Northwestern - disconnect between U.S. News rank and DCUM comments

[Anonymous]

It’s because it’s in the Midwest. DCUM ignores the Midwest.

[Anonymous]

Northwestern used to be an Ivy back up school at my high school (80’s, 90’s), but it was underrated back then, partly because it’s in the Midwest. It’s always been a great school. The Rose Bowl helped raise its profile as did its reputation for offering a well-rounded experience with sports, location near a big city, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anti Midwest bias.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Northwestern and to the extent anyone cares about undergrad past a certain age it's more "Oh that's a great school". The more common criticism of NU is the whole "nerdwestern" thing (which was somewhat fair when I attended, though the theater kid parties were wild).

But it can't be emphasized enough, once you get out of the college bubble and start working, people really don't care where you went to undergrad. I've mentored fantastic interns with bright futures from all sorts of schools.

So true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anti Midwest bias.

Pretty much. Though DCUM has a lot to say about UofM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Northwestern and to the extent anyone cares about undergrad past a certain age it's more "Oh that's a great school". The more common criticism of NU is the whole "nerdwestern" thing (which was somewhat fair when I attended, though the theater kid parties were wild).

But it can't be emphasized enough, once you get out of the college bubble and start working, people really don't care where you went to undergrad. I've mentored fantastic interns with bright futures from all sorts of schools.

This. I went to a T300 school. Once I got my first job, nobody ever asked me, or cared, where I went.

Really? Because I attended Iowa State for undergraduate and Creighton Law and when I improbably got hired at DoJ in my late 20s - through a connection, because the usual DOJ pathways didn’t work out due to Not Yale — absolutely -everyone was politely shocked when they (yes) asked and I responded “Iowa State, Creighton.” Every. DoJ. Lawyer. Including the ones who evidently didn’t want me in the first place until I was sort of forced on them via my personal connection within DOJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Northwestern and to the extent anyone cares about undergrad past a certain age it's more "Oh that's a great school". The more common criticism of NU is the whole "nerdwestern" thing (which was somewhat fair when I attended, though the theater kid parties were wild).

But it can't be emphasized enough, once you get out of the college bubble and start working, people really don't care where you went to undergrad. I've mentored fantastic interns with bright futures from all sorts of schools.

This. I went to a T300 school. Once I got my first job, nobody ever asked me, or cared, where I went.

Really? Because I attended Iowa State for undergraduate and Creighton Law and when I improbably got hired at DoJ in my late 20s - through a connection, because the usual DOJ pathways didn’t work out due to Not Yale — absolutely -everyone was politely shocked when they (yes) asked and I responded “Iowa State, Creighton.” Every. DoJ. Lawyer. Including the ones who evidently didn’t want me in the first place until I was sort of forced on them via my personal connection within DOJ.

The weird bubbles exist but they aren't universal. I'm a lawyer at Commerce and no one would care.

[Anonymous]

I think it doesn’t have a very sharp identity r brand. Except maybe for journalism.

[Anonymous]

I have a kid there and I’ve posted about their experience this week.

They are having a fabulous time and already have a post-freshman year internship lined up through career services. The department advising it’s spot on and the classes have been exceptional, including professor outreach. Declared double major early get to pre-register and have gotten every class wanted. Most classes are under 20 and some smaller.

Not a STEM major though, so maybe that matters to you. A LOT of reading - so making sure that is manageable for your kid. The quarter system compresses that reading so if you are not a reader, it may be difficult in some classes.

Socially far exceeds expectations and possibly maybe too social. Going out 3-4x a week but hopefully that tapers.

Overall, 9.5/10 for freshman year.

[Anonymous]

My kid went there & works all over the country. Some people respond to the degree with, “Wow, you must be smart!” & an equal number respond “Oh, Northwestern Oklahoma/Louisiana/Whatever? That’s nice.”

[Anonymous]

…great academics & very smart students though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it doesn’t have a very sharp identity r brand. Except maybe for journalism.

I think this is it--it does not really stand out for anything except journalism and theatre.

[Anonymous]

It’s in flyover country. 100% East coast bias.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid went there & works all over the country. Some people respond to the degree with, “Wow, you must be smart!” & an equal number respond “Oh, Northwestern Oklahoma/Louisiana/Whatever? That’s nice.”

Not surprising given that 77M Americans are documented idiots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't seen any one disparaging or discrediting NU here. It's a bit invisible, but most posters have very high regard to this school.

IMO, NU is on par with Penn.

Yes, they're ranked the same, so most agree - but 70% would choose Penn per Parchment data.

IMO, Northwestern is in the T10 tier with Penn, UChicago, Duke, and Columbia. All powerhouses with standout programs.

I agree those are the right peer schools and maybe add Brown and Cornell and Dartmouth that are all in th same general range. My child is there now and preferred th vibe there to any of these other schools. I think Chicago is an easier admit, based on her peer group.