Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 13:05     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Anonymous wrote:My McPS kid is a sophomore there in Stem and loves it. She got a great funded position in a research lab, loves the access to Chicago and the Evanston vibe, has found a nice cohort of students who are academic without being cutthroat, is very involved in extracurriculars. The weather can be jntense but that’s true of lots of schools (Dartmouth, Cornell, Wisconsin, Michigan etc). The classes are really hard — she has checked online exams for some of her classes from other top schools and thinks NU is harder, but I’ve heard the grad schools are aware and adjust grade expectations. The only real downside is that they run late into June so can impact summer vacations and internships. That’s also true of some other schools on quarter system.
I think it’s as talked about as schools like Dartmouth. Duke gets more play around here I think but I think that’s in part because basketball is now so popular and a lot of mid atlattic kids want warm weather.


Well in all fairness Duke gets more play because it’s generally considered to be more prestigious and a better school.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 13:02     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
My McPS kid is a sophomore there in Stem and loves it. She got a great funded position in a research lab, loves the access to Chicago and the Evanston vibe, has found a nice cohort of students who are academic without being cutthroat, is very involved in extracurriculars. The weather can be jntense but that’s true of lots of schools (Dartmouth, Cornell, Wisconsin, Michigan etc). The classes are really hard — she has checked online exams for some of her classes from other top schools and thinks NU is harder, but I’ve heard the grad schools are aware and adjust grade expectations. The only real downside is that they run late into June so can impact summer vacations and internships. That’s also true of some other schools on quarter system.
I think it’s as talked about as schools like Dartmouth. Duke gets more play around here I think but I think that’s in part because basketball is now so popular and a lot of mid atlattic kids want warm weather.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 12:54     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Anonymous wrote:As I said on NYU thread, this just isn't true.


+100

Lots of discussion of Northwestern in the posts here, especially in regard to student experiences there, which vary widely.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 12:46     Subject: Re:Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Anonymous wrote:Northwestern University is ranked #7 by US News for 2026.

This ranking is higher than Caltech, Brown, Dartmouth, & Cornell.

Even Northwestern's Economics major is STEM certified.

Has an engineering school which is well respected and, of course, STEM certified.


USNWR soiled it's reputation.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 12:27     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the Midwest. Northwestern was a “marquee” destination for us in Michigan, Ohio, etc. even 30-40 years ago when it was a lot less selective. It’s become more national now.


I am living in the Midwest now, was Mid-Atlantic and MoCo before.

I agree that Northwestern has had a strong reputation for 30+ years. But where I happen to live, kids are much more focused on big flagships (Michigan, Indiana and others).

Reading this board for 2 years now, I would say that Northwestern is talked about a lot, especially in lists, but not "debated".

Kids tend to go to college and get jobs within a radius of home. I feel that Northwestern and Wisconsin are largely outside that comfortable radius for DMV and Northwestern has low admit chances for RD. The University of Chicago has a little more draw because it has been "elite" for longer than Northwestern in rankings and reputation. But Chicago draws a lot of flak for its cynical admissions practices.

TL;DR, I think the lower interest is geographic. Penn, Brown, or any decent flagship can provide the same curriculum.


Thank you for the thoughtful response. The part about being on a lot of lists but not often “discussed” is what I picked up on as well and that is what I’m referring to.

And what another poster said about what is discussed in this forum not reflecting the norms of a geographical area is totally valid.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 12:11     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
As I said on NYU thread, this just isn't true.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 12:05     Subject: Re:Northwestern less popular in DC area?
My DMV kid absolutely loves Northwestern. Has gotten a fantastic education, made amazing friends, gotten excellent internships, and loves both Evanston and Chicago. Is sad to be graduating this spring.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 12:04     Subject: Re:Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Northwestern University is ranked #7 by US News for 2026.

This ranking is higher than Caltech, Brown, Dartmouth, & Cornell.

Even Northwestern's Economics major is STEM certified.

Has an engineering school which is well respected and, of course, STEM certified.

Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 12:04     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Anonymous wrote:Expensive, location, not Ivy, not STEM


You are as ignorant as you are feckless. No STEM? CCP non approved?
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 12:02     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Weirdo. You just posted the same thing about NYU. Find another hobby.

YES


I’m, in fact, not the same person as the NYU poster. I haven’t even seen that thread. I imagine there are thousands of visits to this site daily. You’re bound to see similar topics. What I find weird is a grown adult feeling the need to resort to name calling, acting personally offended by a random post, and the gate-keeping of what should or can be posted here.

If you have nothing to contribute just move along and don’t keep bumping up the thread by commenting.




We can never know the truth. But it’s highly likely you’re the same person.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 11:58     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Anonymous wrote:Expensive, location, not Ivy, not STEM


They actually have an excellent engineering program ranked in top 20 and an option to choose a co-op program where you alternate full time school/full time work each quarter (year round). That’s a great opportunity to get experience and make money
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 11:57     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Weirdo. You just posted the same thing about NYU. Find another hobby.

YES


I’m, in fact, not the same person as the NYU poster. I haven’t even seen that thread. I imagine there are thousands of visits to this site daily. You’re bound to see similar topics. What I find weird is a grown adult feeling the need to resort to name calling, acting personally offended by a random post, and the gate-keeping of what should or can be posted here.

If you have nothing to contribute just move along and don’t keep bumping up the thread by commenting.


Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 11:56     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Yet Northwestern's retention rate is above 98%.
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 11:54     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Our top stats kid wanted a D1 sports school, I wanted academics, and so we toured Northwestern. It was a disaster. Tour guide only talked about ski club, and every student we saw walking by on the tour had a scowl on their face. Even the gorgeous lake view with the sailboats couldn't convince my kid that everyone their hated their life. Our child didn't even apply after that
Anonymous
Post 12/06/2025 11:46     Subject: Northwestern less popular in DC area?
Should be "meets 100%, not 10%, of an accepted applicant's financial need without loans."