MadeInIllinois

Hey there, I'm new here. I'm currently a junior at an all boys high school and I'm planning on attending one of Illinois' state universities. My class rank is in the top 10% so far and I'm going to take the ACT later this year.

I'm looking for a school that has solid academics (probably majoring in Political Science and/or Sociology), great social and sports atmospheres, and that's respectable not only in the midwest but nationally.

I already have older siblings that have/are attending college so the option of going to a private institute is only possible if I get merit scholarships.

Can anyone provide any information about the academic rep., overall student body atmosphere, and prestige (matters to a certain degree to me) for my list? Also, what type of students usual attend?

(not listed in any particular order):

DePaul University - Chicago
Loyola University - Chicago
University of Illinois -Chicago (UIC)
Benedictine University - Lisle
Elmhurst College - Elmhurst
St. Xavier University - Chicago
North Central College - I think near Naperville
Northern Illinois University -DeKalb
University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
Eastern Illinois University - Charleston
Illinois State University - Bloomington
Northwestern University - Evanston

Also, I really want to attend a school where the students are motivated but also like to have fun (not sure if I'm actually going to drink on the weekends).