<p><a href="http://www.physics.northwestern.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.physics.northwestern.edu/</a></p>
<p>Thanks for all this information! I might be attending NW this fall as a freshman. I have two questions.
1. What do you dislike about Northwestern?
2. What advice would you give to incoming freshmen at NW?</p>
<p>Hey tenisghs, I got a letter with the acceptance saying that I could fly out to visit and learn more about African American life, with other African Americans currently there at Northwestern. Did you do this when you were accepted? How did you like it?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>tenisghs, I have a couple of questions.</p>
<p>1) If I go to WCAS, can I major both in something in the college and something offered by Medill, for instance? Can you choose two majors from different schools?</p>
<p>2) How often do people usually go into Chicago? Is it monthly, weekly, more rare than that?</p>
<p>3) How many kids choose to study abroad?</p>
<p>Hey Readytoleavehs,</p>
<p>I don't recall receiving an invitation to visit and learn more about African-American life when I visited Northwestern during Preview NU for accepted students. They might be doing something different. I would recommend it if you are still undecided on schools for next year.</p>
<p>Iloveapples,</p>
<p>You can major in both schools. However, if you want to switch into a different school, like Medill School of Journalism, you must do an InterTransfer School Application. The transfer into Medill is very tough. I would highly recommend speaking with the Medill admissions and advisors if you visit Northwestern for accepted students. People often go into Chicago depending on the season and their major. More people visit Chicago during the Fall and Spring quarters because the weather is warmer and more people outside in Downtown. It's only a train-bus-cab drive away. It's really fun. I visit Chicago a lot, especially if I take courses that require outside-the-classroom credit. I would say that about 20-25% of students at Northwestern study abroad. It's not a huge number as people make it to be. I thought I would go abroad, but decided against it for personal and financial reasons. Don't assume that you must study abroad. However, the economy might improve that study abroad won't be so expensive by the time you're a junior.</p>
<p>stlbballfan13,</p>
<p>Your question is so broad that I'm not sure how I can answer it. What exactly do you have in mind? Social life? Academics? Coursework?</p>
<p>I'll try to clarify my questions for you.
1. What are some aspects of Northwestern that you dislike most? I'd just like to know what you think are the negative aspects of the university.
2. What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about life and academics at Northwestern? In other words: What things have you learned that you wish you knew when you came to Northwestern as a freshman?</p>
<p>I have heard that there are some very nice, brand new dorms on campus. Is this true?? If so what what is the name of it and how is it? If I am in WCAS and majoring in economics and want a nice double dorm with a roommate and private bathroom, what are some dorms you suggest? Also, when you are filling out the housing application and selecting a roommate, is it possible to select the ethnicity or race or major of your roommate?
Thanks! you've been so helpful =)</p>
<p>Tenisghs - My daughter (a HS jr) and I are going to visit NU next month. She'll do a School of Music visit on a Monday, so we'll fly in Saturday and leave on Tuesday. What would you recommend as a Saturday evening + Sunday + early Tuesday morning itinerary if we want to get the overall sense of the NU campus (and downtown Chicago) scene to supplement the Monday School of Music meetings?</p>
<p>Ilovesugar, I know that there is one new dorm on North Campus but it's mostly upperclassmen who live there. There have been no new dorms constructed since I've been here. However, we have had a lot of new construction of research centers and office space for faculty. If you want a private bathroom, I will suggest a suite-style dorm. Look on the housing website (it's in this thread so look for it) and search for suite-style dorms. You won't have a private bathroom to yourself but there will be 8 people sharing one bathroom versus a communal (20-40 people) sharing a bathroom at most typical dorms. And I don't recall anyone on the application you can pick the race and major of your roommate. They only ask about your interests, which dorms you want to live in and whether you smoke/don't smoke. Northwestern does not discriminate.</p>
<p>Alright, Tenisghs, I am asking my first question and I feel there will be more to come :-). Thank God you're around, because I find NU's website quite insufficient.</p>
<p>How does the Financial Aid office deal with student aid? At Cornell's board, students claim that you get all funds covering the total cost of attendance (as determined in your FA offer), and if you manage to save some money, it is yours. Is that true at NU? For instance, if the FA estimate the Room and Board expenses to 11,000, but I choose a cheap meal plan, will I be given more finances towards personal expenses? Or will I simply get a smaller grant (I mean NU scolarship)?</p>
<p>I am not greedy, but if saving any money from my scolarship is possible, I'll be extremely happy to help my parents with the family contribution, or to buy a ticket home for the winter break :)</p>
<p>Gadad,</p>
<p>Wow, what a trip! I would suggest that once you arrive in Evanston/Chicago is to look around downtown Evanston area (see what the city offers, get a hotel, have dinner, etc.) Saturday evening. Sunday, I would recommend to drive around the North Shore area (Skokie) to see the stores and malls (Old Orchard Mall) if you're into shopping. (Private message me for directions or look at the link below). Sunday afternoon, you may want to visit downtown Chicago. However, I strongly recommend public transpotation (CTA) unless you don't mind paying expensive parking fees. Monday, you will be touring the School of Music. I would also try to tour the rest of campus on Monday. I would recommend breakfast at Le Peep, Panera, Walkers' Pancake House or Clark's if you're into breakfast food. And look around Evanston and the Northwestern campus again Tuesday morning and get ready for your flight home.</p>
<p>Here is a website that should help you while visiting Northwestern:
<a href="http://www.northwestern.edu/campus/visiting/%5B/url%5D">http://www.northwestern.edu/campus/visiting/</a></p>
<p>I have a question about financial aid. I heard from a parent of a current Northwestern student that freshmen are not offered scholarships but all other underclassmen are. She said something about Northwestern wanting new students to first make a commitment to the university before offering them more financial aid. I can't find any information about this on Northwestern's web site. Do you know anything about this? Does this have anything to do with the "Northwestern University Scholarship" that is mentioned on Northwestern's financial aid web site? Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>Thanks Tenisghs!</p>
<p>stlbballfan13, this is completely false. Freshmen are offered NU Scolarships (which is what other universities also call grants). I have just been offered one as a component of my fin. aid package! :-)</p>
<p>hi , first thanks for all the great info you give in this thread..
2, is there any required courses sort of "core" curriculum at NU ?</p>
<p>Alright then. If freshmen are offered NU scholarships, then why am I expected to pay all $44,000 without any scholarships? Also, in the acceptance materials I received, NU scholarships weren't mentioned once. Northwestern claims that the reason they don't offer merit-based scholarships is because all of their students excel academically (taken off their web site). How do they expect anyone to afford to attend their school? It seems to me that the only people who can go are either people who are very rich or people who qualify for need-based scholarships. I guess this leaves middle-of-the-road people like myself without any help. The only way I can attend is using their loan program, and even then when I graduate who knows how much debt my family and I will be in. Northwestern's financial aid system seems a little messed up compared to other colleges. Any comments? It would be nice to hear from current Northwestern students to see how they handle these costs.</p>
<p>By the way, I'd really like to attend Northwestern this fall, but my parents are skeptical about being able to afford it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If freshmen are offered NU scholarships, then why am I expected to pay all $44,000 without any scholarships?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Because you can in comparison to other people. Their EFC methodolgy deems that you have a high enough income/assets to pay for the whole tuition compared to other people who need the money. If you want to argue about whether NU gives out scholarships, I can send you my financial aid sheet and the argument will be settled. They DO give out need-based scholarships.</p>
<p>i'm still thinking where to go because both of my dream schools accepted me. but anyhow, tenisghs, do you recommend those all-freshmen dorms for us incoming freshmen? do we usually get our first-choice housing? do you recommend residential colleges/residential halls?</p>
<p>how is the food? Some people say it's good but i also have heard from some who say it's not good. </p>
<p>I have browsed through the archive in the old CC board too and the old msgs in this thread. I remember you have explained the meal plans before, but can you explain more on the wildcat points (mainly on this) and the meal plans - the block and weekly thing.</p>
<p>oh and also, how much time does an average, normal NU WCAS student spent on lessons+studying+revision? Are people NORMALLY very hardworking?</p>
<p>THANKS!!!</p>