Northwestern University has a reputation for blending academic rigor with a serious pipeline into media, entertainment, business, and journalism. Sitting just outside Chicago, it’s the kind of place where future anchors, actors, CEOs, and comedians intermingle in a casual atmosphere that many describe as idyllic. Maybe it’s the Midwestern charm, maybe it’s a particular brand of admissions strategy, but Northwestern alumni all have a certain ease about them that some of the prestigious East Coast institutions out there only wish they could emulate!

Well Known Northwestern Alumni

1. Stephen Colbert

Our list starts off strong with Stephen Colbert, a world-renowned media personality who needs no introduction. Colbert transferred into Northwestern in 1984 as a theater major. He graduated two years later from the iconic School of Communication, and the rest is purple-tinted history. But his isn’t the only recognizable name on this star-studded roster of notable Wildcats.

2. Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Comedy royalty feels like an appropriate title here. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, known for Seinfeld and Veep, attended Northwestern before launching a legendary career. Her timing, delivery, and ability to play unforgettable characters have earned her a shelf full of awards and a permanent place in TV history, but that all started at Northwestern. Sure, she dropped out during her Junior year to start working at SNL, but she received an honorary doctor of arts degree in 2007 from her almost-alma mater, cementing her legacy as a bona fide Northwesterner.

3. George R. R. Martin

The mind behind A Song of Ice and Fire earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Northwestern. While studying journalism at the Medill School of Journalism, Martin was also perfecting his literary craft. Graduating summa cum laude would not be the crowning achievement of his life (we would argue that the designation goes to masterminding the hit Game of Thrones franchise), but it certainly reinforces the notion that Northwestern alumni run the world of arts and culture.

4. Meghan Markle

You might know her as an iconic member of the British Royal Family, or maybe as a titan of the lifestyle-influencing industry, but before all that, Meghan Markle studied theater and international studies at Northwestern. During her time on campus, Meghan joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and briefly flirted with the idea of pursuing a career in politics. Her path from acting to global public figure is about as unconventional as it gets, but it reflects the university’s broad academic reach and unorthodox form of prestige.

5. Mary T. Washington

In case you’ve never heard of Mary T. Washington, prepare to be inspired. As the first African American woman to be a Certified Public Accountant in the United States, Ms. Washington is a trailblazer and feminist icon. And yes, she graduated from Northwestern way back in 1941, in which she was the only woman in her graduating class to earn a degree in business.

6. Justice John Paul Stevens

A graduate of Northwestern University School of Law, John Paul Stevens is an icon of the American legal tradition. He went on to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States for nearly 35 years, making him one of the longest-serving justices in modern history. During his time in the Northwestern University School of Law, Stevens graduated first in his class and was a beneficiary of the G.I. Bill. 

Ivy Coach’s Assistance With Admission to Northwestern

Northwestern’s admission process is not for the faint of heart, and it tends to get more competitive each year.  But if you’re one of Ivy Coach’s package clients, your odds change entirely. And it all boils down to the guidance of our very own Chad Faber, a former Northwestern University admissions officer.

To enlist Chad’s help in optimizing your child’s odds of admission to Northwestern, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch with an outline of our services.