University of Illinois

One might expect some tentative and even negative opinions about the school, but this is truly not the case here at U of I. Though students have had varied experiences here, both positive and negative; many say that they were and are glad to be students here. They are proud of U of I’s history, proud of academic accomplishments, proud of the social opportunities, and, most of all, they are proud to be alumni. For so many students to view their time here as a positive experience, once all the pros and cons have been taken into consideration, is a fantastic testament to the University’s strength.

Of course not everyone’s school experience is enjoyable 100 percent of the time, and students here still had plenty to complain about—the weather, the parking, the Greek social scene, the rural location. But all things considered, the positive points of the U of I experience tipped the scale—the University’s academic excellency, the safety, the social atmosphere, the athletic tradition, the city’s excellent transportation system. Some students admitted that they had a hard time adjusting, that they occasionally wished they had made another decision—but in the end, they were all happy to be here. The most encouraging fact was that so many people mentioned that they were leaving as better people, more knowledgeable, eclectic, and better equipped to through navigate life. University of Illinois students do not just leave with a piece of paper in their hands, they leave with a wealth of experience and hope that is not easily rivaled.