Northern Illinois University

NIU isn’t for everybody. It’s a school in the middle of nowhere with a large student population and a less-thanstellar academic reputation. Make no mistake: there are times you will feel like crap if you come to NIU. They will often be spurred by observing or attempting to talk to the meatheads who come to college to party and dropout in a year or two. It can be tough to avoid being affected by that mindset, or the parking, or some of the ancient facilities, or the difficulty of registering for classes, or the—well, you get the idea. The toughest part is getting through the first year. Dorm life can be hell, with small rooms and obnoxious floor mates. On top of that, you can’t take classes in your major until late in your second year. You will probably end up thinking of transferring or quitting school all together at least once. However, in the end, the positives far outweigh the negatives. The people are down-to-earth and not the stuck-up brats you might find at a school like Northwestern. There is always a bar or party or concert to go to, no matter the day of the week. It’s also remarkably affordable when compared to other schools in Illinois and nationwide. Oddly enough, NIU can grow on you. Life in DeKalb becomes a lot more bearable when are eligible to move into an apartment, and once you get to know your teachers and get involved your educational experience at NIU can turn into something special (and just wait until you are 21). It isn’t a perfect institution by any means, but most students come to appreciate their time at Northern Illinois University in the quiet farm town of DeKalb.