Northwestern vibe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

UChicago used to not sell out. When Ted ONeill was around, UChicago didn’t care about competing for kids with NU.

Then they started taking the Common App and lost their character.

What you see as lack of popularity was really just not caring about appealing to any smart kid.

[Anonymous]

My kid is rhere and likes it but I guess she’s kind of a nerd. She’s a social nerd and socializes a lot with people in the activities she’s in but isnt into the Greek scene or big rager parties. My sense is that there’s a little bit of everything at NU. It’s not going to have the “look” that th big southern schools do, which will be a plus for some kids.

[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.

I really do not understand people like you.

Exactly NO ONE one has asked for information about "the rep" Northwestern has had in the past.

Similarly, your expereince? When you went to UChicago?? Ummm . . . when was that? 15 years ago? 20 years ago? 30 years ago?

Either way, that's not the current information that OP or anyone else has asked for.

Finally, your husband's impressions based on doing "business with Northwestern" for 15 years in higher ed tech???

One more time, not responsive to OP's question or anyone else's on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is rhere and likes it but I guess she’s kind of a nerd. She’s a social nerd and socializes a lot with people in the activities she’s in but isnt into the Greek scene or big rager parties. My sense is that there’s a little bit of everything at NU. It’s not going to have the “look” that th big southern schools do, which will be a plus for some kids.

That sounds great! And directly relevant and responsive to OP's question. Thanks for sharing your DD's current experience with the rest of us!

[Anonymous]

It was very wholesome in the mid-1990s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's traditionally called the Northwestern 400.

400 kids in the freshman class are social (give or take), hang out together (downtown clubs or the Deuce), go on SB together to Mexico or DR, study abroad in the same places in Spain, Copenhagen or Florence (last year it was Spain), host off-campus parties in apts (and darties for football in the fall), etc.

I think this year, students estimated its closer to 500. So not really a huge change....maybe a bit around the edges? But yes, there weren't enough Greek bids, and 2 frats coming back this year and 2 sororities.

Agree there is much less activism on campus.

Pretty small cohort, but very unified when you combine with the other classes and upperclassmen. Maybe it feels more like a SLAC?

Can't imagine the Duke and Vandy #s are all that different? How big are the pledge classes there?

This sounds terribly claustrophobic and depressing. My kid goes to a southern school known to be social and the kids go all over for study abroad, not all to the same city, not even all to the same continent. Or perhaps you have it wrong.

You clearly know nothing about NU, so why post? What southern city does your DC frequent that is as cool as Chicago? NU has it all - academic prestige, Big 10 sports, world class theater/music/journalism, amazing campus, quick access to a major city and phenomenal job placement (if you can withstand the winter). Go visit before passing judgement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's traditionally called the Northwestern 400.

400 kids in the freshman class are social (give or take), hang out together (downtown clubs or the Deuce), go on SB together to Mexico or DR, study abroad in the same places in Spain, Copenhagen or Florence (last year it was Spain), host off-campus parties in apts (and darties for football in the fall), etc.

I think this year, students estimated its closer to 500. So not really a huge change....maybe a bit around the edges? But yes, there weren't enough Greek bids, and 2 frats coming back this year and 2 sororities.

Agree there is much less activism on campus.

Pretty small cohort, but very unified when you combine with the other classes and upperclassmen. Maybe it feels more like a SLAC?

Can't imagine the Duke and Vandy #s are all that different? How big are the pledge classes there?

This sounds terribly claustrophobic and depressing. My kid goes to a southern school known to be social and the kids go all over for study abroad, not all to the same city, not even all to the same continent. Or perhaps you have it wrong.

You clearly know nothing about NU, so why post? What southern city does your DC frequent that is as cool as Chicago? NU has it all - academic prestige, Big 10 sports, world class theater/music/journalism, amazing campus, quick access to a major city and phenomenal job placement (if you can withstand the winter). Go visit before passing judgement.

Prob GT....lame weirdo she is. Thanks for calling it out. We need to out these trolls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's traditionally called the Northwestern 400.

400 kids in the freshman class are social (give or take), hang out together (downtown clubs or the Deuce), go on SB together to Mexico or DR, study abroad in the same places in Spain, Copenhagen or Florence (last year it was Spain), host off-campus parties in apts (and darties for football in the fall), etc.

I think this year, students estimated its closer to 500. So not really a huge change....maybe a bit around the edges? But yes, there weren't enough Greek bids, and 2 frats coming back this year and 2 sororities.

Agree there is much less activism on campus.

Pretty small cohort, but very unified when you combine with the other classes and upperclassmen. Maybe it feels more like a SLAC?

Can't imagine the Duke and Vandy #s are all that different? How big are the pledge classes there?

This sounds terribly claustrophobic and depressing. My kid goes to a southern school known to be social and the kids go all over for study abroad, not all to the same city, not even all to the same continent. Or perhaps you have it wrong.

You clearly know nothing about NU, so why post? What southern city does your DC frequent that is as cool as Chicago? NU has it all - academic prestige, Big 10 sports, world class theater/music/journalism, amazing campus, quick access to a major city and phenomenal job placement (if you can withstand the winter). Go visit before passing judgement.

+1 NU was at the top of DCs list for all these reasons, but he is headed elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is very happy there. She joined a sorority. We have been surprised how separated her social life is from kids who aren’t in the Greek system. Most of her friends are white and wealthy and kind of all similar to each other. She isn’t friendly with the quiet engineers or the artistic theater kids.

The academics seem really good and most kids are bright and engaging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's traditionally called the Northwestern 400.

400 kids in the freshman class are social (give or take), hang out together (downtown clubs or the Deuce), go on SB together to Mexico or DR, study abroad in the same places in Spain, Copenhagen or Florence (last year it was Spain), host off-campus parties in apts (and darties for football in the fall), etc.

I think this year, students estimated its closer to 500. So not really a huge change....maybe a bit around the edges? But yes, there weren't enough Greek bids, and 2 frats coming back this year and 2 sororities.

Agree there is much less activism on campus.

Pretty small cohort, but very unified when you combine with the other classes and upperclassmen. Maybe it feels more like a SLAC?

Can't imagine the Duke and Vandy #s are all that different? How big are the pledge classes there?

This sounds terribly claustrophobic and depressing. My kid goes to a southern school known to be social and the kids go all over for study abroad, not all to the same city, not even all to the same continent. Or perhaps you have it wrong.

You clearly know nothing about NU, so why post? What southern city does your DC frequent that is as cool as Chicago? NU has it all - academic prestige, Big 10 sports, world class theater/music/journalism, amazing campus, quick access to a major city and phenomenal job placement (if you can withstand the winter). Go visit before passing judgement.

Prob GT....lame weirdo she is. Thanks for calling it out. We need to out these trolls.

I'm not the poster you are responding to here or the one that posted what you are responding to above. I posted earlier, my DS was accepted to NU last cycle and we toured it and there was a lot he liked about it and he loved the lake setting. It's obviously a great school so not sure why anyone would say anything negative about it. The new football stadium area is beautiful btw. For my kid, I think a lot of it had to do with him wanting to get out of the Midwest. Not everyone is going to be the same. My kid wanted to got to a school that was at or near the top for his major, Biomedical Engineering and wanted to go to school in a warmer climate. In the end it came down to UT-Austin, NU and GT. All had similar Urban vibes and all schools he loved in different ways . Yes, ironically, and not the poster above but he picked GT and loves it. Everyone is different and will have their own journey and preferences. Good luck.

[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."

Yes.

[Anonymous]

NU is for nerdy kids these days and certainly not “rah rah.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NU is for nerdy kids these days and certainly not “rah rah.”

Do you have a child there? I do. It is stupidly Greek for many kids. Plenty of kids at the ER regularly for drinking too much - if that’s what you want, you have it. Personally, I wish my child was in an environment where the social life is not led by a fundamentally racist and sexist institution. I wish the campus was more politically engaged too. It’s a very apathetic set of kids. Astounding given the times we live in. My kid is happy to be clear. This is all my beef! But for parents looking for the combo of bright kids/good academics/Greek system/apolitical this is a great choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NU is for nerdy kids these days and certainly not “rah rah.”

Do you have a child there? I do. It is stupidly Greek for many kids. Plenty of kids at the ER regularly for drinking too much - if that’s what you want, you have it. Personally, I wish my child was in an environment where the social life is not led by a fundamentally racist and sexist institution. I wish the campus was more politically engaged too. It’s a very apathetic set of kids. Astounding given the times we live in. My kid is happy to be clear. This is all my beef! But for parents looking for the combo of bright kids/good academics/Greek system/apolitical this is a great choice.

Yikes... What????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's traditionally called the Northwestern 400.

400 kids in the freshman class are social (give or take), hang out together (downtown clubs or the Deuce), go on SB together to Mexico or DR, study abroad in the same places in Spain, Copenhagen or Florence (last year it was Spain), host off-campus parties in apts (and darties for football in the fall), etc.

I think this year, students estimated its closer to 500. So not really a huge change....maybe a bit around the edges? But yes, there weren't enough Greek bids, and 2 frats coming back this year and 2 sororities.

Agree there is much less activism on campus.

Pretty small cohort, but very unified when you combine with the other classes and upperclassmen. Maybe it feels more like a SLAC?

Can't imagine the Duke and Vandy #s are all that different? How big are the pledge classes there?

This sounds terribly claustrophobic and depressing. My kid goes to a southern school known to be social and the kids go all over for study abroad, not all to the same city, not even all to the same continent. Or perhaps you have it wrong.

You clearly know nothing about NU, so why post? What southern city does your DC frequent that is as cool as Chicago? NU has it all - academic prestige, Big 10 sports, world class theater/music/journalism, amazing campus, quick access to a major city and phenomenal job placement (if you can withstand the winter). Go visit before passing judgement.

Prob GT....lame weirdo she is. Thanks for calling it out. We need to out these trolls.

I'm not the poster you are responding to here or the one that posted what you are responding to above. I posted earlier, my DS was accepted to NU last cycle and we toured it and there was a lot he liked about it and he loved the lake setting. It's obviously a great school so not sure why anyone would say anything negative about it. The new football stadium area is beautiful btw. For my kid, I think a lot of it had to do with him wanting to get out of the Midwest. Not everyone is going to be the same. My kid wanted to got to a school that was at or near the top for his major, Biomedical Engineering and wanted to go to school in a warmer climate. In the end it came down to UT-Austin, NU and GT. All had similar Urban vibes and all schools he loved in different ways . Yes, ironically, and not the poster above but he picked GT and loves it. Everyone is different and will have their own journey and preferences. Good luck.

Your explanation makes perfect sense to me and helps me understand how some kids pursue fit and a stronger program in their major. Before you wrote this, I was scratching my head too but now I get it and I'm glad to hear it worked out well for your kid.