Illinois college search

MadeInIllinois · 09-28-2007, 02:00 PM

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).

missypie · 09-28-2007, 02:14 PM

I'm an Illinois State grad. They have a fabulous special ed department, so back when I was teaching special ed, people would be impressed by where I went. However, now that I've changed careers, I don't think I've met a soul who was impressed by my ISU degree. It hasn't hurt me, but it's far from prestigious, even in Illinois. Student body is very diverse; the campus is relatively pretty but having lived in Texas for 26 years now, I don't know how I ever actually walked to classes in a foot of snow when it was 10 below zero. Greek scene is pretty minimal. Good theatre department. Bad football team, but good marching band. Decent basketball school.

Oh, yeah, the school is in Normal, not Bloomington.

I always wanted to go to Eastern...it seemed very "college-y" to me, but they didn't have my major. My brother in law and his family live across a field from Northern in DeKalb. It seems like a pretty souless, concrete place to me.

UCBChemEGrad · 09-28-2007, 02:16 PM

From a Californian's perspective, Northwestern and UIUC would be the most prestigious. Both schools have top notch academics, great social and sports atmospheres, and are respected nationally.

hudsonvalley51 · 09-28-2007, 02:22 PM

You are aware that only five of the 12 schools on your list are part of the Illinois state system (i.e. public universities)?

As for prestige, Northwestern stands out from the rest of the schools on your list, followed by U of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana). I would not discourage you from applying to private schools that you like. In addition to merit aid, you may be eligible for more need-based aid than you suspect because you have older siblings currently in college (all depending upon your parents income of course).

MadeInIllinois · 09-28-2007, 02:24 PM

I read in an article, can't seem to find it now, that ISU (Illinois State) might change sports conferences and that the president of the university wants to strengthen their academics to a degree that it will no longer be considered a "directional" school but to be considered on the same level as UIUC. If this is possible then that's a plus for me.

hudsonvalley, I know, I just want to look at my options. More than likely I'll be attending a public university. By no means my family is considered poor or in need of financial aid when it comes to affording public universities. I'm fortunate that both my parents, well one now, have very good paying jobs not to mention good job security.

I always confuse Bloomington for Normal when I think of Illinois State. So Illinois State is in Normal - thanks for the clarification.

world changer · 09-28-2007, 07:09 PM

Your best bet would probably be UIUC. It's the second most prestigious on the list (only after Northwestern), but because it's public, it'll be really inexpensive.

MadeInIllinois · 09-29-2007, 12:59 PM

I'll be visiting UIUC next weekend to get an evaluation of campus and social life there. Plus I have some friends that attend so I'll get some feedback from them.

Schools that I've heard things about so far:

NIU - I've heard from some people that Northern Illinois is rather spotty when it comes to the student body and its overall academics. But their strong in accounting and business, other than that not much. Still going to visit though.

UIC - Heard they were absolutely amazing when it comes to sciences an anything medical. Anyone know anything about their LAS department, especially their Poli. Science and Sociology department?

Are Eastern, Northern, and Ill. State your average state schools (the exception UIUC)? Which of the three are better when it comes to job recruiting?

SmileDarling · 09-29-2007, 01:23 PM

Like just about everyone else here says:

Northwestern is the most well-known and respected but it's not a public university. I like it because it's so close to Chicago and the Elevated Train (El). It is, being a well respected private university, on the expensive side.

UIUC is a fantastic and very well known university but it's very rural. I really liked the small town/big college atmosphere here a lot but check it out and see if you fit in. This will also be one of your cheaper bets. Their LAS department is not really what they are known for (which is engineering) but it's still very good.

Lastly, I really like Loyola's campus and they have a pretty good reputation, especially in the area. The El practically stops right alongside the campus and the people are pretty friendly. You will also technically be in Chicago although definitely on the North Side and about a 20-35 train ride into the cooler more well known parts of the city. I know because I lived there.

teriwtt · 09-29-2007, 01:41 PM

If you want a sports scene (I'm assuming D-1 college level), then I'd cross off several from your list. And it depends on what sport - DePaul does not have a football team, but their basketball season makes up for it. Maybe if you clarify, we can offer more appropriate suggestions.

Regarding the D-1 sports experience, your best bet is UIUC and Northwestern. I will also add that Northwestern has become next to impossible for caucasian boys from Illinois (particularly the Chicago area) to get into. I know several from our local high schools with excellent stats/ECs, who didn't get in, yet girls, or minorities with lesser stats did.

MadeInIllinois · 09-29-2007, 02:58 PM

I enjoy basketball, volleyball, and football. Some schools that I've listed don't have football teams but that's alright. I would love to see students that have school spirit when it comes to sports.

Nova10 · 09-30-2007, 11:24 AM

UIC poli sci is considered to be one of the stronger liberal arts programs at UIC. They do offer some unique experiences through the city of Chicago. Also, you can find original papers from past Chicago mayors at the university library.
UIC is considered to be the second best public university in Illinois. In terms of the public Illinois university hierarchy, at the top is UIUC, then UIC, following them is NIU, ISU, and UIS, the next tier is SIU, followed by EIU and SIU, and at the bottom is CSU, GSU, and NEIU.
In terms of social events, only your imagination limits what you can do in downtown Chicago.
UIC is a member of the Horizon League. Sports are forgotten here. With your id, you can go to any athletic event free. The pep club is called the Fury.
UIC is a school in transition. It is transitioning from being a commuter to a more residential campus.
The average UIC student was a solid high school student. The courses are very competitive. UIC does have a solid academic reputation especially in health care, social work, urban planning, and public health.
At UIC, it looks like you might have the grades to get into the Honors College.

Treetopleaf · 10-01-2007, 02:12 PM

Really - NIU, ISU, UIS on the same level? Above both SIU campuses?

missypie · 10-01-2007, 03:33 PM

SIU-Edwardsville is a comuter school with a lot of non-traditional students. (My sister got her BA from there at the age of 47, and she was not the oldest "kid" in her class!)

I went to grad school one summer at SIU-Carbondale. Boy, was that fun! Can't say much about academics....the classes seemed fine to me but I didn't care a whole lot. I was a teacher at the time, and you went up on the pay scale for every few hours of grad school you had.

Back in the day, SIU-Carbondale was considered THE party school in the state. I had a totally terrific time but a lot of that was due to drinking.

funployee · 10-01-2007, 05:21 PM

If you're in the top 10%, I'd suggest checking out UIUC, Northwestern, and Loyola.

When it come to political science and/or sociology however, Northwestern is your best bet infront of UIUC. Loyola is only very good for Pre-meds. UIUC will fill all the aspects you're looking for.

teriwtt · 10-01-2007, 09:09 PM

missypie - it's still considered THE party school in the state!