My prospie obsession began sometime fall quarter when I, a new and doe-eyed college freshman, strutted in superiority over mere high schoolers, who were all equally doe-eyed at the entire college application process. As a freshman and thus at the lowest possible bottom of the collegiate food chain, I had finally found a group of individuals who seemed to be light-years away in terms of maturity and worldliness.
Okay, so by week four of living the supposed rowdy and enlightening college lifestyle, I had probably not become an individual worthy of being deemed admirable by prospie standards. I was still in my busy, bustling and somewhat hazy cocoon that would surely be shed come prospie love fest, Wildcat Days.
And shed it did. Six months, countless hours in periodicals and hundreds of trips down Sheridan Road later, I truly felt disconnected from those babies milling around with lanyards and bright purple folders. However, the disconnect wasn’t wide enough that I didn’t want to show off every wonderful part of the school I love so much. I embarked on that first Wildcat Day with a mission – be forward, be outgoing, be borderline creepy, but, above all, be informative and enthusiastic.
I formally began this journey by staking out Norbucks and scouting for my first victim. I saw kids far too gangly for their own good. I witnessed girls showing their moms a tad too much sass in line for their nonfat lattes. But I found my winner in a more-attractive-than-expected-for-Northwestern boy, henceforth to be known as Hot Prospie Boy, lurking around alone. You know, someone who makes that lanyard look good.
After spotting him set up camp not far from where I was sprawled out on the couches, I decided there’s no possible way he could feel more uncomfortable than I did in the situation that was about to ensue. I was at my home and surrounded by the morning Norbucks regulars. He was in a strange building at a strange school in a strange town and totally and completely alone.
I crept over and, albeit a bit awkwardly, I initiated conversation, stating that he appeared to be a prospie and I was happy to answer any questions he may have about Northwestern. Hot Prospie Boy was contemplative, fidgety and even a bit nervous, but what else could I expect? He represented something in Northwestern that I have seen in each and every student with whom I have had the privilege of interacting here.
He didn’t seem reluctant to talk to the strange and forward girl sitting across the room, but instead was genuinely interested in what I had to say. He not only was clearly intellectual but carried authentic interest in other people and in different ideas and concepts, traits that I find so compelling in the majority of students at NU. A hot, intelligent and probably somewhat naïve male at Northwestern? Dibs on him next year.
My next victim came at the activities fair where I spent an hour in prospie heaven, watching as these seniors began to sprout their wings that would be full grown come September. After harassing tons of anxious kids and overwhelmed parents, I found a winner in a mother-daughter duo from the neighboring town, Skokie. After answering the daughter’s quintessential dorm questions, she quickly got abducted by the mob that is Project Wildcat, leaving me with her mother who obviously had some queries of her own.
But she didn’t ask me the general, worrisome questions I had received from most parents – weather, food and, of course, if those abundant blue lights really work. She, instead, startled me by wondering whether everyone at Northwestern is as interesting as all the students she had spoke to earlier.
This question made me realize that it is not the very act of the activities fair that is beneficial to students and parents, but instead the exposure to the incredible student body that Northwestern boasts. Any school can put on the show of their own activities fair, but what really distinguishes one institution from another is the students themselves.
Northwestern can put on as many tours, as many info sessions and as many meet-ups as they’d like, but the simple contact with current students is what allows prospies to see the real Northwestern. In talking to Hot Prospie Boy and Enlightening Mom, I also came to understand what I value most at Northwestern, what it represents to me and why I want to share every inch of it.
Hot Prospie Boy had the obvious intellect of a Northwestern student while also carrying the basic social graces that are so necessary of successful people. Enlightening Mom made me realize that, in many cases, our wonderful students are what keep drawing equally wonderful prospies in each new class.
These seniors might be a little doe-eyed, but they also seem like an incredibly promising addition to the already stunning Wildcat community. Oh, and Hot Prospie Boy, if you’re out there, hope to see you next year.