Shepard Residential College
What are the perks of a residential college versus a traditional dorm?
Residential colleges tend to have more tightly knit communities than a traditional college dorm, as residents indicated their interest in living there. Res colleges are living and learning communities, so their main focus is to facilitate a broader intellectual exploration outside of the classroom! One of the traits that makes res colleges unique is the bond between students, faculty and fellows that is cultivated through the College events. In addition, by being part of a res college, you are also part of the greater RCB community and are able to attend cross-RC events (such as RCB formal, RCB Field Day and excursions to Chicago).
Most res colleges offer credit-bearing seminars taught by a fellow of the College. In Spring 2020, Dr. Elisabeth Kinsley, Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Admission, taught a seminar called "From Hamilton to Hamilton" that focuses on "how we make meaning of popular adaptation and appropriation, and in particular how these cultural practices engage and/or shape conventions of race, gender, and genre" (quoted from the course description). How cool is that?!
Residential colleges tend to have more tightly knit communities than a traditional college dorm, as residents indicated their interest in living there. Res colleges are living and learning communities, so their main focus is to facilitate a broader intellectual exploration outside of the classroom! One of the traits that makes res colleges unique is the bond between students, faculty and fellows that is cultivated through the College events. In addition, by being part of a res college, you are also part of the greater RCB community and are able to attend cross-RC events (such as RCB formal, RCB Field Day and excursions to Chicago).
Most res colleges offer credit-bearing seminars taught by a fellow of the College. In Spring 2020, Dr. Elisabeth Kinsley, Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Admission, taught a seminar called "From Hamilton to Hamilton" that focuses on "how we make meaning of popular adaptation and appropriation, and in particular how these cultural practices engage and/or shape conventions of race, gender, and genre" (quoted from the course description). How cool is that?!
What sets Shepard apart from other residential colleges?
Shepard is proud to be Northwestern's premier multi-thematic residential college! Our residents and fellows hail from eight out of the 11 schools at Northwestern (the most diverse of any res college). If you are looking for somebody with a particular interest, you will most likely find someone at Shepard!
Shepard is proud to be Northwestern's premier multi-thematic residential college! Our residents and fellows hail from eight out of the 11 schools at Northwestern (the most diverse of any res college). If you are looking for somebody with a particular interest, you will most likely find someone at Shepard!
How do I know if Shepard is the residential college for me?
Do you like friends? Do you like food? Do you like fun? If so, Shepard is for you! Sheep pride themselves on the tightly knit community they form, and we'd love to initiate even more engaged and active members of our community!
Do you like friends? Do you like food? Do you like fun? If so, Shepard is for you! Sheep pride themselves on the tightly knit community they form, and we'd love to initiate even more engaged and active members of our community!
Rooms and Facilities
How are the rooms and roommates assigned or chosen?
Returning students who declare their intent to live in Shepard Residential College select rooms for the upcoming academic year near the beginning of the spring quarter. Priorities are given to returning residents with the most number of housing points earned during the fall and winter quarters. Members of the Residential College can earn points simply by being part of the community and attending events. All returning residents are required to have earned a minimum of 20 housing points by the time winter quarter ends. Returning residents who either want to live with a roommate or do not have enough points to secure a single room make individual roommate arrangements before the returning resident room selection begins.
Incoming students who wish to live in a residential college apply to individual residential colleges of their choice. Those who are admitted to Shepard Residential College make roommate arrangements and choose their rooms through the Northwestern University Residential Services portal during the summer prior to their arrival on campus.
Returning students who declare their intent to live in Shepard Residential College select rooms for the upcoming academic year near the beginning of the spring quarter. Priorities are given to returning residents with the most number of housing points earned during the fall and winter quarters. Members of the Residential College can earn points simply by being part of the community and attending events. All returning residents are required to have earned a minimum of 20 housing points by the time winter quarter ends. Returning residents who either want to live with a roommate or do not have enough points to secure a single room make individual roommate arrangements before the returning resident room selection begins.
Incoming students who wish to live in a residential college apply to individual residential colleges of their choice. Those who are admitted to Shepard Residential College make roommate arrangements and choose their rooms through the Northwestern University Residential Services portal during the summer prior to their arrival on campus.
How are the bathrooms and other public amenities?
See this page for pictures of bathroom and other common facilities. South Mid-Quads was renovated in 2015, so our bathrooms are some of the nicest ones on campus (check out those backlit mirrors)!
We also have a printer/scanner and a laundry room that is free of charge to use for all members of the College. There is an individual heating/cooling unit for each room.
We also have an electric piano in one of the lounges on the first-floor, and there are often people practicing piano (Sheep are so talented)!
See this page for pictures of bathroom and other common facilities. South Mid-Quads was renovated in 2015, so our bathrooms are some of the nicest ones on campus (check out those backlit mirrors)!
We also have a printer/scanner and a laundry room that is free of charge to use for all members of the College. There is an individual heating/cooling unit for each room.
We also have an electric piano in one of the lounges on the first-floor, and there are often people practicing piano (Sheep are so talented)!
Campus Life
What's the deal with the mail?
Your mailing address for Shepard Residential College is:
YOUR NAME
655 University Place
South Mid-Quads Room ###
Evanston, IL 60201-3816
All incoming mail for Shepard Residential College is processed into the mailboxes in Willard Hall. Each box corresponds to a room, so residents living in a double room will share a mailbox. The combination to your mailbox can be found on the Housing Portal.
Packages that are too large to fit in the mailbox will be held in the Foster-Walker mailroom. You will receive an email alert when your package is ready to be picked up, after which you can present your Wildcard at the mailroom to pick up your package.
Your mailing address for Shepard Residential College is:
YOUR NAME
655 University Place
South Mid-Quads Room ###
Evanston, IL 60201-3816
All incoming mail for Shepard Residential College is processed into the mailboxes in Willard Hall. Each box corresponds to a room, so residents living in a double room will share a mailbox. The combination to your mailbox can be found on the Housing Portal.
Packages that are too large to fit in the mailbox will be held in the Foster-Walker mailroom. You will receive an email alert when your package is ready to be picked up, after which you can present your Wildcard at the mailroom to pick up your package.
Where do I eat?
There are three dining halls near Shepard Residential College: Allison, Foster-Walker East, and Foster-Walker West ("Foster-Walker" is also commonly referred to as "Plex"). We're also close to Northwestern's late-night cafe, Fran's, located in Willard Hall.
Shepard Residential College is also one of the residential colleges closest to downtown Evanston, where you can dine in a wide variety of restaurants. Some of our favorites include: Koco's Table, Blaze Pizza, Lou Malnati's, and Flat Top Grill. For sweet treats, we're also very near Kung Fu Tea and Kilwin's. Downtown Evanston is right at our backyard!
There are three dining halls near Shepard Residential College: Allison, Foster-Walker East, and Foster-Walker West ("Foster-Walker" is also commonly referred to as "Plex"). We're also close to Northwestern's late-night cafe, Fran's, located in Willard Hall.
Shepard Residential College is also one of the residential colleges closest to downtown Evanston, where you can dine in a wide variety of restaurants. Some of our favorites include: Koco's Table, Blaze Pizza, Lou Malnati's, and Flat Top Grill. For sweet treats, we're also very near Kung Fu Tea and Kilwin's. Downtown Evanston is right at our backyard!
Where do I buy things?
For everyday necessities, most students go to Target (about 5 minutes away by walk from South Mid-Quad). Also, there are convenience stores ("C-stores") in several dining halls, including Foster-Walker Complex, as well as inside Norris University Center. If you're looking for a food item that's not available in a C-store, South Mid Quad is within about 10-minute walking distance to Whole Foods and a short bus ride (via Intercampus shuttle) away from Trader Joe's. On select Sundays, the university also offers "Shop-N-Ride" shuttles that bring students to a shopping plaza with a Target and Office Depot.
To buy textbooks, you have several options:
For everyday necessities, most students go to Target (about 5 minutes away by walk from South Mid-Quad). Also, there are convenience stores ("C-stores") in several dining halls, including Foster-Walker Complex, as well as inside Norris University Center. If you're looking for a food item that's not available in a C-store, South Mid Quad is within about 10-minute walking distance to Whole Foods and a short bus ride (via Intercampus shuttle) away from Trader Joe's. On select Sundays, the university also offers "Shop-N-Ride" shuttles that bring students to a shopping plaza with a Target and Office Depot.
To buy textbooks, you have several options:
- The campus bookstore at Norris University Center has all the books you need conveniently organized by course, but is often the most expensive way to get your books.
- Beck's Bookstore, located within 3 minutes from South Mid Quad by walk, is just as conveniently organized and is usually a little cheaper.
- The cheapest online retailers to rent (or buy) books, including Amazon, Valore Books, BookRenter, AbeBooks, and Chegg, can be compared for the best price in one place at www.textbookrentals.com.
- Finally, you can find a textbook sale post from an upperclassman who previously took the same course on Textbook Exchange Facebook group. (must be a member of Northwestern Facebook group, which can be joined after validating your @u.northwestern.edu email address).
Where are my classes?
The location of your classes depends a lot on the departments where the courses are offered from. For science and engineering students, most of the classes are up in north side of the campus, which is about 10 - 15 minutes from our South Mid-Quad (SMQ) building if you briskly walk. Arts and Humanities classes are typically located around the south side of the campus and are usually 5 - 10 minutes away.
As a general rule of thumb, expect most technical classes to be up north, and expect most liberal/performing arts classes to be down south.
The location of your classes depends a lot on the departments where the courses are offered from. For science and engineering students, most of the classes are up in north side of the campus, which is about 10 - 15 minutes from our South Mid-Quad (SMQ) building if you briskly walk. Arts and Humanities classes are typically located around the south side of the campus and are usually 5 - 10 minutes away.
As a general rule of thumb, expect most technical classes to be up north, and expect most liberal/performing arts classes to be down south.
Things to Bring
Should I bring a TV or printer?
This is completely up to you. South Mid-Quad building has three flat screen TVs and cables free for you to watch sports, shows, movies, and play video games on. Most people just use their laptops if they really want to see something and the three TVs are all occupied. If you are a gamer or are vehemently opposed to watching things on your laptop, you might think about bringing your own TV. But otherwise, we wouldn't bother.
In addition, we have a communal printer/scanner that is free-of-charge to use located on the first-floor. You do have to provide your own paper, although there is sometimes a communal stash sitting near the printer.
This is completely up to you. South Mid-Quad building has three flat screen TVs and cables free for you to watch sports, shows, movies, and play video games on. Most people just use their laptops if they really want to see something and the three TVs are all occupied. If you are a gamer or are vehemently opposed to watching things on your laptop, you might think about bringing your own TV. But otherwise, we wouldn't bother.
In addition, we have a communal printer/scanner that is free-of-charge to use located on the first-floor. You do have to provide your own paper, although there is sometimes a communal stash sitting near the printer.
Will my stuff fit in my room?
Probably not all things in your room at home will fit in your dorm room, but with proper organization, there will be more than enough space for everything you need, as well as for all the random stuff that accumulates throughout the year.
Some residents choose to loft their beds high enough so that some of their large belongings (like a mid-sized fridge) can be stored underneath. Note that the bed frames in SMQ do not allow you to loft your bed up to the height of a bunk-bed; rather, there is a roughly one-foot range of height that you can adjust your bed at.
Probably not all things in your room at home will fit in your dorm room, but with proper organization, there will be more than enough space for everything you need, as well as for all the random stuff that accumulates throughout the year.
Some residents choose to loft their beds high enough so that some of their large belongings (like a mid-sized fridge) can be stored underneath. Note that the bed frames in SMQ do not allow you to loft your bed up to the height of a bunk-bed; rather, there is a roughly one-foot range of height that you can adjust your bed at.
Getting around campus and nearby
How do I get around campus and Evanston?
To get around campus, most students walk, ride a scooter or ride a bike. Northwestern University's campus is not that large and is very flat; it takes about 15-20 minutes to walk from one end to the other, and about 20-25 minutes to walk diagonally across the campus. However, gaps between classes can be as small as 10 minutes, so when you choose your classes, unless you have a scooter or a bike, avoid consecutive lectures that are on opposite ends of the campus.
Shuttles are available on and around campus, with some shuttles in service only during the day and some in service only during the night. Also, note that starting from 2015-2016 academic year, everyone with a Northwestern University ID card ("Wildcard") can ride the CTA Route 201 (a bus route as part of Chicago area's public transit system) for free. We highly recommend downloading the app (link to NU website) to track the shuttles more precisely.
Getting around Evanston is usually done on foot or with a bike. If you need to go farther, Chicago region has a public rail system called "the L" (some of whose stations are located right next to campus) as well as a suburban bus system called Pace.
To get around campus, most students walk, ride a scooter or ride a bike. Northwestern University's campus is not that large and is very flat; it takes about 15-20 minutes to walk from one end to the other, and about 20-25 minutes to walk diagonally across the campus. However, gaps between classes can be as small as 10 minutes, so when you choose your classes, unless you have a scooter or a bike, avoid consecutive lectures that are on opposite ends of the campus.
Shuttles are available on and around campus, with some shuttles in service only during the day and some in service only during the night. Also, note that starting from 2015-2016 academic year, everyone with a Northwestern University ID card ("Wildcard") can ride the CTA Route 201 (a bus route as part of Chicago area's public transit system) for free. We highly recommend downloading the app (link to NU website) to track the shuttles more precisely.
Getting around Evanston is usually done on foot or with a bike. If you need to go farther, Chicago region has a public rail system called "the L" (some of whose stations are located right next to campus) as well as a suburban bus system called Pace.
What are the best ways to get to and from Chicago?
Northwestern University's Intercampus shuttle, which is free for everyone with a Northwestern University ID card ("Wildcard"), travels back and forth between the Evanston campus and Chicago campus, where the medical and law schools are located.
When the Intercampus shuttle is not in service, there are couple public transit routes you can use to get to and from Chicago. One is the 'L' system, which is a train system that consists of 8 lines spread across the Greater Chicago Area. The Purple Line train, which runs between Linden station and Howard station (Chicago's Loop during weekday rush periods), has 4 stops near campus (including the university facilities like the football stadium). Each ride costs a flat rate of $2.50. You can check out the maps for Chicago's regional public transit system here.
Another way to get to and from Chicago is called the Metra, which is a faster yet more expensive train system. The fare depends on how far you travel but is at least $3.50 one-way. You can learn more about the Metra system here.
Additionally, cab and Uber services are always options.
Northwestern University's Intercampus shuttle, which is free for everyone with a Northwestern University ID card ("Wildcard"), travels back and forth between the Evanston campus and Chicago campus, where the medical and law schools are located.
When the Intercampus shuttle is not in service, there are couple public transit routes you can use to get to and from Chicago. One is the 'L' system, which is a train system that consists of 8 lines spread across the Greater Chicago Area. The Purple Line train, which runs between Linden station and Howard station (Chicago's Loop during weekday rush periods), has 4 stops near campus (including the university facilities like the football stadium). Each ride costs a flat rate of $2.50. You can check out the maps for Chicago's regional public transit system here.
Another way to get to and from Chicago is called the Metra, which is a faster yet more expensive train system. The fare depends on how far you travel but is at least $3.50 one-way. You can learn more about the Metra system here.
Additionally, cab and Uber services are always options.
How do I get to and from the airport?
There are two airports in Chicago area: O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW).
For O'Hare, there is a public transit service (Pace Route #250) that costs only $2.00 one-way. It takes approximately 70 minutes to run between Davis CTA station in downtown Evanston and O'Hare.
For Midway, public transit is also available. Using the "L" train, the airport can be reached in 90-120 minutes for $2.50.
Many students also call a cab or ride-sharing services to get to and from those airports: from South Mid-Quad, it takes about 40-50 minutes by car to get to O'Hare and 60-70 minutes by car to get to Midway (assuming no significant delay from traffic). Several suburban cab companies will offer flat rates, usually around $30-40 to O'Hare and $50-60 to Midway. You must call the companies beforehand to make reservations.
There are two airports in Chicago area: O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW).
For O'Hare, there is a public transit service (Pace Route #250) that costs only $2.00 one-way. It takes approximately 70 minutes to run between Davis CTA station in downtown Evanston and O'Hare.
For Midway, public transit is also available. Using the "L" train, the airport can be reached in 90-120 minutes for $2.50.
Many students also call a cab or ride-sharing services to get to and from those airports: from South Mid-Quad, it takes about 40-50 minutes by car to get to O'Hare and 60-70 minutes by car to get to Midway (assuming no significant delay from traffic). Several suburban cab companies will offer flat rates, usually around $30-40 to O'Hare and $50-60 to Midway. You must call the companies beforehand to make reservations.
Have any more questions?
