NU Sophomore Taking Questions (contd.)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
201

<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. *</p>

<p>There's nothing really negative I like about the university. Academics are top-notch, transportation is good, faculty are accessible and caring (depending upon the department), tons of student groups to participate and volunteer in. It's whatever you make of your life. I guess Winter quarter can be the drabby season since it's dark and cold outside. Food is decent. I guess one thing I hate is trekking between North and South campus! That's my pet peeve since I have classes on both campuses and I live on the extreme South end. But shuttle transportation makes up for that. Personally, I do think the Greek life here is overrated (60%). Thankfully, there are things for non-Greeks to do in Northwestern. Northwestern does have the sense of being a pre-professional school (its top schools are communications, music, journalism, education and Kellogg)and rank very high on national rankings. The engineering school is very good as well as pre-med placement. I wish Northwestern was more diverse racially. The numbers are up this year for URMs but there can still be more improvement in that department. Administration is easy to understand and accessible so no worries there.</p>

<p>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>Just relax. Northwestern will not swallow you. As an incoming freshman, you will be surrounded by your peers, helpful upperclassmen and faculty who want you to do well here. They also want you to discover what is great about Northwestern. Also do your homework!!! The parties can be very tempting. Making friends takes time, don't expect to meet all your friends by Fall quarter. You will make friends throughout your entire four years at Northwestern. No school is perfect, but I don't regret coming here.</p>

202

<p>Are the econ buildings on the north or south side of campus?</p>

203

<p>LordDragon, you have set a precedent when it comes to financial aid. I'm sorry folks, but anything dealing with financial aid is beyond my expertise. Even when I volunteered for Admissions, I could not disclose any information about financial aid that went beyond the typical packagses: grants (scholarsihps), Federal work-study, and/or loans. The same applies here. If you have any detailed questions about financial aid packages, PLEASE call the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid at Northwestern.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/evugrad/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/evugrad/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Sidenote: If you are really disappointed about your financial aid package, you can always have an on-campus part-time job to compensate it. It's also nice to have extra money in your pocket to pay for books, food, bills, etc</p>

204

<p>Go48, yes Northwestern does have distributions requirement. They are Formal (Math), Science, Social & Behavioral, Values, Literature & Arts, and History. You need to take 2 courses in each section to fulfill the school's graduation requirement. Each school within Northwestern will vary on how much you need to take. (Yes, even Engineers must take humanities courses.) However, if you have AP/IB credit or college credit, it can compensate for those classes that you can start earlier than incoming freshmen. I had sophomore status before my freshman/1st year was over because of AP credits that fulfilled some of the distribution requirements.</p>

205

<p>*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>Yes, I do recommend all-freshmen dorms, especially the residential colleges. You will be around your peers, make friendships and engage in fun social activities in Evanston and Chicago. I stayed in a residential college and enjoyed my freshman year because of it. I did not suffer homesickness because my dorm did special events for its residents. I no longer live in a residential college (I live in a regular dorm with suites now)but I have fond memories of my first-year.</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>It really depends on which dorm you attend. Not all dining halls are the same. I know that the best dining places on campus are 1835 Hinman, Sargeant, Foster-Walker or Norris University Center. Thankfully, you do have downtown Evanston for cheap and decent-priced as an alternative!</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>Since I've explained this many times, here is the website:
<a href="http://www.northwestern.edu/nucuisine/meal_plans.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.northwestern.edu/nucuisine/meal_plans.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The links will explain everything about each meal plan as well as the dining hall facilities.</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>It depends on your major. Some majors require less work than others. I would say if you take four courses + lessons + revision a quarter, it's like working a full-time job (40 hours/week). You should also schedule your quarters so that you're taking a variety of courses your freshman year (distros, seminars, major class). Don't take all math, all science or all humanities classes. Believe me, you will be more stressed.</p>

206

<p>So that 40 hours per week thing includes classtime rite?</p>

207

<p>what is the social scene like at northwestern? do most people go into chicago each weekend or does evanston have enough going on? is there a big frat/sor. scene or is it more bars/clubs? is the school spirited, like are there fun things that the university organizes? also is the school pretty diverse in terms of the types of kids? like is is it a good mix of academic people and fun people?
- if you have a sec - 1400, 3.93 gpa, 4's and 5's on ap's (6 ap courses), low 700's on sat II's, good extracurriculars (sga, varsity cheer captain, drama club), would i get in? plus my cousin is a proffesor there and would right me a recommendation? what if i applied early decision? ThanKS!!</p>

208

<p>The Econ department is in Kellogg building.</p>

<p>Yes, a 40-hr week includes class time. Homework is twice how many hours your class meets. If you one course that is 3 hours, it will take you 6 hours to do the work for that one class. It all adds up.</p>

209

<p>That's why the chemE and EE majors are jealous and bitter. LOL!</p>

210

<p>Yall, Sam Lee, but you guys do persevere. Haha.</p>

211

<p>Can you compare/contrast Willard and Allison?</p>

<p>And do you know anything about the LOC program and possibly dual majoring LOC-economics?</p>

<p>I know that's a bit specific, but anything you can offer would be much appreciated.</p>

212

<p><a href="http://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/ugrad/conc/loc/curriculum/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/ugrad/conc/loc/curriculum/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Second Majors and Minors
LOC students may earn a second major in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (WCAS). Many LOC students earn a second major or minor in Economics, International Studies, or Business Institutions. For full details regarding second majors or minors, refer to the SESP Student Handbook.</p>

213

<p>I applied to WCAS. If I decide to dual major, do I have to transfer/apply to SESP or can I just kind of... add it on?</p>

<p>Thanks for the stuff from the site, but I read that already and still am a bit confused. :(</p>

214

<p>You will have to do an InterSchool Transfer Application to switch into SESP from WCAS. You will only receive one degree when you receive a double major. If LOC is your major, that is your primary major and your degree will come from SESP. If you're an admitted student, I strongly recommend talking to the SESP people. What is it that you don't understand?</p>

215

<p>
[quote]
Personally, I do think the Greek life here is overrated (60%).

[/quote]

tenisgh, at 60%, I think it is indeed overrated. Isn't it more like 40%?</p>

216

<p>Oops, thanks Nan. It was definitely passed my bedtime when I typed that sentence. It's 40% Greek!!!</p>

217

<p>So many people greek, not even some big party schools have that many people go greek.</p>

218

<p>just wondering, do most people have a bike on campus? is it needed? if so, is there any place on campus where i can get a bike?</p>

219

<p>thankful,</p>

<p>There are a lot of people who do have bikes on campus, but it is certainly not needed. You're bike won't be that useful during winter (where you really want to get to class as quickly as possible) b/c of the snow or ice.</p>

<p>There is a used bike store close near Evanston, so when you get here during the fall you can check it out. I really don't think you need a bike, though. Walking the mile (possibly slightly less or more) between North and South Campus is hardly a big deal. Plus you find your shortcuts later.</p>

220

<p>I'm deciding between U of CHicago and NU. I'm a history/politics person.</p>

<p>1) It seems like politics and history aren't that strong, is it true?
2) Is it easy to graduate early? Like within 3 years with just one major?
3) How do you view U of C?</p>

<p>Thx!!</p>