<p>Wild Lion, You are such an enthusiastic alum. that it makes me even more excited to go to NU. </p>
<p>What was it that made it such a great place for you? Go on and on - people are just killing time here...</p>
<p>I love:</p>
<ul>
<li>The beautiful campus, especially in Spring</li>
<li>The flexibility of the quarter system</li>
<li>The residential college system... to a degree</li>
<li>Evanston as an awesome college town (and my god, the food...)</li>
<li>The proximity to Chicago, although I don't take advantage enough</li>
<li>How almost all my professors have been great, and a few INCREDIBLE</li>
<li>The social system/Greek life</li>
</ul>
<p>Haha...well, I should preface this by saying that no situation is perfect. NU was great for me, but like anywhere, it had its pros and cons. </p>
<p>That being said, the answer to your question is actually fairly simple. It was an environment that really encouraged me to follow my academic pursuits and grow with them, even though they were somewhat unconventional. The atmosphere among the students is cordial, mutually respectful, and unpretentious, unlike many top east-coast schools (including the one that I attended for my master's). Everybody wants to succeed, but you truly feel that your classmates are your partners, not your competitors, and that attitude spills into the social aspects of the school and to the faculty, as well. </p>
<p>Also, as dfleish mentioned, the faculty are just wonderful. I forged relationships there with faculty at Northwestern that I still maintain to this day and that I am convinced contributed greatly to my post-NU success. A professor's door is rarely closed to his or her students, and you get the feeling that they are trained not only as teachers, but also as mentors for anybody who should need that kind of guidance (which, admittedly, is sometimes lacking in the advising department). They are always available after class, during officers, by appointment, or even for a cup of coffee. In fact, one of my professors invited his students to Passover dinner at his home each year, and yet another used to show up occasionally at weekend parties.</p>
<p>Additionally, I loved the fact that we could be serious students at a top-15 school, and then turn around and experience Big Ten football and all of the social options that should be available to all college students. I didn't feel as though academics or the reputation of the school got in the way of the college experience. Read into that what you will, but that work-life balance is so important, not only in college, but also in the "real world," and NU does a wonderful job of providing that to its students.</p>
<p>Here are things you should take advantage of once you are at NU.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Beautiful lakefront/beach/lakefill - while I think I spent plenty of time at the lakefront, I still kick myself for not spending more time there.</p></li>
<li><p>Proximity to Chicago - great museums, shopping, sports venues (Wrigley Field) and bars. Spent plenty of time in Chicago bars and had a blast.</p></li>
<li><p>Evanston restaurants - there are a no. of fabulous restaurants in NU and as a "foodie" I wish I had spent more time dining at these places (of course, it helps if one has the $$$).</p></li>
<li><p>B10 sports - being the only private university, NU holds a particular place in the B10. FB games, esp. are fun, and with the "Cardiac 'Cats" - it's not limited to tailgating.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I completely second what WildLion said, especially about the students and faculty.</p>