Academics
“Location, Location, Location!” bears an important imprint on an undergraduate education at North Central College. Students cite many “opportunities due to location” boasting, “you cannot beat being so close to Chicago.” But the Windy City isn’t the only reason students choose NCC. The school offers “a wonderful study abroad program,” as well as “a great science department.” Students also enjoy that “professors are multi-faceted individuals, and have a lot to offer.” Most “are very dedicated and accessible. They encourage individual research and independent study.” Professorial support of students who want to take the initiative in their studies leads undergraduates to “feel that though North Central is not necessarily one of the most ‘highly selective’ schools, it gives you the opportunity to push yourself to whatever academic level you desire.” Students appreciate that “The administration makes an effort to get to know as many students as possible.” Some complain, however, that the administration might be too “focused on the future of the school, and not on the present. They worry about attracting students” more than they do about retaining them.
Student Body
“The typical student comes from upper middle class suburbia, is an average student, an athlete, a Christian, and heavily involved” in some type of extracurricular group. He or she is Caucasian and “comes from the surrounding suburbs and wants to be close to mom and dad, but still able to practice the freedom that college gives.” Other students are “from smaller farming communities in Illinois.” A typical NCC student “goes home about one weekend a month.” Because “it is very uncommon to see an atypical student,” many NCC undergraduates wish that there were “more ethnic and religious diversity on our campus.”
Campus Life
Location plays a large part in the social life of NCC undergraduates as well. The “school is located right in downtown Naperville, where there are a lot of great restaurants, coffee shops, and little stores.” In addition, “there are several bars within walking distance, and those who are 21 and older frequent them.” Film aficionados appreciate that “there is a really cheap movie theater near school ($3), so we go there frequently.” Since “fraternities and sororities are non-existent at our college,” there are “seldom” parties on campus. When there are, they “tend to take place in houses owned by members of the sports teams or in the dorm rooms.” Speaking of sports teams, “a large percentage of students are athletes,” and during the week the “day revolves around practice and class.” Unfortunately, “it seems like everyone goes home for the weekends.” In an effort to curb the Friday night exodus, “the CUAB (College Union Activities Board) puts together lots of weekend and late night activities around campus” but “very few actually have a turn out.” It only takes about 45 minutes to “travel to downtown Chicago via the Metra.” The trip is made easier because the Naperville train station is very near the NCC campus.
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