Northwestern University Top Questions

You name it, we got it! Northwestern is brimming with students groups,teams,and organizations. There is a lot of opportunity to get involved with a capella groups, on campus publications, and clubs. Also people are very receptive to new groups, if you don't find what you want. Greek life is very big on campus, but some believe the administration want to eradicate the Greek scene altogether from NU in 10 years or so (but that is a rumor!). Being in a frat or sorority is a lot of fun and I assure you, it is nothing like Animal House here. There are always fun events but they are not intimidating! You have to remember that these are all Northwestern students. There isn't weird hazing or anything here. The dating scene at Northwestern is notoriously bad. People complain that it is either hooking up or serious relationships... nothing in-between. I think, though, that this is the deal wherever you go -not just NU. I have made the best friends here! Everyone is so encouraging and understands where you are coming from. Doors are usually open if people are at home and some of my favorite memories are just hanging out in other peoples' rooms. People usually party 2-3 nights a week. Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are usually big nights to go out. A typical weekend is dinner out with friends, go out to a party later that Friday night, go to downtown Chicago during the next day, see a play on campus that night and maybe go out afterward, and brunch + a couple of hours in the library on Sunday when you tell each other your weekend stories. If you don't drink, you can always go to a play or performance, do downtown Chicago, catch a movie, or just hang out with friends.

NorthByNorthwestern.com and North by Northwestern the Magazine are some of the most rewarding things that I have ever done. I spend the majority of my time writing, editing, or shooting pictures for them. While it also helps with getting myself published, what I love is that I can do journalism in a group that isn't just journalism students. We have Econ majors and Poli Sci majors and anything else you can think of. NBN is one of the best things on campus.

The Greek scene is huge on campus...40 percent of the student body is Greek. So think about it, if you have a school of lots of really smart kids, and a lot of them are probably really awkward and don't party, your options are either: 1. Go Greek, or 2. Find some good Greek friends who will get you in to frat parties. The frats take turns having themed parties all throughout the year (Athletes and Mathletes, CEOs and Corporate H**s, 80s Party). A good weekend starts on a Thursday and ends on Monday...Monday is a huge bar night, for unknown reasons. Evanston has a couple bars that are completely dominated by Northwestern students. Recently a group of kids were caught with fake ID's, but that has done absolutely nothing to stop underage bar-hopping. One of the most amazing things about Northwestern is that it was a school-sponsored event completely dedicated to the great sport of drinking: Dillo Day. The school usually gets a big-name musician or band (Lupe Fiasco came last year) and everyone eats, drinks, and is merry. However, people definitely don't think you're weird if you don't drink, and there are always lots of sober events going on. Football is huge on campus, though we lose most games. Basketball is not as big, but the student section of games can get tight if we're playing someone we particularly don't like. Northwestern students have a lot of school pride, and people really support each others' groups and interests. A capella shows and dance performances usually get a good turnout, and tickets for speakers and musicians(BJ Novak or Girl Talk, anyone?) are often sold out almost immediately (The current record is BJ Novak, sold out in 45 minutes). Theater is huge, and lots of non-theater people go to theater shows. Evanston has a lot of coffee shops that are open late. A campus favorite is Kaefin, which has open karaoke most weekends. If none of those options work for you, downtown Chicago is only 20 minutes away via 'the El'.

Dance Marathon- I'm involved with Stuid 22, which is a student run production company that makes three to four grant projects every quarter and gives students an opportunity to learn about the business, learn the equipment and showcase their creativity- I don't know, I never left my door unlocked- A&O Events generally get a big turn out, and home football games, but other than that Northwestern students aren't a very active student body in terms of attending events- The dating scene sucks. non-existant- I met my closest friends through my job at SPAC and through a sorority.- If it's a Tuesday and i'm up that late I'm probably doing work, nobody really goes on on tuesdays- Homecoming, Dillo Day- Three to five nights a week- I would say the Greek scene is very important. I'm not in a frat, but almost all of my friends are in a sorority and those are the people I go out with, and see out all the time- Friday night I went to a movie because I wasn't feeling well, Saturday night I went to dinner and then out downtown, Sunday night i went to Hundo.- See a movie, chill with friends, go to the library- I really enjoy going to the Lyric Opera, and shopping downtown.