<p>which one is harder to get into? – about equal, though they have different standards (i.e. they look for different things). Chicago seems more subjective–essays and such.</p>
<p>which one has more prestige? – general population? Northwestern. Academic circles? Chicago. (For evidence on that, see the # Nobel Laureates affiliated with each–that’s a good indication. And the peer review scores for Chicago and Northwestern are 4.6 and 4.3, respectively.)</p>
<p>which one has better academics? – neither, really. Chicago doesn’t have engineering and has more of an intellectual approach to its curriculum. Northwestern is rigorous, too.</p>
<p>which one has a better campus life? – they’re both about equal, though some NU students like to think that the nerds at Chicago don’t have a life. :p</p>
<p>which would YOU say is a better school in general, overall? – I wouldn’t say one is better than the other–just different. Personally, I’d choose Chicago over Northwestern easily, but NU is a great school too.</p>