Prospective students visited campus on April 13 and 20 for this year’s Wildcat Days. The events offered a preview of what life might look like as a member of Northwestern’s Class of 2030 as it begins to take shape.
This year’s admits were selected from over 54,000 first-year applications from students at more than 12,500 secondary schools, representing record-setting interest in the University. Northwestern also saw increased geographic diversity via growth in international and rural applicant populations. Additionally, applications from first-generation college students have risen over 24% in the past 5 years.
The University’s transfer cohort has also grown over the past decade, with this year’s cohort numbering around 250 students, including those admitted through a new Early Decision option.
A wide-ranging preview
Wildcat Days welcomed admittees from across the U.S. and around the globe. This year’s events were organized around the theme “Connect + Explore.”
“Connections will define your Northwestern undergraduate experience in all kinds of ways: the relationships you build here, the links you draw between in-class material and the real-world settings around you, the disciplines you interweave thanks to the flexibility of our curriculum and quarter system, the ‘L’ train rides that connect Evanston to Chicago, and the ‘aha’ moments you’ll discover at the intersection of ideas,” wrote Liz Kinsley, dean of undergraduate admission, in a message to admitted students.
The first half of each day began with welcome remarks in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall from University leadership, faculty, alumni and students. Admitted students and their family and friends then spread out across campus for academic previews of Northwestern’s six undergraduate schools. For lunch, many students got their first taste of campus dining halls’ culinary offerings, while their guests enjoyed a performance by Mariachi Northwestern at the family and supporters’ lunch in Norris University Center.
In the afternoon, a “choose your own adventure” schedule offered students the opportunity to explore a variety of open houses, sessions and tours to get to know campus resources, communities and spaces.
The day closed with a student organization fair at Norris and a student tailgate with NU Wildside — Northwestern’s official athletics student section — at Blomquist Recreation Center.
Regular decision applicants will make their final choice by May 1. Those who choose Northwestern can look forward to Wildcat Welcome in mid-September, when the official Class of 2030 will take part in campus traditions such as March Through the Arch before the academic year begins.
