What Students Say
Likes
- Northwestern university is one of the prestigious universities in Mid West. People recognise the name the moment you mention it.
- The flexibility to take elective courses across schools makes it a great place for people with broad interests.
- Northwestern’s lakefront location provides stunning views and there are plenty of spots for both study and chilling.
Dislikes
- Northwestern’s academic rigour is very high, and the workload can be intense. The quarter system, which divides the academic year into four ten-week terms, can feel fast-paced, with constant exams and assignments.
- Since it’s a private university so the tuition is high.
- The winters are harsh in Evanston making the cold very difficult to bear.
Course Curriculum
10
- At Northwestern, the difficulty level of the course curriculum depends on the program but is generally challenging, with a mix of both theoretical and practical components. Theoretical foundations are often paired with real-world applications, offering a balanced approach.
- Positive aspects: courses allow exploration beyond your major, providing a well-rounded education.
- Negative Aspects: The fast-paced quarter system can make it hard to keep up with assignments and exams.
- Daily Schedule: The number of classes varies, but students typically have 3-4 classes per week, each lasting 3.5 hours. Class times are usually in the evening.
Admission Experience
- I applied to a limited number of universities due to my 5 years of work experience. I was accepted at Northeastern, Northwestern, and North Carolina State University. At Duke, I was interviewed and received positive feedback, but my application was shifted to the second round and ultimately rejected. I’m still unsure about the reason for the final decision.
- I chose Northwestern University for the reputation it holds and for the reason that it allows people with work experience into the cohort, which makes class discussion more enriching.
- The admissions process at Northwestern was the smoothest and it included an interview after being shortlisted.
- There were 3 prompts to be filled and gre was optional. After submitting the SOPs, we had to wait for a month to get shortlisted.
- I had an IELTS score of 8.0 but 7.5 and above is a safe score to meet the criteria.
- The major challenge was to finish the SOP since it was having the earliest submission among other universities.
- I applied for the Fall’24 intake. The decision was influenced by my 5 years of work experience and program fit. The admission process took around 3 months, from submitting my application to receiving the acceptance, including the interview and review stages.
- I submitted my application in mid-December and received the interview call in February, first week, and final decision by March.
Class Schedule
10
- Class Size: Classes can range from small seminars (45-50 students).
- Indian Students: The number of Indian students varies by department, since MEM is popular among Indians hence 90% of the class is Indians.
Faculty
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- At Northwestern University, the faculty-to-student ratio is typically around 6:1 in many programs, though it can vary by department.
- Faculty members use a mix of lectures, case studies, research projects, and hands-on learning. They often incorporate real-world applications of theories for subjects like decision tools, which prepare students for jobs by blending academic knowledge with practical skills.
- Some professors have direct ties to companies and can recommend strong candidates.
- I particularly admire Birju Shah, who stands out for his extensive industry experience in product management. He brings a real-world perspective to his teaching, offering insights into how technology is reshaping industries.
Campus Life
10
- There are a total of 3 campuses, one in Evanston, one in Chicago, and the other in Doha, Qatar.
- There are 3 libraries which are huge : Deering, Main library and Mudd Library
- For sports, there is Henry Crown, which has arenas for all the popular sports like basketball, tennis, swimming pools, etc
- There are multiple events that keep happening around the year.
- There are a lot of clubs for international students that help in building the community and celebrating festivals together.
Part Time Jobs
- Almost 40% get a TA/RA but others do find different campus jobs.
- The pay scale is somewhere between $15 and $30 per hour.
- Other on-campus jobs include library assistant, gym trainer, swimming instructor, dining, etc.
- As per the law, international students are allowed only 20 hours a week to work on campus on a F1 visa.
- It depends on the profile and interest of students. They've got to be proactive to find the jobs.
- The pay ranges from $15 to $30 per hour, depending on the job. It's highly competitive, so students must be proactive. A dedicated portal lists all open positions, allowing students to browse and apply for roles that match their interests. Networking with peers and staff can also help in discovering opportunities and standing out. Reaching out to professors can also help.
Placement
8
- Over 95% of Northwestern MEM graduates secure employment within 6 months of graduation.
- Graduates typically earn between $90,000 and $120,000 per year, depending on their prior experience and industry.
- Many students secure jobs through company visits, career fairs, and on-campus interviews organised by the university.
- Internships often lead to full-time offers, as students work with leading companies during their program.
- In my batch, students are getting internships at Cummins, ZS, and Motorola and have received full-time jobs at Tesla , GE, etc
- No such major companies that hire.
Accommodation
Off Campus
8
- There is a local property dealer called Peak Properties. I got to know about them from my seniors and they explained the entire process.
- There are other apps, such as Zillow, which is used by many people. My accommodation is 1.2 miles away from the university. My monthly rent with utilities is around $650.
- The only suggestion would be to start early to find the cheaper apartments or else you’ll end up getting the costly ones.
Exams
- The exams required include the TOEFL/IELTS for international students to prove English proficiency. The GRE was optional.
- The necessary documents include:
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- 3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs)—2 professional and 1 academic.
- Resume/CV
- Academic transcripts
- Interview Process: Yes, an interview was part of the process. It was conducted by the programme director, Mark Werwath, via Zoom.
Fees
- The overall fee is around $70k, which is quite high. The breakdown is based on credits taken in each quarter and hence needs to be paid quarterly.
- Since I live a little far from university, I’ve taken the CTA pass, which gives access to all CTA transportation for $125 for 3 months. My monthly rent is around $650, and my expenses come around $150-200.
Scholarship
- There’s a $10,000 scholarship available at the university, awarded based on the strength of a student's profile and SOPs. Many of my friends in the cohort have successfully received it, which makes me hopeful about my chances.
- It seems to be a competitive but achievable opportunity for funding. As per my knowledge 4-5 students in my cohort have received the scholarship.
