UVA vs. Northwestern

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're very close with two young gals that recently graduated from Northwestern and their experience seemed far more state school than elite private. If it weren't for US News, the crazy tiger parents from the coasts wouldn't be anywhere near so obsessed with it. It's a good college if you're in the Chicago burbs or in the Midwest and your kid can take a train there and back -- but it's truly not anything to obsess over.

I think there is some truth to it.

What about UChicago? How does it compare to NU?

Peer schools with a lot in common. NU has Big Ten sports (some kids might be into football and basketball), Chicago doesn't. Their grad programs are stellar, I don't think very many people are super impressed to see NU or UChicago undergrad. Quintessential "good school(s)" -- but certainly not jumping off the page like an Ivy, MIT, Duke or Stanford.

You are overselling Duke there. Not same level as MIT and Stanford.

Chicago, at least, would be perceived above Cornell, probably somewhere near Brown.

I am thinking Chicago would be clearly favored over Northwestern among cross-admits.

Nope, nope.

And nope.

[Anonymous]

Duke is definitely not in the MIT category! It’s actually very similar to NU except NU kids are less entitled and spoiled. I went to NU for undergrad and Duke for grad.

I was also admitted to Chicago for undergrad (and grad). NU seemed a much happier place to be. The current Chicago is big into playing admissions games to gain ranking spots. I am not sure it’s as intellectual as the old days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I loved my years at NU. It’s a solid, well-rounded school, and it being in the Midwest softens the intensity somewhat (although it’s absolutely there if you want it). I’m so glad I spent formative years off the East Coast, even though I returned and am raising my kids here. There are so many options for pretty much everything, given the proximity to Chicago. I’d be thrilled if my kids choose NU when their time comes.

Allison and Bobb PPs—I spent my freshmen year in the former and sophomore year in the latter! SESP, and I remember when it was just CAS. Fond memories all around

I am one of the Allison Hall alums. I was there freshman year but got a low lottery pick and ended up in Bobb my sophomore year. Also SESP. I am a 93 grad, though, so you are probably much younger than I am. I loved my time there (but don’t think the current price tag is justified).

Pickled brain alum. I was in McCulloch at the same time you were in Bobb. I was a year behind you. I had a connection room my Sophomore year.

I’m a little behind you both—class of ‘98! AKA the Rose Bowl/Citrus Bowl glory years

For PPs asking about U of C, I also applied and was admitted there, but didn’t seriously consider it. It’s way more intellectually intense than NU, which wasn’t what I wanted as an undergrad. I don’t know that the quality of the education is that much better, but overall, based on the friends I have who went there and the people I spoke with attending at the time, it’s a less well-rounded school. NU isn’t MIT, but it doesn’t need to be. There’s something to be said for getting an outstanding education and having myriad opportunities for whatever intellectual challenge you want, while also having the chance for fun. NU was, for me, an idea combination of academic rigor in a reasonably nurturing, often exciting place.

No no no. You will claim no fame. My brain may be pickled but the fall of my freshman year we broke the longest losing streak and tore down the goal posts— banned now. And some of us may have been in class with The Fitz and he is still younger than us which makes us feel so so so very old. And if you may have done something things unmentionable with the Schnur-thing, well you get me.

Chicago and Duke were never and will never be as much fun. Well maybe Duke but never ever Chicago. Ever. NU is the perfect meld of top notch academics, fun and great athletics. Look no further.

I have to say I have been to a game or two at UVA and like it. Seems like a blast and a great school. No NU but then again nothing really could be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Duke is definitely not in the MIT category! It’s actually very similar to NU except NU kids are less entitled and spoiled. I went to NU for undergrad and Duke for grad.

I was also admitted to Chicago for undergrad (and grad). NU seemed a much happier place to be. The current Chicago is big into playing admissions games to gain ranking spots. I am not sure it’s as intellectual as the old days.

No one other than an NU grad would think students there are less spoiled or monies than Duke students. It’s mostly UMC kids who grew up playing golf in places like Lake Zurich and Naperville.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duke is definitely not in the MIT category! It’s actually very similar to NU except NU kids are less entitled and spoiled. I went to NU for undergrad and Duke for grad.

I was also admitted to Chicago for undergrad (and grad). NU seemed a much happier place to be. The current Chicago is big into playing admissions games to gain ranking spots. I am not sure it’s as intellectual as the old days.

No one other than an NU grad would think students there are less spoiled or monies than Duke students. It’s mostly UMC kids who grew up playing golf in places like Lake Zurich and Naperville.

Someone is googling. Neither LZ or Naperville is what you think. If you said Winnetka or Glenco then maybe. Naperville and LZ go to U of I which is a great school. Some go to ISU and the party kids go to SIU- of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're very close with two young gals that recently graduated from Northwestern and their experience seemed far more state school than elite private. If it weren't for US News, the crazy tiger parents from the coasts wouldn't be anywhere near so obsessed with it. It's a good college if you're in the Chicago burbs or in the Midwest and your kid can take a train there and back -- but it's truly not anything to obsess over.

I think there is some truth to it.

What about UChicago? How does it compare to NU?

Peer schools with a lot in common. NU has Big Ten sports (some kids might be into football and basketball), Chicago doesn't. Their grad programs are stellar, I don't think very many people are super impressed to see NU or UChicago undergrad. Quintessential "good school(s)" -- but certainly not jumping off the page like an Ivy, MIT, Duke or Stanford.

You are overselling Duke there. Not same level as MIT and Stanford.

Chicago, at least, would be perceived above Cornell, probably somewhere near Brown.

I am thinking Chicago would be clearly favored over Northwestern among cross-admits.

Nope, nope.

And nope.

Well, Parchment data says your nopes are misplaced.

https://www.parchment.com/c/college/tools/college-cross-admit-comparison.php?compare=University+of+Chicago&with=Cornell+University

https://www.parchment.com/c/college/tools/college-cross-admit-comparison.php?compare=University+of+Chicago&with=Northwestern+University

[Anonymous]

Parchment? Oh ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I loved my years at NU. It’s a solid, well-rounded school, and it being in the Midwest softens the intensity somewhat (although it’s absolutely there if you want it). I’m so glad I spent formative years off the East Coast, even though I returned and am raising my kids here. There are so many options for pretty much everything, given the proximity to Chicago. I’d be thrilled if my kids choose NU when their time comes.

Allison and Bobb PPs—I spent my freshmen year in the former and sophomore year in the latter! SESP, and I remember when it was just CAS. Fond memories all around

I am one of the Allison Hall alums. I was there freshman year but got a low lottery pick and ended up in Bobb my sophomore year. Also SESP. I am a 93 grad, though, so you are probably much younger than I am. I loved my time there (but don’t think the current price tag is justified).

Pickled brain alum. I was in McCulloch at the same time you were in Bobb. I was a year behind you. I had a connection room my Sophomore year.

I’m a little behind you both—class of ‘98! AKA the Rose Bowl/Citrus Bowl glory years

For PPs asking about U of C, I also applied and was admitted there, but didn’t seriously consider it. It’s way more intellectually intense than NU, which wasn’t what I wanted as an undergrad. I don’t know that the quality of the education is that much better, but overall, based on the friends I have who went there and the people I spoke with attending at the time, it’s a less well-rounded school. NU isn’t MIT, but it doesn’t need to be. There’s something to be said for getting an outstanding education and having myriad opportunities for whatever intellectual challenge you want, while also having the chance for fun. NU was, for me, an idea combination of academic rigor in a reasonably nurturing, often exciting place.

No no no. You will claim no fame. My brain may be pickled but the fall of my freshman year we broke the longest losing streak and tore down the goal posts— banned now. And some of us may have been in class with The Fitz and he is still younger than us which makes us feel so so so very old. And if you may have done something things unmentionable with the Schnur-thing, well you get me.

Chicago and Duke were never and will never be as much fun. Well maybe Duke but never ever Chicago. Ever. NU is the perfect meld of top notch academics, fun and great athletics. Look no further.

I have to say I have been to a game or two at UVA and like it. Seems like a blast and a great school. No NU but then again nothing really could be.

You’re embarrassing yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parchment? Oh ok.

Based on actual data. What actual data do you offer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parchment? Oh ok.

Based on actual data. What actual data do you offer?

Continue on. We are all giggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're very close with two young gals that recently graduated from Northwestern and their experience seemed far more state school than elite private. If it weren't for US News, the crazy tiger parents from the coasts wouldn't be anywhere near so obsessed with it. It's a good college if you're in the Chicago burbs or in the Midwest and your kid can take a train there and back -- but it's truly not anything to obsess over.

I think there is some truth to it.

What about UChicago? How does it compare to NU?

Peer schools with a lot in common. NU has Big Ten sports (some kids might be into football and basketball), Chicago doesn't. Their grad programs are stellar, I don't think very many people are super impressed to see NU or UChicago undergrad. Quintessential "good school(s)" -- but certainly not jumping off the page like an Ivy, MIT, Duke or Stanford.

Chicago/Northwestern are very much to the Midwest what Duke is to the South. Outside of MIT, Stanford, and top Ivies, no name really jumps out. People don't know nor care that schools like Brown/Dartmouth are Ivies

[Anonymous]

N.U. U.V.A. Is for southerners.

[Anonymous]

They may not "care," but what educated person doesn't know Brown & Dartmouth are Ivies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parchment? Oh ok.

Based on actual data. What actual data do you offer?

Continue on. We are all giggling.

Ah, your data is great . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is trying to choose between UVA and Northwestern for ED. They are both her top choices.

Would love insight into the two schools from people who have experience with them. (Btw, I'm doing this for me, I'm going to let her make her own decision of course). Cost doesn't make much of a difference as we're not in VA anyway. Thanks!

Apply to ED at Northwestern and UVA Early action. That maximizes everything for your child.