<p>I believe college is more than just the bookwork and leaning; it is also about the experience as a whole. Academics are incredibly important to me, but enjoying life and being surrounded by great people is important, too. Basically I'm wondering what the non-academic side of NU is like. Did you meet people you "clicked with" and became fast friends with? Is it a fun, encouraging atmosphere? Are people outgoing, is there a good social scene, etc.?</p>
<p>If you make an effort, there are plenty of opportunities to have a great social life at Northwestern. It really isn’t much different from any other school. If you have trouble making friends, there is always greek life (around 40% of the student population), which is a very easy way to make new friends.</p>
<p>NU isn’t a “nerd” school. Everyone is really smart, but after seeing all the people on the Facebook page, most people aren’t stay in the dorm all day, never have fun, bookworms. NU has a reputation as being a work hard, play hard mentality, and many schools say that, but NU is known to make it true.</p>
<p>When I spent two nights on campus a few months ago, everybody was really social and friendly, and it was pretty easy to make friends or acquaintances.
Coming from someone who’s a bit reserved and finds it a bit difficult to not be shy when first meeting people, NU made me feel incredibly at home and the people were awesome - I was comfortable around most of the people I met.
Definitely a great social scene.</p>
<p>What else did you learn about Northwestern and its students when you were staying there overnight?</p>
<p>^ Dmitiri, I got the impression that people were really there to help you and be of use to you if you needed it, and it was just a bit of a family. </p>
<p>There was a point when I was with some people in Norris in a game room, and everybody was just there having a nice chill time together, and were just really inviting and eager. At the same time, while everybody I met seemed to be easy going and laid back, they were also in that academic mentality so to say.
“Work hard, play hard” is so true in terms of the students at Northwestern, they all had their priorities in order and they gave off the impression that they were there to handle business first and foremost, while also knowing how to have a nice time and not be up tight. </p>
<p>Northwestern just seemed to have perfectly struck the balance between serious academics and well-rounded, down to Earth and social people.</p>