<p>I was just wondering if any current NU students could offer any advice/opinions on how they deal with the brutal climate? I love running and run daily, but I have no idea if I can possibly do that with the climate.</p>
<p>Also a random question, do you feel the school is too big in general? And how are the dorms since I've heard they're pretty awful?</p>
<p>Although I'm not currently a student at NU (going there next year), I have lived in the Chicagoland area all my life that I can remember. Depending on where you live and what kind of climate you are accustomed to, living in Evanston and adjusting to the climate could be rather difficult but you will get used to it. Basically, just wear a bunch of clothes. This winter was particularly bad in terms of super cold strings of days, so hopefully it will be better next winter. And chances are you won't be doing much outside in terms of social events, so all you really need is enough to get yourself from place to place.
However, I can also speak in terms of running, since I am a runner myself. There are certainly days that you will face that will be too cold to run outside. It's simply too much of a hazard. However, these days are typically rather sporadic, so if you are like me and hate treadmills, you might have to deal with them every once in a while but if you are tough (which you probably are, since runners are badasses) you should be ok running outside consistently, since you warm up pretty well while running. For the sake of emphasizing my point and not trying to boost my ego, I've gotten in a run every day since mid-November so running on a daily basis is most certainly doable.</p>
<p>Like RitsIggg, I've also lived in the Chicagoland area all of my life, but I'm also a current student. My perception might be somewhat skewed, but I definitely think that the weather is not a big deal. Just be sensible about it. Wear a coat, boots, hat, and gloves, and you will be fine. It's nothing to worry over. Running, however, will not be something to do outside when the temperature is below zero or even in the 20's. In that case, one of our gyms, spac, has a nicely sized track that you can always run on, should you feel the need. Otherwise, yes, there is a multitude of treadmills. </p>
<p>I definitely feel that the school is a good size. I can walk to class and see people that I know along the way, but it's also big enough to where I don't know everyone. </p>
<p>Dorms are what you make of them. You won't be spending all of your time in your dorm, so if you dislike it somewhat, that's okay. I haven't had any negative experiences thus far.</p>
<p>If you have any more questions, feel free to post!</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much for the responses!!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I loathe treadmills and get bored to death on them, and so far I've only run until 20 degrees F (I think 18 was my lowest), but I know in Chicago it gets really cold, snowy, and windy for like 3 months or something. Is it still safe to run when it's like that, as I have a feeling the rec centers would probably be really crowded?</p>
<p>Do you still feel like you can get to know your professors and get help even though there are so many students? Specifically I'm going into engineering and want to be able to do research or an internship or something without being another number.</p>
<p>I guess my last question for now is why Northwestern? </p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>
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Do you still feel like you can get to know your professors and get help even though there are so many students? Specifically I'm going into engineering and want to be able to do research or an internship or something without being another number.
[/quote]
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<p>The undergrads:faculty ratio is about 8:1. I believe that's on the smaller side compared to many schools.</p>
<p>As far as accessiblity to research and internships go, obviously nothing is gonna be just handed to you without some kind of effort from you. I can't say whether it's better or worse than other institutions without attending any of them. But the kind of programs available to undergrads seem to suggest the adminstration has put a lot focus on undergrads. These programs include:
1. CO-OP
2. certificates programs: Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, Engineering Design, Business Enterprise
3. Engineering First (unique 1st-yr curriculum that NU has invested a lot to develop)
4. Check out Undergraduate</a> Students - Northwestern University: McCormick School of Engineering under "Additional Programs and Opportunities" and "Research"</p>
<p>I have a question... How many Regular Decision applicants are there? And how many available spaces left?</p>
<p>^^ There were close to 25,400 RD applications, I'm guessing they'll accept maybe 4,000ish? There's about 1,100 "spots" for students that do matriculate because I believe ED had maybe a little more than 500 acceptances.</p>
<p>Sam Lee, correct me if I'm wrong lol.</p>