How is UIUC compare to ISU? Does iSU have a bad reputation?

I am a sophomore at Illinois State University and I was considering transferring to UIUC because it was my dream school in high school but I wasn’t accepted. I am a Communications/Public Relations major and I’m currently on academic probation because I unfortunately was in a abusive relationship my freshman year but after help from law enforcement I got away from him. I know I have to improve my GPA first before I can apply to transfer. I have a 1.7 now and am currently doing excellent in my classes. How is UIUC compared to ISU? Could I still get a good education if I’m not attending a prestigious school like UIUC? And is ISU a terrible school compared to ISU? I also know that UIUC name carries a good reputation, does the university you graduate from determines your future after graduation? I don’t know my current university’s reputation. And also I want to attend UIUC my junior year but when I I be able to apply? I know I have to raise my gpa. Would UIUC deny me because my terrible freshman year?

Hi, in my opinion, if you can’t transfer to UIUC, just concentrate on your current study make sure you achieve above 3.50 GPA when you graduate, get a minor if you can. Try to get a good internship program and your chances after graduation will just as good as UIUC graduates.

Hey, glad you’re considering U of I. ISU is great, but you’ll also get an awesome education at Illinois. I was in the same boat as you and transferred here junior year. It was also my dream school growing up, but I didn’t even bother applying as a freshman and chose ISU. The application deadline for next fall is March 1 but the priority deadline is February 1. Making the priority deadline would give you better chances at getting in, and their site makes the process easy, letting you save and return to your application. Writing in extracurricular activities (even if they are made-up) helps, as they love to see people getting involved. Check it out at myillini.illinois.edu, you have nothing to lose.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!