A visit to Northwestern University
Northwestern University, known as an “Ivy of the Midwest,” is a private research university (8,600 undergraduates) located in Evanston, Illinois. This pretty campus is situated on Lake Michigan about 14 miles north from Chicago. Established in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois. This very selective college has top-tier programs in academics and performing arts, including national recognition for their journalism and music programs. Performing arts students will likely study in the School of Communication which offers majors, minors and certificates in the performing arts including dance, radio/tv/film, sound design, and theatre arts all “nestled in the context of a liberal arts education.” Notably, the acting program offers a BA, vs a BFA, (read about the differences here), and does NOT require an audition for acceptance, though the musical theatre program does.
Our tour guide shared with us that she genuinely appreciates how the school is filled with a “crazy concentration of so many genuinely talented and smart people” who are “future journalists, musicians and actors. The artistic bent really adds color to the campus in a way that is truly unique.” Students commented on how collaborative the working environment is at NU. The quarter system (read our blog to learn the important differences between quarters and semesters) gives students the room to pursue double majors, and there are lots of interdisciplinary programs that allow you to combine majors and minors between the liberal arts and engineering schools. Here are some popular combinations: BA/BMus in Liberal Arts and Music, BA/BS or BS/BS in Communication and Engineering, BA/BMus, BS/BMus, BA/BAMus, or BS/BAMus in Communication and Music, BSED/BMus or BSED/BAMus in Education and Social Policy and in Music, BS/BMus or BS/BAMus in Engineering and Music, and BSJ/BMus in Journalism and Music.
The lakeside campus is very walkable, and quite popular with dog-walkers! There are a few residential housing models: traditional dorms, greek life housing, community themed housing, and residential colleges. Dorms and community housing are furnished, have shared bathrooms and kitchens. Each residential college is a theme based community, headed by a faculty member. Special events, Chicago field trips, group meals for students and teachers, credit-bearing lectures and mentorships are central components of the residential colleges. Off-campus rental options include many apartments and houses in downtown Evanston. Grocery and retail shopping are easily accessible. There are lots of cute restaurants, bars and bistros too. And, Chicago is easy to get to using free-to-students public transportation.
Northwestern has a good admissions blog which if you are applying is worth a read as there will be some gems of information that you can probably use as you write your supplemental essays.