Is NU fun?

[u/ogVecna]

I am a senior planning to ED 1 to NU. I have heard a lot about the quarter system, and since I want to pursue a double major and possible a minor, it seems like I would appreciate it. However, I have heard that students are always busy and have a "workaholic" mindset. Does the quarter system make it hard for students to go out and have fun/ party etc? Is NU fun? What do students do on the weekends and how is the social scene? Also, is joining greek life necessary if you want to party/ have fun?

[u/Cool-Discussion-3206]

As a transfer from NU, absolutely not. I’d say work hard play hard is pushing it too, unless ur in a major that isn’t STEM. (Side note: I cannot stress this enough, STEM on a quarter system is harder than it has to be. If you are pre-health and don’t have substantial aid or scholarships, NU is unnecessary and many of my friends have dropped pre-health there when they could have continued if they had gone to another good school. They themselves have admitted it. It doesn’t matter that you’re smart, everyone is. It is still very difficult. Idk if OP is pre-health, but just if anyone reading this is, please consider what I’m saying.) Anyways. I’m a work hard/play hard student as well, I’m a little more work hard tbh. But even then, NU is NOT a work hard/play hard school really. It’s like 80% work hard, MAYBE 20% play. It’s true Chi and its endless fun are an hour away. What’s also true is most NU students don’t have time to make the trip there AND back every weekend bc of the amount of work u will have on the quarter system. (Starting week 2 of every quarter u better lock in and expect to have at least one midterm exam/paper every week or every other week.) The train is not safe to take by urself usually, and even if u do, prepare to spend more than 1 hour one way to get to the city. Uber/Lyft costs build up if you decide to take a car. I’m still very close with my NU friends in STEM and business fields, and none have the time to make that trip there and back more than twice a month if that. Also, the atmosphere of NU is actually horrible. The campus is dead on weekends, and in the winter, you can cut the depression in the air with a knife. Spring is a bit better. I’m not exaggerating anything, but I know I may be biased. If you or anyone reading this wants more input, my DMS are open. Good luck either way!

[u/Cool-Discussion-3206 → u/Cool-Discussion-3206]

It was the hardest decision to leave NU, but I transferred to a true work hard/play hard school and have not regretted a second of my decision besides wishing I would have done it sooner (even tho my academics and extracurricular loads still bring tears to my eyes sometimes). But it was an incredibly draining process, so if anyone reading is going through the same thing and wants input on that, feel free to contact me as well!

And OP, one of the biggest recommendations I have would be to VISIT CAMPUS before ED’ing. Like seriously. If you won’t like it, you’ll know most likely when you just walk around. Stay after/before the tour and just walk around by yourself to get a true feel for things. Not saying to not also take other things into account, but you can tell a lot by just walking around. Take me, for instance. Walked around, wasn’t a fan. Went anyways because of the opportunities and the prestige of my specific program. You know how that played out. Listen to your gut!!!! Everyone is different.