<p>I'm not asking this question for the purpose of writing the supplement. I'm asking this question to hear some responses as to why some students choose Northwestern over other schools. I applied early decision to Duke, but I'm thinking about adding Northwestern to my regular decision list in case I get deferred. Any reason as to why Northwestern should make the cut?</p>
<p>bump 10char</p>
<p>This is a choice you should make on your own. We can’t tell you why you should apply. We’re not advertisers. If you truly want to go, then apply, if not, then don’t.</p>
<p>You don’t just apply and get in. It’s not easy by any means and should not be a “back-up school” You make it sound like NU has to live up to your standards.</p>
<p>Well anyway, idk if you meant to come off that way, but that’s my interpretation.</p>
<p>LOL, the snobbiness on this thread is crazy.</p>
<p>OP, I think you probably turned some people off with your phrasing. Because it is true no one can tell you why Northwestern should “make the cut” for you. You didn’t list an intended major, what you’re looking for out of a school, or anything. Though, I guess we can infer some things from the fact that you applied to Duke. </p>
<p>But at the same time why would a current student hang around this board unless he/she had some things to say about the school? No one is better qualified than current students to talk about why Northwestern stood out for them, or what makes Northwestern special.</p>
<p>I’m not a current student but NU stood out to me because of its proximity to Chicago, the prestige of its journalism school, and the fact that it’s well-known for having strong programs in the humanities as well. The size was also a factor. Duke would never make my list because I’m totally not into the town, the southern-ness, or a lot of the stuff I’ve heard about it being snobby/preppy. I’ve heard some similar things on the snobby/preppy front about NU, but that was offset by the proximity to a major city that I love.</p>
<p>Thank you for actually adding something to the conversation chicagobound. My intended major is chemistry or biology, but I wasn’t so much asking for why NU is right for me per say, I was more so asking as to why some other students decided to apply, as I want to get their take on why they believe NU is right for them. NU is by no means a backup school to anyone, but if you think about it, if I already applied early decision to another school, it’s obviously not my first choice. I want to hear more about the social life, the atmosphere, the student collaboration, anything that someone might want to add about NU. I’m not trying to be snobby, I’m just trying to learn more about a school that I don’t know everything about.</p>
<p>If you plan to major in chemistry, then you are probably aware that this department at NU is one of the best in the country. </p>
<p>I’ll speak for my son. Here are the top reasons he applied (and is attending, currently a freshman) NU:</p>
<p>1) He wanted to study sciences in an integrated way. NU is a leader, if not THE leader, in interdisciplinary study. He’s currently in the Integrated Science Program (an honors program) that’s been in existence for around 30 years.</p>
<p>2) He did NOT want to study math and science at a school where so many students focus in those areas (thus ruling out places like MIT, Cal Tech.) He wanted a place where the students were excellent and studying a variety of subjects, but the math and science areas had to be strong. His other main choice that met these criteria: Stanford (but he wasn’t admitted.)</p>
<p>3) He’s finding the ISP program collaborative. It has excellent research opportunities and 1st quarter freshman have a one hour seminar about once a weekly dedicated solely to talk just about that subject: what the areas are, how to approach a professor, etc.</p>
<p>4) ISP is a tough program, about on par with engineering. So he hasn’t developed the social side as much yet. However, he’s taken up jujitsu, attended football games, went to frat parties, did a dinner/dance cruise on the lake. He hopes to carve time in his schedule for some intramural team sport next quarter.</p>
<p>Wow you sure seem to know a lot about your son’s college and his experiences there. Thanks for the information!</p>
<p>I have alway thought Northwestern is awesome because of all the Hollywood types who went there-Jerry Orbach, Chuck Heston, Patricia Neal, Ann Margaret and Paula Prentiss. If you are really into drama and think you have the stuff, this is the place to go.</p>
<p>Also it is the alma mater of the greatest broadcaster in the history of the NFL, Irv Cross.</p>
<p>I have a degree from NU but a close friend from HS went to Duke and I visited the school more than once. While similar academically they are very, very different schools. Duke is very much a southern school and the surrounding town has many issues that are quite different from Evanston. I strongly suggest a visit to both and then going with your gut feeling since academically they are nearly identical in quality.</p>
<p>In some ways, NU and Duke are similar. Both have the Greeks, Div-1 sports, and virtually the same test scores/class rank. But the students at NU probably have more diverse career goals; there are six schools for undergrads while Duke has two. There’s a large performing arts scene at NU if it matters to you; the proximity to Chicago, especially the Uptown neigbhorhoods is a huge plus. Evanston itself has a pretty vibrant downtown with lots of dining options. As far as academics goes, as FAP pointed out, the chemistry department is among the best (#7 by USN and #4 by NRC). Chemistry majors seem to have a tradition of winning prestigious external scholarships on regular basis.</p>
<p>Right now, Northwestern is my number one choice (I didn’t apply ED though because I really need a good financial aid package to attend…) and the thing that I love the most about NU is that its proximity to Chicago. I grew up in the Midwest and love big cities, so Chicago is perfect for me - I’ll be close to my old friends and family, yet be in the big city I’ve always dreamed of. Plus, its economics program is really great, so that’s another big draw for me.</p>