University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Top Questions

Typically, schools are given this tag of "party campus" or rate themselves based on how crazy the weekends, and sometimes weekdays, tend to be. I feel that's not an accurate stereotype and doesn't tell a whole lot about any given school because, let's face it, partying goes on at every college campus. I refuse to say mindlessly, "our school stereotype is that we party a ton." We have the largest Greek system in the nation, which pretty much labels our school right off the bat. Most people assume that if you're an Illini, you're affiliated with some Greek organization, whether it's social, cultural, honors or major-based. It's unavoidable here, there is an entire street about 4 blocks long littered with frat houses, not to mention our architectural masterpieces, the sorority homes. Let's just say it's a big deal here. If you don't run into at least 50 Greek-lettered shirts or hoodies throughout your day, you just might be staring at the floor. Another thing we're known for is our intense engineering program. Many of those students are far and away from campus, considering they have such a rigorous program. You can often tell who's an engineering major by how little you see them. The stereotype here is that you are always in the library or labs. The 5-year program is popular as well. There is even a library dedicated to that program and an entire section of campus laid out for them. There's even bus route named after the program! It's a big deal here just like Greek life.

We are intelligent students who are well rounded. Recruiters know this and actively seek Illinois students out. Thats what is important.

The main stereotype is that everyone is from the Chicago Suburbs. You have the Greeks, the Non-Greeks, the International students, out of state students, Southern Illinois students, and many more. The main perception is that everyone is from Chicago. This is not true, and I met a lot of great people not from the suburbs. Though there are a lot of students from the suburbs, this may be reassuring to those who are looking to not expand their horizons. I encourage those who are like this to attend U of I because you will be able to meet people from other Chicago suburbs, but you will also be able to meet people outside of this state that have a whole new insight on the world and life.

Many people think that because the University of Illinois is located in central Illinois and surrounded by tons of cornfields, every student is a farmer. However, this stereotype is simply not true. Although many students do come from farming families, I definitely do not think the majority of them are. The beauty of a campus with over 40,000 students is not all of them will be alike. It is difficult to have one student stereotype when we are all so different here.

Well, I'm not from Chicago so I can definitely say that there are a TON of people from the Chicago area here at Illinois. But, while that may be, to me it doesn't matter where you are from, because now you are a student at Illinois and being from Chicago is only one part of your background. Plus, we have thousands of international students and students from all over the nation as well. In fact, one of my closet friends is from Indiana. So, while there many be a bunch of students from Chicago, you will find your fair share of people who are not from the Chicagoland.

I always heard people talking about how big greek life is at UofI so there's a little bit of a stereotype of how fratty UofI can be. However, a more pervasive stereotype I have heard is that people who go to UofI are nerdy.

I always heard people talking about how big greek life is at U of I so there's a little bit of a stereotype of how fratty U of I can be. However, a more pervasive stereotype I have heard is that people who go to U of I are nerdy.

I have heard nerds and fratty.

A common stereotype of Illinois students is that an overwhelming percentage of the student body is from Chicago or the surrounding suburbs. While there are certainly students from those areas who attend Illinois, there is also a large number of students from other areas in the state, out-of-state students, and even international students. There is a lot of diversity at Illinois, and that's plain to see even when you're just sitting in class or walking on the quad.

This school is large and diverse and you can make it whatever you want it to be while you're here. The majority of the student body is greek affiliated, but by no means do you have to be (I'm not). Your "quality of life" will vary greatly by your selected path of study. You'll find that your Business or LAS friends have a lot of free time and are able to be very social while your Science and Engineering students are definitely required to hit the books more. This might be a challenge for you if you're interested in an Engineering degree here (which across all disciplines, is one of the best in the country). Also, a large percentage of students here are from the Chicago suburbs. I do have friends from Tennessee, California, New York, Cincinnati (off the top of my head), but its very common to make friends and keep them easily out of school if you're from the state. Its very easy to get along with random people you may meet while out on the very large nightlife town. You'll find lots of walkable bars (and more non-walkable ones in downtown Champaign) and you can always find something to do if you're looking to socialize.