<p>Hi guys. I'm a freshman at UIUC and I really haven't been enjoying it. I thought I'd like the typical college experience, but I haven't. At UIUC, there isn't much to do but drink/party (given that you are in the middle of a cornfield), and you feel like a total outsider if you don't join in on Greek Life that seems to dominate the campus. I see some friends have been posting pictures of themselves having fun at school in the city (going to museums, sports, tons of restaurants, parks, etc..) and have gotten fairly jealous. I feel like my hometown (near the city) and the city itself had so much more to do compared to here. Has anyone else had a similar experience at a school like UIUC? Would a transfer to a school closer to the city be worth it? </p>
<p>I'm a business major and my main school options are :
1. DePaul
2. UIC
3. Lewis University
4. Loyola
5. Purdue University (not near a city, but still)
6. University of Michigan (probably too expensive)</p>
<p>What would be my best option? I can't see myself lasting here at UIUC past 1st Semester, so I want to get out before Spring Semester starts. Should I go to a CC (& maybe intern) for Spring Semester until I decide where to transfer for next Fall? </p>
<p>If UMich is too expensive (and BTW, you would have to apply to get in to Ross even if you transfer to UMich, which is no sure thing), go with DePaul or Loyola for business. You should make sure that they fit you, though. As for worth it, only you can make that call. I don’t think that UofI business is that more prestigious than DePaul or Loyola, but I don’t think those 2 schools would give you a boost in job recruiting either.</p>
<p>Thank you for your response. I doubt Michigan will end up being an option in the future. Anyone else have any input?</p>
<p>“I see some friends have been posting pictures of themselves having fun at school in the city (going to museums, sports, tons of restaurants, parks, etc…) and have gotten fairly jealous.”</p>
<p>Facebook isn’t an accurate representation of a persons life… </p>
<p>I realize that, but I’m also from the suburbs of the city, so I know what it is actually like…</p>
<p>I know several freshmen currently at UIUC, and none of them are affiliated with the Greek system. One of them is into rowing/crew and spends a lot of her free time on the water, another is really involved in faith-based clubs on campus, and another is a part of the robotics program and some sort of peer advisor. They’re all suburban kids from fairly affluent towns and seem to be adjusting just fine to the relative ruralness of the area. Maybe none of these options particularly strike your fancy, but there are activities out there that you can get involved with if you look. </p>
<p>I think that college is what you make of it in many cases, ESPECIALLY at a large state school. I won’t deny that you’ll meet people from all walks of life, but that can be a good thing, and do you think that the city schools you mentioned in your other thread won’t have kids partying and getting drunk all the time?</p>
<p>Just my own two cents. I think you’re thinking that the grass is greener on the other side, but if you get there you might find that’s not the case.</p>
<p>Best of luck! </p>
<p>Yeah I hear you man, I actually found this from googling your specific question. I go to UIUC as well, but I’m 25 and an army veteran. I tried to enter the whole greek life thinking that they would be accepting of me and my past, but apparently weren’t. Maybe it is because I told them I wouldn’t pledge lol.</p>
<p>Regardless, the city is a big place and diverse. UIUC is just a bunch of college kids and that isn’t what I’m looking for. I thought that being at a big school like this everyone would be really interactive, but it’s been the opposite.</p>
<p>The real thing I was looking for though was how seamless could I make the transition between the two schools considering they are basically the same and U of I is harder to get into than UIC.</p>
<p>Anyways, glad to know I’m not the only one!</p>
<p>@FOXwillRISEagain, I think I’ve decided to transfer to DePaul in Chicago. I’ve visited, sent an application, and I feel that being in a city not dominated by students and the greek system will be a much better fit for me. I know it sounds ridiculous and closed-minded to say that I dislike nearly everyone at UIUC, but I can’t think of any other way to put it. The Greek System is annoying and judgmental, the faculty care more about research than teaching, and 9/10 people (especially in the Business school) have such big egos that they think they are gods among men. Oh yea, and the amount of international students is ridiculous.</p>
<p>As far as seamlessness goes, DePaul is pretty much 100% seamless from UIUC, although it is more expensive. If you end up deciding to do the same, let me know. I enjoy hearing from people that feel the same way as me. Also, massive props for being a veteran. Having a family history with the military, I can’t even begin to describe how much respect I have for those that served. Cheers.</p>