Bradley University  -  Bradley

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Bradley University Summary

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Bradley University has a strong reputation in pre-med and engineering, and students are quick to point out both the merits of the institution and their satisfaction with its size and student body.
What you won’t hear, however, are students fawning over the school’s Peoria, IL location. There is definitely “nightlife” in Peoria, but because of the crime rate, students don’t usually spend their weekends in the city. The campus is relatively compact, so you are likely to run into fellow students and professors on a daily basis. Greek life is popular, and frats and sororities host the many of the parties and events on weekends. Students are generally enthusiastic about Greek life on campus and most are involved in some capacity. Sports, on the other hand, are not exactly popular; most Bradley-ians will tell you that sporting events are not as well-attended or supported as they could be. Students will also tell you that security on campus is extremely tight, resulting in large fines for underage drinkers and “undercover cops” busting up parties.
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Bradley University Review

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Bradley University students love their perfectly-sized campus but are less enthused about its location in Peoria, Illinois, large swaths of which are gritty and unsafe. “ Everything you need is on campus so there's no need to really go off campus anyway, but it can be dangerous,” says one sophomore. A junior puts a more positive spin on it: “ Bradley sits on a hill, atop Peoria, Il. We are very sheltered in this area, away from crime, and all the "real world" stuff. When you go to orientation, you are warned not to "go down the hill." "Down the hill" is where most of Peoria's crimes, and drugs happen.” Campus police have become more vigilant and a new lighting system on campus also helps.

There are a couple bars within walking distance, but since the walk back at night can still feel sketchy, most students look for diversion on campus. Frats and sororities answer the call. “Greek Life is one of the biggest things at Bradley. There are 14 male social fraternities and 7 female social sororities. Greek Life makes up 25-33% of the student body.” Parties happen frequently in part because, as several students reported, there isn’t much else to do. After a cluster of recent alcohol-related incidents, though, the school has tried to dry out the campus. “Nowadays people are scared to party because there is a newly enforced comprehensive alcohol plan that charges $450 for a drinking ticket with the possiblity of suspension and eviction from fraternity houses. The biggest downer of the social life is the "Task Force." The task force is a group of undercover state police that come to our parties to write underage people expensive tickets for consumption of alcohol. I truly believe with these new rules the social aspect of BU will totally be destroyed,” says one junior. Most students do not expect the effort to succeed.

Braves are largely white, middle to upper-middle class, and from the suburbs of Chicago; the extent of its diversity is up for debate. “We are diverse and yet accepting of each other. Freshman year was great because I had met so many different people. At Bradley we have a wide variety of people,” says one sophomore. “I had never been exposed to this much diversity in a school setting before and I had a blast getting to learn about new cultures and religions. I truly believe that anyone could come to Bradley and find their place.” A senior differs: “The student body is by and large interested in Jesus and drinking, so if you don't share those interests, maybe try another school.” This one, he continues, is “ heavily white, and heavily segregated.” A sophomore chimes in, “if you walk through the student center daily, at some point you will be asked whether you're going to Heaven. I've always wanted to just blurt out, "LOL NO," so if you're planning on doing that, call me ahead of time to video it.”

As things stand, there isn’t really a way for the school to come together. As one junior puts it, “The only downfall of Bradley is that there is no football team and not much school spirit.” The other Division I teams, mainly Basketball and Soccer, attract some fans, including a group of stalwarts calling themselves the Red Sea. There are lots of clubs and organizations, although not many activist ones: Bradley is known for being one of the more politically apathetic campuses in the nation.

And, of course, there are classes, which, apart from the much-lamented General Education requirements, get good reviews from students. “The music department faculty are wonderful! My experience so far at Bradley (just finished sophomore year) has taught me that the faculty want students to succeed and want to help them along the way,” says one junior Music Major. She continues, “I've also had wonderful professors outside of music classes. I haven't had a "bad professor" experience at all.” A junior concurs, “The Department of International Studies is fairly small. The professors are incredibly smart and very friendly. It is easy to build a relationship in which you are on a first name basis with them. You can be as involved in the major as you want to be. Some people just go to classes, others hang out in the main department office and chat with one another and the professors about school and the world and fun random things. There is always coffee.”

Overall, most students are happy on their hilltop, though some find the size and character of their campus limiting. There are always solutions: “Make sure you do a semester abroad. It is usually cheaper than a semester at Bradley, with the exception of some of the larger cities,” advises one student. Others couldn’t be happier with BU’s offerings and reputation. “The best thing about Bradley is the size. Many would consider BU a small school, but for me it is just right. I love walking to class and seeing a lot of familiar faces. The class sizes are perfect, making it easier to get to know professors on a one to one basis,” says one sophomore. “When I tell people I go to Bradley they see dollar signs but also a good school.”

See all 60 Bradley University Reviews

Bradley Quotes

Amy
Other
Junior
Bradley sits on a hill, atop Peoria, Il. We are very sheltered in this area, away from crime, and all the "real world" stuff. When you go to orientation, you are warned not to "go down the hill". "down the hill" is where most of Peoria's crimes, and drugs happen.
Blake
Business
Senior
The Greek Life is one of the biggest things at Bradley. There are 14 male social fraternities and 7 female social sororities. Greek Life makes up 25-33% of the student body.
BU Girl
Pre-Med
Junior
The only downfall of Bradley is that there is no football team and not much school spirit.
Unigo gives you an inside look at colleges. Unigo is not endorsed by Bradley, and the opinions expressed on this website are those of Bradley students.
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College Rankings

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60Student Votes

Campus Media

Newspapers:
Bradley Scout
Magazines:
Broadside
Radio Stations:
The Edge Bradley Student Radio - 98.9 FM
Blogs:
Bradley Student Blogs

Lydia's View

Provost Blog

Cullom-Davis Library

Livejournal Community
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Bradley Photos & Videos

Top Bradley Majors

Biology, Communications, Nursing, Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering

Basic Bradley Info

Founded:
1897
Location:
Peoria, IL
Total Undergraduates:
5,217
Total Grad Students:
838
Tuition (in state):
$22,600
Tuition (out of state):
$22,600
Selectivity Rating:
Selective

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Best Thing About Bradley

I think the best part about Bradley is its size and location. There aren't many mid-sized, non-denominational, liberal arts schools in a good, mid-sized city. I think that's what sets Bradley apart from other places and is what drew me to it.
Aaron , Pierron
Major: Journalism

Aaron , Pierron
Major: Journalism
Greek life
Btags, Saint Charles
Major: Business
I get up at 8:50 am for a 9 o'clock class and make it to class with 2 minutes to spare
lauren, Gurnee
Major:
small campus, building new facilities
Dani, Industry
Major: Business
  6 Records
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Worst Thing About Bradley

the worst thing at bradley is the foreign teachers at bradley. It can be extremely hard at times to interpret what they are saying. The math and engineering departments are like this.
Andrew
Major: Engineering
lack of diversity
stephen, gurnee
Major: Biology
safety concerns, but there are many ways to implement personal safety around and on campus.
Heather, Zion
Major: Nursing
Location.
Jill , Tinley Park
Major: Biology
Task Force
Carolyn, Lake Forest
Major: Business
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