Northern Illinois University
Reviews

Social Life

Everyone is friendly for the most part but are open to meet new people not a lot of drama some can be loud but good for the most part.

Dorms

The dorms could be lousy at times but on final weeks they are pretty awesome in getting their studying in.

Living on Campus

When living on campus,other people that live on the floor with me can be very loud and it can be hard to concentrate. I would have to go somewhere else to study, because I can't study in my room.

NIU Nursing!!

I love the Nursing program there is a lot of work, because it is a rigorous program, the clinicals are amazing, and you work at really nice places.

Buses Are the Best!!

The Huskie Bus Line takes you anywhere you want to go in DeKalb. There is no need to drive because it is free transportation to students. Just show the driver your NIU OneCard (student ID) and your ride is free. The buses run 7 days a week and as early as 7a-11p during the week. There is also Late Night Ride for after 10p-7a that will pick you up anywhere in DeKalb and it is free!!

Getting Down to Business

Coming to Northen I was ready to start my college experience and get right down to business. But before i could do anything or even get into my Major I had to focus on my Gen-Eds. Getting into those helped me to prepare for my Major. I was able to get down all the basics of what i needed to know and then more forward. Not only the professors but the staff helped me in making the right decisions and get through my first two years of college. Now i'm able to get into my Major and get down to business.

Tugs....And....That's About It

Don't be fooled by the allure of camaraderie at NIU frats. They are located in the filth and squaller of what is called Hillcrest Road and achieve nothing less than immense parties filled with tons of frat rats only interested in free beer and bad decisions. If that's your thing, go for it. Social Fraternities are really only active for three weeks out of the year: two for recruiting, one for Tugs. Tugs is a competition of immense strength where fraternity brothers face each other off in battle at tug of war. It is literally a huge competition for something as insignificant as who can pull the other the hardest. If you are interested in getting out in four years, check out the living and learning communities, as they are geared to allot individuals with identical majors together.

Overall Experience

Northern Illinois is a mediocre experience at best. The weather is terrible, the social environment is decent if you enjoy being drunk for the majority of a weekend, but thats about it.

Finacial Aid Office Problems

At Northern Illinois, the financial aid office decided that I will not get any financial aid next year. So it was a little disheartening to find out I might not be able to go to college next year.

Stevenson Towers

I have lived in Stevenson Towers for 2 years, and am living there again next year. The rooms feel more spacious than in other dorms, and there is close parking for those who bring a car to school. It also has the widest variety of food on a regular basis, and is one of two late night dining options. The only drawback I have found is that, as the farthest dorm on campus, walks to class can sometimes be a trek, but usually no more than 20 minutes, and there is also the bus that stops at both North and South towers.

Police

Police are always there to help Northern students and make sure they are safe.

Great quality

NIU has good quality programs at a great price. Many of my professors were great at teaching and very respected in their fields. Students are fun, smart, and down to earth. I would highly recommend going here and getting involved on campus. Huskie football is awesome. Work hard, and take advantage of everything NIU has to offer.

Cars

Parking is very limited on campus and very scares. You can only park in certain spots for a certain amount of time, with or without a permit.

Living in Douglas a

I have had a great freshman year living in Douglas A. I have met many friends but I was also able to use the dorm for studying. I do not own a computer but that was never a problem for me to access one in the dorm. The cost of the dorm is expensive but worth it. I felt very safe all year long!

What Enforcement?

This grade goes to the campus police out there. NIU is a giant school, and drugs are not only easy to find, but easy to use in the face of police. We see in our paper day after day that "cannabis and paraphenlia" was found in the dorms, but that they were "given a verbal warning" and sent to Judicial affairs. Underage drinking is prevelent too, and just about anyone can get trashed over the weekend. NIU does nothing to discourage students what so ever, and until they actually reinforce punishments, the students at NIU are going to get high and wasted.

Better Than on-Campus

Off campus living is cheaper and perhaps more convenient than on campus living, extremely close to campus.

Best decision I ever made....

Best decision I ever made. I’ve made the best friends here and have actually learned something along the way. I am proud to have gone here and will miss it desperately.

NIU is great. I’m perfectly...

NIU is great. I’m perfectly happy here. I wish I lived where it was warmer year round. I have graduated, and I am in the real world now, and I would do anything to go back to college. The lifestyle is so great, and it is definitely what I miss the most. I really miss being able to go out randomly on a Wednesday night, if I choose to. Also, all the people around, and randomly meeting a next-door neighbor for the first time and just hanging out all night with them. Those were great.

Overall, I have had a positive...

Overall, I have had a positive experience at Northern. I feel it is an excellent academic institution that offers many great opportunities to succeed.

I came from the University of...

I came from the University of Michigan, and I was pretty pleased that unlike that school, NIU didn’t have 80 percent of my classes taught by grad students from countries yet undiscovered by the modern world. There are definitely fewer options when it comes to extracurricular activities or social life, but if you put effort into it you can really get a lot out of the school.

I am really happy with where I am....

I am really happy with where I am. I am an hour from home, so I can work my part-time job and keep the good pay. I am far enough away to live my own life. I love the people, mainly the people in education. We share the same passion and hope for our future, which makes us click. I love it here. It fits me.

There are more than 25,000...

There are more than 25,000 students on campus, so it’s not a big surprise there isn’t room for all of them to park. However, they could be a lot more proactive in helping students find parking and in creating more parking, instead of reclassifying spots and issuing tickets constantly.

I’ve piled up tickets, and I...

I’ve piled up tickets, and I think many of them are crap. You can appeal, but you will lose, and it ends up costing you the full price of the ticket instead of the discount you get if you pay right away.

It’s a nightmare if you...

It’s a nightmare if you commute. Leave yourself enough time, or you will always be running late.

It’s very difficult to find...

It’s very difficult to find parking. I have a yellow pass, and even with that they have made parking scarce. Especially with the recent move to remove most of the meters. It makes life hell to get around. The worst part is trying to park near health services. You would really expect spots reserved for sick people, but there are none. They expect you to ride the bus sick.