Northwestern University uniquely combines a high quality education with the school spirit associated with big state universities. In fact, as the only private school within the Big 10 conference, Northwestern students really get the best of both worlds: a private school education with a public school attitude about college sports. Located in the town of Evanston Illinois only about 10 miles north of Chicago, Northwestern students have unlimited opportunities for fun and culture. The campus is ideally situated on the shores of Lake Michigan and contains an eclectic mix on old and new buildings that seem to blend together. With an undergraduate population of around 8500 students, Northwestern is often described as the perfect sized school – not too big to feel lost and not too small to outgrow. Within the five different undergraduate schools in the university, students can study almost anything they want to. While critics maintain that the school’s focus is too pre-professional, the presence of top ranked theater and music schools rounds out the student body and gives the school some liberal diversity. Socially, Northwestern has a reputation for being a serious place. This is no doubt partly the result of the quarter system that results in fast paced classes and an additional set of final exams each year.
With an active Greek scene and so many diversions located on and off campus, Northwestern students know how to unwind and have fun. Complaints about Northwestern generally fall into 2 categories: (1) The winters are too cold (2) the academic calendar is based on quarters and the academic year begins late in September and ends in mid June. In terms of weather, anyone considering going to school in the Midwest must anticipate long, cold winters. The school calendar is an issue for many prospective students who want to be on the same academic calendar as all of their friends. The late ending date can be a problem in terms of getting summer jobs and some students complain about having to wait so long after their friends leave to start school. On balance, I think the many wonderful qualities of Northwestern outweigh these drawbacks. Anyone concerned about winter or the goofy calendar take note- Northwestern seems to be getting more popular every year. If you have the chance to visit, you will understand why.
