Northwestern University

Location

Even though Evanston does have the distinction of being categorized as a city, it might as well just have been part of Chicago, which is just 13 miles away. Clearly, with Chicago next door, you have just about everything you could possibly ask for under the sun.

Campus

If you could say one thing for certain about Northwestern, it would definitely be that it’s immensely pleasing to the eye. The campus looks excellent from a distance, and turns out even more fabulous once you actually set foot in it. The buildings are designed in a number of different architectural styles, and although that doesn’t sound entirely great, it appears just that once you look at it. The library system has over 5 million volumes covering subjects from Anything-You-May-Need to Everything-You-May-Need. They have some fantastic recreation centers, athletic centers, and a very beautiful aquatics center.

Residing Options

Almost all grad students live off campus, since it affords them more luxury, more privacy, and more exposure to some amazing dining options. Of course, with a big city come high rents, but finding yourself a couple of roommates is the way to go. Chicago Avenue and Clark Street are a couple of areas students check out before settling for something slightly cheaper, though paying about $500 per head is by no means ‘cheap’ in any language.

Faculty

Although the engineering programs aren’t half as reputed as some other programs (read Management, Theatre), they’re pretty darn good anyway. Thanks to its rather excellent location, NU is able to attract some of the top professors of their respective fields, and the professors in turn teach with a passion and dedication unparalleled in most parts of the world. Of course, at the end of the day, academics are what you make of them, but you can rest assured about one thing – if you want to learn, the professors are always there to make sure you do.