<p>How common is it to find enrolled students who have never visited campus? I’m at a loss between Northwestern, U. Chicago, and Amherst. I’ve visted U.Chicago and Amherst–both different experiences in terms of social scene, but enjoyable all the same. I’m still very drawn to Northwestern’s theatre program and would love to attend, but I will not be able to visit before the deadline. Is it common of students accept an offer without having visited? Also, can anyone tell me the differences in social scene between U. Chicago and Amherst with that of Northwestern? Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>Well, the internationals do that all the time. College visit simply gives you the first impression and first impression isn’t always correct. My point is you’d still have imperfect info either way.</p>
<p>First, NU’s social scene and its immediate environs make it, in my opinion, vastly preferable to Chicago.
second, even though these are three superb schools with respect to academics, I can’t imagine that either Chicago or Amherst can compete with NU’s theater program, if that’s what you’re interested in.
Finally, however, if you really like the small LAC experience, and don’t mind being in a somewhat more remote location, Amherst is about as good as the LAC experience gets, and it is recognized as such.</p>
<p>Theatre, for me, is something that I do purely for fun and the main reasons why I want to continue in college is 1) to get better and 2) in preparation of practicing law. I thought about it a lot and I’m just about certain that Northwestern and Chicago are my two final choices right now. Amherst’s theatre program seems too small (course selection wise) and I’m not sure if the small town atmosphere is what I really want.</p>
<p>I’m drawn to NU because of it’s theatre program and the ease with which people can complete a double major (for me, biology). Even though it will take some careful planning to do this double major at Chicago, I’m drawn to it because of the wide variety of texts I’ll be exposed to through the core–especially if I want to practice law.</p>
<p>Can anyone comment on the social life specifically at NU? What does a typical day involve? Are students divided because of the whole North/South campus split?</p>
<p>
Check these out:
[Kaplan</a> Humanities Scholars Program](<a href=“http://www.kaplanscholars.northwestern.edu/index.htm]Kaplan”>http://www.kaplanscholars.northwestern.edu/index.htm)
[Brady</a> Scholars Program](<a href=“http://www.bradyprogram.northwestern.edu/]Brady”>http://www.bradyprogram.northwestern.edu/)
[Center</a> for Legal Studies, Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.northwestern.edu/legalstudies/]Center”>Center for Legal Studies - Northwestern University)</p>
<p>That Kaplan Program sounds very cool, but I’m not sure if it’ll be possible for me to do it as a theatre/bio major. Two of my fall/winter classes would be Kaplan…I would like to start on the language requirement ASAP (in hopes of studying abroard) and would of course like to take a theatre course. So there goes my max. freshman four classes there. Would it be possible to start taking the science courses in the spring term or are all the into level classes only offered during the first half of the year?</p>
<p>You are “ambitious”! Sorry, I don’t have access to the course schedule.</p>
<p>Edit: <a href=“http://www.biosci.northwestern.edu/courses/2008-09%20ClassSchedule.pdf[/url]”>http://www.biosci.northwestern.edu/courses/2008-09%20ClassSchedule.pdf</a>
If you are talking about the 210 sequence, I guess the answer is no.</p>
<p>Arbiter is taking 5 courses this quarter. You can ask what he thinks about that. ;)</p>
<p>Haha…oh dear, I’m not sure if 5 courses freshman year is a very good idea. (I’m ambitious, but not crazy–no offense Arbiter!)</p>
<p>That’s unfortunate about the class conflict, but the schedule does say 2008-2009 (fall, winter, spring). Perhaps this is an old schedule and a new one is in the works!? Do they change much from year to year?</p>
<p>Edit: Nevermind, I see that it is a sequence class so I would have to start during the fall. Two options now: request 5 classes or start a foreign language as a sophomore…hmm…something to think about.</p>
<p>by the way, he also did the Kaplan program.</p>
<p>Wow! So it is possible! How does one go about requesting 5 classes?</p>
<p>^he did Kaplan when he was a freshman (he was probably taking 4 credits at that time); he’s taking 5 this quarter. not sure how that works at WCAS. i was at McCormick.</p>
<p>Taking 5 coures is considered over-doing it so you have to get permission from the school to add a 5th course. Your GPA also has to be over a 3.5 freshman year and 3.0 afterwards to enroll in 5 classes in one quarter.</p>
<p>If theater is something you do for fun, why do you need to major in it? If you want to be a litigator, I can see why you connect that to practicing law, but what you really need is the public speaking part plus, of course, strong writing skills. A theater major involves a lot more than the public speaking part, most of which would be of little or no use to you in law school.
Although, of course, you can major in anything before going to law school, a theater and bio double major is pretty unusual. That may be both a plus and a minus, depending on where you apply to law school and what you say about why you chose those majors. Also, keep in mind that bio majors will likely be competing with pre-meds (and possibly BMEs), which I would imagine is pretty intense for someone who is not planning on grad school in medicine or science.</p>
<p>As for where to go, irrespective of major, now that you have eliminated Amherst, I recommend NU hands down. UChicago also offers a first rate academic experience, but it is my distinct impression, from knowing a number of students at both schools, that NU offers a much more well-rounded college experience.</p>
<p>NU’s SOC will work with you to achieve both degrees in a 4 year period. My DD is a Theater Major, and is also majoring in Political Science with Environmental Policy as a minor. She loves being involved with both! She also takes 4-5 classes a quarter, and voice lessons. Busy-but loves it!</p>
<p>Doing Kaplan and taking 5 from within the School of Communications is much easier than from Weinberg, since SoC lets you take one more full credit without it being considered an “overload”. Personally, having done 3 courses last quarter and 5 this, I have to say 5 is much, much better, at least for me personally. </p>
<p>Sadly though, If you’re planning to do a bio major AND language, even without throwing in the theater course the Kaplan program is likely impossible. Contact <a href=“mailto:e-foster@northwestern.edu”>e-foster@northwestern.edu</a> , the program assistant for the Scholars, if you want to see what she thinks, but I’d put very solid money on it not being feasible. </p>
<p>Sorry!</p>
<p>Yea, I kind of figured doing Kaplan, Bio, and a language would be impossible. That is personally why I am still considering UChicago because of its “built-in” Core: I would be required to take a language, a natural science course (bio/intro courses), a humanities sequence, and I would still have room for a theatre class in preparation for the major…all without going over four classes. However, there is still a feeling of school spirit and pride that I get from NU that I don’t get from very many other places which is what draws me to the school. Also, I know that NU’s theatre program is top-notch, but I also hear that Chicago’s is pretty good as well. Does anyone have any comparisons? (You’ve all been so helpful and have certainly displayed true NU friendliness!)</p>
<p>Chicago’s theatre program is not comparable to NU’s. Period.</p>
<p>As for taking all four classes: While the Kaplan Scholar’s program is indeed an excellent and unique experience, you COULD easily take Bio, a Language, and a theater course alongside any more standard humanities class. I reccomend you look into Modes of Writing, if its being offered again.</p>
<p>Think of it this way: the difference between the two theater programs is greater than the difference between the humanities courses in two schools. Some of the “core” courses aren’t as good as the hype suggests (there is a thread on this on Chicago board a while back; you may be able to find it).</p>
<p>Go to the University of Chicago.</p>
<p>You’ll get the best education there, I think.</p>
<p>I agree with WCASParent-- if theater is just a casual interest, the major is so broad and intense that you might find it a waste of your time. Theater opportunities ABOUND at NU and there is no reason you couldn’t be active in that extracurricularly while still majoring, double majoring, minoring, and taking programs in your many other (and more pre-professional) interests.</p>