After recently visiting UIUC, I have some pretty strong feelings on what dorms I would (or more strongly, would NOT) like to live in. Do most students get through the lottery on their first or second choice or is it really a toss up?
New policy this year so it doesn’t matter how students faired in the past. It will depend on which dorm you are looking for and what time slot you receive.
YZamyatin speaks the truth. I will add that my daughter and her roommate requested the popular 6 pack (2 yrs ago in the Leadership LLC) and didn’t get it. They were placed at FAR. They were really bummed, because they’re both in business and it’s far from BIF. However, they made the best of it. They were grateful for A/C when it was hot the first month of school. Also, the bus system is good.
In hindsight it wasn’t terrific, but it also wasn’t terrible. She learned the bus system well and since she became really involved in a couple of things, she used it more as a place to sleep, than a place to hang out. As a parent, I think it may have contributed to her desire to keep active and not sit around a dorm room watching tv. 
Everything worked out well. As everything in life, it’s what you make of it.
Good luck on getting your dorm preference.
@88jm19: About living at FAR, did you daughter think that the bus ran through the weekends (as well as the week) pretty regularly? I’m wondering how it is from a safety standpoint to have to walk back alone.
My daughter had no complaints about the buses. The university also has a safe rides/walk program. I made her promise to use it if she was alone. However, as she became more involved in her RSOs she often got rides back to FAR from friends with cars.
Here’s the link on safe rides/walks:
http://www.campusrec.illinois.edu/wellnesscenter/iWalk/safeWalks.html