University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Dalton

One of my best friends goes there. I've wanted to go to the university of Illinois since I was five. I studied and worked hard to get here like everyone else.

Kristin

There is no way to describe the students because everybody is so different. No matter what you're like, you can find friends that will share something with you as well as learn about a variety of other backgrounds whether they be geographically, ethnically, religiously, academically, etc.

Anqi

They are really diverse and respect each other. You can easily find the group of students you want to hang out with. They are really helpful and passionate too.

Austin

The student body at the UIUC is a very intelligent group of people from around the world who are all very proud of their school and the opportunity to be there.

Sam

Students qt U of I are intelligent, curious, and dedicated to learning while also having fun.

Courtney

I was a political science major for my entire time spent at the U of I so I can't say what other major's were like, however, I strongly consider my major to have the most diverse array of students.

Elena

Diverse.

Alice

Artsy individuals looking to connect with others and figure out what their passions are.

Mateusz

Smart people that often care too much for school.

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Allison

Since U of I is such a big school, the students here are so diverse and you are bound to find somone that you fit in with as long as you search. U of I is a big party school but there are lots of people who don't drink and it may seem hard to find htose people at first but they're there.

Alanna

U of I is a huge campus with lots of different people. If you identify yourself with anything, I can almost guarantee there is a group (RSO) for it. We have everything from LGBT groups to foam sword fighters. There are plenty of minority groups, and they usually host one big event per year. LGBT groups always have Day of Silence or Coming out on the Quad events, while minority groups put on big festivals that echo their traditions. I'm not really sure if a student would feel out of place, unless they didn't know how/where to find an RSO they liked. I could imagine if a student felt out of place if they didn't join a club, or even participated in dorm activities. Most students wear whatever is comfortable to class. I notice more girls tend to put on pants for class more than guys, but most of us don't care. Sweats are encouraged, because they're comfy and warm. Jeans are the norm, but you look a little out of place by dressing up to class. We're there to learn, not to party. Students range from either being very politically aware to no clue what is happening in the world. Usually, a student would learn what is happening by walking on the Quad, where an RSO will bring attention to an issue. I can't say for sure if students are left or right winged, because although left wing students are more active, there is still a large presence of right wing students. Most students are from the Chicago area, or international students. We don't get many out of state students. We have a large Indian and Asian international student body, but last year I had 3 Australians living on my floor. All students interact on some level, either as a lab partner or neighbor in the dorm.

Gretta

The students at U of I are energetic, outgoing, and excited about whatever it is they are doing.

Mary

We have lots of opportunities for students of all different backgrounds. There are many religious groups and cultural houses that are meant to help people feel at home. Many of the students have diverse backgrounds, and U of I has a lot of international students. This opportunity to meet people with different backgrounds has been wonderful for people studying foreign languages.

Lauren

No student would feel out of place on campus due to the large student body, diversity is unavoidable. The only strange thing is that there is diversity, but each "group" sticks with each other. For example, terms on campus such as "black frats" and "white frats" are applied while referencing the greek life. Most students wear comfy clothes to class, which is nice because theres no pressure. Different types of students interact, but not as often as possible. Most students are from illinois. Most financial backgrounds include the privileged and or spoiled.

Jen

This is a very diverse campus. There are people of all ethnicities with different religions and views. Everyone is equally accepted.

Jeanette

Willing to help you if you don't understand something about lecture.

Michaela

They are intelligent and very dedicated to have success in their future.

Mayank

Students differ from class to class. Certain classes very serious and hard working, whereas, sometimes they just dont care

Cassandra

The student population at the University of Illinois is incredibly diverse. I truly do not think that any type of student would feel out of place here. There are students of every race, religion, political affiliation, socio-economic groups and personality. I have had classes with someone of each affiliation. There are many international students who add to the diversity. Personally, I am good friends with a girl from China and another from India. I took the community health course called Human Sexuality that allowed me to personally interact with LGBT students. Everyone has their own story and willing to meet new people. Many different types of students interact on campus, and there is also the occasional groups of common race. The majority of students are from the US, particularly Illinois. The financial background of each student is not necessarily known but I would guess most students are mainly middle class. Most students dress casual, wearing jeans or sweat pants to class. In general, I feel that every type of student exists on campus which creates such an accepting environment.

Stephanie

They are all pretty dedicated students but they know how to have fun. I believe that someone who doesn't have a good sense of humor wouldn't fi it. Students typically wear everyday clothing to their classes and nothing special. Although their are very distinct groups students don't typically interact outside of their race. The dining hall tables are all first come first serve and you typically eat with your friends, which are all very similar to you. Most students are from Chicago, which is the larger city in Illinois.

Melissa

As a public school with over 30,000 undergraduates you can find just about anyone here. For the most part people are very accepting here and its really easy to meet people, whether they are in your class, in the same RSOs as you, or out at the same bars.

Steven

Being an in-state school fed by Chicago teenagers, there is much diversity on campus. Within any student organization, you might find 20 different ethnicities. For students more comfortable with students like themselves, there are clubs geared towards bringing similar cultured people together. I'd say the majority of students come from middle-class backgrounds, but there are obviously subjects on both sides of the spectrum. Students are driven at U of I to not only make the most of their time on campus, but to set up their futures. Illinois offers so many different types of clubs and organizations that anybody can find their niche. Within the college of business, there is definitely a sense of competition that pushes students to do their best. It's healthy and in good spirits.

Luyao

The students on campus are extremely diverse. There are faces from every side of the world. About 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the students are international students. A great number of them are geeks. They are really talented and versatile. I don't see any ridiculous rich kids here which is a good news for those who hate extravagance.

Martin

The University of Illinois has a diverse student body. There are a number of minority student organizations on campus to foster tolerance and awareness. Additionally, the University has a number of resources for people with disabilities and boasts itself as having one of the best disability-friendly classrooms and resources. Most students are from Chicagoland. So out-of-state students will feel uncomfortable for the first few months as everyone else seems to know each other fairly well from high school. However, there is a good representation of every mindset and background which goes along with the large student body.

Macy

One aspect I love about UIUC is how diverse the students are. We have so many opportunities on campus for student's to become involved in (over 1200 registered student organizations) that any student with any type of background can find a place to fit in. We as a University acknowledge so many of these groups and you'll feel everyone's presence on campus. There are so many social events put together by groups that you always can find someone selling cookies for a cause, inviting to you a luncheon for LGBT awareness, or even selling tickets to a comedy show with a special guest pertaining to a particular religious background. The great thing about Illinois is we are all aware and accepting of our diversity, I think it is something students honestly take pride in. Many students that attend Illinois are from within the state, but we do have about 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} that come from out of state as well as international. Every state is represented by students at UIUC, so no matter what major you are, where you live, or what social groups you join you'll always be able to find diversity.

Tony

I would say that the students at the University of Illinois embody a wide range of people: straight, LGBT, bi-curious, prep, jocks, black, white, Hispanic, native Americans, etc.

Austin

The students here at U of I are not afraid to let people know what they are all about. Quad Day was one of the best memories of college so far. All of the student organizations line the quad with booths and students can sign up for as many organizations as they want. From Quidditch Club to October Lovers, there is something for everybody out there; you would have to try pretty hard to feel left out here at U of I. Do not worry about being discriminated, everyone I have encountered has a friendly attitude with all walks of life.

Tori

At the university, you stand a pretty good chance of meeting just about any kind of person at any given moment of the day. I honestly think that the type of person that would feel out of place at this school would be someone who is unable to accept change and differences in others. A person has to be pretty stubborn to not like it here. Most students wear a variety of clothes, whatever his or her taste may be. On an average walk to class, you may see a "hipster" like style to "American Eagle". Thanks to class participation, vastly different students interact with each other every day. Majors are not limited to a specific type of person, so you meet many different walks of nature. As I type this, I am in a prime observing location for students: a dorm lobby! To my right, I see a group of girls, pouring over their finals in sweats, hair up in pony tails, and tennis shoes. This is the average "dressed down" look for students. In the dorms, you see people at their best or worst at any given moment. In the dining hall, you can see anyone from the harajuku Asian girls with bright colors and fashionable outfits to casually dressed every-mans. In my first few months in college, I have met several people from middle class backgrounds. Students here are more politically active than any other people my age that I have ever met. Most views vary. Depending on his or her major, students frequency to converse about future payrolls fluctuates. For instance, an engineering major may have more to say about how much they will be making in four years than an art student.

Sean

At a school 40,000+ students, there is bound to be a wide variety of people. The University of Illinois attempts to make all these students feel at home and for the most part, it does a pretty good job. For instance, there are fraternities and sororities for Asian, African-American, Hispanic, and Jewish students. People are constantly advertising for LGBT groups and other groups that try to make students that may feel "different" right at home. None of that really applies to me though because I'm just an average middle class white guy from the suburbs. When it comes to class attire, most students definitely "bum it out." A common outfit for the average student is sweatpants or shorts with some sort of athletic t-shirt/sweatshirt. Those in fraternities and sororities rep their letters on seemingly every article of clothing. I usually just stick to jeans and a t-shirt when attending class. I definitely don't feel a need to spend a lot of preparation on my outfit when I know that I'm going to class with 100 strangers that I only see 2 times a week. However, when it comes to weekend activities, it seems that the girls go way over the top with their outfits. Or rather, at least it is my opinion that when it is 40 degrees outside, a girl doesn't need to wear high heels and a dress to go to a campus bar. If there were four tables at a dining hall, I'd have to say that it isn't much different from high school. There are the "cool" guys at one table. These are the guys that have beer pong posters in their dorm rooms and codes for what to do when one has a girl over. The next table would probably have a more "nerdy" class of guy. After dinner, these guys probably go back to playing xbox or doing homework. Another table would probably be a group of girls. These girls probably all belong to the same sorority and it is easy to tell because of their matching clothes. A fourth table would most likely be a table with some sort of foreigners, probably Asian. The University of Illinois has many Asian students and they tend to stick together so this would probably be a realistic call. Most of the students come from the Chicago-land area. I myself come from the south side of Chicago and all three of my current roommates are from my hometown. A lot of students knew each other before coming here. I'd have to say that different types of students don't really interact because once kids find that group that is similar to them, there isn't really a need to branch out and mingle with those from different backgrounds. I'd say the student that would feel most out of place here would be a real artsy, creative type. While this school does have a lot of "hipsters," they would probably be more comfortable at somewhere like DePaul or Columbia since that isn't really the scene here. The Greek system dominates this school and it is reflected in its student body. I'd say the majority of students are not politically aware/active. Urbana-Champaign is like an academic island in the middle of Illinois. Sometimes I go home and realize that I was oblivious to things happening in the outside world. The student body is predominately on the left of the political scale, but I attribute that to the demographic. It seems like it is just the "cool" things to do when you're 20 to like Obama and marijuana legalization. Overall, a new student should be able to find a group to fit in with here, but should be careful not to get sucked into a crowd just to feel cool. There are so many people here that there is no reason not to find a circle of friends that don't accept you for who you are.

David

As a resident advisor, been exposed to all walks of life. From greatest to least, our demographics go like this: White, Asian/Pacific Island, Black, Hispanic, Native American, "other." That's not to say that you'll never, ever see certain people. We're all a part of one big campus community, and you'll undoubtedly encounter people who look nothing like you. We're a very diverse campus, and this stems further than skin color. There are also members of the LGBTQ community, various religious followings, socioeconomic status and physical abilities. Our campus leaves no one out. I can say that confidently because there are so many groups dedicated to including minority students. For example, we have an organization that is designed to assist students with disabilities and we're one of the leading handicap accessible universities. U of I has pioneered disabilities research and development for decades and have made great strides for that community. There are also cultural houses that educate campus on minority student affairs; they are very inviting and urge students to visit and step outside their comfort zones. In addition, there is a strong partnership with LGTBQ students. Many campus organizations, along with University housing educate students rather than scare them with things they don't know. For example, I had a resident ask me where they could go to feel safe if someone didn't like the fact that he was gay. I was disheartened, but felt empowered to throw a program for my building that basically dispelled myths about gay men. He felt so much more comfortable with his sexuality, and U of I wants that for every member of the community. We aim to treat everyone fairly. As mentioned in an earlier post, we've even gotten rid of our mascot because of its offensive nature. Overall, you'll see a new face every day. With more than 40,000 students, that's not impossible to realize. The point is, you'll encounter individuals that are different from you in many ways, but we're accepting of who you are, no matter what. Our campus embraces diversity, and whether or not that's what you want to do, you learn respect others in the process. Everyone here is a potential friend, and small friendships go a long way in college.

Dillon

For a school smack-dab in the middle of the Midwest, and all the stereotypes that that might carry, UIUC is a really diverse school. As anyone who's been here can tell you, there's lots of Asians... more than you'd expect- and as a result there's a lot of coming together of cultures, from the Japan House's tea ceremonies to all the Korean-friendly church services to all the cultural houses (Latino/a, Women's Studies, Asian-American Cultural Center, ect...) and a very strong LGBT presence, with groups and events aplenty for the LGBT community and its allies. Due to the school's size, there's a significant number of every different ethnicity, religion, and so on on campus, so no one's really out of place. It's just a matter of going out and finding a place to settle into. Again, the school is really balanced, so things like liberal-conservative, rich-poor, rural-urban all end up pretty varied. And so the things students wear and do are pretty equally varied too, from flannel and blue jeans to Amercrombie and Fitch, and an ocean of black Northface coats when winter hits. The number of Chicago kids might push it a bit more towards urban, but maybe that's just my opinion. No one's really worried about what they'll make someday, because a degree from U of I means a fair amount of money to most of us- unless you got it in something crazy like creative writing. People talk about classes, what's going on on Green Street that night, and just whatever's happening in the world.

Heather

I don't think there's any sort of mold for Illinois. It's so diverse with people coming from all different sides of the U.S. and the world. It's quite refreshing, especially since I come from the suburbs of Chicago. There isn't a huge gay and lesbian scene on campus, but there definitely are some that are open and proud about their sexuality.

Alyssa

A "regular" student's day at U of I goes as follows: First, you wake up, after possibly hitting the snooze button a few times, and get dressed. The average student usually dresses pretty casual for class, wearing anything from jeans and a sweater to pajama pants and a t-shirt.Then you might grab a bite to eat on your way to your class. Depending on how chilly it is, maybe catch a bus to your class, sit through some lectures and head home after class. Usually a student might work on some homework or study a bit before the evening plans begin. The evening may consist of meeting up with friends for dinner, hanging out at a friend's apartment or dorm, or simply watching a movie in your room. People make friends pretty easily around here, whether you just knock on your neighbors door or choose to join a fraternity or sorority on campus. It's not always about academics here, we want to have some fun, too! There are plenty of International students at the U of I who tend to keep to themselves usually, but it's great getting to know them and finding out how different your life may be from others. Most student's goal here is to learn and have fun along the way. We know when it's crunch time and when its time to have fun.

Katherine

One of the great things about U of I is it really is a pretty diverse campus, in terms of interests and groups. You can find a club for everything here - singing, rugby, sword fighting - you name it, we have it. Students tend to flock towards people similar to them, but if your interests overlap with that of someone completely different from you in other ways, it makes for an interesting group meeting. One thing I never saw a lot of here was openly religious gatherings or groups. I would be willing to bet they exist, but you don't hear a lot about them - they don't gather on the quad in big displays or wear t-shirts proclaiming what they're about. Given that the campus is so big (with over 40,000 students) it's possible that they are vocal - I just never saw it. Dressing up for class is something that, in general, students just don't do here. Most wear sweatpants, sweatshirts, jeans and t-shirts to class. I've even been in lectures where a student has walked in wearing a pair of boxers and a t-shirt. Not boxers like pajama shorts...boxers like his underwear. It can be a good thing- if you're running late and show up to class in pajamas, no one will give you a second glance. And there is a happy medium - plenty of people are walking around campus right now in cute boots, jeans, sweaters and peacoats and no one thinks they're "overdressed".

IVY

There are over 50,000 students at the U of I. Each one has there own distinctive look and style. Some come from middle class to lower class families. Many share similar politcally views....but at the end of the day....we're all students. Aiming to make our mark in society. And this is why I choose U of I. It's a place where you can grow and learn from that group of 50,000. A place where you can share your thoughts and opinons and be who you are.

Jeff

A large number of students are white and from the Chicago suburbs. However, there is a large international student population and the school is also public. There are about 40,000 students total here, so you can meet new people you wouldn't meet otherwise. I live just outside of Chicago and my freshman year roommate was from New Dehli, India, which was very cool. There is a LGBT community and political activist do exist. They do not make up the majority. Many students are relatively well off but not all. There is a decent amount of mingling between races, ethnicities, etc. Political ties are about 50/50, I believe.

Sarah

I don’t think one can collectively describe all students at this university. We have a student body that comes from a wide range of countries, religions, and backgrounds. I have friends who come from my hometown, and I have friends who come from countries thousands of miles away from me. That’s what keeps things interesting isn’t it? I love learning about people from cultures that are different than mine.

Ana

Within the community I am having the opportunity to see that there are various communities that promote a welcoming environment. I love how we have small communities within this whole large college community. Each student has the opportunity to have choices given to them that makes this place fit for them. The way people dress is up to every person and not everyone is not the same. The way we all interact is something that varies within every person.

Taylor

A good way to describe students here at Illinois is driven. We all want to achieve great things in our lives and be successful. We also know this goal is attainable because we are getting an education from the U of I and it has been proved time and again that an education from the U of I can get you places. The creators of YouTube, the most acclaimed film critic of our time, and the CEO's of companies around the world, including McDonald's, all graduated from Illinois. So being a nerd here is embraced by all. Students are really friendly and interact all the time. When you have students from Germany, Turkey, China, and England, just to name a few, you want to ask and learn about these other cultures, especially when they're sitting across the dining hall table from you. Meeting people is a whole other adventure here at school. Everyone is really accepting of people of all races, social backgrounds, sexual orientation, and anything else you can think of, which is a really wonderful characteristic of this school that many are unaware about. There are clubs and organizations that promote all types of interests any student may have as well and all students embrace it. On the quad, there's always a club promoting pizza slices to support their group, or a group of students in a drum circle playing instruments from their home country. It is really beautiful. Most students here at Illinois seem to come from wealthy backgrounds, but I think that comes with the territory of being able to afford a $30,000 tuition. However, I have met so many students, myself included, that are here on a full scholarship, or partial scholarship and who without it would probably not be able to attend college. That's another great thing about Illinois is that they offer so much scholarship money and help for students to be able to earn their college degree. Sometimes in high school I would be embarrassed at the thought of financial assistance, but in college, the more you can get, the more people wish they could get the same as you- which is really nice. If there were four tables of students in the dining hall, and I am choosing 4 totally different tables, I am guessing one table would be a group of oriental students from the region of Asia. Another table would probably be a table of guys who all met each other from being in the same dorm. Another table would be girls from the same floor. And the final table would be a mix of students who just met, boys and girls, and who are getting to know each other. I have slowly seen as the year has gone on that these lines have blurred and people sit together to learn about one another and make new friends. It's really easy here and you can probably never have to go a meal without eating with a friend, new or old, at any time of the day.

Lihy

I promise you, UIUC is the definition of diverse. Frankly, I've met more people from Africa here than from my hometown (Northbrook, IL). For some reason, UIUC is a big draw for international students. You will be exposed to every culture that YOU DESIRE. That's key. There are a lot of programs and events going on at all times here. You can choose what types of people you want to be exposed to. FYI, I'm 23, female, lesbian, Israeli, Jewish, republican...There are people here from every background. There are issues with how the police handle minority populations. If I was going to be here longer, I would make a stink about it. Does it bother you that I mentioned this fact? DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I say this because I want you to understand that I don't think UIUC is perfect, but that the students who attend have the power to effect change. For that reason, and the fact that you can basically make decisions to access what's important to you, UIUC is really amazing.

Philip

I can walk down Green Street at the University of Illinois and go from hearing Mandarin to German to French to English. I love it! The University attracts students from around the world. While some majors carry their stereotypes- engineering geeky Asian and white guys, sociology a racial hodgepodge of women- the University as a whole offers all sorts of people and ideas. Check out Murphy's on Thursdays for International Night!

Liz

I am involved in a Christian ministry called Covenant Fellowship Church. This is an incredibly blessing and awesome organization because there are so many opportunities to meet people from all over campus and learn to develop my faith. Since our church is so big, members get put into groups "small groups". My small group has become my family here and it's cool because we can all get together and make dinner at someone's apartment and have a great time. We even have weekly bible studies! I've been very blessed to be a part of this organization. My school is very diverse in the sense that all religions, races and communities are welcomed and accepted. There are more than 100 religious groups on campus, tailoring to every religion you could possibly think of. There's even a secular student organization. It's cool because there are a plethora of racial groups on campus like: African Cultural Association, Korean American Student Association, Philippine Student Association, etc. There's even cultural houses on campus where you can go to eat lunch and learn more about a specific culture. The lunches are delicious, they cater and it's usually authentic food! Yum. We have a strong LGBT community as well. This is an organization that supports and encourages students to be comfortable in their own skin and they empower students to take a stand for who they are. I really think that there is at least one organization that any student could be involved in. I don't think there is one student that would feel out of place at this school. I'm not joking when I say there are so many organizations tailored to students and their different interests that there is no way someone could feel left out. This is my personal belief. There are four tables of students in the dining hall and I can look at them and tell you each kid sitting at them are all diverse and all part of different groups. It's not like high school where only athletes sat with athletes or the AP kids sat with AP kids. Everyone in the dining hall sits wherever they want to and it's not a big deal. I want to say many of the students here are Illinois natives but lately, I've met so many people who are from out-of-state and there are a ton of international students here. I want to say more than 100 countries are represented at this university. I think that's cool! Some students are politically aware and those that want to be more vocal about where they stand in politics join the student senate here. I don't know if my campus is predominantly left, right or center but I can say that all political parties are accepted and respected.

Brian

One of the things I hear a lot is about how many Asian students there are. Illinois has about 5,000 international students from China and South Korea. That number does not even include Asian-American students. The Asian culture is a pretty big chunk of U of I. On the other hand the Chicago suburbs do tend to dominate the campus. As a public university that should be no surprise, but these students come from diverse backgrounds. There is no shortage of diversity on campus. With so many students it’s hard to avoid that. Diversity is one of the reasons why Illinois is such a great place. With so many undergrads and graduate students you can find every point on the spectrum when it comes to any race, religion, or political view.

Brian

One of the things I hear a lot is about how many Asian students there are. Illinois has about 5,000 international students from China and South Korea. That number does not even include Asian-American students. The Asian culture is a pretty big chunk of U of I. On the other hand the Chicago suburbs do tend to dominate the campus. As a public university that should be no surprise, but these students come from diverse backgrounds. There is no shortage of diversity on campus. With so many students it’s hard to avoid that. Diversity is one of the reasons why Illinois is such a great place. With so many undergrads and graduate students you can find every point on the spectrum when it comes to any race, religion, or political view.

Corey

This question can be answered simply by spending an hour on the quad. Every type of person can be observed in action. There are some very talented people at U of I, and they display their talents on the quad daily. The quad, and the university in general, represent people from every ethnic, socioeconomic, racial, religious, and sexually oriented background. Hundreds of Student Organizations represent all groups of people, so no one should every feel isolated or left out at the university. Students are definitely socially and politically aware. I've witnessed several protests on the quad, advocating for every political ideology. The campus isn't left, right, or center. All political beliefs can be witnessed on display at the university.

Liv

There are plenty of ways to surround yourself with students with the same social tendencies, major interests, or background as you. One of the reasons we have so many little cultural hubs is because the campus promotes getting involved and finding your niche here. We have cultural centers for ethnic groups to either embrace your heritage or learn about a new one, multiple Living-Learning communities (residence halls that cater to a specific set of interests and cater to those areas by bringing in speakers and hosting courses within said hall), and over 1,000 clubs! So whether a student wants to keep pursuing one path, or try something different the options are limitless, and always welcoming.

Sarah

This school is...diverse and loves it. Students come from all over, and believe all kinds of things, but I would say that the majority are still suburban kids. I think most kids wear sweatpants to class, or jeans and a hoodie under a northface fleece. That being said though, with such a large student body it's easy to find a group of people that you click with. there are cultural houses on campus that are amazing, they host activities and they provide a place for minority students to go to feel like a "home away from home". I think a lot of the students here people who have a tradition of attending college in their family and so they don't appreciate it I think as much as they should. Students are fairly politically active, there are a lot of protests on the quad.

Courtney

I really believe there is no student that would feel out of place at this school. The school is so big that it is impossible not to find people that are like yourself. Most students wear comfy clothes to class, we are typical college students. Most of the students are from the Chicago suburbs, but I have met quite a few people from other states and other countries (mainly from Asia).

Emily

University of Illinois is, well, in Illinois and historically, Illinois is a blue/left leaning state and thus University of Illinois also tends to be a left-leaning/more liberal institution. However, I tend to be more right leaning/conservative and I have had no problems in the political atmosphere in my four years. There are groups on campus that cater to every group, whether it be racial, religious, LGBT or political...you will find your resources here. Specifically with racial, LGBT and women, we actually have many resources and cultural houses that empower students with a minority background. We have a LGBT and Women's Resource Center located across the street from the Main Quad, so easily accessible to students. I have never heard of any student that felt out of place here because there are so many opportunities for you to find your niche in that you will never be alone. In regards to what students wear to class, that is all over the board. From business casual students (usually there is a reason for that, such as an interview) to sweats, anything is fair game. Most students wear jeans, t-shirt or hoodie and sneakers. We have a very diverse community so style is very subjective from the very artistic, to international, to edgy to those who look like they just got out of bed, you will have no problem with having to choose what to wear each day. Everyone here interacts with each other, no matter what their background or heritage. We come together in all sorts of activities and I enjoy going to a university where everyone is different. In terms of financial backgrounds, each is present so you don't have to worry about everyone being super high class or vice-versa....we are a very diverse school so everyone fits right in and brings their own uniqueness!