Northwestern University Top Questions

Well, I should be writing a paper right now, seeing as I have to write six this week. But I'm filling out a survey. I don't know what that says about NU academics. I think it says more about my tendency to procrastinate.

Not in my lecture classes. My favorite class is spanish. My least favorite class is modern cosmology. Students study alot and have their priorities pretty well set. Yes, yes, yes very competitive, scandals and reputations, I want to be a spanish major and im premed but still kinda undecided. No, they're fine, geared towards both.

Hah! I am an Economics major and am usually in huge classes where most, if any, personal interaction is with a TA during office hours. My favorite classes are ones that are more intimate and discussion oriented, however they don't really offer those for Econ majors. It depends- some people like to cram while others will study everyday. NU students are pretty good on keeping up with their work. Another benefit of being surrounded by intelligent people is that the conversation even outside of class is more substantial. I constantly engage in in-depth conversations and debates- and I know the people I am discussing with will also provide valuable arguments to the table.

All my professors know my name, even if it's a 300-student lecture. I think in general professors are very well qualified and personable, esp. in the French and Econ departments, if you get to know them. I had a poor experience with a class in the International Studies dept because the professor was so boring, but for the most part, they are very interesting and enthusiastic.

If I wanted to, the professors would know my name. I prefer not to go to office hours, etc, but the possibility is there. There are a lot of good classes available at Northwestern, but it completely depends on the person taking the classes. I'd like to take more classes about Poland, for example, but since nobody else does they're not available. NU students definitely have intellectual conversations outside of class, if they want to. It all depends on who you decide to spend your time with. Students can be competitive, but not too intimidating. It's actually kind of humorous when there's a person in your class who makes a visible effort to get the professor to remember their name, especially when no one else cares. I think all of my classes have been unique, especially compared to other schools. I feel like whatever happens in the class somehow makes me learn more. I think NU's academic requirements are pretty good. If I wanted to, I would be done with both of my majors by the end of my fall quarter senior year. As far as my departments are concerned, Poli Sci is pretty huge. I only really interact with them in regards to my major requirements getting done or getting study abroad classes to count (I would definitely recommend study abroad - best experience of my life) and even though Intl Stud is a bit smaller, I don't really interact with them either. Then again, if I wanted to, I definitely could. I think that it all depends on what your major is, if its leaning towards getting a job or learning for its own sake. If your major is more humanities oriented its kind of obvious that its geared towards learning. But if you're a business person or in a pre-professional program, it can definitely get you ready for a job.

Northwestern students are generally very intellectual, holding political and philosophical discussions quite often outside of class (along with many superficial ones as well - but hey, it's college). They are competitive, but often not as competitive as high school. Some schools are definitely more competitive than others - especially the smaller schools where everyone knows each other and accomplishments are very transparent (ex. journalism, theater). In a large lecture, like at most schools, professors don't usually know your name. If you make an effort to go to their office hours, however, many are happy to get to know you on a more intimate basis. In smaller classes professors almost always know your name. Some more than others, but in general, professors are invested in their students' success. Class participation is usually encouraged and common. My favorite classes thus far have been my psychology classes. The psych department has some amazing (though often controversial) professors. Human sexuality is one of the most popular classes at the whole university. In the first lecture, the entire class takes a very detailed sex survey. The professor then refers back to the results of this survey as the class goes on, referencing the number of students who are homosexual, who have had anal sex or been abused (to name a few). It is really interesting to learn about yourself and your community in such a way that you are able to relate to often sensational information. The journalism school is currently experiencing many changes. The new dean wants to modernize the program, but many think it is at the expense of good reporting. Many students are extremely dissatisfied with the school - some hate the professors (brilliant but often arrogant and unsympathetic to the time constraints of a college student's life) and others - especially those who have decided against journalism as a career - hate the demanding classes. It is an extremely job-oriented curriculum and this can be frustrating for thus who are unsure of their futures. Still, its reputation alone is enough to keep most pushing onward toward their degrees. Even in the most career-focused curriculum (like journalism), there is still great importance placed on a well-rounded education. Students are required to take classes in all areas.

Academics at Northwestern are world class. There are a lot of big introduction classes but also a lot of small intimate classes as well. Professors are usually very approachable and encourage going to office hours. A lot of professors love knowing their students. I had an English class once with about 120 students enrolled and by the second day of class, the professor had already memorized everyone's names by their school id picture! I have made good friends with a lot of my professors and some I am just in awe of. I have never taken a class and afterwards thought it was useless. I have learned something valuable in every class thus far. The students here also take academics seriously but are not cut-throat about it. The library sometimes becomes the place to be seen! Everyone is really smart but not obnoxious about it. Yesterday while shopping for groceries at Whole Foods in Evanston, I heard two students talking about Italian language and literature in the produce section ... only at Northwestern!

Professors at Northwestern are so much more approachable than I ever thought they would be. While classes are actually as difficult as you would think--which means most of us spend a significant portion of our lives studying--professors are always available to help you out. While they have posted office hours, I haven't yet met a professor who wasn't willing to schedule a private meeting to discuss anything from the calculus derivation of the theory of relativity (Cosmology) to exactly how to conjugate a past tense verb in Arabic.

Distro classes are usually not bigger than 150 students, so professors will remember your name if you talk to them a couple times. If you get a good TA you've hit a gold mine. I had one TA who wrote outlines of everything we read in my poli sci class, and she gave us extra credit (which pretty much never happens). If you are pre-med or an engineer, I hope you do not value your friends, because you will not see them until next summer. Students are all overachievers, but they are not terribly competitive...unless, that is, if you're taking a class where grades are distributed on a bell curve. In that particular case, no one will lend you their notes if you miss class, even if you really were sick. Northwestern students love, love, LOVE to have intellectual conversations. Though they may care little about the subject at hand, students care deeply about impressing their peers with their vast stores of knowledge. In every class there's always that ONE KID who always asks 'insightful questions' every single lecture. Don't be this kid. No one likes you. There are definitely some outstanding and diverse professors here. I have had professors from South Africa, Nicaragua and Tel Aviv. Quite a few professors are highly entertaining...such as sociology great Dr. Charles Moskos (AKA "Charlie") who once started a lecture by saying, "Girls give sex to get love, but boys give love to get sex."

Some- The best class I ever took was Tolstoy in which you read War & Peace, the worst was Diversity of Life where you memorize living organisms, enough said- students only really study during midterms and finals but they are intense about it then- Class participation varies- Very little intellectual conversation happens outside of class- Students are extremely competitive- Writing the Horror Screenplay- I'm primarily a RTVF major and I can't say I've been thrilled with the selection of courses or the professors I've had although I do like the general curriculum- I rarely spend time with professors out of class- The academic requirments are good, they encourage students to be well rounded- I would say learning for it's own sake, I'm rather nervous about my job prospects.