Is Northwestern the ideal school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was #1 on my kids list, until we visited. He decided not to apply within a few minutes of stepping foot on campus. He said not one student looked happy, all had heads down. I insisted we go on the tour anyway, which we did, but even I thought that didn't help.

That's because everyone there wanted to attend college someplace else. Maybe not the Medill crew, but you do have to question someone studying journalism these days too.

That’s really not true. It was the number one pick for a lot of the students. I. Think the atmosphere is not like a southern school though.

I remember when I started school in the northeast one of my friends said he found it so disturbing how all the kids from California and the south would lo right at you and smile. He found it creepy and intrusive. He was exaggerating but there is a different vibe at urban schools in the north.
Anyway the answer is probably that there is no perfect school for everyone. For some people, Alabama is the perfect school. Or Florida. Or ASU. People want different things.

Chicago is not the NE! The Midwest is very friendly- very unlike the dc area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was #1 on my kids list, until we visited. He decided not to apply within a few minutes of stepping foot on campus. He said not one student looked happy, all had heads down. I insisted we go on the tour anyway, which we did, but even I thought that didn't help.

That's because everyone there wanted to attend college someplace else. Maybe not the Medill crew, but you do have to question someone studying journalism these days too.

NU was my number one pick and my husband's. He turned down Ivy admission to go to NU (it is by far the best school for his engineering discipline).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I too hate it when parents describe students as "quirky." It just screams mean mom sorority girl energy. The University of Alabama sorority system exists for these people.

That being said, I think a lot of parents have the Northwestern in the 90s in mind when they think NU might be a good fit for their kid. That's the school of Stephen Colbert and Julia-Louis Dreyfus and fun, smart kids. Stanford has the same issue. These were fun students being quirky in exciting ways in 1998.

But times and admissions have changed. I am 100 percent guilty of this. We visited Northwestern, and the experience just seemed cold. The student welcoming center or whatever that's called and the lake and the boats are all very nice in September. But I grew up in Canada, and I know what Lake Michigan is going to be like from October to March. The rest of the campus is underwhelming. Chicago is not far, but it is a journey. And I found Evanston unremarkable. The students are quite serious. I think a quarter system is a grind, and every prospective student needs to internalize what that's about. I think NU is great for students that want to dual major in disparate subjects. It's a good place for serious students. NU is very good in everything - from journalism to engineering, which is unusual even among the best schools. But everything is about vibe and aura these days, and that didn't feel great at Northwestern. I actually thought UChicago was the more grounded and humane school.

I don't like to say anything negative about any school, but at this level you are looking at everything. My kid noped out after the visit. It might very well be an administration issue. On paper, NU has everything going for it. But people really need to visit and see if a winter in Evanston and a quarter system is right for them.

I’m an alum and was also guilty of thinking of NU as it was when I attended. Like many good schools, the student body has changed and is much more intense and strivery than it was when I attended. I don’t think it is as much fun. It’s sad to me because I loved my time there. My kid was a firm no after the tour. But I think it was the right choice- especially at the exorbitant cost to attend now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was #1 on my kids list, until we visited. He decided not to apply within a few minutes of stepping foot on campus. He said not one student looked happy, all had heads down. I insisted we go on the tour anyway, which we did, but even I thought that didn't help.

That's because everyone there wanted to attend college someplace else. Maybe not the Medill crew, but you do have to question someone studying journalism these days too.

That’s really not true. It was the number one pick for a lot of the students. I. Think the atmosphere is not like a southern school though.

I remember when I started school in the northeast one of my friends said he found it so disturbing how all the kids from California and the south would lo right at you and smile. He found it creepy and intrusive. He was exaggerating but there is a different vibe at urban schools in the north.
Anyway the answer is probably that there is no perfect school for everyone. For some people, Alabama is the perfect school. Or Florida. Or ASU. People want different things.

Chicago is not the NE! The Midwest is very friendly- very unlike the dc area.

Meh. I'm from the DMV now living in the Midwest. Can't say I agree with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was #1 on my kids list, until we visited. He decided not to apply within a few minutes of stepping foot on campus. He said not one student looked happy, all had heads down. I insisted we go on the tour anyway, which we did, but even I thought that didn't help.

That's because everyone there wanted to attend college someplace else. Maybe not the Medill crew, but you do have to question someone studying journalism these days too.

NU was my number one pick and my husband's. He turned down Ivy admission to go to NU (it is by far the best school for his engineering discipline).

Interesting. What is the engineering discipline?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too hate it when parents describe students as "quirky." It just screams mean mom sorority girl energy. The University of Alabama sorority system exists for these people.

That being said, I think a lot of parents have the Northwestern in the 90s in mind when they think NU might be a good fit for their kid. That's the school of Stephen Colbert and Julia-Louis Dreyfus and fun, smart kids. Stanford has the same issue. These were fun students being quirky in exciting ways in 1998.

But times and admissions have changed. I am 100 percent guilty of this. We visited Northwestern, and the experience just seemed cold. The student welcoming center or whatever that's called and the lake and the boats are all very nice in September. But I grew up in Canada, and I know what Lake Michigan is going to be like from October to March. The rest of the campus is underwhelming. Chicago is not far, but it is a journey. And I found Evanston unremarkable. The students are quite serious. I think a quarter system is a grind, and every prospective student needs to internalize what that's about. I think NU is great for students that want to dual major in disparate subjects. It's a good place for serious students. NU is very good in everything - from journalism to engineering, which is unusual even among the best schools. But everything is about vibe and aura these days, and that didn't feel great at Northwestern. I actually thought UChicago was the more grounded and humane school.

I don't like to say anything negative about any school, but at this level you are looking at everything. My kid noped out after the visit. It might very well be an administration issue. On paper, NU has everything going for it. But people really need to visit and see if a winter in Evanston and a quarter system is right for them.

I’m an alum and was also guilty of thinking of NU as it was when I attended. Like many good schools, the student body has changed and is much more intense and strivery than it was when I attended. I don’t think it is as much fun. It’s sad to me because I loved my time there. My kid was a firm no after the tour. But I think it was the right choice- especially at the exorbitant cost to attend now.

This is all of the T12 or so, the student body is interchangeable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was #1 on my kids list, until we visited. He decided not to apply within a few minutes of stepping foot on campus. He said not one student looked happy, all had heads down. I insisted we go on the tour anyway, which we did, but even I thought that didn't help.

That's because everyone there wanted to attend college someplace else. Maybe not the Medill crew, but you do have to question someone studying journalism these days too.

That’s really not true. It was the number one pick for a lot of the students. I. Think the atmosphere is not like a southern school though.

I remember when I started school in the northeast one of my friends said he found it so disturbing how all the kids from California and the south would lo right at you and smile. He found it creepy and intrusive. He was exaggerating but there is a different vibe at urban schools in the north.
Anyway the answer is probably that there is no perfect school for everyone. For some people, Alabama is the perfect school. Or Florida. Or ASU. People want different things.

Chicago is not the NE! The Midwest is very friendly- very unlike the dc area.

Meh. I'm from the DMV now living in the Midwest. Can't say I agree with this.

I have lived all over the country and haven't noticed any significant difference in friendliness in people. People are people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was #1 on my kids list, until we visited. He decided not to apply within a few minutes of stepping foot on campus. He said not one student looked happy, all had heads down. I insisted we go on the tour anyway, which we did, but even I thought that didn't help.

That's because everyone there wanted to attend college someplace else. Maybe not the Medill crew, but you do have to question someone studying journalism these days too.

NU was my number one pick and my husband's. He turned down Ivy admission to go to NU (it is by far the best school for his engineering discipline).

Don't see it as listed near the top for any of the major disciplines.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-aerospace-aeronautical-astronautical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-chemical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-electrical-electronic-communications?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-mechanical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-industrial-manufacturing?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/environmental-engineering-rankings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was #1 on my kids list, until we visited. He decided not to apply within a few minutes of stepping foot on campus. He said not one student looked happy, all had heads down. I insisted we go on the tour anyway, which we did, but even I thought that didn't help.

That's because everyone there wanted to attend college someplace else. Maybe not the Medill crew, but you do have to question someone studying journalism these days too.

NU was my number one pick and my husband's. He turned down Ivy admission to go to NU (it is by far the best school for his engineering discipline).

Don't see it as listed near the top for any of the major disciplines.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-aerospace-aeronautical-astronautical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-chemical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-electrical-electronic-communications?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-mechanical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-industrial-manufacturing?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/environmental-engineering-rankings

Why is then top 10 schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was #1 on my kids list, until we visited. He decided not to apply within a few minutes of stepping foot on campus. He said not one student looked happy, all had heads down. I insisted we go on the tour anyway, which we did, but even I thought that didn't help.

That's because everyone there wanted to attend college someplace else. Maybe not the Medill crew, but you do have to question someone studying journalism these days too.

NU was my number one pick and my husband's. He turned down Ivy admission to go to NU (it is by far the best school for his engineering discipline).

Don't see it as listed near the top for any of the major disciplines.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-aerospace-aeronautical-astronautical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-chemical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-electrical-electronic-communications?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-mechanical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-industrial-manufacturing?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/environmental-engineering-rankings

It's a specific Mat Sci subset, my spouse wanted to work with a specific lab. He's one of those people who knew what he wanted to study specifically at age 15 and now has a PhD in precisely that subject.

[Anonymous]

Good old posts on here. Maybe search?
About 1/3 of the incoming class is social and “normal” (makes eye contact, friendly, goes out 3x/week, Greek like (growing there like everywhere after BLM and abolish Greek life did a number on campus). These students skew wealthy, well-traveled and well-adjusted.

But it’s a pretty small chunk of the incoming class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was #1 on my kids list, until we visited. He decided not to apply within a few minutes of stepping foot on campus. He said not one student looked happy, all had heads down. I insisted we go on the tour anyway, which we did, but even I thought that didn't help.

That's because everyone there wanted to attend college someplace else. Maybe not the Medill crew, but you do have to question someone studying journalism these days too.

NU was my number one pick and my husband's. He turned down Ivy admission to go to NU (it is by far the best school for his engineering discipline).

Don't see it as listed near the top for any of the major disciplines.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-aerospace-aeronautical-astronautical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-chemical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-electrical-electronic-communications?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-mechanical?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-industrial-manufacturing?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/environmental-engineering-rankings

Why is then top 10 schools?

"by far the best"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious to hear people's firsthand experiences there. It seems to check all the boxes for a classic college experience:

1. Greek life and football
2. Excellent academics across the board
3. Strong arts programs and a thriving school newspaper
4. Prime location outside, but not right in, a major city (best of both worlds)

Are there any down sides to this school? It sounds almost too good to be true.

My kid goes there-we all love it. Evanston is awesome although, yes it can be chilly. Definitely visit!

One of my kids recently attended Northwestern, & I saw many similarities to BC. There are few colleges that check as many boxes as Northwestern, but it seems like Boston College does an even better job of it than Northwestern. Boston College:

1. No Greek life (which some prefer)/sports are supported by students better than at NU.

2. Academics good, but a notch down from NU.

3. Good arts & newspaper.

4. Much prettier campus than NU; equally nice, safe, upscale neighborhood; much easier & faster access to the nearby city (trolley station is right next to campus).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was #1 on my kids list, until we visited. He decided not to apply within a few minutes of stepping foot on campus. He said not one student looked happy, all had heads down. I insisted we go on the tour anyway, which we did, but even I thought that didn't help.

That's because everyone there wanted to attend college someplace else. Maybe not the Medill crew, but you do have to question someone studying journalism these days too.

That’s really not true. It was the number one pick for a lot of the students. I. Think the atmosphere is not like a southern school though.

I remember when I started school in the northeast one of my friends said he found it so disturbing how all the kids from California and the south would lo right at you and smile. He found it creepy and intrusive. He was exaggerating but there is a different vibe at urban schools in the north.
Anyway the answer is probably that there is no perfect school for everyone. For some people, Alabama is the perfect school. Or Florida. Or ASU. People want different things.

Chicago is not the NE! The Midwest is very friendly- very unlike the dc area.

I know and my post wasn’t worded the best but I do think there’s a difference between the Chicago vibe and the Southern California or southern vibe. Chicago is closer to Boston in that way than it is to South Carolina or someplace like that.
But I find kids at NU to be pretty friendly anyway. But if you’re liooking for a student body that looks like Vandy or UVA, it’s not gojng to be the right fit. People have different vibes or preferences and that’s okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good old posts on here. Maybe search?
About 1/3 of the incoming class is social and “normal” (makes eye contact, friendly, goes out 3x/week, Greek like (growing there like everywhere after BLM and abolish Greek life did a number on campus). These students skew wealthy, well-traveled and well-adjusted.

But it’s a pretty small chunk of the incoming class.

this is incorrect - and bizarre.