So… what's a Swap?
It's a laid-back hangout, workout, study sesh, or night out—organized to help Wildcats meet, vibe, and make real connections.
Purple Swaps are mystery experiences where key details are revealed closer to the event time. Perfect for adventurous Wildcats who love surprises!
Mystery Locations
Restaurant revealed 3 hour before, activity location shared day-of
Surprise Activities
Could be rock climbing, cooking class, or cultural experience. Depending on the category of your choosing.
Curated Experiences
Hosts plan unique, memorable experiences you wouldn't find alone
Open Swaps provide all the details upfront - perfect for planning ahead and knowing exactly what to expect from your experience.
Full Transparency
Location, activity, and agenda shared when you join
Study Sessions
Group study for specific classes, exam prep, project collaboration
Regular Activities
Workout sessions, dining meetups, campus events
How to Get Started
1. Create Profile
Sign up with your Northwestern email and tell us about your interests
2. Browse Swaps
Explore Purple and Open Swaps that match your interests and schedule
3. Join & Connect
Click to join swaps and start chatting with fellow participants
4. Build Friendships
Attend events, meet amazing people, and create lasting Northwestern memories
Meet people. Make plans. That's it.
From study groups to weekend adventures, PurpleSwaps helps you find your people and make the most of your Northwestern experience.
Dining Companions
Never eat alone again! Find fellow Wildcats to explore Evanston's restaurants, grab coffee between classes, or try that new spot everyone's talking about.
Study Partners
Connect with classmates for study sessions, form study groups for challenging courses, and find accountability partners to keep you motivated.
Activity Buddies
Find workout partners, teammates for sports, hiking buddies for the lakefront, or companions for campus events and activities.
Event Discovery
Discover campus events, student organization activities, and local happenings. Create your own events and invite others to join your adventures.
Student-friendly pricing
Start connecting for FREE, meet new people IRL, touch grass... or beer and supercharge your social life at Northwestern.