Northwestern University Top Questions

Socially, there are many options at NU. Many students hit up frat parties on Friday and Saturday nights, however there are plenty of theatre and music events, guest speakers and just general dorm horseplay to keep those who don't want to party entertained. Chicago and Evanston also offer many diverse opportunities for fun, and Evanston provides many opportunities for students looking for a good meal with some friends after a week of dorm food. Most students aren't limited to "one" type of social activity, many will for instance go to a party then see a play, or eat dinner in Chicago but then come back and spend the night chatting with friends in a dorm hallway. People tend to be fairly friendly and most NU kids are rather social and open to many different forms of entertainment.

A capella groups run rampant. Depending on the time of day, a lot of people leave their doors open or unlocked. We have really great guests come to the campus. Dorm events are really fun. I met my closest friends from work, my undergrad school (Music), and my dorm. Things to do: anything you can find in Evanston or downtown Chicago, aka anything.

Dating scene is weak; you have to just get lucky to find someone. Social life was kind of limited this past fall with the Dean of Students absurd raid on the Greek system.

There are lots of parties if you want it, but you don't have to be involved in that scene. The Greek life is totally overwhelming for someone who's not in it--everyone seems to be in some sorority or frat. Athletic events are not well attended, but we have great speakers and shows to make up for it. The dating scene is terrible--most of the guys are so focused on making money or drinking that they forget that girls have feelings, too.

Students in dorms leave their doors open a lot. Some of the weirdos always shut their doors. Athletic events aren't very popular because the teams aren't good. The dating scene sucks. My closest friends are on my floor/ in my sorority. I am trying to get to sleep at 2 am on a Tuesday. DM happens every year, and Dillo Day. People party every weekend, sometimes during the week. Greek life is very prevalent. I was sexiled from my room last weekend. You can go downtown and see a show, see a movie, go to the theater, etc. I go out to restaurants off campus, shopping, etc.

Greek life is very popular on campus. A lot of students who live on North campus, which is known for being more social, join a sorority or fraternity. I'm in a sorority and I love it. It is very fun to attend the fraternity and sorority date parties and formals. Everyone gets dressed up and takes buses or limos to a bar or venue in Chicago. The Greek Community can seem a little consuming/defining. Since I have joined a sorority I've noticed that when someone introduces someone now one of the first questions they ask is "What sorority/fraternity are you in?" However, I really enjoy it. The dating scene at Northwestern could be better. I hear a lot of complaints. However, I currently have a boyfriend and have a lot of friends who have boyfriends/girlfriends or who have people they are interested in. Within the Greek Community specifically it seems that a good amount of relationships form. There is definitely a lot of overlap though. This last weekend I stayed in on Friday night and hung out in my dorm with friends and had a relaxing night. However, a lot of my friends went out and if I had wanted to I could have gone to a fraternity party or a bar in Chicago with friends. Saturday during the day I had a long brunch with some friends and then went to the library for a little bit as I have midterms this upcoming week. Saturday night I attended a fraternity's formal that was on the top floor of the Sears Tower. Well, there is always the option to attend a party/bar with friends and not drink. I have two very close friends that chose not to drink at all and they still have a lot of fun when they come out with us to fraternity parties and bars. You could also out to eat in Evanston, hang out in your dorm with friends, go to a movie in Evanston, or go into Chicago. Off campus we visit the museums in Chicago, go ice-skating at Millennium Park, go to shows in Chicago, pretty much anything in Chicago...there's so much to do.

NCDC is a huge umbrella organization for volunteering on campus. You might not realize it until you get here, but there are a ton of really cool volunteer opportunities here. So chances are, you'll get involved with at least one at some point.

Theater is the biggest thing on campus, as far as I can tell, but as a major, I'm biased. Nobody really cares about the athletics here, probably because our football team is terrible. If I'm awake at 2am on Tuesday I'm either studying or just chilling with friends. I met my closest friends through classes. Last weekend I worked lights for a show. On a Saturday night, there are always at least three different shows to go to, operas, musicals, straight plays, dance shows, whatever you want, and there's stuff to do in Evanston... fund raisers for different things, always something. Greek life is really big here, but you can definitely not be involved and still be totally fine. I'm not in a house, and I am very happy here. I have friends who are and friends who aren't, and it doesn't make any difference. Most people leave their doors open in my dorm.

PWild is the best group on campus. Everyone is fun-loving, adventurous, always up for a good time, totally themselves, accepting, and laid-back. It's a great balance to the competitive environment of Northwestern. I met my closest friends through my hall freshman year and my sorority. Also PWild. Up at 2am, probably on facebook procrastinating on a midterm I'm supposed to be studying for. Dating seen is centered around who you'll ask to Formal, date-parties, etc. No one really asks people out of dates, but people "date." it's kinda complicated.

I would describe NU as a pretty social campus. Many people think that it is completely centered around Greek life, and although that plays a prominent role, you certainly don't have to be involved in the Greek scene to go to parties and be sociable. There's always stuff to do on the weekends, particularly if you enjoy going to shows...the theatre, dance, music performances are always fun and those people are extremely talented. On the weekend, it's also pretty normal to go into the city and bar hop, eat, go to shows, etc. There is a pretty decent dating scene also. I know a ton of people in serious relationships, including myself, people that just hook up casually all the time, and those people that actually date around.