University of Northwestern – St. Paul - Roseville, Minnesota

Bryan Henningsen

This place taught me that people who call themselves Christians hate you almost as much as they hate reading their bibles. If they call themselves a Christian, just turn around and walk the other way. They will lie cheat and steal just to have fun. This place is not a religious institution- it is a predatory system eaiting people with faith. They hate and steal here. Nothing else.

David Ingold

Any college experience will mostly be what you make of it, and who you choose to spend your time with. Northwestern provided excellent resources for academic and spiritual growth (legit professors, excellent dorm community, daily chapel opportunities, and local outreach ministries). But, the professors you take will change your experience a lot. So, choose carefully, ask for advice from older and more mature students, and spend time planning your schedule. Don't expect your advisor to help you pick the best profs who might change your life.

I went through the engineering program, which was amazing. Wouldn't want anything else. The academics are good here. But I also invested my life in the community, hall ministry, leadership opportunities, spiritual growth, and God did great things. It is incredible all he did in spite of all I am not.

Northwestern provides an environment for much potential, but it isn't everything. Rooting yourself in a local church will be of the utmost importance and it was equally important in shaping my time at Northwestern. Finding godly mentors and role-models is also a top priority. Last note, if you have godly roommates who are zealous for the gospel, living on campus will be an equally life-changing experience. It's worth the extra cash.

Le Dame En Noir

I graduated from Northwestern a few years ago. The art department is excellent! I couldn't have asked for more knowledgeable and caring professors. The only thing that discouraged me was that as a student of color, I felt completely out of place. I found myself conforming to the culture there, which consists mainly of white, conservative, upper-middle class folks. I felt a very strong disconnect between the other students and myself, sometimes even between the professors and me. Sometimes I'd ask myself, "What am I doing here? I don't belong here." I was an art major and it was only within the art department that I felt at ease. Everyone there was different, creative, expressive and open-minded. It was a little community of artists and I am forever grateful for that experience.

whatcha howsya

After spending 4 1/2 years at UNW my thoughts and experience would take a book to finish. But I'll try to be short. Pros. I loved most of my professors. I had professors who actually cared for my success and are willing to go out of their ways to help. Many of my professors knew me personally and I wasnt just a number in their schedule. Which I can't say my other friends from other colleges can say. UNW pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me realize what my passions are; through realizing how much I disagreed with the institution, but nevertheless I matured. The friends I've made. True and great friends who all felt the same. lol

Cons: granted not every student is and thinks the same, but there's enough consensus to make me believe the school does way too little to better itself. Too much of the school thinks they're past racism. Whenever we reach a topic on anything related to culture or race we would have less than 2 days to talk about it while other topics used a week easily. Professors uncomfortability trumps the need to discuss out issues. Teachers have openly say diversity is the issue. 100% of school advertisement would showcase vast variety of diversity and multiculturalism, yet students of color makes less than 5% of the entire body. And 95% of the students in the advertisements don't even go to Northwestern. I know this because I know most of those students and they've graduated years ago. Academically it was subpar for the price of admission. Tuition jumped $10,000 within the time I was there. The school preaches love yet it's hard to find any. As a student of color, for years i felt so out of place. We were referred as a horde of animals, we were unvalued, and were expected to fit into that sameness the school holds on to. I've heard and seen many use their gospel to reject our presence. They're friendly on the outside but could care less about who you are.

There's more I can say, but my verdict is this: if you like monoculture, ethnocentrism, expensive decent academics, and want to go back to your tiny town, then Northwestern is great for you.

If you're a student of color who wants a supportive community, a student body that strives for cultural acceptance, understanding, and REAL gospel love equaled with high academic quality, go somewhere else. Save yourself A LOT of money.

Jon Avery Morales

I loved parts of my time on at Northwestern. I was in choir, played on the men's soccer team, and participated in various student clubs. But let's be real, Northwestern is only a friendly place if you are a white evangelical who is cool with patriarchy and spiritualized ethnocentrism. Do not attend if you are a person of color. They are institutionally racist and theologically conservative. I majored in education ( I now teach in South Bronx) and was not trained well to educate a diverse classroom. I even had professors deny racism was a real issue ... In education, are you serious? (Can you say school to prison pipeline ?) The biblical studies department act like the Jesus police, and do not appreciate any perspective outside of selective biblical literalism. There are a few shining stars on staff who think outside the box, but they are literally apart of the underground and cannot speak openly in fear they will be excommunicated and fired. One saving grace is that Ron Ginn got me a placement teaching in North Minneapolis where I found great mentors. Such a sweet and loving man. This is a wonderful place if you are straight, conservative, classist, theologically conservative, white and plan to never interact with anyone outside of white evangelicalism. Be prepared to have loving people shame you with the bible if you think differently or look differently. Bethel is only slightly better, my wife attended there and said they are worse lol

Zach Madel

Save yourself $41,000 per year and don't even consider UNW. They claim they're a Christian university, but the real god they serve is money. That's what it's all about. The president and his board are corrupt as can be, but they're treated as infallible. Also, never bring up problems you're going through or any theological disagreements. You'll just be attacked relentlessly. Most of the profs have a lot of knowledge, but are really awful people and that carries over into the classroom. The students are mostly pushovers that believe whatever UNW tells them to believe. Just an all-around bad place.

Andrew Turner

If you want a good engineering program this is where to go. You get a personalized education with some great professors who will challenge you with the basics before heading to the U of M to finish your degree. You will actually get two degrees in five years and your education will have a strong christian foundation.

Tim

Very nice campus. Excellent teachers. Welcoming community. Tuition is high, but the quality of education is well worth it!