Northwestern vibe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC (like many) is interested in an academically rigorous, mid-size school with some rah rah and a fun college town. Northwestern seems to fit the bill, and definitely had the reputation for having smart, balanced kids back in the stone ages when I went to school. I've heard that the vibe has changed, and it's now much more quirky, intense and less social than it used to be. We are visiting in a few weeks, but does anyone have a kid who is there and can speak to the current environment?

Thanks!

My DS accepted last cycle. Didn't like the "vibe: when he toured. My DS is very outgoing and was heavily involved in athletics in HS. Attending another school. The only way to know is for you and your DC to tour for a few days.

Curious where he's attending? Was it a good fit?

I would rather not say but it's in the Southeast. It's not that he didn't like anything about Northwestern, he loved being close to the lake (at least in warm weather . He just felt a stronger connection with the students and atmosphere at another school. Like I said, every kid is different and I'm sure there are a lot of students that love it there. I will add that we are also from the Midwest and he wanted a new adventure, so to speak. It's also not cheap obviously, so he told us he needed to really really love it But he also knew would have sucked it up and paid either way if he wanted to go there. Good luck with your decision. It's obviously a great school.

Sounds like the Wake type...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC (like many) is interested in an academically rigorous, mid-size school with some rah rah and a fun college town. Northwestern seems to fit the bill, and definitely had the reputation for having smart, balanced kids back in the stone ages when I went to school. I've heard that the vibe has changed, and it's now much more quirky, intense and less social than it used to be. We are visiting in a few weeks, but does anyone have a kid who is there and can speak to the current environment?

Thanks!

Northwestern is no longer a “rah rah” fun school despite being a part of the Big10. The strivers have taken over! Go tour and you will see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC (like many) is interested in an academically rigorous, mid-size school with some rah rah and a fun college town. Northwestern seems to fit the bill, and definitely had the reputation for having smart, balanced kids back in the stone ages when I went to school. I've heard that the vibe has changed, and it's now much more quirky, intense and less social than it used to be. We are visiting in a few weeks, but does anyone have a kid who is there and can speak to the current environment?

Thanks!

My DS accepted last cycle. Didn't like the "vibe: when he toured. My DS is very outgoing and was heavily involved in athletics in HS. Attending another school. The only way to know is for you and your DC to tour for a few days.

Curious where he's attending? Was it a good fit?

I would rather not say but it's in the Southeast. It's not that he didn't like anything about Northwestern, he loved being close to the lake (at least in warm weather . He just felt a stronger connection with the students and atmosphere at another school. Like I said, every kid is different and I'm sure there are a lot of students that love it there. I will add that we are also from the Midwest and he wanted a new adventure, so to speak. It's also not cheap obviously, so he told us he needed to really really love it But he also knew would have sucked it up and paid either way if he wanted to go there. Good luck with your decision. It's obviously a great school.

Sounds like the Wake type...

Wrong. Think Top Engineering School which is his major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, what is the latest at Northwestern? Are there any freshmen parents who can comment?

I think traditionally it was mainstream work-hard, play-hard but more recently has gotten very quirky and not-fun (no one goes to football games, grinds 24/7, super competitive with each other for any resources and the party scene has moved to U of Chicago, etc) but then I've heard that Northwestern corrected this a bit this past cycle and admitted more mainstream kids.

What is the word on the street from current parents, preferably those with freshmen?

Thank you!

What does this even mean (bolded?)

Do you really think admissions officers are sitting around that giant conference table and saying things like, "You know, Joe, we've gotten too many weirdos in the last few years. Not good for the reputation. Let's look for more mainstream kids."

Before UChicago sold out and started accepting the Common App, they absolutely purposefully looked for quirky kids.

My sister was one of the first to get admitted to UChicago from Horace Mann in several years because the kids who applied just didn’t fit the profile they wanted.

It was an amazing secret known by quirky, intense kids.

I almost went there for undergrad, but ended up choosing elsewhere and went back for grad school.

Sadly, they sold out after Ted O’Neill stepped down as Director of Admissions.

Rant over. Apologies. It just makes me very sad. Now it’s like every other school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC (like many) is interested in an academically rigorous, mid-size school with some rah rah and a fun college town. Northwestern seems to fit the bill, and definitely had the reputation for having smart, balanced kids back in the stone ages when I went to school. I've heard that the vibe has changed, and it's now much more quirky, intense and less social than it used to be. We are visiting in a few weeks, but does anyone have a kid who is there and can speak to the current environment?

Thanks!

Northwestern is no longer a “rah rah” fun school despite being a part of the Big10. The strivers have taken over! Go tour and you will see.

Tours don’t show you everything. Talk to kids from your high school. That’s a must. People who know you.

Note my kid thought they loved Vanderbilt after touring 2x. Went back for admitted students day, met former friends from HS and saw the vibe and was happy to walk away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC (like many) is interested in an academically rigorous, mid-size school with some rah rah and a fun college town. Northwestern seems to fit the bill, and definitely had the reputation for having smart, balanced kids back in the stone ages when I went to school. I've heard that the vibe has changed, and it's now much more quirky, intense and less social than it used to be. We are visiting in a few weeks, but does anyone have a kid who is there and can speak to the current environment?

Thanks!

My DS accepted last cycle. Didn't like the "vibe: when he toured. My DS is very outgoing and was heavily involved in athletics in HS. Attending another school. The only way to know is for you and your DC to tour for a few days.

Curious where he's attending? Was it a good fit?

I would rather not say but it's in the Southeast. It's not that he didn't like anything about Northwestern, he loved being close to the lake (at least in warm weather . He just felt a stronger connection with the students and atmosphere at another school. Like I said, every kid is different and I'm sure there are a lot of students that love it there. I will add that we are also from the Midwest and he wanted a new adventure, so to speak. It's also not cheap obviously, so he told us he needed to really really love it But he also knew would have sucked it up and paid either way if he wanted to go there. Good luck with your decision. It's obviously a great school.

Sounds like the Wake type...

Dp, could be Wake, Vandy, Duke, even Davidson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC (like many) is interested in an academically rigorous, mid-size school with some rah rah and a fun college town. Northwestern seems to fit the bill, and definitely had the reputation for having smart, balanced kids back in the stone ages when I went to school. I've heard that the vibe has changed, and it's now much more quirky, intense and less social than it used to be. We are visiting in a few weeks, but does anyone have a kid who is there and can speak to the current environment?

Thanks!

My DS accepted last cycle. Didn't like the "vibe: when he toured. My DS is very outgoing and was heavily involved in athletics in HS. Attending another school. The only way to know is for you and your DC to tour for a few days.

Curious where he's attending? Was it a good fit?

I would rather not say but it's in the Southeast. It's not that he didn't like anything about Northwestern, he loved being close to the lake (at least in warm weather . He just felt a stronger connection with the students and atmosphere at another school. Like I said, every kid is different and I'm sure there are a lot of students that love it there. I will add that we are also from the Midwest and he wanted a new adventure, so to speak. It's also not cheap obviously, so he told us he needed to really really love it But he also knew would have sucked it up and paid either way if he wanted to go there. Good luck with your decision. It's obviously a great school.

Sounds like the Wake type...

Wrong. Think Top Engineering School which is his major.

GA Tech?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes, what is the latest at Northwestern? Are there any freshmen parents who can comment?

I think traditionally it was mainstream work-hard, play-hard but more recently has gotten very quirky and not-fun (no one goes to football games, grinds 24/7, super competitive with each other for any resources and the party scene has moved to U of Chicago, etc) but then I've heard that Northwestern corrected this a bit this past cycle and admitted more mainstream kids.

What is the word on the street from current parents, preferably those with freshmen?

Thank you!

My kid and I love it. There is a fun Greek scene if you want that. There is also every other type of scene and activity. My kid goes into Chicago a lot, and Evanston is really nice. The lake and campus are absolutely beautiful and there are tons of amazing arts and club/intramurals sports along w Big Ten. Great classes too!!

[Anonymous]

Northwestern has always had the reputation for being for smart, but kinda boring kids. The sort of kids who would find Evanston interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Northwestern has always had the reputation for being for smart, but kinda boring kids. The sort of kids who would find Evanston interesting.

Not true...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwestern has always had the reputation for being for smart, but kinda boring kids. The sort of kids who would find Evanston interesting.

Not true...

Evidence? I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being smart and middle of the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwestern has always had the reputation for being for smart, but kinda boring kids. The sort of kids who would find Evanston interesting.

Not true...

Evidence? I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being smart and middle of the road.

What is the evidence for "Northwestern has always had the reputation for being for smart, but kinda boring kids. The sort of kids who would find Evanston interesting"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwestern has always had the reputation for being for smart, but kinda boring kids. The sort of kids who would find Evanston interesting.

Not true...

Evidence? I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being smart and middle of the road.

What is the evidence for "Northwestern has always had the reputation for being for smart, but kinda boring kids. The sort of kids who would find Evanston interesting"?

I’m not saying it’s fact. I’m saying it’s the rep it’s had, in my experience.

I went to a prep school and saw lots of kids who went there. I went to UChicago, where I met more Northwestern kids.

My husband has worked in higher ed tech for 15 years and has done business with Northwestern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwestern has always had the reputation for being for smart, but kinda boring kids. The sort of kids who would find Evanston interesting.

Not true...

Evidence? I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being smart and middle of the road.

What is the evidence for "Northwestern has always had the reputation for being for smart, but kinda boring kids. The sort of kids who would find Evanston interesting"?

I’m not saying it’s fact. I’m saying it’s the rep it’s had, in my experience.

I went to a prep school and saw lots of kids who went there. I went to UChicago, where I met more Northwestern kids.

My husband has worked in higher ed tech for 15 years and has done business with Northwestern.

So this is your opinion. I agree Northwestern has always had the reputation of having smart kids, but disagree with labeling them "kinda boring." I'm from the area where the top 5% of kids regularly attended Northwestern. None of my friends were hanging out in Evanston. They were either on campus or in the city. I had the choice of NU and U Chicago, but chose to go east. It sounds like you have beef with NU bc you went to U Chicago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwestern has always had the reputation for being for smart, but kinda boring kids. The sort of kids who would find Evanston interesting.

Not true...

Evidence? I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being smart and middle of the road.

What is the evidence for "Northwestern has always had the reputation for being for smart, but kinda boring kids. The sort of kids who would find Evanston interesting"?

I’m not saying it’s fact. I’m saying it’s the rep it’s had, in my experience.

I went to a prep school and saw lots of kids who went there. I went to UChicago, where I met more Northwestern kids.

My husband has worked in higher ed tech for 15 years and has done business with Northwestern.

So this is your opinion. I agree Northwestern has always had the reputation of having smart kids, but disagree with labeling them "kinda boring." I'm from the area where the top 5% of kids regularly attended Northwestern. None of my friends were hanging out in Evanston. They were either on campus or in the city. I had the choice of NU and U Chicago, but chose to go east. It sounds like you have beef with NU bc you went to U Chicago.

To add, I personally love U Chicago, so it's not a knock on the school. It's only recently that U Chicago has risen in popularity. Most always, between NU and Chicago, kids picked NU.