Northwestern - what kind of kids do they like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our competitive public school - the editor in chief of the school paper.

You really should visit if you can before applying. There are some schools - I'm thinking Northwestern, Stanford, Duke - that have this reputation as fun, smart schools.

Well, that was some time ago.

We visited. The lake is beautiful of course. But when Chicago seems like the more fun school, there might be an issue.

+100 Crazy that Chicago is getting more of the smart but really social kids from our private than Northwestern. Especially when you consider that fact that Northwestern is in the Big 10. We went and toured and were shocked by the feel of the place and the kids that attend.

So what schools have taken the place of northwestern, Stanford and Duke as the fun, smart schools?

Vanderbilt?

Vanderbilt is starting to trend down too (in vibe, not academics!). When schools place so much emphasis on absolute perfection of grades, scores and ECs that is what happens. The more laid back smart kids are weeded out. I suspect many are ending up at the big state flagships or privates that are the tier down from the top 25.

Agree. We toured Vanderbilt twice this year and it also feels very different than a few years ago when we toured with my older child. It is getting to be a grinder place too.
NU, Duke and to a slightly lesser extent Vanderbilt are now highly Asian with a few geeky white people and then some URM athletes. That's really what they feel like. We spent hours walking around each of them. The perspective students on tour groups feel even more this way so if anything they are trending ever increasingly in this direction.

I think the smart and social kids (white, Asian and any race) keep going down in prestige to try and find a more balanced college experience. Wisconsin seems full of normal kids. Smart but want a vibrant social life.

Lmfao! Just like the other threads, “there are no social kids at elites! They are all nerds!” Or worse the blatant anti asian racism. Well guess what dont apply! My white kids are at different ivy/+, are not athletic recruits, are intellectual and are very social and creative and are having a great time with all their new friends (several races and ethnicities represented), and definitely socialize. Just because they do not have huge football drinkfests every weekend and frat parties other nights does not mean they are not social. And newsflash, Duke was nerdy in the 90s. It has gotten more saturated with the super -bright kids, as they are a majority now: but it is as social as most ivies and stanford . None of them are the “laid back social “ vibe: these are intensely smart future leaders and researchers, if they were laid back they would not have gotten in to any T20! Don’t apply if it’s not a fit for yours, but don't trash kids for being nerds when you do not have first hand experience at multiple such schools. And don’t be racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know what they value?

Stats and rigor like the ivies, unique ECs help but it is all about being at the top of a rigorous hs program. They take only a few from the top Boston prep school, as does each ivy(not counting hooked which is common here)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kids I know who got in don’t seem to fit a common pattern except bright, nice kids who seem genuinely interested in learning.

My kid had high SAT and high grades (not perfect)—challenging course load but not “the most” challenging (eg Calc BC, not multivariate). They had a bunch of activities including one that they were very involved in and had an outside recommendation for that activity that I am sure helped. I think they probably came across as a study nerd who was also outgoing/social … that seems to be sort of the northwestern sweet spot. Lots of kids with diverse interests who want to double major.

Northwestern University looks for applicants with a specific interest/a particular reason for attending Northwestern.

That’s my post you are responding to. I don’t think my kid has a particular interest — they are interested in almost everything! They did have a real interest in NW which might have been conveyed in their essay — I never read the essays so don’t know what they said. But of the kids I’ve met who are attending, I don’t think they have a specific interest or particular reason. They are just smart, well rounded kids who seem to be interested in lots of stuff. Mine was a mediocre athlete, mediocre musician, very good student who was involved in their community in a few different ways. Did stuff they enjoyed with lots of interests.
I think NW is getting a bit of a drag in the social reports as the Greek system is in decline. If you want a big Greek scene, this is no longer the best place for you, I’d say. I think the quarter system also ratchets up intensity especially in the stem fields. But that doesn’t mean the kids aren’t social—they might just have a lot of work to do! The quarter system is a really important piece here — it can be a big pro (more classes) or a big con (classes move much more quickly).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our competitive public school - the editor in chief of the school paper.

You really should visit if you can before applying. There are some schools - I'm thinking Northwestern, Stanford, Duke - that have this reputation as fun, smart schools.

Well, that was some time ago.

We visited. The lake is beautiful of course. But when Chicago seems like the more fun school, there might be an issue.

+100 Crazy that Chicago is getting more of the smart but really social kids from our private than Northwestern. Especially when you consider that fact that Northwestern is in the Big 10. We went and toured and were shocked by the feel of the place and the kids that attend.

So what schools have taken the place of northwestern, Stanford and Duke as the fun, smart schools?

Vanderbilt?

Vanderbilt is starting to trend down too (in vibe, not academics!). When schools place so much emphasis on absolute perfection of grades, scores and ECs that is what happens. The more laid back smart kids are weeded out. I suspect many are ending up at the big state flagships or privates that are the tier down from the top 25.

Agree. We toured Vanderbilt twice this year and it also feels very different than a few years ago when we toured with my older child. It is getting to be a grinder place too.
NU, Duke and to a slightly lesser extent Vanderbilt are now highly Asian with a few geeky white people and then some URM athletes. That's really what they feel like. We spent hours walking around each of them. The perspective students on tour groups feel even more this way so if anything they are trending ever increasingly in this direction.

I think the smart and social kids (white, Asian and any race) keep going down in prestige to try and find a more balanced college experience. Wisconsin seems full of normal kids. Smart but want a vibrant social life.

This is exactly why my smart DD wants to go to WI.

[Anonymous]

Interesting activities - saw this on a website (Crimson) - posted in another thread....Looks like a pointy kid (and not a lot of school-based ECs, which is interesting).

Activities List Example 2: Student Admitted to Northwestern Class of 2028

1. Athletics: Synchronized Swimming, 3x Int’l Medalist, 7x Nat’l Medalist
20 hr/wk, 46 wk/yr. Premiere state team; elite top 3 nat’l team; US Jr Olympics 2022 - Gold x3, Silver; US Nationals 2022 - Bronze; 2023: Silver, Bronze; leadership award

2. Research: Prevalence of Anxiety/Depression in Artistic Swimmers 13-18
2 hr/wk, 36 wk/yr. Study author. Design/analyze survey of medicated depression 8.5% athletes vs 16% gen teens (p<.05); poster presentation; submitted NHSJS

3. Volunteer: Accredited SAT & Math Tutor, Free Online Int’l Peer Tutoring
1 hr/wk, 20 wk/yr. Facilitate critical thinking skills; mentor/enlighten 52 learners, 18 countries; assist in raising SAT scores on avg. by 50 pts

4. Social Justice: Founder & Fundraiser, Paws of Ukraine
1 hr/wk, 26 wk/yr. Aid war-displaced animals. Launch/manage non-profit; fundraise; crochet 100 collars/toys; 3 fairs, feature on UAnimals webpage; raised > $2000

5. Work: Private Artistic Swim Coach/Camp Counselor
1 hr/wk, 40 wk/yr. Coach 12 athletes' skill development up 2 levels; mentor 60 preteens to foster creativity/growth mindset; instill a passion for learning/exploration

6. Tech: Opi-O-Scope Prototype Developer, Stanford Clinical Neurosci Immersion
30 hr/wk, 2 wk/yr. Capstone project of AI injectable nanobot monitoring neurotransmitter levels to prevent opioid relapses; prototype development offer.

7. Career: Econ & Leadership Ambassador, Econ for Leaders 2023
30 hr/wk, 1 wk/yr. Selected to promote econ. education; enhance leadership/public speaking skills; network; integrate econ. analysis/decision-making; social media promotion

8. Academic: Author of Academic Papers on Mental Health
4 hr/wk, 12 wk/yr. Published: [redacted]. Criticize policies on access to rural health care; analyze US history of mental health stigma; explore correlation of social media & mental health

9. Foreign Language: Ukrainian; Ukrainian Catholic University & Duolingo
2 hr/wk, 46 wk/yr. Master Duolingo in 6 months; increasing proficiency with weekly online tutor, including discussions of history, culture, and politics of region

10. Athletics: Swim, Long Distance Free and Relay Athlete, Varsity Swim Team
4 hr/wk, 12 wk/yr. Region champs 2022; endurance specialist; contribute personal best 200(2:10:06) and 500(5:45:40) free; collaborate on relays; inflate morale

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our competitive public school - the editor in chief of the school paper.

You really should visit if you can before applying. There are some schools - I'm thinking Northwestern, Stanford, Duke - that have this reputation as fun, smart schools.

Well, that was some time ago.

We visited. The lake is beautiful of course. But when Chicago seems like the more fun school, there might be an issue.

Wowza. Care to elaborate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our competitive public school - the editor in chief of the school paper.

You really should visit if you can before applying. There are some schools - I'm thinking Northwestern, Stanford, Duke - that have this reputation as fun, smart schools.

Well, that was some time ago.

We visited. The lake is beautiful of course. But when Chicago seems like the more fun school, there might be an issue.

+100 Crazy that Chicago is getting more of the smart but really social kids from our private than Northwestern. Especially when you consider that fact that Northwestern is in the Big 10. We went and toured and were shocked by the feel of the place and the kids that attend.

So what schools have taken the place of northwestern, Stanford and Duke as the fun, smart schools?

Vanderbilt?

Boston College, Tulane, Clemson

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From our school, URMs

So if they took URMs from most schools stats would reflect high number of URM admits.

[Anonymous]

My kid at NU: high stats (4.0/1560) 7 APs and multivariable, basic random ECs, thoughtful essay. Laid back, very bright, nerdy kid with sort-of unique interests, but nothing particularly spectacular. Admitted ED.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is at Northwestern and most of the kids they know fall into three major categories

legacy, white, rich, pretty high stats

very high stats, underrepresented in different ways, public service minded

double or triple majors that are cool combos like music and engineering, art and chem, econ and theater, high stats

Northwestern has always liked the last group. I attended when Music and engineering was just taking off (was in the first 5 students to actually complete the program and not switch to Music and something in CAS as that was less courses required). It's what has always made them unique, especially as the music and theater programs are so highly rated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on DS' class at Sidwell, they like legacies.

And URM's in ED from our DC's Sidwell class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our competitive public school - the editor in chief of the school paper.

You really should visit if you can before applying. There are some schools - I'm thinking Northwestern, Stanford, Duke - that have this reputation as fun, smart schools.

Well, that was some time ago.

We visited. The lake is beautiful of course. But when Chicago seems like the more fun school, there might be an issue.

+100 Crazy that Chicago is getting more of the smart but really social kids from our private than Northwestern. Especially when you consider that fact that Northwestern is in the Big 10. We went and toured and were shocked by the feel of the place and the kids that attend.

So what schools have taken the place of northwestern, Stanford and Duke as the fun, smart schools?

Vanderbilt?

Vanderbilt is starting to trend down too (in vibe, not academics!). When schools place so much emphasis on absolute perfection of grades, scores and ECs that is what happens. The more laid back smart kids are weeded out. I suspect many are ending up at the big state flagships or privates that are the tier down from the top 25.

Agree. We toured Vanderbilt twice this year and it also feels very different than a few years ago when we toured with my older child. It is getting to be a grinder place too.
NU, Duke and to a slightly lesser extent Vanderbilt are now highly Asian with a few geeky white people and then some URM athletes. That's really what they feel like. We spent hours walking around each of them. The perspective students on tour groups feel even more this way so if anything they are trending ever increasingly in this direction.

I think the smart and social kids (white, Asian and any race) keep going down in prestige to try and find a more balanced college experience. Wisconsin seems full of normal kids. Smart but want a vibrant social life.

Lmfao! Just like the other threads, “there are no social kids at elites! They are all nerds!” Or worse the blatant anti asian racism. Well guess what dont apply! My white kids are at different ivy/+, are not athletic recruits, are intellectual and are very social and creative and are having a great time with all their new friends (several races and ethnicities represented), and definitely socialize. Just because they do not have huge football drinkfests every weekend and frat parties other nights does not mean they are not social. And newsflash, Duke was nerdy in the 90s. It has gotten more saturated with the super -bright kids, as they are a majority now: but it is as social as most ivies and stanford . None of them are the “laid back social “ vibe: these are intensely smart future leaders and researchers, if they were laid back they would not have gotten in to any T20! Don’t apply if it’s not a fit for yours, but don't trash kids for being nerds when you do not have first hand experience at multiple such schools. And don’t be racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know what they value?

same with other t10: top stats, at or near top of class, maxed out the hardest APs in all core areas. ED if you aren't a tippy top student because only those get in RD: it is slightly easier than RD at the top 5 ivies or Duke, but Norhtwestern is harder RD than the lower ivies and Hopkins

Remember, we are going to stop saying “tippy top” because you are not addressing 2 year olds in a daycare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our competitive public school - the editor in chief of the school paper.

You really should visit if you can before applying. There are some schools - I'm thinking Northwestern, Stanford, Duke - that have this reputation as fun, smart schools.

Well, that was some time ago.

We visited. The lake is beautiful of course. But when Chicago seems like the more fun school, there might be an issue.

+100 Crazy that Chicago is getting more of the smart but really social kids from our private than Northwestern. Especially when you consider that fact that Northwestern is in the Big 10. We went and toured and were shocked by the feel of the place and the kids that attend.

So what schools have taken the place of northwestern, Stanford and Duke as the fun, smart schools?

Vanderbilt?

Vanderbilt is starting to trend down too (in vibe, not academics!). When schools place so much emphasis on absolute perfection of grades, scores and ECs that is what happens. The more laid back smart kids are weeded out. I suspect many are ending up at the big state flagships or privates that are the tier down from the top 25.

Agree. We toured Vanderbilt twice this year and it also feels very different than a few years ago when we toured with my older child. It is getting to be a grinder place too.
NU, Duke and to a slightly lesser extent Vanderbilt are now highly Asian with a few geeky white people and then some URM athletes. That's really what they feel like. We spent hours walking around each of them. The perspective students on tour groups feel even more this way so if anything they are trending ever increasingly in this direction.

I think the smart and social kids (white, Asian and any race) keep going down in prestige to try and find a more balanced college experience. Wisconsin seems full of normal kids. Smart but want a vibrant social life.

Lmfao! Just like the other threads, “there are no social kids at elites! They are all nerds!” Or worse the blatant anti asian racism. Well guess what dont apply! My white kids are at different ivy/+, are not athletic recruits, are intellectual and are very social and creative and are having a great time with all their new friends (several races and ethnicities represented), and definitely socialize. Just because they do not have huge football drinkfests every weekend and frat parties other nights does not mean they are not social. And newsflash, Duke was nerdy in the 90s. It has gotten more saturated with the super -bright kids, as they are a majority now: but it is as social as most ivies and stanford . None of them are the “laid back social “ vibe: these are intensely smart future leaders and researchers, if they were laid back they would not have gotten in to any T20! Don’t apply if it’s not a fit for yours, but don't trash kids for being nerds when you do not have first hand experience at multiple such schools. And don’t be racist.

Your kids are exactly the ones that my very smart, high EQ super social kid (and those like him) want to avoid going to school with en masse. You're proving my point.

This is actually not meant as a slight although I'm sure it reads as such. It's great that your kids have found their niche but not all smart kids are like them. All "future leaders" are not like them. Many future leaders are today's partiers. I can think of countless people (young adults and mid career) who fit this description.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our competitive public school - the editor in chief of the school paper.

You really should visit if you can before applying. There are some schools - I'm thinking Northwestern, Stanford, Duke - that have this reputation as fun, smart schools.

Well, that was some time ago.

We visited. The lake is beautiful of course. But when Chicago seems like the more fun school, there might be an issue.

+100 Crazy that Chicago is getting more of the smart but really social kids from our private than Northwestern. Especially when you consider that fact that Northwestern is in the Big 10. We went and toured and were shocked by the feel of the place and the kids that attend.

So what schools have taken the place of northwestern, Stanford and Duke as the fun, smart schools?

Vanderbilt?

Vanderbilt is starting to trend down too (in vibe, not academics!). When schools place so much emphasis on absolute perfection of grades, scores and ECs that is what happens. The more laid back smart kids are weeded out. I suspect many are ending up at the big state flagships or privates that are the tier down from the top 25.

Agree. We toured Vanderbilt twice this year and it also feels very different than a few years ago when we toured with my older child. It is getting to be a grinder place too.
NU, Duke and to a slightly lesser extent Vanderbilt are now highly Asian with a few geeky white people and then some URM athletes. That's really what they feel like. We spent hours walking around each of them. The perspective students on tour groups feel even more this way so if anything they are trending ever increasingly in this direction.

I think the smart and social kids (white, Asian and any race) keep going down in prestige to try and find a more balanced college experience. Wisconsin seems full of normal kids. Smart but want a vibrant social life.

Lmfao! Just like the other threads, “there are no social kids at elites! They are all nerds!” Or worse the blatant anti asian racism. Well guess what dont apply! My white kids are at different ivy/+, are not athletic recruits, are intellectual and are very social and creative and are having a great time with all their new friends (several races and ethnicities represented), and definitely socialize. Just because they do not have huge football drinkfests every weekend and frat parties other nights does not mean they are not social. And newsflash, Duke was nerdy in the 90s. It has gotten more saturated with the super -bright kids, as they are a majority now: but it is as social as most ivies and stanford . None of them are the “laid back social “ vibe: these are intensely smart future leaders and researchers, if they were laid back they would not have gotten in to any T20! Don’t apply if it’s not a fit for yours, but don't trash kids for being nerds when you do not have first hand experience at multiple such schools. And don’t be racist.

Your kids are exactly the ones that my very smart, high EQ super social kid (and those like him) want to avoid going to school with en masse. You're proving my point.

This is actually not meant as a slight although I'm sure it reads as such. It's great that your kids have found their niche but not all smart kids are like them. All "future leaders" are not like them. Many future leaders are today's partiers. I can think of countless people (young adults and mid career) who fit this description.

NP. Your kid is just not as smart, ok? He is smart to you and he is smart for the type of kid who enjoys frat parties. Really smart kids find parties boring.