Thoughts on Northwestern?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sure everyone will disagree, but I have never really understood why Northwestern is ranked so highly. I know they have some good professional schools. However, for undergrad, I really don’t know many people who went there that did any better than they would have from any other school.

That's because the people who attend Northwestern for undergrad are the type to excel no matter where they attend. The school didn't make them excel, they were already at that level and have that drive and if they were at State U of X they would do the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sure everyone will disagree, but I have never really understood why Northwestern is ranked so highly. I know they have some good professional schools. However, for undergrad, I really don’t know many people who went there that did any better than they would have from any other school.

The number of Northwestern grads in show biz & journalism is amazing.

It’s super easy to double major. My kid went there for 2 of their less-notable majors, did well, & has had grad schools & employers swooning.

It's as much a pipeline to Hollywood and the elite NYC media scene as it is for MBB. Not many schools can boast that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sure everyone will disagree, but I have never really understood why Northwestern is ranked so highly. I know they have some good professional schools. However, for undergrad, I really don’t know many people who went there that did any better than they would have from any other school.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Beautiful campus. Hard-working students. Seems like a great alumni network.

+1 NU alum here. This is the most accurate summary of NU that I have heard.

But it's not a beautiful campus. There's the admissions hall and the football abomination on the lake. That's the showcase area. Add a little beach. Some greenery. A view of Lake Michigan.

The rest of it is a tired school in the Midwest

Evanston is not interesting. It's boring and cold. Chicago is too far away for it to be a daily reality for students.

It's certainly a good school. Students are undoubtedly bright. But did not love the vibe. Grinder school.

It's like Stanford. They had this great thing in the 80s and 90s. And they've been living off that rep ever since.

To each their own, but it most certainly is a beautiful campus by most people's standards. Downtown Evanston is a vibrant place (much better than 30-35 years ago and still rebuilding after a rough few years at start of covid). Downtown Chicago is not a daily trip but is easy to get to on the weekend if you feel the need---but really the campus and Evanston offer enough activities that most students go down maybe once per month.

As to the weather, DUH, it's obviously it's cold---it is the Chicago area. Some days are dreary, some are freezing and sunny. If you are looking for warm and sunny in the winter then the midwest is obviously the wrong place for you.

Helpful response.I have no dog in this fight, but NU has a lovely campus and Evanston is a diverse, vibrant small city with some good restaurants and easy access to Chicago by rail or L Train. Of course it's cold in the winter. But fall and late spring are beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sure everyone will disagree, but I have never really understood why Northwestern is ranked so highly. I know they have some good professional schools. However, for undergrad, I really don’t know many people who went there that did any better than they would have from any other school.

The number of Northwestern grads in show biz & journalism is amazing.

It’s super easy to double major. My kid went there for 2 of their less-notable majors, did well, & has had grad schools & employers swooning.

NWU journalism major outcome is very mediocre

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?147767-Northwestern-University&fos_code=0904&fos_credential=3

[Anonymous]

Nerdy, boring, self-righteous, and overpriced.

[Anonymous]

As much as people knock it here, NW is probably the best school in the midwest, right?
Chicago has tried to do what they can marketing wise and has used ED2 well but NW does better in outcome based rankings, has more $$, and is in a better location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As much as people knock it here, NW is probably the best school in the midwest, right?
Chicago has tried to do what they can marketing wise and has used ED2 well but NW does better in outcome based rankings, has more $$, and is in a better location.

There are some great universities along each coast, an Northwestern is arguably the best university in the vast expanse in between.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As much as people knock it here, NW is probably the best school in the midwest, right?
Chicago has tried to do what they can marketing wise and has used ED2 well but NW does better in outcome based rankings, has more $$, and is in a better location.

There are some great universities along each coast, an Northwestern is arguably the best university in the vast expanse in between.

No, that’s way too narrow a view. There are many great universities not in the east or west coast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As much as people knock it here, NW is probably the best school in the midwest, right?
Chicago has tried to do what they can marketing wise and has used ED2 well but NW does better in outcome based rankings, has more $$, and is in a better location.

There are some great universities along each coast, an Northwestern is arguably the best university in the vast expanse in between.

No, that’s way too narrow a view. There are many great universities not in the east or west coast.

DP. I would say Northwestern, along with UChicago, pretty handily owns that distinction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As much as people knock it here, NW is probably the best school in the midwest, right?
Chicago has tried to do what they can marketing wise and has used ED2 well but NW does better in outcome based rankings, has more $$, and is in a better location.

There are some great universities along each coast, an Northwestern is arguably the best university in the vast expanse in between.

No, that’s way too narrow a view. There are many great universities not in the east or west coast.

DP. I would say Northwestern, along with UChicago, pretty handily owns that distinction.

No, I think that is still too narrow. Don't simply pick a college purely based on some ranking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As much as people knock it here, NW is probably the best school in the midwest, right?
Chicago has tried to do what they can marketing wise and has used ED2 well but NW does better in outcome based rankings, has more $$, and is in a better location.

There are some great universities along each coast, an Northwestern is arguably the best university in the vast expanse in between.

No, that’s way too narrow a view. There are many great universities not in the east or west coast.

DP. I would say Northwestern, along with UChicago, pretty handily owns that distinction.

No, I think that is still too narrow. Don't simply pick a college purely based on some ranking.

True. Academically Michigan is every bit as strong.

[Anonymous]

Many great colleges in the Midwest. Just go with one that works best for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many great colleges in the Midwest. Just go with one that works best for your kid.

+1 Here's a list of a few
https://www.collegeraptor.com/find-colleges/articles/college-comparisons/best-colleges-in-the-midwest/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sure everyone will disagree, but I have never really understood why Northwestern is ranked so highly. I know they have some good professional schools. However, for undergrad, I really don’t know many people who went there that did any better than they would have from any other school.

The number of Northwestern grads in show biz & journalism is amazing.

It’s super easy to double major. My kid went there for 2 of their less-notable majors, did well, & has had grad schools & employers swooning.

NWU journalism major outcome is very mediocre

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?147767-Northwestern-University&fos_code=0904&fos_credential=3

Need to compare it to other journalism programs. Journalism is not a high paying profession.

Strong results for economics--which is the most popular major at NU.