Northwestern University Top Questions

There is always something to get involved in at NU. A large number of students don't drink and still find something to do or somewhere to go every night of the week. No matter if you drink or not, the Frats are the main source of nightlife. Your other choices are the local bars and house parties, because the alcohol policy on campus is set in stone. Most students end up buying a fake ID by the end of their first year here if the theater and on-campus events aren't enough to wet your appetite.

Athletics, other than girls lacrosse, aren't a big deal here. EVen though our lax team is outstanding, I don't hear much about it. There is a club for everyone here. Club sports are popular, and so are intramurals. There really isn't a most popular club, except there are some that stand out. Purple Haze a capella is the best hands down, Project Wildcat is a really big group. There are also tons of theater groups. Weekends for most are spent out at the frat houses, or at the Keg(bar). Otherwise there are usually shows going on every weekend, and you can't forget about Chicago.

there are so many student groups! something for everybody. out of everything, i'm most familiar with student theatre, which is the best. there is so much theatre on campus - seriously, more than one show goes up every weekend of the year. there are now ~11 student-run theatre boards that each produce ~4 mainstage productions and several special events each year. they're all unique - there is a group that mostly does musicals, one that focuses on shakespeare, one that only does student-written work, one that does new and exciting site-specific theatre, one that focuses african-american issues, one for political theatre, etc etc etc. It's so great because it's so easy to get involved in all aspects of theatre. I (and many of my friends) came here with a passion for acting, and we've all worked on shows in a number of capacities - directing, light design, prop design, etc. the community is very open and welcoming. It's not just that we put on shows together, we're also friends.

I'll focus on my main extracurricular activity, Fencing: I had no experience with fencing prior to coming to NU. A few weeks into the first quarter of my Freshman year some dormmates of mine suggested I come check out this club. I did and while they ended up quitting I stuck with it and am now one of our starters for my weapon, epee. The varsity women's fencing coach is also our faculty adviser. He has been incredibly supportive of the club team. My interaction with both the club and the varsity team have improved my skills greatly and created many of my best friendships here at Northwestern.

There are a lot of activities for almost any interest. If you don't want to drink on Saturday night, go out to one of the awesome restaurants in town, study, hang out with friends, go see a band, go to an activity, hang out in your dorm, go to the movies or a Northwestern show. There is plenty to do.

Students work hard, some play hard, but I never did.

Theater groups, A-cappella groups, are very popular. The women's lacrosse team has had three national championships and is working on its fourth. Women's softball is doing very well as well. Football and Basket ball continue to improve. Traditional events include an opening year campus picnic, Dillo Day (everyone goes crazy on campus in May). FRats and Sororities are big here, but there are still a number of students who do not choose to go Greek. On any given night there are probably 40-60 things to do.

The big nights to go out are mondays and thursdays. Weekends suck. The bar scene prevails, even over the frat scene, so fakes are a must.

The social life is centered around the greek community, frat parties and the bars in evanston. Monday night kegs and thursday night Deuce. weekends are actually much more tame here. Theater parties occupy the weekends. Other nights are just people hanging out in dorms with their doors open or in their off campus houses watching tv. People spend a lot more time at the library than you think. People live in the library.

Dance Marathon is a big deal here. Many students participate over the course of their college career. The students here are into such varied things, that every type of organization is offered.