The class of 25 was overenrolled, as more students accepted the offer of admission than in previous years, resulting in overcrowding. Changes were made (i.e. firing people in admissions and hiring a new Director of Admissions from Tulane). I believe things are better now. NU has historically had many international students - I don’t know if there will be fewer as a result of the government’s actions towards visas.
My son was class of 24 and experienced some crowded conditions. He made it work - rather than study at the Snell library, he studied in the beautiful ISEC building (where he saw Liam Neeson filming a movie), the Horticulture Building which NU bought on Huntington Avenue, or the Boston Public Library. He was most annoyed that the gym was crowded. I bought him a Blue Bikes subscription and he enjoyed riding a bike around Boston. He lived on campus for two years and off campus for two years. There are many student apartments near the school and in the Mission Hill neighborhood. He enjoyed off-campus more, but it is a city so accommodations will probably not be as large compared to say, the south, where my other child goes to college. His freshman dorm was demolished and they are building a much larger building in its place, but I don’t think it will be finished for a few years. Overall, his experience at NU was excellent - academically and socially. It is the best fit for independent, self-motivated students who enjoy living in a city. NU emphasizes global learning and he loved his study abroad in Africa. Good luck to your D with her decision!