What's it like being a student at Northwestern University?

I'm curious about Northwestern University. For current or former students, what’s the campus atmosphere like? How are the academics and extracurriculars? I'm trying to get a sense of whether it might be a good fit for me.

Northwestern University has a robust and active campus life that can offer a range of experiences, depending on your interests. Academically, it's well regarded – particularly in areas like journalism, engineering, and performing arts – but the workload can be demanding. The quarter system, three ten-week academic periods across the year, is something to adapt to as it might make things feel a bit faster paced when compared to semesters.

You’d experience small class sizes typically, even in lower division courses, which fosters a greater connection with professors and classmates. Make sure to take advantage of office hours; faculty are generally accessible and open to engagement with students.

On the extracurricular end, there are plenty to choose from. Whether you’re into intramural sports, music, theater, service, or just about anything else, you’ll likely find a club or organization that caters to your interest. Greek life is a substantial presence on campus, though not overarching.

As for social life, the campus is close to both Evanston and Chicago, which provides students with a blend of classic college town and major city experiences. The on-campus atmosphere is generally collaborative rather than competitive. You'd also find that Northwestern draws students from across the country and around the world, so there's a rich diversity of experiences and perspectives among the student body.

As with all schools, fit is a rather personal aspect and depends on what you are looking for from your college experience. It's always helpful to try and visit the campus if you can or at least speak with current students or alums to get an insider's perspective.