Founded in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, Northwestern University is a premier private research university located in Evanston, Illinois, along the shores of Lake Michigan. Spanning 240 acres in Evanston alongside a downtown Chicago campus for professional schools, Northwestern connects elite academic preparation with direct access to Chicago's global business, healthcare, media, and legal sectors. You can examine its founding history and urban expansion through the Northwestern University Wikipedia entry.
When you attend Northwestern, you experience an academic model operating on a flexible quarter system. This fast-paced calendar allows you to complete more courses each year, making it easy to double major, pursue specialized minors, or conduct undergraduate research without sacrificing your core interests.
Premier Academic Programs
Northwestern organizes its academic instruction across 12 distinguished schools and colleges holding national reputations for excellence:
- Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications: Premier global institution for investigative journalism, broadcasting, and digital media strategy.
- Kellogg School of Management: World-renowned business school leading research in marketing, executive leadership, and venture capital. Explore programs on the Kellogg School of Management portal.
- McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science: Pioneers whole-brain engineering, human-centered design, robotics, and biomedical systems.
- Bienen School of Music: Elite music conservatory delivering world-class performance training along the Lake Michigan waterfront.
- Pritzker School of Law: Chicago-based legal institution specializing in corporate litigation, public interest law, and international human rights.
- Feinberg School of Medicine: Leading biomedical research center located in downtown Chicago, partnered with Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
"Quaecumque sunt vera, translated from Latin as Whatsoever things are true, serves as Northwestern's official motto, guiding open scientific inquiry."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily undergraduate experience centers on the Evanston campus, featuring sandy lakefront beaches, sailing facilities, and the iconic Deering Library quadrangle. School spirit revolves around Willie the Wildcat, the official mascot who leads student cheers at NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference athletic events. You can read about the history and tradition of this beloved mascot on the Willie the Wildcat Mascot page. Painting The Rock, cheering inside Ryan Field, and participating in over 500 student organizations creates a memorable residential environment.
Research Infrastructure and Nanoscience Innovation
Northwestern operates an extraordinary multi-billion-dollar research framework advancing frontiers in materials science and bio-medicine:
- International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN): Global hub for nanoscale research, developing molecular diagnostics, therapeutics, and nano-materials. Learn more via Northwestern Research Operations.
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology: Interdisciplinary research center pioneering regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and bio-inspired materials.
- Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA): Conducts advanced studies in gravitational wave astronomy, star formation, and planetary science.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of Oscar winners, Supreme Court justices, business titans, and journalists, including:
- Stephen Colbert: Emmy Award-winning comedian, writer, and late-night television host who studied theater at Northwestern.
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Record-setting Emmy Award-winning actress best known for Seinfeld and Veep who studied drama at Northwestern.
- Rahm Emanuel: Former Mayor of Chicago, White House Chief of Staff, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan who earned his Master's degree at Northwestern.
- George R.R. Martin: World-famous fantasy author of A Song of Ice and Fire who earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in journalism at Medill.
Northwestern meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted undergraduate students without loan requirements. Review full admission standards and deadlines on the official Northwestern Undergraduate Admissions portal.