Life at UIUC

<p>How is the quality of life in UIUC?? Is the campuss nice?? How is the quality of education here?? Are there alot of activities to do? Is it hard to get good grade?</p>

<p>Can't answer your question; have a related question to add instead.</p>

<p>I just chanced upon a thread in the University of Wisconsin - Madison forum discussing tension between "coasties" and "locals". Is there such a problem at UICU?</p>

<p>There are not many kids from LA, NYC, Boston, etc. @ UIUC so I doubt it.</p>

<p>Thanks ... but why do you think there aren't many?</p>

<p>Midwestern state schools generally aren't as well known among people who live on the coasts, so they don't even bother applying. Think of it this way: there are probably many people in the midwest who don't think much of the University of Virginia even though it's consistently considered to be one of the top state schools in the nation. </p>

<p>The campus is pretty nice, particularly in the fall and when it's warm out. The main Quad is a timeless and distinctive part of the campus, and the Engineering Quad is really nice. </p>

<p>It's difficult to make a sweeping statement about the quality of education at U of I. It really depends on your major. And as with many other large universities, getting a quality education often depends on a student's initiative and willingness to work. </p>

<p>In terms of activities, there are a ton of clubs/organizations you can get involved in. In terms of the social scene, there are several bars and clubs. Plus, there are always various frat parties. It seems like most people like the bars/parties, but there are usually alternatives. </p>

<p>As for grades, those again largely depend on your major. I would say that engineering and the "hard" sciences (math, bio, chem, physics, etc.) are usually the most rigorous majors. I've heard that in advanced engineering classes, only a certain number of students can get As so that the very top students can be identified. But no matter what your major is, good grades are always within reach if you're willing to put in the effort.</p>

<p>I just posted on the CWRU site and I'll add my 2 cents here. My S was accepted to the CS dept / Engr school and we am THRILLED. However, no one, I mean no one, not even the GC has heard of UIUC. I tell them that it's only where the Internet browser, as we know it, was first developed, among other things. We get a universal 'oh', and they ask if he's thought about University of Vermont, or Delaware or Penn State (well, or Michigan, they seem to know that here). </p>

<p>I agree that a college education is what you make of it, but I think it helps to be surrounded by quality professors and at a place where exciting things are happening. And I believe that to be the case in the CS dept. of UIUC.</p>

<p>lol.. I liked the Guidance Counseller's reaction. As I was researching about engineering schools in America as a non-America, UIUC was the one of the first school I found out.. I never heard of Vermont nor Delware.. :P</p>

<p>Im from boston, will that hurt me in admissions more so than any other out of state applicant?</p>

<p>my SAT are 1310 and a low 3.0 GPA at a highly competative high school, already been accepted to Indiana, and I applied to Illinois. What are my chances? Does Illinois weight more on GPA or SAT scores?</p>

<p>All I can say is from personal experience, I was in your shoes just a year ago and now first semester freshman year has ended. Looking at it, I can say that without a doubt UIUC was the right decision for me.</p>

<p>Quality of life is great (I live at ISR) and everything is close. The bus system also works pretty nicely. The Main Quad and Engineering Quad are beautiful, especially when it's warmer outside. There's Quad Day where every student organization is out on the quad so you can get a feel of all the activities UIUC has to offer and it's a LOT let me tell you, the entire Quad is packed. There's lots of people too so you really can't be easily bored if you TRY to be social.</p>

<p>Education wise, UIUC is pretty competitive. I know lots of bio, engineering, and psych majors. I just finished first semester of EE and it wasn't bad at all, but it was difficult no doubt. You have to work hard but I still had a social life during the weekends and I went to the gym every night. I guess it's really time management. It is possible to balance everything out though :)</p>

<p>honestly.....from my personal experience there seem to be a lot of kids coming in from california( most from the silicon valley but i know one from sacramento and one from the OC) and some other states like New Jersey/ New york- most of them in engineering but a decent number in business as well.</p>

<p>So from your observation, is there tension between the "locals" and the "coasties", like some people say there is at Madison and Michigan?</p>

<p>No....why would there be "tension" anyways? its not like they are going to a college somewhere in Iraq.
I must say that things did get a little heated when 2 massachussets boys were up against half of our floor during the red sox- white sox series but thats a different story.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
m from boston, will that hurt me in admissions more so than any other out of state applicant?</p>

<p>my SAT are 1310 and a low 3.0 GPA at a highly competative high school, already been accepted to Indiana, and I applied to Illinois. What are my chances? Does Illinois weight more on GPA or SAT scores?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Its about your RANK not your GPA</p>

<p>our school does not rank</p>

<p>Illinois doesn't discriminate at all to out-of-state applicants. They are one of the few publics that does that.</p>