A small, liberal arts college, such as Illinois College (IC), allows students to participate in activities and programs that are just not possible when attending a larger university. A student can try out for a sports team, participate in various clubs, and even assist professors in research. Everyone, including faculty, staff, and even the president of the college, has a connection, making the IC campus more like a family than a school.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Jump in! Illinois College allowed me to participate in activities I would not have been able to had I attended a larger college/university. I always had an interest in playing tennis. After never having played on a tennis team previously, I joined my college's team and worked my way up. I also joined Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity, which allowed me to help people in the community via service projects. Chemistry Club allowed me to teach younger students in the community the importance of science and the environment. This and more is available to any student.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Having earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology, adding Chemistry and Mathematics minors, playing for the women's tennis team, and participating in several clubs, I know what it's like to be busy! The Biological Science route (alone) forces students to learn how to manage their time, which is a necessity. Even with the business of school, students will connect with each other in a way where they can work together and help each other learn.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
There are several dorms on campus, including all male, all female, and co-ed. Students sign up each spring semester and can rank where they prefer to live. Each dorm has a Resident's Assistant (RA), on each floor, who arranges different activities. College apartments are also offered as on-campus dorms, which allow students to cook in their rooms. Each dorm is a little different. The freshman dorms are a great way for first years to get to know their fellow classmates and be introduced to college life.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
There are several dining options on campus, giving students more variety. There is a cafeteria that serves more homestyle foods open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Common Grounds coffee shop offers a great lunch selection of sandwiches, salads, soups, chips, and fruit that is easily accessible while running between classes. The Uncommons offers more fast food, like burgers, pizza, and fries. Each student purchases a meal plan that they feel fits more with their eating habits.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
IC is set in Jacksonville, IL. While not a very well-known city, it is certainly rich in history, having a few historical buildings to visit downtown. Movie theaters, a bowling alley, and a roller skating rink are just a few minutes away. For more of a night life, Springfield, IL, is only 30 minutes away from campus, offering a larger movie theater, shopping mall, and various restaurants.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
While no education is cheap, the price of a liberal arts education is a little more than a larger university, mainly because it is a private institution. The educational value, however, is incomparable. I firmly believe that my education was more well-rounded and in-depth than any state school. There are also more opportunities for scholarships and grants (i.e. that don't need to be paid back!) at a smaller school.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Illinois College, where Abraham Lincoln attended, is said to be the most haunted campus in the midwest! Several legends claim that ghosts pass through various buildings and dorms. Also interesting, Beecher Hall, now house to two male literary societies, was the first medical building in Illinois, where students were able to witness medical practices and autopsies.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Illinois College is a great campus for various types of people. I knew students who lived 20 minutes away, several hours away, as well as students from different states and countries!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Countless! Illinois College offers clubs for the sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics), foreign languages, varsity sports, intramurals, literary societies, and many more. Plus, six or more students can propose an idea for a new club and get it approved through the dean.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
At Illinois College, Greek Life is known as Literary Societies. They are not sororities or fraternities because the students do not live in a house together, and they must perform at least one literary production per month. The only labeled fraternity is Alpha Phi Omega because it is a national co-ed service fraternity. Each group goes through a process of selecting students to become part of their society, and each organizes a set of campus and community service projects throughout the year.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
There is always a security officer on duty 24/7 at Illinois College. If there are any problems in the dorms or in one of the buildings, the security office can be notified.
A small, liberal arts college, such as Illinois College (IC), allows students to participate in activities and programs that are just not possible when attending a larger university. A student can try out for a sports team, participate in various clubs, and even assist professors in research. Everyone, including faculty, staff, and even the president of the college, has a connection, making the IC campus more like a family than a school.
Jump in! Illinois College allowed me to participate in activities I would not have been able to had I attended a larger college/university. I always had an interest in playing tennis. After never having played on a tennis team previously, I joined my college's team and worked my way up. I also joined Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity, which allowed me to help people in the community via service projects. Chemistry Club allowed me to teach younger students in the community the importance of science and the environment. This and more is available to any student.
Having earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology, adding Chemistry and Mathematics minors, playing for the women's tennis team, and participating in several clubs, I know what it's like to be busy! The Biological Science route (alone) forces students to learn how to manage their time, which is a necessity. Even with the business of school, students will connect with each other in a way where they can work together and help each other learn.
There are several dorms on campus, including all male, all female, and co-ed. Students sign up each spring semester and can rank where they prefer to live. Each dorm has a Resident's Assistant (RA), on each floor, who arranges different activities. College apartments are also offered as on-campus dorms, which allow students to cook in their rooms. Each dorm is a little different. The freshman dorms are a great way for first years to get to know their fellow classmates and be introduced to college life.
There are several dining options on campus, giving students more variety. There is a cafeteria that serves more homestyle foods open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Common Grounds coffee shop offers a great lunch selection of sandwiches, salads, soups, chips, and fruit that is easily accessible while running between classes. The Uncommons offers more fast food, like burgers, pizza, and fries. Each student purchases a meal plan that they feel fits more with their eating habits.
IC is set in Jacksonville, IL. While not a very well-known city, it is certainly rich in history, having a few historical buildings to visit downtown. Movie theaters, a bowling alley, and a roller skating rink are just a few minutes away. For more of a night life, Springfield, IL, is only 30 minutes away from campus, offering a larger movie theater, shopping mall, and various restaurants.
While no education is cheap, the price of a liberal arts education is a little more than a larger university, mainly because it is a private institution. The educational value, however, is incomparable. I firmly believe that my education was more well-rounded and in-depth than any state school. There are also more opportunities for scholarships and grants (i.e. that don't need to be paid back!) at a smaller school.
Illinois College, where Abraham Lincoln attended, is said to be the most haunted campus in the midwest! Several legends claim that ghosts pass through various buildings and dorms. Also interesting, Beecher Hall, now house to two male literary societies, was the first medical building in Illinois, where students were able to witness medical practices and autopsies.
Illinois College is a great campus for various types of people. I knew students who lived 20 minutes away, several hours away, as well as students from different states and countries!
Countless! Illinois College offers clubs for the sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics), foreign languages, varsity sports, intramurals, literary societies, and many more. Plus, six or more students can propose an idea for a new club and get it approved through the dean.
At Illinois College, Greek Life is known as Literary Societies. They are not sororities or fraternities because the students do not live in a house together, and they must perform at least one literary production per month. The only labeled fraternity is Alpha Phi Omega because it is a national co-ed service fraternity. Each group goes through a process of selecting students to become part of their society, and each organizes a set of campus and community service projects throughout the year.
There is always a security officer on duty 24/7 at Illinois College. If there are any problems in the dorms or in one of the buildings, the security office can be notified.