Academics/Honors/General Info

<p>Hey, there! I applied to Iowa on a whim, just to have an extra safety. I was recently accepted, admitted to the honors program, and offered a small scholarship -- all of this has moved Iowa much closer to the top of my list. I'm from New Jersey and go to boarding school in Connecticut; I don't know anyone who has attended Iowa, and I'm the first person from my school to ever even apply. I've read other threads and done a lot of research online, but I'm just looking for any more information anyone can give me. I'm not sure about my major, but I'm pretty sure I want to do something related to math and/or English.</p>

<p>I guess my first concern is academics. My goal is to find a school with really engaged students who truly want to learn, but a school that is not too rigorous. I can be a huge nerd -- I read and solve math problems in my free time -- but I also like to have fun and have a life. Will I be able to find students similar to myself -- would the honors program, particularly, have students who are really interested in academics but also like sports, partying, etc? Also, can anyone tell me anything about the math program? I know that writing is the most well-known major, but I don't really know anything about other programs. How are professors overall?</p>

<p>Is there anything I should know about the atmosphere and student body as a whole? I've heard that it's very friendly, down-to-earth -- does that sound about right? I'm trying to get away from the pretentious atmosphere of New England as much as I possibly can.</p>

<p>How's the town? And the weather?</p>

<p>Sorry for all of the questions. :)</p>

<p>In summary, if you don't want to read my rambling post: Would Iowa be the right fit for someone who wants a well-balanced college experience; loves academics, sports, and socializing; is really out-going and friendly; and is looking for a student body that is down to earth, involved, and intelligent?</p>

<p>Our D, now a freshman at Iowa, was likewise looking to experience a different part of the country, but in our case, coming from the west coast. She applied to mostly Midwest and east coast schools. One school where she was accepted happened to be UConn in your neck of the woods</p>

<p>She decided on Iowa due to very favorable impressions using very similar criteria to yours (other than the honors part). She found the environment and people to be very friendly, and a good balance between school spirit, fun and academics. She has also found the professors and administration to be very engaged and supportive. Iowa has a party culture, but she is not a big partier – she seems to have had no problem connecting with a circle of friends with common interests, and everyone has proven to be very friendly. </p>

<p>The administration is amazingly organized, flexible, supportive and responsive.
Finally, the campus, while not spectacular, is attractive, and easy to navigate. It has the advantages of a Big Ten school, without the heft and higher price tags of places like Ohio State, Indiana, or Penn State. </p>

<p>I will defer to others who may want to weigh in on the Honors program. </p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

<p>reginaphalange, my son is a freshman also in Honors. I have written on this forum about it ad nauseum, and you can find my tidbits by searching “honors.”</p>

<p>But to answer your specific question about it, I can tell you definitively that “normal” kids are in it. Unlike most other schools, honors at Iowa is not an elitist club. 25% of the current freshman class are admitted as honors and, as you can imagine, this is a wide range of kids. I’ve met my son’s friends and they are not nerds nor elitists. They are definitely at school to get something done, and are fairly focused. But they are very social and do the whole Big Ten college thing: football games in full body paint (captured by ESPN twice), eating out in Iowa City, going to parties (ugh. Frat parties. My worst fear!), working out at the rec center. Saturday is fun day, all day and on Sunday they work.</p>

<p>There are some on in the Honors dorm who are obsessively into school and, from my perspective, a little snooty. And they have their friends. But there is indeed wide diversity in the Honors program and I am delighted that it has got my son - a follower - in with - cross my fingers - a good bunch of reasonably motivated friends.</p>

<p>I am currently a freshmen at Iowa and will try to answer your question(s):
Iowa as an amazing English program, I myself who major in political science and economics have ( since arriving at Iowa) thoughts on whether I should consider English as a major.
Being from Michigan, the weather in eastern Iowa lately probably has not been completely average but you should expect below freezing and snow in the winter.
For the most part, at least from my encounters the students at Iowa are very friendly. Iowa has known to have a social/ party scene downtown but recently with the 21 ordinance it has been said that fraternities ( well said by those I know that are in a fraternity) will now dominate the social scene making Iowa a fraternity party school.
The sports scene is largely based on football, this year many expected the football team to go undefeated ( did not happen).
Not only are many students down to earth but also a large amount of the city permenant residents.</p>