Top Five Universities in the Midwest
Picking a school can sometimes feel like picking a number on a roulette wheel. If somehow you can make the exact right choice, everything will come out right for you, and you’ll live happily ever after. But what is the right choice? Happily, while there are only a few winning numbers on a roulette wheel, there are many institutions of higher learning that deliver a high quality education, one that can get you pointed in the right direction.
Not all universities are alike, however. Some excel at pushing students with rigorous academic programs, but offer next to nothing to help shape complete graduates. Extracurricular activities and social life are neglected on some campuses; just as some campuses can themselves seem neglected, more like low-security prisons than settings for digesting knowledge.
A well-rounded university mints well-rounded graduates. The schools featured on this list of the top five universities in the Midwest are each outstanding examples this principle in action. These universities make it their business not only to give students the opportunity to learn all they can in their chosen field, but also create an atmosphere where unformed students are shaped over the course of their experience into full-fledged adults, with everything that may entail.
1. University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
The number one school on the list is the University of Chicago, an institution renowned not just as a great Midwestern university, but as one of the very top universities in the nation, if not the world. The University of Chicago has a history of offering students stellar faculty with a taste for the academic cutting edge. The University’s urban setting gives students ample opportunity for cultural exploration and community service, making graduates some of the most well rounded in the country.
2. Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Washington University in St. Louis holds the number two slot on this list with a powerful combination of challenging academics and a strong sense of community, both within the walls of the university and within its host city. Washington University undergrads choose from courses in five divisions, arts and sciences, architecture, art, business, and engineering. The graduate school adds law and medicine to the list. If what you are hoping to study is on this list, you may have found the school for you.
3. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Third on the list is Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois, just a half hour outside of Chicago. Northwestern offers seventy majors to undergrads, with many students opting to design their own majors, mixing and matching more traditional disciplines. Rigorous, well located, and competitive, Northwestern is a strong choice whether you are looking exclusively in the Midwest or not.
4. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is a great example of the big, public research institution done right. Graduates from University of Michigan consistently report a top-notch experience across the board, from challenging coursework to a satisfying experience socially. But be warned, like all the schools on this top 5 list, University of Michigan fields a lot of applications. Admission is by no means guaranteed.
5. University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame have earned this Indiana institution a place in the hearts of many a sports fan, but it is only in combination with outstanding academics that Notre Dame takes the fifth place on this list. Loyal alumnae of this Catholic university have demonstrated the value of a Notre Dame education through varied and impressive achievement.
William Baum
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/top-five-universities-in-the-midwest-84743.html
College Acceptance Question?
‘m a sophmore in high school at a one of the best private schools in the Midwest.
I’m always on Head of School’s List and I have decent well-rounded extracurriculars and after-school activities. I scored a 29 on the ACT last year [freshman year]. I go to a summer camp at Northwestern University and take classes – I have been for five years. I’m attending a Model UN conference and going to Washington D.C. for a leadership conference over spring break.
But… my grades aren’t perfect. I don’t have a 4.0 GPA. As of right now my GPA is only like 3.63 or something like that. My semester reports have been good, they just haven’t been straight A’s. I get a few B’s here and there – in really hard classes though. I’m like four math grades ahead, and my latin and social studies classes are extremely difficult. Not to mention I’m taking AP US History this year.
I’m worried about getting into college. Ever since I was five, I’ve wanted to go to Northwestern. Going to a summer camp there makes me love it even more. The whole grade thing is making me very nervous.
But here’s a catch. I’m 13 with a birthday on April 5. Which mean’s I’ll just be turning 16 when I graduate.
Do you think that I could get into Northwestern with everything I’ve told you? I’m trying to keep my grades up so my cumulative GPA can go up. Also, have any of you had experiences somewhat like this? And do college interviews really count for a lot?
You should have absolutly no problem getting in. They only thing they will do different is that they will have your parents sign everything, since you are a minor.
Good luck.
You will do fine!!
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Holy cow. Of course you’ll be able to get into Northwestern. And just to keep in mind, when applying to schools, it’s not just about test scores, GPA, and extracurriculars. Schools want to see what you can bring to the table. They want diversity, and if you’ve got something that not many other students have, that’s a foot in the door for you. I’m not talking about tangible things, but things that are interesting or intriguing about you. Keep that in mind when you write your essays.
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went through the college application process, high school senior
If Northwestern was okay with my mostly B average in math, I think they’ll be understanding if you have a weak spot but are still trying to push yourself and doing well overall. Keep working to improve, but don’t stress yourself to the breaking point. (And while the interviews typically aren’t a deciding factor, showing enthusiasm is never going to hurt you.)
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