University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Top Questions

The worst thing about this campus is arguably the sheer size. While I enjoy attending a large campus, it can be overwhelming for many people. As for size, the Greek system is incredibly large here at UIUC yet can often be too exclusive.

Either the overwhelming Greek system or the fact that there is nothing to do but drink. I mean, you only have to be 19 to get into the bars there, making it almost impossible NOT to drink. And the Greek system is extremely overpowering on campus so you feel obligated to go Greek or go home.

The isolation. University of Illinois is in a small micro-city; there is not much around except for the university itself and a small town near it. Coming from Chicago, that shift will be different. In Chicago, you can never be bored; something is always happening everywhere and there is always a constant flow of people and activities. At Urbana-Champaign, the life will be more quiet and slower. That will be a big adjustment.

The worst thing about my school is the prejudices that come from students based on race, sex, religion, and/or sexual orientation and identity. Many students tend to interact with those in the same racial or ethnic category because they tend to reject or underestimate anybody who doesn't think or look like them. Races and ethnicities remain divided, with the minorities remaining minorities in most social groups. U of I tries to make a safe living environment for these people, but only succeed in promoting further prejudices.

The worst thing I consider about my school is the lack of preparation/engagement with actual companies. To me, this is a nationwide collegiate problem. In my major, I wish to have representatives from companies (ranging from small to large) come in and explain what it takes to make it in the real world (socially, mentally, intellectually), specifically in regards to their company. There needs to be more recruiting done by companies. I've learned it's not really about what you know but more of who you know. Shift more focus on how to build connections and relationships.

I would say that the worst thing about UIUC is the segregation in race and ethnicity. The disproportionately large amount of Asian students on campus demonstrates the obvious distinction in race and ethnicity on campus. The whole school isn't necessarily segregated in all schools and departments, but the majority of people would say that our school was very segregated.

Most University of Illinois students love their school. It is highly ranked with a beautiful campus and satisfying professional and social outlets. But pretty much every student has the same gripe: the price tag. Our degrees are very useful and highly regarded, but they are also a pretty receipt bearing a huge price. The total estimated in state costs are between $29,000-$34,000. This is one of the highest in state fees for a public university in the country. It's a great school, but it's ultimately up to the individual if it is worth the cost.

So big. Not enough emphasis on socializing within each individual college to network.

I am not sure what is the wrost thing about my school because I love it there, but if I had to choose for me I think it would have to be finding a job. But I think I haven't really found a job because it conflicted a lot with my schedule.

The worst thing that I have found about the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is that there is an extremely large list of things that you can become involved with. This may seem like a good thing, and someday I am certain that it will be. However, at this time right now in my career, I want to be involved in everything that I can, and that is just not something that can be done. You have to be in a few clubs and do a lot--not in a lot of clubs and do a little.

The worst thing about my school is that I was unable to stay in an apartment my freshman year. If that's all I can say bad about my school, I would say it's pretty amazing. Wouldn't you?

Student body size. 30,000+ students made for too large and dispersed of a campus.

In my opinion, the worst thing about my school would be the lack of interaction between students of different nationalities.

Probably location. The immediate location is ok, but I would prefer to be a little further north or south in the state -- we're right in the middle of a great corn desert.

The worst part of my school is the lack of personal interaction with the staff and facility. Our university has an excellent reputation for publishing quality research papers. However because of this, it puts a constant pressure on the professors to produce results and if they fail to do so, they will be fired. As a result, many professors care very little about the class they are teaching which leaves the students to reply on the teaching assistances to answer questions that they have.

The amount of drinking and partying on campus. I don't like that I can't walk around Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night without seeing drunk students everywhere. I think that it represents our school very badly.

The worst thing about U of I is that there is very few people here in the summer. I currently work for a physics professor on campus and there is very few people here this summer, making life a bit boring right now.

Surprisingly, the worst aspect of the university in my personal opinion is its location. The brutal six-month winters of 20-below-zero days and feet of snow is grueling, especially considering my being a resident of the state of Florida. Should one wish to attend the University of IIlinois but is not acclimated to a midwest climate, be sure to be both willing and prepared to withstand frigid temperatures and a snowy landscape for the majority of the school year. The university does a fair job of shoveling sidewalks and making available transportation, but again I say, "be prepared."

Sometimes the size bothers me since the art campus is in the corner and I live on the opposite end. The school bus system is great though to make up for it!

The greek community runs the campus. If you can get past the constant talk abot houses and status within the social community it is not too bad.