I
am going to be honest. I didn't want to
go to the U of I when I first stepped
on this campus. In fact, I filled out the
application in about 15 min the day before the deadline.
And then I mailed it in on the deadline...
and subsequently got in. I really didn't have high
expectations for this school because I wanted to go to
a smaller school. However, I decided that I'd try
to make the best of it... and that was the
best decision I ever made. What I love
most about U of I are the many opportunities you
get. There are tons of extracurriculars to choose from,
lots of research opportunities, job opportunities, study abroad opportunities, etc.
There's even a leadership center devoted to helping you
build your current skills or acquire new skills to help
you become a more well-rounded individual.
As a
biology major (mcb) the classes were a little difficult and
the faculty and definitely the administration were tough to handle.
But getting past all of that and all the
horrible things that others will say about U of I
(not everyone will like it) I guarantee that you will
find yourself getting a world-class education for less than half
the price. I currently attend Columbia University and I
must say that I think the students here are no
smarter than the students at U of I. In
fact, I don't think the classes are any more difficult
(the main difference being the class sizes).
I
don't regret going to this university because it has prepared
me to be an independent, leading citizen. Sure I
go to an ivy-league school now for graduate school, but
U of I is where it all started. U
of I helped me to get to where I am
today. Remember this and remember it well: COLLEGE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT. If you only look at
the bad sides then your experience will be bad, but
if you take advantage of the good sides and what
the school has to offer then you will have an
amazing time! Like I said before, U of I
will offer you the world at your fingertips, but it
will be up to you to reach out and take
it like I did.
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