<p>As a WCAS freshman is it required to take three quarters of foreign lang, chemistry and physics. Becasue i was reading something on the website that mentioned we did.</p>
<p>Goyank, I don't know where you retrieved that information. It is inaccurate. You need to have 2 years of foreign language (I only took 3 courses, or 1 year, because I had placed out of beginners courses before matriculating into NU), and just two courses of science. Just two. You can take any science course. Goodness, I haven't even taken a physics or chemistry courses (for nonmajors) and I'm a junior! Only one biology (for nonmajors) course. You need 2 science courses for the WCAS distributions.</p>
<p>Thanks I appreciate the help.</p>
<p>Here's a page on Weinberg distribution requirements...
<a href="http://www.cas.northwestern.edu/advising/distro.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.cas.northwestern.edu/advising/distro.html</a></p>
<p>this is a better link...
<a href="http://www.wcas.northwestern.edu/advising/degree.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.wcas.northwestern.edu/advising/degree.html</a></p>
<p>Okay, now that all the summer deals are coming out...I don't know what kind of computer to buy for Northwestern.</p>
<p>tenisghs, which is better for NU: a laptop or desktop? I've heard that it's not practical to bring a laptop to engineering classes, and I'm a biomedical engineering major (though that might change...). However, the wireless thing is really big these days.</p>
<p>Toboe, check the "Dell or HP" thread in this forum.</p>
<p>I cannot really answer this question because I'm not a McCormick student.</p>
<ol>
<li>Contact McCormick about your major and specs recommended.</li>
<li>Northwestern will send out an IT newsletter in the mail. It will explain what specifications (at the minimum) they recommend for incoming freshmen. </li>
<li>You may want to check out the HP vs. Dell thread, but since engineering is a different field, they may want different specs. For example, ComSci majors will want fluency in Macs and PCs.</li>
<li>Really, it's a personal preference. The English-major student may not need all the gizmos that a Computer Engineering student might need.</li>
</ol>
<p>I think common knowledge says that if you are going to be an engineer, you want a PC, however, I know at least 2 McCormick students (on my floor alone) who have Macs, so I don't think it makes a HUGE difference.</p>
<p>I know that in my current school, SESP, you will want fluency in Mac and PC. SESP <em>only</em> uses Macs in their building.</p>
<p>...ah...guys...I meant laptop or desktop, not brand type. I deal with that once I decide on what kind of comp. I've read the [Dell vs HP] thread...all it says is one reply on laptop, and then they discuss brands...</p>
<p>See...I'm not really used to laptops. I suppose I could get used to 'em, but for me, they're cramped, expensive, tiny, you have to worry about battery life, etc. Plus, accessories would cost a lot.</p>
<p>I'm leaning towards a desktop, because that's what I've always had....but if wireless is super important...</p>
<p>doesn't about 80-90% of the student population get laptops? they're a lot better for mobility factors, esp if you're taking your computer to classes...and when you have to change dorms every year...and wireless is def a big thing. laptops are probably the way to go.</p>
<p>The desks at Northwestern are pretty small too. A laptop would save a lot of space.</p>
<p>Toboe, to answer your question: I have a laptop, and it was the best decision I could have ever made. The desks ARE very small.</p>
<p>...How big are the desks then, anyway? Do they have one of those pull-out drawer thingys to put a keyboard? If I get a desktop, put the tower on the ground, and get a flat screen, is that still going to be worse than a laptop?</p>
<p>How often do you actually carry your laptop around and use it wherever anyway? </p>
<p>See...I don't have a lot of money. Laptops cost a lot more than desktops -- especially when taking into account NU's requirements. Most laptops (from what I've read in advertisements) have a 1.5 GHz processor and come with Windows Home Edition. Upgrading that to a 1.6 GHz Pentium M and Microsoft Professional costs about $300. </p>
<p>...well, that and I'm laptop ignorant anyway.</p>
<p>If you want to upgrade to Windows Pro (my laptop is still Home, and I haven't had any problems), you can buy the discount college version for just $100 from Academic Superstore online. Well, since the monitor will take up some space, you can put the keyboard in the pull-out drawers. I was able to get the laptop I have (Toshiba) for only $1350. That might be expensive to you. I like the fact I can take my laptop everywhere with me when I travel, not just on-campus.</p>
<p>I agree with tenisghs - travel would be much easier with a laptop. My daughter will have to fly to get to Evanston and back, so a laptop makes more sense for her. Just picture how you'd get a desktop back and forth. Check it? I sure wouldn't. Carry it on? Maybe you could take the CPU, but what about the monitor? Ship it? That's not cheap, and risky to boot. If I were doing it, and were going to be driving to Evanston, I'd consider a desktop, but not otherwise. </p>
<p>The price of laptops has come down. Be sure to look at some of the lesser know but good brands. If you decide to go with a Dell, be sure to read the Dell vs. HP thread to find out about Dell coupons (they were giving out $700 coupons when that thread was written). Also, if you need to add extra memory, you don't have to get it from the computer manufacturer. Check before you buy to see if you can purchase it elsewhere for less.</p>
<p>There are no big secrets to using a laptop. The keyboard is a little different, but there's no huge learning curve involved. If you're worried about it, get your new machine soon, so you have a chance to get used to it before school starts.</p>
<p>Alright, I just made a contract of doom buying a Dell Inspirion 6000 laptop for a whopping $1760. tenisghs, you say you use MS Home Edition...NU requirement is MS Professional. >.< And of course NU would up the tag on my entrance year...</p>
<p>Thank you all guys. </p>
<p>...But I still have a lot of questions. ^^;;;</p>
<p>1) Now that I've bought a laptop, I need to get a laptop lock. After searching google and seeing the horror stories of laptop locks being easily picked...which one is good?</p>
<p>2) Are there good part-time jobs nearby? I won't have a car, so nearby would be a good thing. </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>1) I have a laptop lock, but I never used it. Even when I shared a double during my freshman year. My best advice: make sure you and your roommate lock your doors and carry your keys with you at all time. I don't care if you're just going outside for a second. People go into rooms. Students can become lazy to lock doors. Even when you're asleep. This system has worked for me. (As for laptops, I'm a firm IBM/Toshiba fan, but whatever. You brought the Dell.)</p>
<p>2) Are you work/study eligible? There are plenty of jobs on-campus at the library or Norris. I have a research assistant job at SESP. You may also want to work for NUIT and the Computer Lab at the library.</p>
<p>Umm...if by work/study eligible you mean it was offered on that financial aid package, no, I wasn't offered anything. Does that mean I can't apply?</p>