<p>This is indeed an apples v. oranges situation. Wesleyan is a cross between Amherst and NYU: very hip, very diverse, with a venerable, old New England college buried somewhere at its center.</p>
<p>Northwestern is a major research university situated in a rather staid, Republican, suburb of Chicago (no alcohol sold within town limits – that kind of Republican.) The campus is not that attractive, but it does have a nationally recognized communications/theater department and a kind of tepid Big Ten athletic culture. It’s biggest rival is the University of Chicago, so you will be drawn into that whole Chicago/Bears/White Sox vortex, if not careful. And, lastly, beware of Chicago winters; NU is located right on Lake Michigan and the wind can get pretty blistery.</p>