Northern Illinois University

Date: Dec 04 2007
Major: Anthropology (This Major's Salary over time)
I really have a hard time understanding the blatant hatred of NIU that has been posted thus far. I for one enjoy NIU and am thankful that it has given me the opportunities that it has. College is not all about football teams and pretty landscaping. I personally put more stock in the quality of education, support services and opportunities that the school offers. I have been able to meet students from all different backgrounds (international students, students from the suburbs, downstate, across the country and even a few from Dekalb). During my second semester I was able to join an organization that provided me with a tuition waiver and have also been able to find work on-campus as well as off (including a job that paid me $12 an hour) Dekalb is not a thriving metropolis and it doesn't pretend to be. It is a small farming community of about 20,000 residents that has a lot to offer students but it is unrealistic to compare it to downtown Chicago. There are several restaurants and shopping plazas, movie theatres, bars etc. NIU has over 200 organizations to choose from in addition and all you need to do is join a few to have something to do on the weekends besides homework. The support services at NIU are wonderful and most are free (I love free stuff) like Health services, career services, legal assistance, tutoring etc. The only problem I can see with NIU is that if you are not prepared to seek these services and opportunities out, no one will force you. NIU is what you make of it. If you come in hating corn and have preconceptions about 2nd tier state schools than you will miss what makes NIU great, and I feel sorry for those of you that have.