emjas

I like the setting around the campus and the abundent research resources at the U.of R, since the professors seem to work closely with each student. but it seems like U. of I has more opportunities...like their active student organizations, huge campus, etc.
any suggestions?

emjas

add:
I'm interested in many fields, name a few: Business, international relations, film & theatre, and psychology.

worried_mom

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?

WayOutWestMom

I think you're overstating your case worried_mom.

UIUC is an excellent school. (I'm an alumna and, yes, I was TA there too.) Yes, UIUC is a large research university and it will be very different there than a smaller university.

First of all, not *all* of the undergrad courses will be taught by TAs. Some may, depending upon the department, but that's far from a universal situation. Typically if the course is large one--say freshman bio or psych, the professor presents the lecture while a TA oversees the lab section and homework review. You will likely have a TA for freshman writing, though. But the section will be small--about 15 students tops. Also TAs can be very, very good teachers. In some cases better than the professors. (For lots of reasons including the fact their teaching performance is evaluated every semester--a prof's is not.)

Yes, there will be approx 5000 freshmen at UIUC this coming fall. The size can be overwhelming, but not necessarily so. A student at UIUC will have to be more pro-active to get noticed, but it doesn't mean he won't. If he attends office hours and make an effort to participate in class, chances are the instructor will know who he is.

And there are research opportunities--even for freshmen, provided the student seeks them out. Grad students do not "take them all". (It's a fact--I have a friend on faculty at UIUC and he tells me there are many research positions reserved specifically for undergrads. That was true when I was a student there too many, many years ago...)

A larger university may offer more opportunities for specialty interest majors--like sports psychology or supply chain management.

And I can testify that there are a million things to do on the UIUC campus--even in the winter. Lots of clubs, lots of amateur and professional performances. Lots of people.

This is not to say that UIUC is better than UR--it's just different. Each type of college setting has advantages. You have to choose the college that you think offers you the best fit for your learning style and the best advantages for your future.

emjas

worried_mom-Thanks, that's what I'm thinking about...I konw these are very different types of schools but, I find them both appealing...

WayOutWestMom-thank you! the best way to know a school is to ask its alumna! I kinda think UIUC is a better fit for me since I really want to get involved in many activities. and, do you know anything about UIUC's film and theatre programs? I don't think (at least so far) I would take that as a major but, thats a HUGE interest of mine.

Thankxx.

WayOutWestMom

You might try asking on the UIUC forum.

Everything I used to know about the theater dept is sadly out of date...by decades.

(But if you want to know anything about material science/engineering/physics/chemistry--*those* questions I can answer.)

voodoodoll

I am in the exact same situation. I've narrow it down to two schools, Rochester and Urbana Champaign. Rochester has offered me a large amount of financial aid so it's drawing me in. In terms of school size, I don't really have a preference. I'm mostly concerned about the quality of school for my major- biochemistry. Illinois has a much better biochem program than UR. But UR will cost me $900 for tuition vs. $20,000 in illinois. Any suggestions would help. Thanks!

KSMITH53

I am undecided between UIUC and UR, as well. I am also currently a sophomore, and I'm almost positive that I'll be majoring in economics. For me, I know quite a bit about UIUC (grew up southwest of Chicago) but UR is somewhat enigmatic. The major determinants of my decision would be overall academic quality, econ program, student body (ie nice, intellectually curious), campus, and placement into grad school (econ or MBA). Given these factors are there any Rochesterians out there will to give advice? The inquirers above and I would greatly appreciate it.

KSMITH53

*will=willing