Academics
Northland College near Lake Superior in Wisconsin is, a "green school with a passion for the environment and fun" and a magnet for environmentally-minded students. Northland's enrollment of about 550 students, and its small class sizes lead to close-knit relationships with professors, many of whom "want us to learn and grow, not just pass their class" and "are always ready to help, knowledgeable, kind, and honestly care that [students are] learning." Students do wish there was less faculty turnover and that some departments (meteorology in particular) could be stronger, but for the most part, Northland "[doesn't] have teaching assistants, we have educators who care about their students, and are passionate about their fields of study." The ability for students to gain real-world experience from professors is key, and many praise the school's "many opportunities for leadership roles, research positions with professors, and internships." In keeping with its environmental focus, "Northland has a great hands-on science department that not only gets students in the field to learn, but also connects them to local agencies and private employers that offer opportunity to expand [their] resume and work skills in [their] chosen fields."
Student Body
Northland's "inclusive" campus is "full of curious, forward-thinking, unique individuals." Many Northlanders divide the student body into three general groups: "hippies," athletes, and those interested in "hunting and fishing." But it's a "supportive community, connecting people through a common love for nature." Students say that the small school environment means that most people know each other and while personalities differ, there's a sense that "everyone shares certain values" and "if you are willing to embrace Northland, it hugs you right back." Students report an overall feeling of acceptance in the community: "The alliance on campus is strong and there is nothing you could do or wear to be call weird or strange here."
Campus Life
Along with the highly-touted emphasis on environmentalism, students say that athletics at Northland, a D-3 school, are extremely popular. One student sums it up: "They say sustainability but what they really mean is athletics." What you won't find at Northland: "scary frat parties, fancy dresses and heels, or closed parties (whatever that means)." You will find on-campus events with "bands that come and play" while students "eat and dance together." The school's location in Wisconsin's Northwoods region with close proximity to Lake Superior means plenty of places "to swim, canoe, kayak, sail, hike, hunt, camp, bike, rock climb, fish, ski, [and] snowboard. "If you love the outdoors, Northland is the place to be."
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