<p>I am interested in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I would be transferring from a community college and I am a pre-med/biology major. This sheer size of this university is intimidating to me, but it seems to be the best in the state. Can anyone share some insight, comments, and/or opinions about their biology program, classes, competition, course load, etc. How much do the students typically study? Are they stay-up-all-night-studying types? The school has a reputation as a Midwestern Ivy from where I live, and I am curious if it lives up to such a reputation? Is it really THAT hard??? I am a hard worker, but I also want to go to a university where I have a chance at getting good grades because I want to go to medical school. A friend told me not to worry so much because in large universities like that they usually "curve" the grade, so even if you don't do as well as you think, as long as you work hard, you should still receive good grades.</p>
<p>This is crunch time to make a decision soon, so comments are greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>UIUC is not exceptionally rigorous. It is tough, but definitly not stay up all night studying (unless your cramming for an exam). Almost all the tests in the sciences and engineering is multiple choice and grades are usually based on either 2-3 tests (or 2-3 major papers in humanities/social sciences) and a final. Most classes are based on curves and sciences are competitive. Curving usually hurts more then helps as there are a limited number of A’s, B’s, etc. That means if you get an 89% on a test, but the rest of the class get higher then you, you could get a C. Lots of TAs (most are foreign as majority of science/engineering grad students are international) and they are hit or miss on quality of teaching. Some are hard to understand.</p>
<p>Students body is pretty much the same as every other big ten school. Almost all from instate, mostly from around Chicago. Partying jock/preppy types are predominant, but still a good mix of others in there. Greek life dominates students free time. Huge interest in sports, esp. basketball and football.</p>
<p>I think the “public ivy” reputation stems from their fantastic grad programs and engineering. Undergrads are treated like second class citizens that bring much needed revenue to fund the university.</p>
<p>Senior year it gets bit better, but it really depends on the track. Premed courses are always full. Professors usually are more available in upper level courses but you have to go to them, they won’t come to you. Also, it helps if your a top student or try and get research with a professor because then they will be more of a mentor to you. If you don’t assert yourself, you will quickly become a number.</p>
<p>Tests to my knowledge are that way no matter what type of course its in.</p>
<p>“Undergrads are treated like second class citizens”
Wow, I had never heard such a comment like this before! I certainly hope this is the exception and not the rule!</p>
<p>SmallCollegesFTW: Your comment regarding the grading really has made me nervous, and I am now reconsidering this university! This surprised me. I have been told countless times that many universities use a sliding grade scale. For example, if hardly anyone in the class got “A” grades, the scale would be lowered. I think teachers may do this because they think the material was not presented well, or something of that nature. I have no experience with this, so I am not sure how that works. Every professor I have had at my community college uses the standard 90-100=A, 70-89 = B, etc. scale, and they have never adjusted it to make the grading more favorable for the students.</p>
<p>I have no experience with TAs, so this makes me a little nervous (fear of the unknown). However, I have had many foreign friends and teachers (including my violin teacher - hardly spoke English!) so I am used to those whose first language was not English.</p>
<p>Do you think it is hard to get research opportunities as an undergraduate at UIUC? It is so large! This is a top priority and very important to me!</p>
<p>It certainly isn’t a “midwestern Ivy”. UIUC is an average state school that excels in a few departments, most notably engineering. The “Midwestern Ivy” label would probably be limited to Northwestern, Chicago, WUSTL, and Michigan (add Carleton and Grinnell if we are including LACs).</p>
<p>If you are a good student I doubt you will have any problem doing well there–it is not known as being a difficult school.</p>
<p>I disagree. I think in a general sense, many programs at UIUC are very strong, and there are contingents of students there that are every bit as smart as at these others schools. Their business school has strong placement (especially in the midwest) and their engineering is top-notch.</p>
<p>Especially considering cost factors, it’s a great product for the price.</p>
<p>Cost factors? It is possibly the most expensive instate school. It is $27,000 a year for most programs, and science and engineering can be $30k+</p>
<p>“It certainly isn’t a “midwestern Ivy”. UIUC is an average state school that excels in a few departments”
Is anyone familiar with their biology department (undergraduate)? I think their microbiology department ranks 5th in the nation.</p>
<p>“If you are a good student I doubt you will have any problem doing well there–it is not known as being a difficult school.”
I sincerely hope that I could do well there. But, I have always heard that it is a difficult school, with cut-throat competitive and super-smart kids. I have never, EVER read or heard that it was not difficult. Does anyone else care to share their opinion on this matter? </p>
<p>I agree it is an expensive state school. They also do not have very generous financial aid. I was told that I probably would not receive any financial aid, or at least very little. However, I value education and I want to go where I will be the most successful (and hopefully gain entrance into medical school). In comparison to other schools that I have considered and talked to, they are not drastically different in price. If this school is truly THAT much better, I think it is a good value (this is, of course, my personal opinion).</p>
<p>It does not have “super-smart” kids. I stand by my claim that Illinois is an average state school with a few standout departments. It has a 61% acceptance rate (per US News, may be a bit better in the last few years). Just 55% of students were in the top 10% of their class (common data set) and the 25-75 percentiles for SATs were 530-650 for critical reading and 650-750 for math (common data set). These are not the statistics of a “midwestern Ivy”.</p>
<p>Illinois is a solid state school, certainly the best state school in Illinois and one I would recommend for the OP, but not a particularly outstanding school otherwise.</p>
<p>UIUC engineering makes it a particularly outstanding school. Not too many public schools or even ‘ivies’ can say they have a better or on par engineering program according to ‘rankings’. Most of the time it is listed above Cornell(and all other ivies), UMich, and CMU. </p>
<p>Higher acceptance rate doesn’t always mean worse school. The tougher majors at UIUC will have higher ACT scores for accepted students, near 30+ on average. ACT is the test used for most Illinois schools, I doubt the a majority sent in or even took SAT.</p>
<p>Tuition and Fees: $12,660 - 16,978
Books and supplies: $1,200
Room and board (20 meals/week): $9,284
Other expenses: $2,510
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS: $25,654 - 29,972</p>
<p>Out Of state is estimated at 40k a year.</p>
<p>And its stats are not to shabby. 76%+ scored over a 27 and 50%+ scored over a 30 on the ACT. 61% from top 10% of class and 95% from top 25%. Engineering, Bus and Liberal Arts and Sciences all have ACT averages of 31+</p>
<p>I would not call U of I an “average state school” Im obviously very biased seeing as its my university, but theres a reason I chose to go to Illinois over colleges like OSU and Purdue.</p>