Northwestern University Admission
Northwestern University Undergraduate Program
Northwestern University Application

The Facts

Northwestern University is one the top private institutions in the country. It is located in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb of the city of Chicago, and hosts a moderately sized student population numbering around 7,789 undergraduate students and 8,265 graduate students. The university is known for its intense academic atmosphere and fantastic preprofessional programs, as well as for its fantastic theater program that boasts many distinguished alumni. Northwestern is made up of several smaller colleges including the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the School of Education and Social Policy, the School of Music, the School of Speech (which includes the drama school), and the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Northwestern offers students the chance to participate in many internship programs and research opportunities, and gives them plenty of opportunity to get an edge on their career.

Admission to the school is fiercely competitive and the difficulty increases every year. Last year, over 14,137 students applied and only 4,702 were admitted; of those, about 1,941 students matriculated. Students admitted are from a very select bunch; last year, the admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1310 to an impressive 1480 and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 29 to 33. Over 83% of admitted students were ranked in the top 10% of their high school graduating class.

The student to faculty ratio is an amazing 7:1; students are generally able to have quite a bit of one-on-one time with their professors. However, some professors are too wrapped up in their own work and research to spend much time with students. There are some introductory classes that are quite large, but as students move beyond their first years, classes get smaller and smaller. The university also runs on a quarter system, causing midterms and final papers to be quite close together, which is a big source of stress for most students.

The Social Scene

The town of Evanston is heralded by many as the quintessential college town; it is close enough to the city of Chicago so students are able to experience what urban life has to offer, and Evanston also has its fair share of fantastic shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. The campus itself is quite large, with many beautiful buildings, both modern and old, surrounded by large trees and streams.

Greek life is quite popular on campus, with approximately 35% of the student population joining a fraternity or sorority. Not only do the Greek houses throw the parties that are the social core of student life, but they are also heavily involved in various community service projects that raise hefty sums of money for various non-profit organizations.

Football is a big deal at the school, and the Wildcats’ games are cause for major parties and tailgating, even though they may not be the most skilled of teams.

The dating scene here is fantastic, with brainy and attractive guys and girls ready for the picking.

What's Good

“The academics here are amazing and the faculty really knows what they are talking about as well as being really engaging teachers.”

”The dorm situation is fantastic; I don’t know why anyone would want to live off-campus.”

“The classes are incredible small, so you get a lot of individualized attention. It’s awesome.”

What's Bad

“There are a lot of snobby rich kids here who never stop chatting away on their cell phones!”

“The school spends an unnecessary amount of money on new buildings that no one ever uses. I’d rather get better scholarships.”

“The fraternities and sororities all but dominate social life here; all the parties they throw are the same old stereotypical thing.”

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