Question about Northwestern's supplemental essay prompt

Northwestern fosters a distinctively interdisciplinary culture. We believe discovery and innovation thrive at the intersection of diverse ideas, perspectives, and academic interests. Within this setting, if you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?

How should I answer “Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?” Should I name a famous person (or anyone specific) or describe a type of students that would fit greatly in the class? Also what exactly does a collaborator mean? Is it someone that attends the class (same as classmate) or can be a faculty member, alumni, invited speaker, etc.

Stop and think about the question.

There is no right or wrong way to answer it.

Collaborator probably is intended to be used with regards to a the example of the research project or creative effort.

The key concepts to hit:

Interdisciplinary
Diverse ideas, perspectives and academic interests.

The prompt is really leading you to describe a co-researcher who may have a different background, skill or perspective than you and/or who has complementary strengths and weaknesses so that together you will produce a work that is better than either of you could have done alone.

Alright, thanks!

Thank you!

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