Northwestern University - The Inside Scoop

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Facts

Slang

CAESAR - Computer system that you register for classes on. Also allows you to keep track of your transcript and monitor financial aid.
CTECs - Course and Teacher Evaluations. Read up on student ratings of professors before you commit to taking a class with them.
Dormcest - Having an encounter of a sexual nature with someone from your residence hall.
Gone Greek Night - A celebration following rush that results in a good number of drunken hook-ups.
Lagoon - A man-made area filled with water. Watch for ducks and the large fountains that spray all summer long.
Lakefill - Area of campus bordering Lake Michigan that has bike paths, a fire pit, and fields.
North Campus - Generally considered north of Foster-Walker Complex, housing mostly the fraternity quads and engineering students.
Plex - Foster-Walker Complex, a large dorm that features mostly single rooms.
Points - Units on your meal plan that allow you to buy foodstuffs at Norris University Center, Tech Express, Lisa’s Café, and University Café.
SAGA - Formerly, the company that ran campus dining—and you’ll still run into people who call all the dining halls by this moniker.
Sketch - Something that is shady or questionable; also used as sketchy.
South Campus - South of Foster-Walker Complex; home to the sorority quads and more theater, music, and journalism students.
SPAC - Sports Pavilion and Aquatic Center, the largest workout facility on campus.
Tech - McCormick School of Engineering; refers to students, as well as the large building on North Campus they spend most of their time in.
The Rock - Touchstone of campus that students paint to advertise or philosophize. Guarding the Rock is a ritual everyone must go through.

Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming To School

Evanston is a very expensive place to live.
In-line skates and bikes are useful campus transportation.
Your home state is not the center of the universe.

Tips to Succeed

Diversify, but don’t get over-involved in activities—college is also for fun, not just networking!
Don’t drink too much.
Get to know fellow students.
Talk to professors.

Urban Legends

It is said that if you walk across the seal on Marsh Chapel Plaza, you won’t graduate.
That NU has the world’s third largest building (for its height), the Technological Institute.
That there is an oppressed, aquatic race living under the Lakefill since it was filled by administrators.

Traditions

Dance Marathon
Dillo Day - Annual festival of music—and copious amounts of alcohol—that takes place on the Lakefill.
Dolphin Show
Gone Greek Night
Painting the Rock
Waa-Mu Show

School Spirit

“Go U Northwestern” is the school’s fight song.

Purple and white are the school’s colors.

Willie the Wildcat, the mascot, comes in inflatable and traditional guises.

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In Summary

Get to Know the School

Get to Know the Students

Get to Know the Location

Before and After