Northwestern University Student Organizations: A Comprehensive Guide

Northwestern University boasts a vibrant and diverse campus community, largely fostered by its extensive network of student organizations. With over 450 active clubs and associations, students have ample opportunities to explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and connect with like-minded individuals. Organization fairs, held at the start of each academic quarter, serve as a crucial introduction to the vast array of options available. These fairs, typically hosted in the Norris University Center, feature booths with posters, snacks, and information, allowing prospective members to engage directly with current club representatives.

Exploring Academic and Professional Organizations

For students seeking to enhance their academic and professional skills, Northwestern offers a plethora of organizations catering to various fields of study and career paths.

180 Degrees Consulting: This group provides consulting services to non-profit organizations, offering students hands-on experience in the consulting field.
Advanced Degree Consulting Alliance: Caters to graduate students interested in consulting.
Algorithmic Trading Club: Explores the world of quantitative finance and algorithmic trading strategies.
American Society of Civil Engineers: Provides opportunities for civil engineering students to engage in professional development activities.
APIDA Pre-Law Association: Supports Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American students interested in pursuing legal careers.
Ascend: Focuses on the professional development of Pan-Asian business students.
Asian American Student Journalists: Provides a platform for Asian American students to explore journalism and media.
Biomedical Engineering Society: Connects students interested in biomedical engineering through networking and educational events.
Business in Healthcare Club: Explores the intersection of business and healthcare.
Consultants Advising Student Enterprises: Offers consulting services to student-run businesses.
Data Science and Analytics Club: Provides opportunities for students to learn about and apply data science techniques.
Design for America: Uses design thinking to address social challenges.
Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW): This group mobilizes engineers through education, training, and practical action, building collaborative partnerships to meet the needs of current and future generations.
Financial Technologies Club: Explores the rapidly evolving world of fintech.
Form & Function Marketing: Provides students with hands-on experience in marketing and advertising.
Global Research and Consulting: Offers students opportunities to engage in international research and consulting projects.
Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students (MAPS): The purpose of MAPS is to serve the minority pre-health students of Northwestern University, by providing valuable information that pre-health students need, prior to attending medical or graduate school, through meetings, workshops, events, etc. This organization works diligently to try to stimulate the interests, of pre-health students at Northwestern University by encouraging and promoting all minorities in medicine and other health professions.
Northwestern Pre-dental society (NUPDS): Strives to unite NU pre-dental students and serves as a resource as students explore careers in oral healthcare or prepare enter to dental school.

Exploring Identity and Cultural Affinity Organizations

Northwestern recognizes and celebrates the diversity of its student body through a wide array of identity and cultural affinity organizations. These groups provide safe spaces for students to connect with their heritage, share experiences, and promote cultural awareness.

Advancement for the Undocumented Community: Supports and advocates for undocumented students.
African Graduate Student Association: Creates a community for African graduate students.
African Students Association: Celebrates African cultures and promotes awareness of issues affecting the African continent.
Alianza-The Latinx Student Alliance: Provides a supportive community for Latinx students.
Alliance of Evanston Minority Students: Connects minority students from different Evanston high schools.
Armenian Student Association: Promotes Armenian culture and heritage.
Asian Pacific American Coalition: Advocates for the interests of Asian Pacific American students.
Association of Kenyan Students: Connects Kenyan students and promotes Kenyan culture.
Balkan Student Association: Celebrates Balkan cultures and fosters community among Balkan students.
Bangladeshi Students and Scholars Association: Connects Bangladeshi students and scholars.
Bienestar: Latinx Service Club: Engages in community service projects benefiting the Latinx community.
Black Graduate Student Association: Supports Black graduate students.
Black Mentorship Program: Connects Black students with mentors.
Brazilian Student Association: Promotes Brazilian culture and connects Brazilian students.
Cantonese Club: Celebrates Cantonese language and culture.
CaribNation: Celebrates Caribbean cultures.
Central Asian Students Hub: Connects students from Central Asian countries.
Chinese Students Association: Promotes Chinese culture and provides a community for Chinese students.
Comunidad Latinx: Provides a supportive community for Latinx students.
Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Association: Celebrates Ethiopian and Eritrean cultures.
Graduate Student Association for Latino and Spanish Activities: Creates a community for Latino and Spanish-speaking graduate students.
Greek American Legacy Association: Celebrates Greek American heritage.
Hawai'i Club: Promotes Hawaiian culture.

Exploring Performance and Creative Arts Organizations

Northwestern's vibrant arts scene is reflected in its numerous performance and creative arts organizations, providing students with outlets for artistic expression and collaboration.

Academy of Music and Arts for Special Education: Integrates music and arts education for students with special needs.
Afrothunda Dance Troupe: Performs traditional and contemporary African dance.
Ahana Dance Project: Explores various dance styles.
Arco: A cappella group.
Arts Alliance: Aims to unify the arts community at Northwestern.
Asterik A cappella: A cappella group.
B. Burlesque: Burlesque performance group.
Black Poetry Society: Provides a platform for Black poets.
Black Screens: Showcases films created by Black students.
Blush: A cappella group.
Boomshaka: A cappella group.
Cosmia Opera Collective: Produces opera performances.
Crescendo for a Cause: Raises money for charity through musical performances.
Dale Duro Latin Dance Company: Performs Latin dance styles.
Deeva: Dance group.
Diaspora Writers Society: Provides a space for writers from diverse backgrounds.
EighthDay Theatre Club: Student theater group.
ELEL Dance Team: Dance team.
Extreme Measures: Improv comedy group.
Fusion Dance Company: Dance company.
Graffiti Dancers: Dance group.
Griffin's Tale Children's Theatre Repertory Company: Performs theater for children.
Helicon: Literary magazine.

Exploring Service and Activism Organizations

Northwestern students are passionate about making a difference in their community and the world. Numerous service and activism organizations provide opportunities for students to engage in meaningful volunteer work and advocacy.

ACEing Autism: Provides tennis instruction to children with autism.
Active Minds: NU Active Minds acts as a liaison between the Northwestern community and university mental health services. We work to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness through education, advocacy and awareness events.
Alternative Student Break: Alternative Student Break is dedicated to the creation and implementation of community service trips to various underserved communities in the United States.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at Northwestern University: Raises awareness about suicide prevention.
Applause for a Cause: Raises money for charity through performances.
Campus EDucators at Northwestern: Engages in educational outreach.
Cats Who Compost: Promotes composting on campus.
Center for Civic Engagement: Connects students with community service opportunities.
Challah for Hunger: Bakes and sells challah bread to raise money for charity.
China Care: C.O.P.E. Our mission is to sponsor education, surgeries, and medical treatments for orphans in China.
Chinatown Health Initiative: We are a student group that supports a free clinic in Cermak Chinatown.
Community Connect Schools: Connects Northwestern students with local schools.
Community Health Corps: The Northwestern University Community Health Corps is a group dedicated to improving health outcomes in the Evanston and Skokie area by increasing access to health information and resources.
Consult Your Community: Provides consulting services to local non-profits.
CPS Financial Literacy Outreach: Teaches financial literacy to Chicago Public School students.
Crochet for a Cause: Crochets items to donate to charity.
Develop + Innovate for Social Change: Focuses on social innovation.
Each One Teach One: Tutoring program.
Effective Altruism Club: Explores effective altruism principles.
Engineers Without Borders: Implements engineering projects in developing countries.
Friends of MSF: Supports Doctors Without Borders.
GH Foundation on Campus: Supports the Global Health Foundation.
Glioblastoma Initiative Outreach: Raises awareness about glioblastoma.
Global Engagement Summit (GES): The Global Engagement Summit (GES) is a five-day international training conference for students committed to global change. Created in 2005, the summit was first organized by Northwestern's Center for Global Engagement.
Global Medical Missions Alliance (GMMA): Global Medical Missions Alliance (GMMA) members are Christian Healthcare Professionals striving to TEACH and CARE for the well-being of the WHOLE PERSON in Mind, Body, and Spirit.
GlobeMed: GlobeMed, which originated at Northwestern University in 2006, is a network of university students, which partner with grassroots organizations around the world to improve the health of the impoverished.
Grounding for Public Service: Supports students interested in public service careers.
Health Equity at Northwestern: Promotes health equity.
MiniChefz: MiniChefz is a non-profit organization comprised of college students. We have worked together to develop a curriculum based around nutrition, healthy eating, and a healthy lifestyle. Our volunteers dedicate themselves to improving their cooking skills and learning the curriculum in order to travel into neighboring communities and work with the youth population in order to help encourage healthier life choices. Nutrition is a key component to a healthy life.
Our purpose: is to promote sustainable development and health advancement in India and provide medical care, health education, and easy access to health resources.
Rotaract clubs: bring together people ages 18 and older to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service.
Sexual Health and Assault Peer Educators (SHAPE): Sexual Health and Assault Peer Educators (SHAPE) is a student organization affiliated with CARE that provides education, organizes events, and generates campus dialogue about sexual health and sexual assault.
The mission of WildCHAT: is to provide all Northwestern students, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation or gender representation, with a free, confidential peer listening service.
UNICEF NU: seeks to engage Northwestern University students in global health issues and encourage them to advocate for children’s rights.

Exploring Sports and Recreation Organizations

For students seeking to stay active and enjoy recreational activities, Northwestern offers a variety of club sports and recreational organizations.

Aikido: Martial arts club.
Archery Club: Archery club.
Aviation Club: Aviation club.
Badminton Club: Badminton club.
Baja SAE: Engineering club that designs and builds off-road vehicles.
Belegarth Medieval Combat Society: Medieval combat club.
Billiards Club: Billiards club.
Club Baseball: Club baseball team.
Club Field Hockey: Club field hockey team.
Club Figure Skating (NUFSC): Club figure skating team.
Club Golf: Club golf team.
Club Softball: Club softball team.
Club Tennis: Club tennis team.
Concrete Canoe: Engineering club that designs and builds a concrete canoe.
Crossword Team: Crossword puzzle team.
Cubing Club: Rubik's Cube club.
Equestrian Team: Equestrian team.
Esports Club: Esports club.
Fencing: Fencing club.
Get-A-Grip: Rock climbing club.
Graduate Ski and Board Club: Ski and snowboard club for graduate students.
Graduate Student Karate: Karate club for graduate students.

Exploring Religious and Spiritual Organizations

Northwestern supports students' spiritual development through a variety of religious and spiritual organizations.

Asian American InterVarsity Christian Fellowship: Christian fellowship for Asian American students.
Bhakti Yoga Society: Explores Bhakti Yoga.
Catholic Student Association: Catholic student organization.
Chi Alpha Campus Ministries: Christian ministry.
Coptic Orthodox Christian Fellowship: Coptic Orthodox Christian fellowship.
Cru: Christian ministry.
Faith-Hope-Love Fellowship: Christian fellowship.
Fiedler Hillel Student Life: Jewish student organization.
Graduate Christian Fellowship: Christian fellowship for graduate students.
Hindu YUVA: Hindu youth organization.

Exploring Other Interest-Based Organizations

Northwestern also offers a wide range of other interest-based organizations, catering to diverse hobbies and passions.

64 Squares: Chess club.
AI Graduate Student Group: Artificial intelligence group.
AIESEC: AIESEC's mission statement is to contribute to the development of our countries and their people with an overriding commitment to international understanding and cooperation.
Air Force ROTC: Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
AKPsi: Professional business fraternity.
All Paws In: Animal welfare organization.
Alpha Chi Omega: Sorority.
Alpha Kappa Alpha: Sorority.
Alpha Phi: Sorority.
American Medical Women's Association: Supports women in medicine.
AMPED: Amplifying voices.
Arab Graduate Student Association: Connects Arab graduate students.
Arch Society: Architecture society.
Area Councils: Residential area councils.
Artificial Intelligence Graduate Group: Artificial intelligence group.
Associated Student Government: Student government.
Association for Women in Sports Media: Supports women in sports media.
Athletes in Action: Christian athletes organization.
Ayers Residential College of Commerce & industry: Residential college.
BinaryHeart: Computer science club.
Biokind Analytics: Data analytics club.
Biology Students Association: Biology students association.
Biomedical Informatics and Data Science: Connects students interested in biomedical informatics and data science.
Black Formal: Social event.
Black Pre-Law Association: Supports Black students interested in law.
Blackboard Magazine: Student magazine.
Books & Breakfast: Book club.
Bridge Club: Bridge club.
BridgeUSA at NU: Political organization.
Brown Sugar: A cappella group.
Cartography Club: Cartography club.
Chronic Illness Alliance: Supports students with chronic illnesses.
Chicago Graduate Student Association: Connects Chicago-area graduate students.
Cognitive Systems and Artificial Intelligence Student Group: Cognitive systems and artificial intelligence group.
College Democrats: College Democrats.
College Feminists: College Feminists.
College Republicans: College Republicans.
Colloquium on Indigeneity and Native American Studies: Academic colloquium.
ColorStack: Computer science club for underrepresented students.
Communications Residential College: Residential college.
Competition for Undergraduate Regenerative Engineering: Engineering competition.
Cookology: Cooking club.
CoPilot: Startup incubator.
Coptic Orthodox Christian Fellowship: Coptic Orthodox Christian Fellowship.
CRUSH Magazine: Student magazine.
CTF Team: Capture the flag team.
Data Journalism Collective: Data journalism group.
Delta Delta Delta: Sorority.
Delta Gamma: Sorority.
Delta Sigma Pi: Professional business fraternity.
Delta Tau Delta: Fraternity.
Destino: Christian group.
Disabled Student Union: Advocates for students with disabilities.
Driskill Graduate Student Council: Graduate student council.
EEqual: Gender equality group.
Emerging Coders: Coding club.
Engage RP: Role-playing game club.
Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Society: Environmental engineering society.
Essence: For Us, By Us: Black student magazine.
Ethics Bowl: Ethics debate team.
Ethnic Studies Graduate Student Colloquium: Academic colloquium.
Fencing: Fencing club.
Financial Technologies Club: Financial technologies club.
For Members Only: Social club.
Freshman Fifteen: Comedy group.
Freshman Musical: Musical theater group.
FutureDev: Software development club.
Game Makers Society: Video game development club.
Gamma Phi Beta: Sorority.
Girl Gains: Fitness club.
Global Engagement Summit: Global engagement summit.
Graduate Investment Club: Investment club for graduate students.
Graduate Leadership Advocacy Council: Graduate student advocacy council.
Graduate Society of Women Engineers: Society of Women Engineers for graduate students.
Graduate Student Association: Graduate student association.
Graduate Women Across Northwestern: Organization for graduate women.
Happiness Club: Promotes happiness and well-being.
HerCampus: Online magazine for college women.
MARS: MARS is an all-masculine-identifying organization dedicated to ending rape culture and "restrictive masculinity" on campus through self-work & peer-led discussions.
Mayfest Productions: Mayfest Productions’ claim to fame is producing Dillo Day, the nation’s largest student-run music festival. It also hosts Battle of the Bands and Battle of the DJs to uplift student artists and recruit them into the Dillo lineup.
Survivor Northwestern: Based on the hit CBS TV show “Survivor,” Survivor Northwestern recreates the teams, challenges and drama - no remote island needed.

Joining a Club: A Simple Process

Many NU clubs don’t require an application process. However, some arts-focused groups have auditions, club sports host try-outs and finance and consulting clubs have a rigorous recruitment process - entry requirements are entirely dependent on the club, and vary in competitiveness. Clubs will often announce general meetings and information sessions through Instagram or their listservs. Students who require assistance in paying these dues can apply for supplemental financial support via grants from the Student Activities Assistance Fund. SAAF runs on application cycles multiple times a quarter, which align with when the SOA expects most applications.

A&O Productions and Dillo Day

A&O Productions specializes in putting together live entertainment events on campus, including concerts, speakers and movie nights. Mayfest Productions’ claim to fame is producing Dillo Day, the nation’s largest student-run music festival. It also hosts Battle of the Bands and Battle of the DJs to uplift student artists and recruit them into the Dillo lineup.

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