Annemarie -
03/12/2019Northland College is a very close, tight knit community that encourages students to express individuality and be intentional in everyday choices when it comes to the environment specifically. This college is great for prospective students who know they want to go into science or environmental studies, and although the professors are passionate and attentive, the humanities and department at this university proves to be lackluster without much options. There is also a big party, drinking, and drug scene, but little to no peer pressure--everyone respects everyone elses choices. Though, if you need recreation and hate small towns, don't go here, you will get bored.
Rhett -
03/01/2017I transferred from Northland a year ago. I'm currently a 4th / rising 5th year senior at a the flagship state school, and, as a Firstyear, I attended a community college.
Overall, Northland is pretty good. Briefly, I'll talk about what makes it good, then I'll mention why I transferred.
I had plenty of time to explore academic areas of interest and peers to talk about that exploration with. Students here often have "intellectual conversations", and a lot of it is about environmentalism. However, the heterogeneity of discourse is sparse (and level is due to age -- its all good, ppl are smart and have big hearts).
The funding here is A GOOD DEAL! They were very generous with my financial aid, and my family and I are very greatful. In high school, I was a student with middling grades, but showed passion in other areas and got good funding. So can you! Compared to other places, if you feel like Northland is the right fit, even for the time being, the economics are, on average, worth it.
Northland was a good fit for two years, and, I ended up transferring because of the below. These are more things Freshppl should look out for, and shouldn't scare anyone away necessarily, but pay attention to these things when you visit (crucial):
- the town was too small (I'm a city kid at heart and missed "the heat" of a city - as Don DeLilo once said, pretentiously, but beautifully). You'll end up spending a lot of time in the surrounding area. Two coffee shops, one highway, one mainstreet. Keep this in mind if you are a city kid.
- I figured out I wasn't much of a nature kid. I LOVED walking in the paths on the campus grounds, the college owns many acres and that satisfied me, but I guess not a lot of people wanted to walk those paths. Maybe I'm wrong though. It probably was on me. You don't need to be a camper by any means, but a lot of people bond around it, especially men(???) maybe. Again, it could just be me.
- If you are in the humanities, there are sort of slim pickings-- There is a countable amount of top-notch profs in History, English/Creative Writing (my program), and Sustainable Com. Dev. -- and, if you don't love one of the profs, you will probably have to take another class with them.
-There wasn't a great advising system. I got lost in the advising process and that's 100% on me. Just CARE about what classes you take. This goes for all colleges, especially Northland, where the responsibility to graduate is mostly in your hands.
- Do research around blocks and connections requirements. General Ed here was kind of a hassle for me, because of blocks (NOTE: I don't know if this is still the curricula-- please check or ask yourself). imo, it was basically bs if you don't follow the rules properly (which I didn't).
Ultimately, I loved Northland for what it was and is. They were generous, and, I guess I just never found my people. That's alright though. It can happen anywhere. Give it a couple years and you might come to love it. I'll never forget the northern lights, the stars, the lake, the paths, and the place. It's also SUUUper safe. 9/10 would do over agian. :)
btw, academics at my current place are, like, suuuuuper difficult. Compared to a Research One, the humanities rigor at Northland is fairly do-able. (I can't say for science, but the courses I did take were darn good)
Remember, College is not the huge important big deal admissions make it out to be. Colleges (EVERY college) compete and pay a lot of money on optics and recruitment because that's just how things are rn. Honestly, you will be fine wherever you end up. Its about creating a community-- /that/ you can find and create anywhere! I promise!!!
OK, now I need to study for a midterm.
Peace!
