Northwestern

What distinguishes Northwestern in the strength it maintains across the board in all that it offers.  The undergraduate program at Northwestern is comprised of 6 colleges, the College of Arts and Science, Journalism, Engineering, Education and Social Work, Communications and Music.  

The Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences College offers over 100 in majors natural science, math, social science, humanities and more.  It is the largest and oldest of the colleges and serves 1/2 of the undergraduates. Freshman year students participate in a freshman seminar that 1st helps prepare for college level work.  

The McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, like the university, is strong in all that it offers. There are 10 areas of study within the school of Engineering.

Students are paired up with clients with real life problems.  Recently a group of students developed a machine so that paraplegics can give themselves insulin as necessary.  They are currently presenting it to hospitals in the Chicago area for use.  Co op employment opportunities are available and part of a 5 years program.  A student would then graduate with 4 years of coursework and real life full-time work experience.

The School of Communication is the second largest of the schools and takes an academic approach to the issue.  It also hosts 80 theater productions/yr.  The School of Journalism is the only such program offered at a top tier university.  The J school like the other pre-professional schools integrates a full-time internship, the journalism residency, into the curriculum.  Often taken the fall of Senior year, the residency offers a great transition to a full-time position.  The school also prepares students for the real world with use of the latest multimedia technology.  Students work on the newspaper on the radio and in producing television shows.  Also offered is a 4 year accelerated BSJ/MSJ program.

The School of Music serves students  who have the abilities of a conservatory level musician with high level academics.  Auditions and required for admittance.  It is a 5 year program but students graduate with two BA’s.   Students may choose to combine their study of music with Arts and Science, Engineering, Journalism, Communication or Education and Social Policy.   The School of Education & Social Policy is the only school of its kind and competes with Vanderbilt for top students.

NU follows the quarter system with 10 week periods.  Students usually take 4 classes per quarter meaning by the time they graduate students have take 10 -12 more classes than peers at traditional semester universities.  This allows students to pursue double majors, travel abroad and participate in internship programs while still graduating on time.  In fact, it is not unusual for students to be informed that they can graduate early.

NU students are well rounded.  They work hard and play hard.  The northern end of campus houses the fraternities and sororities and is known for parties.  The southern end is known to be quieter and more artistic.