Im deciding between these two. Can anyone tell me what they think about gonzaga or Iowa. I’m struggling to compare them because they are so different and would like to hear anyone’s experiences
What state are you from? Are you in rural area or urban?
It all depends on what you want out of the college you go to. Also, what do you want to study? What kind of setting is important to you? Do you wanna do research in college? Are you planning to participate in a lot of ECs?
I’m an Iowa student and I can help you compare them, but I need a little more info about what you want to do in college to give you a stronger comparison of the two
oddly enough I’m from Colorado. However with scholarships I will be able to go to Iowa for the same price as any instate college I’ve looked at and I like it better. I will be going into Finance, possibly with a double major in Economics. Research is not hugely important or important at all for those degrees as I understand. I want to go to a college town with a lively atmosphere. I am definitely planning on participating in a lot of ECs. Intramural sports, possibly a fraternity if I go to Iowa, and maybe other clubs and activities I find interesting. I want a school where people do a lot on the weekends and where it’s not a big commuter population.
Thanks cammarmor, can you tell me what you think of Iowa? How do you like it socially? academically? overall? the city? or anything else?
Well, for starters, UI’s College of Business is one which goes through a selective admissions process. Have you been directly admitted into it, or were you admitted into the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences? Also, don’t be fooled – people of all majors and backgrounds do research at the university, including Finance and Economics. In fact, people in every major have a chance to graduate with Honors in the major, and typically this entails doing your own research. If that doesn’t interest you, though, I’ve been looking for jobs nearby lately, and lots of the opportunities around campus are finance-related entry jobs for students with lots of flexibility, so that’ll give you some experience and allow you to earn some extra money and field-related experience. Additionally, UI has lots of fraternities to cater your interests – Greek life is predominant there. I’ve heard of lots of people playing intramurals there too. If you wanna search clubs and stuff, you can use orgsync (http://uiowa.orgsync.com/?utm_source=Fact&utm_medium=Student%20Organizations&utm….) and filter them based on what interests you. We have really different majors and interests, but based on what I’ve heard, it seems like the school for you.
I really like Iowa! I’m also an OOS student who got a ton of financial aid (my main reason for choosing Iowa, aside from its amazing English program). Everyone is super friendly, even if you’re studying different things or have entirely different interests. I’m in a few clubs, and between that + my job + my classes, I’ve made a ton of friends who enjoy what I do and it’s just a bunch of fun. I didn’t think I would enjoy going to such a big school, but there’s people for everyone. Academically, I really enjoy the challenge it gives me and the opportunities it provides. For example: it has ICRU, an undergraduate-focused research center that provides research opportunities for all majors; it has its honors program, which provides scholarships and fellowships for people to expand on their work and apply what they’re learning; there are internships all around Iowa City; there’s a wide array of classes, including a huge selection of them within the gen ed categories, which allows me to choose something I’ll actually enjoy and want to learn…I could go on. It’s still challenging and difficult, the way school is, but Iowa really does give you a bunch of opportunities. I’m sure there’s a bunch of other stuff within the College of Business, but that’s all I can think of within what I know. I enjoy the university a lot, though the only drawback is the long traveling and getting to Chicago so I can go home and all. Aside from that – and especially for you – I think UI sounds like a perfect choice. I hope this helped!
Thank you so much cammarmor! that was tremendously helpful, thank you for all the good information. Yes I have been directly admitted into the business school. Iowa sounds really great!
You’re welcome! Honestly, being a direct admit makes everything so much easier for you – you’ll be around the best of the best at the College of Business, especially those who come in as freshmen. Plus, the building is one of the nicest, and it has its own library and stuff. Also, I really like it there! Best of luck, and let me know if you have any more questions! 
One of the treats of being an Iowa Hawkeye is that you will have multiple opportunities to travel to Madison to watch them play the Badgers. 
And Zombie Burger…
(Kidding aside, Iowa City is growing and campus is pretty lively. Iowa provides a Big Ten-level education nestled within the “Iowa nice” culture.)