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Ack. So. Here's the deal: I'm applying to NU, already completed the first part of the application, and for some INSANE reason (don't ask) I put down IR as my intended major instead of journalism. It's not that I've ruled IR out, rather that for the 'why do you want to go to NU' question on part II of the app I could have used the whole 'your journalism dept is no. 1' etc. Now I'm stuck! The truth is, it's my uber-reach school and basically I'm applying for two reasons: name recognition and location. I know it wouldn't be advisable to mention these on my essay. Suggestions? No flames, please, I don't need to be told that I should look into schools before applying, I DID look into NU and even if I changed my mind, I have to apply now. So, yeah. Appreciate it XD

By Lilybbloom (Lilybbloom) on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 07:30 pm: Edit

Bump. Anyone, please?

By Zcat18 (Zcat18) on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 07:57 pm: Edit

Here's the problem: applying to journalism school simply because, "for the 'why do you want to go to NU' question on part II of the app I could have used the whole 'your journalism dept is no. 1' etc." isn't going to turn heads in the first place. You're far better off applying to the major you're *really* interested in and then using those interests to explain why NU is good for you.

#2, you're applying for the wrong reasons. Name recognition only pulls so much weight before its effects fizzle out. The location is great, but the truth is that there are probably 20 other colleges in the greater Chicagoland area that are easier to get into and also have the major(s) in which you're interested.

I would never discourage anybody from applying to Northwestern, but before you apply to any university, you have to do your homework on that institution and figure out just exactly what makes it unique beyond its academic programs and why you would fit well into that university's environment. If you apply to Northwestern and say, "I want to go to NU 'cuz it has a really good journalism program and it's a really famous university in a cool city," nobody is going to give you a second look unless you are stellar in all other areas (and even then, they will scratch their heads as to why you couldn't at least be a bit more creative in your approach).

My advice is this: apply to the major that truly interests you--something about which you already have a bit of a basic knowledge or that has inspired you in some extraordinary way. Then, use NU's location and academic system to explain to them why you could best cultivate those interests here. For interest, you can say, "I've always been interested in IR, and NU's IR program allows you to evaluate the international aspects of music, which is one of my other interests. Here, I'll be able to study both and see how both fields affect each other!" It's that easy.

Don't try too hard to give them what you think they want to hear, but more importantly, don't say what has been said so many times before that it won't reveal anything about you and why you feel that a Northwestern education is right for you.

Applying to NU with below-average credentials and then telling them that they have a great J-school is a waste of $65. You've got to try and show them somethinn they have't seen before.

By Lilybbloom (Lilybbloom) on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 08:30 pm: Edit

*Takes a deep breath* Okay. The thing is, the $65 are paid for, so now I need to focus on getting in. I guess my reasons were a bit superficial .. ? Although to be COMPLETELY honest it would have taken me ages to look at every singe college in the US and evaluate their programs, etc. Several people on CC told me it would be a good reach school, so I applied. This is pretty much the process I used for the other four schools I'm applying to. Didn't do my homework! Guilty as charged!

Moving on ...

I KNOW why I want to major in IR. I just don't have any clue why IR at NU is special. In fact, it probably isn't. The fact is, I could have applied to American, JHU etc. as my reach schools, which have amazing IR depts. but I didn't. Why? DC and Baltimore?? No thanks! Same with other schools. But the essay isn't about why I think I'd be good at IR, it's about why I think I'd be good at NU, or rather, why NU would be good for me, yeah? I'm stuck!!! I've read through all the info there is to read, the school's history, alumni, mission statement, stats, everything!

By Zcat18 (Zcat18) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 12:40 am: Edit

You're panicking, and there's no need to.

Listen, I work in admissions and have a bit of an idea what I'm talking about. Yes, the essay says, "why do you want to come to NU?" You want to come to NU for the city and the prestige. That's fine, and in truth, that's probably why 80% of NU students end up there in the first place. The problem is that admitting this fact on your application won't do anything to help you.

That's where creativity comes in. Do a little research on the IR program. I'm not saying you have to read every word ever written about every college on your list, but if you have an ED school and a clear first choice, it is worth researching. Did you know that you have to concentrate in a certain geograpic area when you major in IR (but it's not IR, it's IS [International Studies]) at NU? It's true. You can concentrate in Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the Middle East. Another fact about the program: you must take courses in other departments. You cannot get a degree in IS without taking courses in other subjects (ie., history, poli. sci., even sociology or musicology). You also are required to couple IS with an additional major. You cannot *only* major in International Studies. This gives you the opportunity to explore many different facets of internationalism and apply that knowledge to yet another discipline.

These are all factors that make the International Studies program ***at Northwestern*** unique. Why do you want to go to Northwestern? Because you have all of the aforementioned opportunities within your desired field of study, and what better research base than Chicago, one of the most international cities in the United States?! There, in a nutshell, is your "Why NU?" essay. Now all you have to do is elaborate. Take a look at the NU course catalogue, pick out a couple of courses that seem interesting to you, and mention them in the essay.

It's that simple. So take a deep breath, do your best, and avoid the temptation to deviate toward the ordinary.

By Lilybbloom (Lilybbloom) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 11:23 am: Edit

Thanks so much!! I really, really appreciate it.

By Zcat18 (Zcat18) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 07:35 pm: Edit

No problem! Best of luck, and please feel free to post again if you have any further questions. :-)

By Rayo (Rayo) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 12:29 pm: Edit

Zcat18: can you tell me some things that make the economics program unique at NOrthwestern?

thanks

By Tenisghs (Tenisghs) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 01:16 am: Edit

I realize that the most popular majors at Northwestern tend to have higher faculty-student ratios (the classes are large with TAs you can't really avoid.)