Northwestern University Top Questions

My biggest gripe about Northwestern is that the faculty to student ratio is a little decieving. During tours, prospective students are told that it's a 7:1 ratio and that all professors of the school HAVE to teach a class, which with their logic means that they WANT to teach students. In reality, you will find professors who are only teaching because they have to. I've had several classes where the only thing the professor does is lecture and make the tests. The rest is taken care of by graduate student TA's who lead discussions and are responsible for your entire grade in the class. This makes it really difficult not only to get to know professors, but for them to get to know their students and the type of effort students are giving and whether they are actually learning.

Professors at Northwestern (in Weinberg) are very approachable and committed to teaching their students. Students study a lot, and seem to discuss learned topics outside of class constantly. You have the opportunity to make your academic experience here what you want it to be.

Northwestern students do hold intellectual conversations outside, but I do think that as many people as there are that do that, there are many who just wanna get wasted and don't care.

The variety of classes Northwestern offers is great, and I rarely feel limited to what I can take. If you are set on getting into a class that is filled up, keep trying and chances are the professor will do anything he or she can to let you in the class. Ironically, Medill classes have been the least flexible - they are too long (three hours a day for two days a week) and make it difficult to take other classes.

While there may be many differing opinions about the "Northwestern experience," one consensus is that this is a schools where academics are not taken lightly, by students and professors alike. The quarter system keeps students on their toes- I feel like I am constantly studying for a major exam or am in the aftermath of a major exam. Science classes, especially those taken by pre-med kids are highly competitive, as are the students themselves. Professors here are fantastic and most love meeting and interacting with students who are exicted and passionate- i have had professors take me and fellow students out for coffee and others who express genuine joy when talking about teaching. Nonetheless, it is a mixed bag and while most professors are great, there are some that aren't memorable.

Academics are great. There is amazing assistance if so desired. Class sizes are perfect once entering into higher level classes. Most importantly, the professors genuinly care how their students perform and what they learn in class. Almost all of the classes are geared towards obtaining a broad education, which is so important in today's world.

I do have intellectual conversations out of class. I am naturally drawn to these conversations. It really helps when I surround myself with people who enjoy talking about issues as mush as I do.

Classes at Northwestern are no where near as challenging as I expected college courses to be. The quarter system makes it very possible to blow off classes and reading and then read EVERYTHING right before the test (so it is fresh in your mind) and get an A. That being said, I am not in orgo or any MMSS classes, so I doubt I understand the intensity NU classes can have.

In small classes, professors know our names. I hate Chemistry, it's so hard. Students have to study a lot. Students are competitive, especially in Chemistry. The most unique class was People and Plant Interactions. I am Pre-Med, but probably a Psych major. I go to a ton of office hours and have gotten to know many of my professors.

students all want to do really well, but it's not competitive to the point where students won't help each other out in classes. we always study together and share notes and ideas.