Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL, USA

Reviews

Northern Illinois University

Erik from Hanover Park, IL

a current student here
17 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Some of the classes are pretty difficult and take a lot of studying, but this is a good thing. I have learned more from my Engineering class than in any other class I taken my entire life. The class sizes vary. I have had some classes with only 15-20 people, but others with 100 people. The teachers are mostly great. They understand that they need to entertain students, but leave the actual work up to them. They leave it up to you to earn the grade.
Am enjoying being here
Sometimes it does get a bit boring. However, the people, at least the ones I am with, are great. It is a friendly environment and it is easy to meet people in classes, since many of the smaller classes end up being close. The social scene is fantastic. By the end of the first semester, almost everyone knows each other. This is something that does not happen at such a large university.
Bang for the buck
Only $830/class. This is very good for a non-community college. The drom prices are what will hurt (nearly $1000/mo.), but appartments are only $275/mo. And with the top Accounting program and one of the best business colleges in the state, it certainly is a hefty discount.
Tips for prospective students
Study hard and don't underestimate the material. You may think this is not a difficult college, but it can be very challenging. Even Communcations 101 was difficult.
Great for these types of students
People that have good social skills will fit right in. Although it has the reputation of a party school, do not expect to be there very long if your only intentions are to party. However, if you do what is expected of you, you will earn the grade. Oh, stay away from MEE 101.

Calvin from Island Lake, IL

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Since attending Northern Illinois University I have learned a tremendous amount of information. Previous college's reminded me of high school level agenda; here were working towards becoming better and brighter students, who are at the top of the educational abilities.
Am enjoying being here
The entire area is full of fun/extra circular activities for students. What I've found out is that the people are kind and friendly for someone who's new. Every night during the week there is something to do: whether its attending a sporting event, making an appearance to the recreational center, observing educational/guest speakers, or just even hanging out with peers.
Bang for the buck
Northern Illinois University gives you what you pay for, in every aspect. The resources on campus are outstanding. There's a student center full of recreational activities, educational information, food, and tools for being a student.
Tips for prospective students
My only tip for future NIU students is to have a wonderful time, apply yourself, and most important be yourself!
Great for these types of students
Great for any student; I'm a transfer student and I feel right at home at Northern Illinois University. More at home than I've felt before.

emmanuella from Round Lake Beach, IL

accepted here and planning to attend soon
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
the academics here are amazing and they also have a really good reputation. They have plenty of different clubs and organizations available that are strictly for education purposes. Your college advisors are there to help you and if your willing, they will also be willing to go out of their way to make sure your college years are successful.
Will enjoy being here
I know for a fact that I will enjoy being here. There's always something to do and being away from home, you have ten times more freedom than you did before. I know it will be a culture shock to go from living at home to being on my own but, I know that with focus I'll be able to handle the change.
Bang for the buck
Whatever you do, do not let your money go to waste. We're college students and we're here for a purpose and that's to further our education. Don't let the freedom drive you away from your priorities. Your academics come first, then your social life. It's a shame to see how so many students fail out of college, simply from partying to much, and losing thousands of dollars in loans and or scholarship money.

Brittany

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes at NIU can be very challenging. Along with the material you learn in class, you will also learn very good time management skills, public speaking skills, and other useful skills that are essential for the real world. You learn how to interview, how to network with employers, ethics, etc.
Am enjoying being here
I love being here at NIU! The social life here is amazing. The convocation center hosts a variety of great artists and shows. And the students show tons of Husky Pride!
Bang for the buck
School is not cheap. But NIU has a renowned education program known for producing quality, ethical, successful students into the working world. And for such a well-known and respectable school, you are really getting your moneys worth here.
Tips for prospective students
Take as many college credit/AP classes as you can. It allows you to have a lighter workload and you can take more fun classes, classes that you are actually interested in, rather than the required basic classes.
Great for these types of students
NIU is a suitcase school. It is located so close to home that many students commute or go home on the weekends.

Latoya from Matteson, IL

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Northern's classes do have the most updated information and the teachers will help you learn everything there is to know about a subject. Although it may become frustrating there is always someone to help.
Am enjoying being here
DeKalb is a place that is surrounded by cornfields. Northern is a enjoyable place if you have friends. If you don't have friends then this place can get pretty boring.
Bang for the buck
I believe they charge entirely too much for the dorms but for your education the price is right. You get everything you need in order to succeed.
Tips for prospective students
Tips for prospective students are do your best freshman year that is the easiest class year. Also do not I repeat do not put partying first because Northern will kick you out. Half of the people I came in with our gone.
Great for these types of students
If you are a student who wants to exceed and wants help getting there then Northern is for you. If you are a party person they have great parties but if you don't plan on being a student no need in coming.

Beca from Chicago, IL

researching this school
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
I visited NIU for an open house and got to visit a lot of the faclities as well as the teachers. The teachers seem to want to help students and very friendly. Some classes are small so indivudual attention is there, but some are very large.
Will enjoy being here
The campus is very nice. Buses can be taken around the whole campus. There are a lot of food choices around the campus as well. The students are very friendly. I have also heard the tailgate parties are crazy.
Bang for the buck
You learn a lot, its worth the money.

Rehtse

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Northern Illinois University is a pretty good school with a lot of good opportunities. It's kind of surrounded by cornfields, but it's close enough to Chicago to get away from that. It's been a great experience so far.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved! There are so many great ways to get involved on campus, so take advantage of them. Check something out and make new friends! You won't be disappointed.
Academic Rigor
It's pretty good academically. There are a lot of different courses you can take to challenge you. Different majors are more rigorous than others. The general education classes can be annoying if they seem to get in the way of your major. There is an Honors Program that can offer more challenging courses too.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is pretty cool, but make sure you call it a residence hall! There is a big campaign from the RHA (residence hall association) to make everything seem nicer, so apparently residence hall sounds better than dorm. Also, we don't have RAs (residence assistant), we have CAs (community advisers) to make it seem more friendly, like we live in a community. There are currently 5 different residence halls: Neptune, Gilbert, Grant, Stevenson, and New Hall. New Hall is the nicest one but it's also the most expensive, while Neptune is generally less appreciated but also the least expensive. Every residence hall has a dining hall connected to it except for Grant. Gilbert is reserved for upperclassmen, but everyone can eat at its dining hall.
Food and Dining
The food is better than most dorm food horror stories you hear. They tend to have a variety of options, but the options repeat throughout the weeks. They have really good desserts... which isn't always the best if you're trying to avoid the freshman 15. There are 4 different dining halls, each connected to a different residence hall. There are also other places to eat on campus that are not dining halls. There is a Starbucks in Gilbert (one of the residence halls), the Trident Cafe in Neptune, the Dog Pound Deli in Stevenson. There is also a Subway and a coffee shop (the college grind) in the Student Center. All places take Huskie Bucks which is money that you can put on your One Card (student ID). There is only one meal plan option for students that stay on campus, and that is just unlimited access to the dining halls. It also comes with 10 free guest passes. There is also a commuter meal plan that includes a certain number of different meals throughout the semester.
What to do for fun
Northern Illinois University is located in DeKalb, which is more in the country. They have the annual Corn Fest in downtown DeKalb around September. There is also the annual Pumpkin Fest in the neighboring town of Sycamore. Downtown DeKalb has some restaurants and a few little shops, it's a small town feel. There are a lot of restaurants close to the university too. There are Huskie buses that students can take for free. They have a route that will take you to Walmart, Target, and other stores in a little shopping area about 15 minutes away. DeKalb is about an hour away from Chicago, so there is that for an escape if you need it. There is a special Huskie bus that will take you to the train station in Elburn on the weekends and from there you can take the train to Chicago.
Bang for the buck
I think it's pretty good, at least for the in-state students. As an out-of-state student, it is a lot more expensive (double tuition) so you should try to establish residency if you can.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Apparently, the escalator in the library is the only escalator in the whole county.
There are university seals in the entryways of the library and the castle that you are not supposed to step on, or else it will take you longer to graduate.
There is a river that runs through campus called the Kishwaukee River. If you touch the river, you are apparently going to stay in DeKalb forever.
When the student center was built, the county fire department had to get a new ladder that would reach the height of the building.
The Duke Ellington Ballroom in the student center was one of the last places that Duke Ellington ever performed.
Clubs and Activities
There are a lot of ways to get involved at Northern Illinois University. They have a lot of different athletic, academic, religious, and social student organizations on campus. During the first weekend, welcome weekend, there is an involvement fair where students can go to find out about all the different clubs and activities that are available.
Greek Life
I don't know too much about Greek life, but there are a lot of people who are involved in some sort of fraternity or sorority. There are different options for service or social fraternities. There are also some co-ed fraternities. There are a lot of opportunities.
Campus Safety
The campus is pretty safe. There is a police station on campus, and there are always different police cars driving around. There are also students who can work to patrol on campus at night to make sure everyone is safe. Most people recommend to always walk with someone if you're walking at night, however, I've walked alone a lot and I've always been fine.

Jasmine Franklin from Chicago, IL

accepted here and planning to attend soon
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
When It comes to a great college with excellent advisors and counselors, It's Northern Illinois University. They provide multiple opportunities in which are available to everyone to help them to become successful adults. Every one is so friendly and they make u feel right at home.
Tips for prospective students
There's only one thing you should keep in your mind while you are in college, stay on track and don't get distracted.
Academic Rigor
Northern Illinois do not play around when it comes to academics. You do not do well you will be put on academic probation, and if it continues you will be dismissed from the university. even though they will dismiss you, if u feel like you are capable to turn yourself around Northern Illinois University do accept you to appeal you dismissal.
Dorm Life
I have not personally experienced the dorm life for myself yet. But when I went to visit my cousin I will always stay in her dorm room and it was very nice.
Food and Dining
The food is very good in the dorm buildings and even inside the student center. they even have well known restaurants near by in the neighborhood like, Apple Bee's, Buffalo wild Wings, Shark, Mc Donalds and many more:)
What to do for fun
There's always something to do. There's parties, a near by movie theater,you can go out for ice cream and the list continues. NIU also have multiple events going on during the school year like, dance battles, fashion shows, and so much more

Beatriz from Chicago, IL

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes vary from easiness but have a challenge when it comes to writing papers and exams. Overall, learning a lot.
Am enjoying being here
I love DeKalb. It is a very quiet school to be in and very diverse. The students are very friendly and it is very easy to make friends.
Bang for the buck
Cost for school can be expensive, but you get what you pay for. The dorms are nice and apartments vary.
Great for these types of students
Any student that comes in to Northern will feel welcome and will not feel like an out case. People are very friendly and make friends very easily.

Katrina from Plainfield, IL

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I really am learning a lot here at NIU. The teachers here are great and are always true to their office hours and very willing to help you in understanding concepts that stump you. If they are too busy or you are in a large class there are always tutors around and willing to aid you in learning as well as studying. Some tutors may be paid for private services, but free services for every department and class are easily found and prove to be very helpful. In addition to this, there are always ways to double check to be confident in your selection in professors there are reviews to hear what other students have to say about the teachers that they have had in the past.
Am enjoying being here
NIU really is a fun campus to be on. There are many friendly people and a lot to do. Along Lincoln, a main street next to campus, has many places to eat and hang out. On Sycamore there is an even wider variety of places to eat including Noodles, Steak and Shake, and the infamous Ollies among other places like the movies. Directly on campus we have the Husky Den where there is billiards, TVs, video games, and bowling! Not to mention all of the clubs you can participate in, the Fraternities, Sororities, we even have Humans Vs Zombies!
Bang for the buck
The main absolutely awesome deal, is that of our meal plan. I am on the lowest level meal plan with $60 a week, I never have any reason to be hungry and I almost never run out of food money. Clubs are often free or at least relatively cheap. And as for activities, Monday is one dollar bowling! What could be better! And it's no cost to visit or rent from the multi-story library or use the computers in the labs, plus free printing!
Tips for prospective students
Ask questions! Do not think that curiosity is a bad thing and do not think that anyone would ever judge you for being confused. Also, constantly check your MyNiu, this is where updates will be for dates and deadlines of payments, class applications, and more. Always be sure to visit your academic advisor and counselors, and never stop applying for scholarships! But calm down and have fun, don't get too overwhelmed. ^_^
Great for these types of students
NIU is great for ALL students. But I suppose I would definitely recommend those going into theatre, because it is supposedly the best program in the region. Also physical therapy, I believe this is the only school in Illinois that has both undergrad and graduate programs for physical therapy.