Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want a school that effectively balances the academics of a T10, with the feel of a traditional “rah rah” campus - you have 2 choices: Duke and Northwestern. Great schools, great vibes, great students.

Someone thinks it’s still 1995.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Michigan is a great school, but the mid-size privates are not comparable to large state schools no matter how good they are. It feels very different, the size difference is massive.

I’m not talking about feel.

The question was about academic strength.

Michigan’s undergrad programs are outstanding:

Top 5 engineering
Top 3 business
#10 comp sci
#15 Econ
#5 psychology
#1 nursing

Etc.

I know DCUM can’t handle the idea that a state school could rival a private university, but it’s just facts.

Some kids won’t like how big Michigan is, but its academic strength is absolutely elite.

In some programs. As a state school, they still have plenty of BS majors.

“As a state school”?

You act like Michigan is equivalent to Idaho State or something.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Michigan is a great school, but the mid-size privates are not comparable to large state schools no matter how good they are. It feels very different, the size difference is massive.

I’m not talking about feel.

The question was about academic strength.

Michigan’s undergrad programs are outstanding:

Top 5 engineering
Top 3 business
#10 comp sci
#15 Econ
#5 psychology
#1 nursing

Etc.

I know DCUM can’t handle the idea that a state school could rival a private university, but it’s just facts.

Some kids won’t like how big Michigan is, but its academic strength is absolutely elite.

In some programs. As a state school, they still have plenty of BS majors.

Anonymous wrote:

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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 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want a school that effectively balances the academics of a T10, with the feel of a traditional “rah rah” campus - you have 2 choices: Duke and Northwestern. Great schools, great vibes, great students.

Stanford?

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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. Evhanks. He already got aan eryone 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.

Thanks. He already got a summer internship back here in the Upper Midwest and GT was a big reason.

I'm the poster you're responding to. Your example is what more dcum parents need to read. It is not about prestige or bragging rights or whatever - if a kid has ambition and drive they will find their path no matter where they go. Not looking for specifics, but how did GT help your freshman find an internship?

I'm confused by your question...The name Georgia Tech is very much prestigious especially in Tech/Engineering field. It opened the opportunity up from him to get the interview and then he took it from there.

Anonymous wrote:If you want a school that effectively balances the academics of a T10, with the feel of a traditional “rah rah” campus - you have 2 choices: Duke and Northwestern. Great schools, great vibes, great students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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. Evhanks. He already got aan eryone 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.

Thanks. He already got a summer internship back here in the Upper Midwest and GT was a big reason.

I'm the poster you're responding to. Your example is what more dcum parents need to read. It is not about prestige or bragging rights or whatever - if a kid has ambition and drive they will find their path no matter where they go. Not looking for specifics, but how did GT help your freshman find an internship?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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. Evhanks. He already got aan eryone 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.

Thanks. He already got a summer internship back here in the Upper Midwest and GT was a big reason.

I'm the poster you're responding to. Your example is what more dcum parents need to read. It is not about prestige or bragging rights or whatever - if a kid has ambition and drive they will find their path no matter where they go. Not looking for specifics, but how did GT help your freshman find an internship?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Idk, most of the AOs these days are pretty weird themselves.

Have you worked in an admissions office? The directives come down from the Provost, VPE and the Dean (qualities to look for; IP; holes to fill; etc). Obv the Dean does the final class shaping, but you have to try and fill what they are looking for. Note it looks like they are increasing the class size to 2100. Wasn't it 2000 last cycle?
https://admissions.northwestern.edu/docs/northwestern-early-decision-context-2025.pdf

You can see some of the priorities here based on dedicated resources (FGLI; Intl; Transfer)
https://www.enrollment.northwestern.edu/about/undergraduate-admission-titles-only2.pdf

Anonymous wrote:If you want a school that effectively balances the academics of a T10, with the feel of a traditional “rah rah” campus - you have 2 choices: Duke and Northwestern. Great schools, great vibes, great students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Michigan is a great school, but the mid-size privates are not comparable to large state schools no matter how good they are. It feels very different, the size difference is massive.

I’m not talking about feel.

The question was about academic strength.

Michigan’s undergrad programs are outstanding:

Top 5 engineering
Top 3 business
#10 comp sci
#15 Econ
#5 psychology
#1 nursing

Etc.

I know DCUM can’t handle the idea that a state school could rival a private university, but it’s just facts.

Some kids won’t like how big Michigan is, but its academic strength is absolutely elite.

Anonymous wrote:Who cares about MI. Start your own thread.

Sheesh. They always think everything is about them.