Question for students...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>I am currently a rising sophomore at Colgate University and I am looking to transfer to the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences in the winter. I have some questions that hopefully, those of you who go/went to NU can answer for me. Thanks, love me</p>

<p>The first is the typical question everyone asks, what are my chances?
I have a 4.0 current/ 3.92 cumulative GPA (Dean's List)
Recevied fellowship given to incoming freshmen who were among the top 200 applicants
Current leadership position at school, participation in various clubs
Took classes where I was the only freshman and did well
Can get good recs from professors, academic advisor, dean of first year students who can support a personal reason as to why I need to leave
Internship in NYC this summer with a prestigious NGO
High School
4.0 unweighted/ 4.4 weighted GPA, graduated 16/412 students
32 ACT
Strong extracurriculars/leadership in HS
Numerous awards
Attended summer debate camp at NU before junior year</p>

<p>The second is really a list of questions. The main reason why I want to transfer is because I didnt realize how much of a party school Colgate is. I do go out probably once a week, but I'm not like a lot of students who go out 4 or 5 nights a week and even party around midterms and finals. I'm hoping that once I leave a small town setting there will be more to do than just get wasted at the same frat every weekend, but do NU students like to party really hard or do they do other things as well (aka do anything on weekend nights that doesnt involve drinking)? I also feel like Colgate students have no desire to partake in intellectual activity outside the classroom and really only discuss partying. Do NU students participate in intellectual discussions outside of class or does that only occur within classroom walls? At Colgate I really like how we have small classes and the professors are very accessible and for the most part, really care about the students. Is this also true at NU or is it less so because the school is so large? When I stayed at NU for the summer, the dorms/cafeteria food (I dont remember where I lived) was pretty awful and I've heard that is the case all over campus- is that true? Finally, what do you think of NU's academic calender as opposed to the semester system? Do you constantly feel as though you are taking midterms and final exams? I know this is a lot of questions, but I really appreciate any answers and if you have any further comments please message me (this is actually my mom's account but she can send me your email address)</p>

2

<p>there's always northwestern's awesome debate team if you're willing to debate..</p>

3

<p>"do NU students like to party really hard or do they do other things as well (aka do anything on weekend nights that doesnt involve drinking)?"
- Some NU students party every weekend. But I've visited friends at a "real" party school and NU is completely tame in comparison. I would only go out maybe twice a month and never felt left out of anything. College in general has a lot of drinking though, and NU is no exception.</p>

<p>"Do NU students participate in intellectual discussions outside of class or does that only occur within classroom walls?"
-It's not unusual for somebody to share something interesting they've learned in a class.</p>

<p>"At Colgate I really like how we have small classes and the professors are very accessible and for the most part, really care about the students. Is this also true at NU or is it less so because the school is so large?"
-Most teachers are very accessible, but you have to take the initiative to go see them. Our intro classes are fairly large, but upper division courses get smaller. I've never had a problem with a teacher.</p>

<p>"When I stayed at NU for the summer, the dorms/cafeteria food (I dont remember where I lived) was pretty awful and I've heard that is the case all over campus- is that true?"
-I actually like the food. Some dining halls (like hinman) have really good salad bars and stirfry. Sunday brunch was also really good at a lot of dining halls (great french toast and pancakes!)</p>

<p>"Finally, what do you think of NU's academic calender as opposed to the semester system? Do you constantly feel as though you are taking midterms and final exams?"
-I love the quarter system! I was ambivalent about the system until I got here, but now I am so happy that I go to a quarter system school as opposed to a semester system. I really like taking 12 classes a year. There are already so many classes I want to take, I can't imagine only getting 6. I like that our final exams cover less material and I like that our classes end right around when they are getting tiresome.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
do NU students like to party really hard or do they do other things as well (aka do anything on weekend nights that doesnt involve drinking)?

[/quote]

northwestern is a huge party school for some, for others they almost exclusively tour chicago, downtown evanston etc. especially as a transfer, the majority of students you meet will be the kind who do the latter.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Do NU students participate in intellectual discussions outside of class or does that only occur within classroom walls?

[/quote]

yes, but at least the kind i am friends with mostly talk about business/internships, etc. but northwestern will definitely be better than colgate in this regard. definitely</p>

<p>
[quote]
At Colgate I really like how we have small classes and the professors are very accessible and for the most part, really care about the students. Is this also true at NU or is it less so because the school is so large?

[/quote]

ehh... some people disagree with me on this but i think this is one of northwestern's biggest weaknesses... huge classes, professors who direct you immediately to the TA with any and all questions. it's especially bad in weinberg, much better in the other schools.</p>

<p>
[quote]
When I stayed at NU for the summer, the dorms/cafeteria food (I dont remember where I lived) was pretty awful and I've heard that is the case all over campus- is that true?

[/quote]

south campus is much better than north campus for food. i'd even venture to say south campus has some of the best food of any college in the country. north campus is another story, but still better than, say, a state school.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Finally, what do you think of NU's academic calender as opposed to the semester system? Do you constantly feel as though you are taking midterms and final exams?

[/quote]

the quarter system isn't that bad. the main difference you'll notice coming from a semester system (i transferred too) is that normal 1-3 week break you get after midterms? not happening. I've taken a midterm in a class and then had a quiz the next week. but, coming from someone who's pretty nonchalant about schoolwork, it's not that bad. The quarters go by so quickly, the whole year just flies by. Also, the best part is, come finals week, instead of having five different subjects you have to study for, at northwestern you only have three or four. much more manageable</p>