UIUC Pros/Cons?

<p>Hello all.</p>

<p>I just got accepted to UIUC in the Engineering program, and am currently deciding between this college and one other.</p>

<p>Since I know both colleges are great academically, it comes down to more of the social aspect of the college. Can anybody tell me about it? Specifically, I want to know about:</p>

<p>a) "Nerd" factor (i.e. how nerdy/socially awkward students are.)
b) Champaigne/Urbana/surrounding areas.
c) Food
d) "International" feel (coming from an international private school, I want to if it is diverse, or of it is mainly a few countries represented, or if the 90% in-state students are hard to assimilate into from an international perspective etc.)
e) General social activities. Do people go out to parties? Do you go into the city? Do you just sit around and work all day?
f)"Size". I know UIUC is a really really large school, but do you all ever feel like you are just a number? Are class sizes really large, making it hard to get one-on-one help with professors or TAs? Or is it possible to still stand out?</p>

<p>Also, if anybody has been from UIUC to Chicago, whats the fastest way to get there?</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>