Is Northwestern better than Brown for accessing internship opportunities in Chicago?

For students who specifically want to build Chicago connections and pursue internships there during the academic year, Northwestern has a meaningful practical advantage over Brown. Northwestern’s Evanston campus is directly connected to Chicago by public transit, making it realistic to commute to internships, networking events, employer visits, and alumni meetings without relocating.

Northwestern fits a student who wants Chicago to be part of their college experience from the beginning. You could attend an evening industry event downtown, interview in person, or work one or two days a week at a company, nonprofit, hospital, media organization, or startup while remaining enrolled. The university’s Chicago presence can further expand the local network available to undergraduates.

Brown can still lead to a Chicago internship, especially for summers, but it is less convenient for sustained local involvement. A Brown student would more often apply remotely, use alumni outreach, and move to Chicago for the summer rather than commute there regularly during the semester. Brown’s Providence location provides its own New England and East Coast opportunities, so it is not a weaker choice for internships overall; it is simply less aligned with a Chicago-centered plan.