believe about NU is inaccurate…just want you to make an informed decision.</p>

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<p>vnd1994, I recommend doing a little research before making generalizations that aren’t true. Northwestern’s school is divided? Most schools are by general topics - business, CAS, engineering, and whatever else. Also, you are flat-out wrong when you say that transferring is “messy.” NU is honestly known as one of the best schools for a sense of academic fluidity between schools. Rarely will you find as easy a way to double major/minor between schools. If you wanted a film/theatre major, you would apply to SoC and then simply attach on another major from WCAS, and that way, you also cut down on core requirements which will open up your schedule. You can basically do this at any school in NU - there is no division like you would see at other top schools. Transferring is also incredibly easy at NU. Heck, I would consider that a massive plus rather than the negative you see it as. You need to reevaluate your thinking.</p>

<p>Don’t base your decision off the weather. That can be a pro, but don’t fall into the area of lunacy by choosing one school completely over another only b/c of weather. Academically, I think NU definitely beats Emory. Socially, I can’t say, but the point has been brought up about NU being a Big-Ten school in a better area. </p>

<p>Deviating a little from what you asked, why do you even want to pursue a major in film but also do pre-med? I see that as worthless because there are plenty of ways you can get involved in film/theatre (which is infinitely better than Emory - they are both at the top of their respective categories) that aren’t through a major. I have my certain “realistic” opinions on medicine from all too much personal experience. If you really enjoy film and want to major in it then maybe you are passionate about it, and if that’s true then I don’t understand. Is it just a hobby? If that’s the case don’t major in it in all honesty. It just strikes me as if you’re pulling one way and someone is trying to pull you the other way. Just my two cents.</p>

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<p>Thanks thewayitis! That really helped a lot! And I’m not sure about Emory either, I’m kind of 50-50 now, and I guess I was pretty wrong about a lot of things, but I’m glad that you cleared all that up! Thanks so much. I just have a friend who’s now a Sophmore there, and she’s like the winters are so depressing. But again, like Tinfoyl said, I shouldn’t base a decision off of weather, that is actually quite bad. I LOVE NU but I LOVE Emory as well, they both have pros and cons, I think I’m going to research it out more. And I think I realize that now I don’t necessarily want to major in Film/Theatre, I just want to be involved in it as an extracurricular thing. (As of Tinfoyl mentioned) But I DO want to pursue Pre-Med. And thanks again, thewayitis for providing so much information and wanting me to make an informed decision :)</p>

<p>I just really want to have an amazing 4 years of college. :slight_smile: All of us do.</p>

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<p>I recall driving through Atlanta from Chicago during spring break 1976 and witnessing hooded klansmen passing out materials near an intersection. I’m sure Atlanta has many qualities, but it is in Georgia. Perhaps Emory is insulated from that as long as you remain on campus. Perhaps Atlanta is more progressive than the rest of the state. But the politicians they elect seems to suggest otherwise. If weather, social scenes and dorms are considerations, certainly the mindset permeating the state has to be weighed as well.</p>

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<p>Atlanta is not the South and Emory is not even indicative of Atlanta. The idea that someone should not attend a school because of what you saw passing through a town 35 years ago is pretty ridiculous. Indeed, Illinois should not be too proud of its politicians if that is any indication of the mindset around Northwestern. Jeez…</p>

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<p>“The idea that someone should not attend a school because of what you saw passing through a town 35 years ago is pretty ridiculous.”</p>

<p>Indeed, that would be ridiculous, but that is not what was posted. Sonny Perdue, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson are the three highest-elected officials in the state at this time-not 35 years ago. I simply used a factual remembrance to illustrate a point on some of the history of Georgia. The OP can decide if that is relevant today. I am not trying to convince anyone of anything.</p>

<p>A paralegal from my office returned to Oregon last year from 2 years in Atlanta and she assures me it is indeed in the south, geographically and otherwise; this is not surprising in light of its long history. But like any major city, I suspect one can choose where to spend one’s time.</p>

<p>With respect to Illinois politicians, while not excusing their behavior, it can be argued the indictments and incarcerations of Governors proves the system works and that none are immune from accountability. That would probably not happen in Georgia unless one belonged to the wrong party (e.g., Don Segelman in Alabama). </p>

<p>At any rate, I am not advocating one school or the other, but I suspect internships and other opportunities rely on involvement with Atlanta and, as I suggested in my initial post, Atlanta may be a wonderfully welcoming and hospitable area. It’s simply an issue to investigate and consider as a personal choice for the OP-certainly as valid as considering weather and dorms.</p>

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<p>“Atlanta is not the South”???</p>