North Central College User Reviews and Ratings
Not for me
By Normal guy, From Illinois
Transferred out after a year and a half. Felt like high school. If you're not in a clique (jocks, nerds, drama, etc.) then you don't fit in.
What best describes you? Other
Activities & Social Life
Score:1
City & Setting
Score:2
Classes & Teachers
Score:3
Dining & Food
Score:2
Dorms & Housing
Score:1
Health & Safety
Score:1
Best College Ever
By liz class of 2007, From IL
Love this school! Best fit for me ! Classes are small and prof are always willing to help. I loved it because the prof actually helped not a aid of some sort. It is a small campus but, If your looking for well rounded school this is it. Students can spend weekends wondering the downtown naperville area were u get a bunch of nice stores and plenti of high end and middle range resturants to enjoy. If you are looking for a party school and you dont want to focus on academics this school isnt for you ! Its a religous school and teachers know you by name
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score:5
City & Setting
Score:5
Classes & Teachers
Score:5
Dining & Food
Score:4
Dorms & Housing
Score:4
Health & Safety
Score:5
Not the best option...
By Anonymous, From Illinois
I came into NCC with high hopes as they advertise themselves to be an amazing institution. Once I moved in and got settled, I was highly disappointed. The dorms (not only the freshmen dorms) are poor and most of the buildings on this campus are old/outdated and super disgusting. The only three buildings on this campus are the Wentz Concert Hall, Wentz Science Center, and New Hall (dorm). The social life is basically nonexistent, if you are a very social person and like to go out, this school is not the right match. The campus is also very dry, unless you want to "party" in tiny (very, very tiny) houses that some of the athletes live in. The parties are VERY awkward and not fun. Unless you are on a sports team (which I am in), it will be pretty difficult to make friends quickly. If you are looking for a well educated and be at a highly social/fun college at the same time, this school is not for you. The dining hall options are horrendous and the hours of operation is very inconvenient.The Kaufman Dining Hall serves bland, tasteless food. Freshens mess up orders a lot or give you smoothies that have been made hours ago. Au Bon Pain (the only decent dining option) usually has a very long line/wait time; sometimes they forget to make your order if they are busy and mess up orders a lot. The Cage is the go-to for late night snacking but are very fatty. Greasy pizza, chicken tenders, fries, etc. If not getting a pizza, the waiting can be very long for the food item, especially if it's a bit crowded. Oh also, the building that the Cage is in has a history with mice... yikes. The academics at this school are decent. Some professors are very nice and helpful but some are not. If you do decide do go here, I highly recommend you use "RateMyProfessor" to pick your professors. Personally, I did not like this school. It's not the right fit for me but don't take this review as a decision-maker for your decision. Make a visit, talk to students who already go there. You never know!
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score:1
City & Setting
Score:5
Classes & Teachers
Score:3
Dining & Food
Score:1
Dorms & Housing
Score:1
Health & Safety
Score:3
Reason for poor retention rate
By Bashful Newbie, From Naperville, IL
The school does not make Freshman who live on campus feel welcome. It seems like a commuter campus and there in nothing to do on the weekends or at night for those who live on campus. They do not reach out to students who may be shy without friends. No one ever asks how you are doing academically or socially. NCC would have a higher retention/graduation rate if they truly cared about every on campus Freshman and made them want to stay another 3 years. Other Universities have a coach who is assigned to each student who is a mentor and cares about the social aspect, health, well being and happiness of students. They offer each student things to do based on getting to know them and what they might like. NCC does very well at recruiting and talking about all of these fun activities and clubs, parties and social gatherings. The reality is after you paid your tuition, you are left alone to sit in your dorm room all by yourself and eat alone. The clubs they do have barely have any members because they do nothing to proactively get new students to join. You have an academic adviser you meet with once a quarter for 30 minutes, but it ends there if you are not into Music or Sports.
What best describes you? Other
Activities & Social Life
Score:1
City & Setting
Score:5
Classes & Teachers
Score:4
Dining & Food
Score:1
Dorms & Housing
Score:2
Health & Safety
Score:5