NIU

Introduction
I chose Northern because it's close to home for me and inexpensive.

Campus Life and Social Life
Despite that Northern has a decent football team, it doesn't have the party life associated with sports schools. For example, we do not have much Greek life or social clubs, so on the weekends a lot of people go home. The upside is that there's no pressure to join a sorority or frat or club...the downside is that social life is lacking. Advertisement
Academics
A degree in Business is looked upon very highly, as Northern is widely known for its business school, but the school offers a variety of majors.

Student Body
The typical student is Middle-Class and from Chicago's suburbs. Most students come to Northern with their high school friends.

In Closing...
Northern is a good starting school, a good stepping stone. Students can get a good sense of being away at school, yet can still go home on weekends if necessary. Most Freshmen enter either undecided or change majors after Freshman Year, a process that is aided by Northern's General-Education classes, which help students decide on the most fulfilling major for them.

Also, a tip: Grant Dorms are not as good as Lincoln or Douglas.