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The University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign

How this student rated the school
Research QualityB- Research AvailabilityC+
Research FundingB Graduate PoliticsC-
Errand Runners- Degree Completion-
Alternative pay [ta/gsi]- Sufficient Pay-
CompetitivenessB- Education QualityB-
Faculty AccessibilityB Useful ResearchB
Extracurriculars- Success-UnderstandingA
Surrounding CityC+ Social Life/EnvironmentC-
"Individual" treatmentB- FriendlinessB+
SafetyB+ Campus BeautyB
Campus MaintenanceB University Resource/spendingB
Describes the student body as:
Friendly

Describes the faculty as:
Friendly, Helpful

Male
Lowest Rating
Graduate Politics
C-
Highest Rating
Success-Understanding
A
He rated most things higher than other students did.
Date: Dec 31 1969
Major: Undecided (This Major's Salary over time)
As a first year Ph.D. student (I intentionally did not list what my major was), I have mixed feelings about this university. I am a Michigan (Ann Arbor), Washington (Seattle), and California alumnus, so I can compare this university to other universities. Here are the pros and the cons:

PROS:

1) This university has the third largest university library (after Harvard and Yale). You'll have no problems finding books, etc.

2) This campus is pretty diverse, and there are people from all over the world. This school is supposedly #1 in the number of Ph.D. students from foreign countries.

3) UIUC is trying to develop a more international curriculum. There are many opportunities abroad (mostly if you are an undergraduate student).

4) The transportation systme is convenient. As a student, you do not have to pay (although I must say Michigan has a better transportation system).

5) Tuition is cheaper than, say Ann Arbor. Living expenses are cheaper here than LA, Ann Arbor and Seattle.

CONS:

1) Chief Illiniwek - although this may be offensive to students of color, about 90% of UIUC students support this mascot.

2) Lack of decent restaurants in Champaign-Urbana (Chambana) area. There are handful of Chinese/Asian restaurants, but I haven't found any decent ones (compared to L.A.).

3) Nothing to do, especially if you don't have a car. On the bright side, you can get your studying done - since there's really nothing to do or see. I can verify a comment that central Illinois is really a rust belt. The corn/soybean field stretches in every direction with, virtually nothing…no (used) book stores, few gas station…that's pretty much it.

4) Although cost of living and tuition are cheaper than the abovementioned schools, there's nothing much going on.

5) Lack of political activism (compared to Berkeley or Michigan).

6) Reputation - I can verify an earlier comment that UIUC lacks the reputation that other Big Ten universities have -Michigan, Chicago, Wisconsin. As a result, not too many people in the west coast or east coast have heard of UIUC (Michigan alumni network is one of the biggest in the world.)

7) Too much drinking. I know UIUC has a huge Greek system, but these students are out drinking at night.

8) Too many anti-Michigan sentiments - I think a lot of this stems from inferiority complex (Michigan beats UIUC in most academics - with the exception of engineering AND has a better football team. Fighting Illini has been losing every major games.).

9) Constant change in weather. I don't know when it'll rain.

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The University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign
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