University of Northwestern – St. Paul

University culture is very strained and split down the middle. You either have friends or you don't. I didn't even know my neighbor next door in any way. One class (Leadership for Transformation) reliably informed me that as a white person I'm inherently bad and must go out of my way to appease others who are not white. Administration walks a fine line and makes both conservatives and progressives unhappy simultaneously. There is a literal communist party and a pro-life group there too, deepening the sense of uneasiness and social tension. My experience was rather poor, but most of that was due to my own mental incompetency and stage of life I was in. I spent the entire semester playing Minecraft because the social environment was not worth my effort. I went for one semester and do not miss it at all. It has a truly beautiful campus though, full of rich history. Make sure to visit in the springtime when the trees are in bloom.

This place taught me that people who call themselves Christians hate you almost as much as they hate reading their bibles. If they call themselves a Christian, just turn around and walk the other way. They will lie cheat and steal just to have fun. This place is not a religious institution- it is a predatory system eaiting people with faith. They hate and steal here. Nothing else.

Any college experience will mostly be what you make of it, and who you choose to spend your time with. Northwestern provided excellent resources for academic and spiritual growth (legit professors, excellent dorm community, daily chapel opportunities, and local outreach ministries). But, the professors you take will change your experience a lot. So, choose carefully, ask for advice from older and more mature students, and spend time planning your schedule. Don't expect your advisor to help you pick the best profs who might change your life. I went through the engineering program, which was amazing. Wouldn't want anything else. The academics are good here. But I also invested my life in the community, hall ministry, leadership opportunities, spiritual growth, and God did great things. It is incredible all he did in spite of all I am not. Northwestern provides an environment for much potential, but it isn't everything. Rooting yourself in a local church will be of the utmost importance and it was equally important in shaping my time at Northwestern. Finding godly mentors and role-models is also a top priority. Last note, if you have godly roommates who are zealous for the gospel, living on campus will be an equally life-changing experience. It's worth the extra cash.

I graduated from Northwestern a few years ago. The art department is excellent! I couldn't have asked for more knowledgeable and caring professors. The only thing that discouraged me was that as a student of color, I felt completely out of place. I found myself conforming to the culture there, which consists mainly of white, conservative, upper-middle class folks. I felt a very strong disconnect between the other students and myself, sometimes even between the professors and me. Sometimes I'd ask myself, "What am I doing here? I don't belong here." I was an art major and it was only within the art department that I felt at ease. Everyone there was different, creative, expressive and open-minded. It was a little community of artists and I am forever grateful for that experience.

After spending 4 1/2 years at UNW my thoughts and experience would take a book to finish. But I'll try to be short. Pros. I loved most of my professors. I had professors who actually cared for my success and are willing to go out of their ways to help. Many of my professors knew me personally and I wasnt just a number in their schedule. Which I can't say my other friends from other colleges can say. UNW pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me realize what my passions are; through realizing how much I disagreed with the institution, but nevertheless I matured. The friends I've made. True and great friends who all felt the same. lol Cons: granted not every student is and thinks the same, but there's enough consensus to make me believe the school does way too little to better itself. Too much of the school thinks they're past racism. Whenever we reach a topic on anything related to culture or race we would have less than 2 days to talk about it while other topics used a week easily. Professors uncomfortability trumps the need to discuss out issues. Teachers have openly say diversity is the issue. 100% of school advertisement would showcase vast variety of diversity and multiculturalism, yet students of color makes less than 5% of the entire body. And 95% of the students in the advertisements don't even go to Northwestern. I know this because I know most of those students and they've graduated years ago. Academically it was subpar for the price of admission. Tuition jumped $10,000 within the time I was there. The school preaches love yet it's hard to find any. As a student of color, for years i felt so out of place. We were referred as a horde of animals, we were unvalued, and were expected to fit into that sameness the school holds on to. I've heard and seen many use their gospel to reject our presence. They're friendly on the outside but could care less about who you are. There's more I can say, but my verdict is this: if you like monoculture, ethnocentrism, expensive decent academics, and want to go back to your tiny town, then Northwestern is great for you. If you're a student of color who wants a supportive community, a student body that strives for cultural acceptance, understanding, and REAL gospel love equaled with high academic quality, go somewhere else. Save yourself A LOT of money.

If you want a good engineering program this is where to go. You get a personalized education with some great professors who will challenge you with the basics before heading to the U of M to finish your degree. You will actually get two degrees in five years and your education will have a strong christian foundation.

Save yourself $41,000 per year and don't even consider UNW. They claim they're a Christian university, but the real god they serve is money. That's what it's all about. The president and his board are corrupt as can be, but they're treated as infallible. Also, never bring up problems you're going through or any theological disagreements. You'll just be attacked relentlessly. Most of the profs have a lot of knowledge, but are really awful people and that carries over into the classroom. The students are mostly pushovers that believe whatever UNW tells them to believe. Just an all-around bad place.

Very nice campus. Excellent teachers. Welcoming community. Tuition is high, but the quality of education is well worth it!

Shity material overpriced and no service respect forget it ghost to some community college or something totally cheaper three quarters of the price cheaper education is totally mind manipulating and garbage like totally conservative education no room to think for yourself even though they say there is, I've had two cousins go here pretty sad how they come out

The perfect university for excellence in academics and community in Christ!

Tuition is too high but the campus is beautiful and the people and professors are great.

Love this place!

An excellent investment in my future & a great resource place for alumni.

We were fishing on lake Johanna on which the University is on the banks of the lake.

The professors are excellent but everything else about it is terrible.

Great safe college

Chapel is strict and is like a prison.

Love it!

Beautiful campus!