| You're really talking about 2 very, very different kinds of schools.
UR is a small university where you will get to really know your professors and and have lots of opportunities to work with them and do meaningful research as an undergrad. You'll also know most of your fellow students, who will be very smart and focused. On the other hand, there will be no big-name sports and consequently less school spirit.
But at UIUC, you will be just one of thousands of kids. Your average class size will be much larger, and until you get to upperclass courses in your major, your teachers probably won't know you. (They most likely will be TAs and not professors in your intro classes.) Grad student will take most of the research opportunities. But you will have more of the movie-type college experience -- with sports, frats, lots of school spirit, and many more extracurricular activities and cultural events to choose from.
For academics, UR is best. For all the other stuff, UIUC gets the nod. What are your priorities and where do you think you would be most comfortable for 4 years? |