University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Top Questions

What are the most popular student activities/groups?

Stefanie

Since I was an athlete I really got to see a lot of sporting events, these are a great way to socialize and meet new people.

Morgan

The social life is awesome here at the University of Illinois. There are definitely dorms geared towards what type of scene you are into. The six pack (peabody and gregory halls) are very social. I lived in the six pack and everyone always had their doors open. I loved everyone in my dorm and was constantly socializing. I met my closest friends from my dorm. I was very lucky as my roommate and I got along extremely well. She is now one of my best friends, along with the two girls next door to us, and two other girls down the hall. I was with these girls 24/7 my freshman year and I loved it! We are all in different sororities, so we have our escape from each other, but we will always be best friends. If I am awake at 2am on a Tuesday, I am most likely walking out of Joes Brewery after 90's night. I will most likely be walking with my friends to the bus stop or the nearest after hours party. People are always partying, but at the same time they are always studying. Illinois students know how to balance academics and social events.

matt

the greek system at illinois is the biggest in the world and the most active. you can't walk down the street for more than ten feet without seeing a greek shirt. i joined a house my freshman year and it was the best thing i've ever done. it helped me become me. going into school, joining a house was the last thing on my mind. once i got to the house i joined, i just felt at home. i really think that every person who goes to school should join a house so that they can have the same feeling that i had.

Isabel

Your social life on this campus depends your perspective and your personality. People gravitate to people they are comfortable with. And people also go to events they are attracted to. U of I and its organizations provide many events, speakers, etc for every kind of person.

Zach

Athletic events are wildly popular when the teams are playing well (volleyball, hockey, football) and at rivalry games. Most everyone is in a frat or sorority. People party on weekend all the time, and usually start on friday. Thursday is not completely out, but rare for most people.

mike

The greek system rules the social scene. If you end up going to Illinois, seriously think about rushing. My main regret of freshman year was waiting until second semester to rush. My best friend that I've met at school are my fraternity brothers, but I am also close friends with some kids who lived on my floor. The bars allow everyone 19 and older in the door, so thats a popular destination every night of the week for some.

Jerry

Orange Krush is a huge student organization on campus. They are the main cheering section for sports games, and guarantee students basketball tickets. I am involved in SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) and Dance 2XS Caliente. SHPE is known to be one of the best run student organizations on campus. It's a great way to gain responsibilities and leadership positions, travel to nationwide engineering conferences, get to know the engineering department and staff better, and most of all it's the best support system possible. Upperclassmen in SHPE mentor newer students, giving opinions and advice regarding course selection and difficulty. Dance 2XS Caliente is a latin and hip hop performance dance team. There is also a Dance 2XS UIUC hip hop team. Illinois has innumerous dance teams and clubs to become a part of. Some are more competitive as others, but there are many styles and difficulty levels to choose from. It's a great way to stay active while having fun and meeting amazing people.

Kevin

The social life is great. There are planty of frats to give frat parties on certain weekends if that is your thing. There are also many on campus bars that allow you to get in at age 19. As long as you have an id that looks some what like you and has the 19 age on it, you are money to get in.

Dana

Well, U of I has the biggest greek system in the country. That's really popular, but it's just as cool not to be in the system. It's about half and half; I never joined one. Definitely check out Broomball. Its like hockey but with a ball and smaller sticks. Oh, and no ice skates. REALLY fun. And check out the football games. Now that we're good, they're really super awesome to watch. The university sponsors a bunch of speakers and lectures and stuff. I've been to a few, but they're not really my forte. There's plenty of social life going on here too. I always tell people- If you are looking for a 'party school', you will find people to party with you. If thats really not your thing, then you will find people to hangout elsewhere. COLLEGE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT. Thats my best advice. Especially in the 6-pack (currently under construction to be the 8pack?), people leave their doors open and are super friendly. Please don't think that theres nothing to do if you don't drink. There's plenty. But of course, there's also many bars and parties if you do.

Jamie

Greek Life is obnoxiously large at U of I. But dont feel the need to have to join. If youre interested, go through the rush period open mindedly but dont feel as though if you rush, you must join. See if its for you or not. Talk with people who are in it, arent it in, used to be in it. I rushed because my roommated wanted to, and I went into it thinking if it seems like its for me, I'll join; if not, I only wasted a few weekends. I joined, and my roommate did not. Neither of us regret our decision.

Erin

a lot of illinois social life includes partying and drinking however there are plenty of other activities to take part in for non drinkers like me. twice a month on friday nights the school hosts illinites where the illini union board puts on activities for students in the union student center. the union is also host to numerous comedians and musicians as well as improv comedy on monday nights. this past April the union brought BJ Novak from NBC's The Office to put on a comedy show. They were also able to bring in Second City for an improv show as well as one of my favorite bands, Mustard Plug.

Claire

There is a Registered Student Organization (RSO) for EVERYONE. Whether it me a club sport, dance troupe, checkers club, or Dungeons and Dragons club, Illinois has got it. The Greek system is very popular as Illinois has the largest one in the nation. Many freshmen decide to go Greek during the first months on campus. On of the hard things about this is that rush is held within the first month or so of being at school. This is a huge decision that is expected to be made in a short time by freshmen who have only been on campus for a few days. Dorms are a great place to meet people and my four best friends now all lived on my floor my freshman year. While everyone is generally friendly, the dorms are different. In Allen Hall, you have the hippie "nuts and berries" type folk and most engineers live in Illinois Street Residences (ISR). The dorms nicknamed the six pack is the most social by far as people's doors are usually open and everyone is outgoing. The six pack contains six dorms grouped into the Gregory Street and Peabody Drive Residences. Florida Avenuve Residence (FAR) and Pennsylvania Avenue Residence (PAR) are far from the quad and consequently removed from most things. PAR is a "Global Crossroads" dorm for many international students. There is also private housing available like Bromley Hall and Illini Towers (IT). Bromely is more dorm-like but you don't meet as many people there because people usually move in with a roommate they know from home and keep to themselves. IT is great as you are basically living in an apartment but it is very expensive and, once again, you don't meet as many people and usually stick with the kids from back home. If I am up at 2am on any night of the week, I am either studying, drinking or walking home from the bars. Bars close at 2am every night and people go out every night of the week although some nights more than others. There is something going on each night at bars so some people see a reason to go out for "Corona Night on Tuesday at The Clybourne", "Bomb Night at CO Daniel's" on Wednesday's, or "Thursday Night Shacker Night at Station 211". Illinois has a big drinking scene as the age to enter campus bars is 19.

Bobby

Obviously being a BIG 10 school sports are huge here. I love that. There is an organization for absolutely anything you can think of. And if there isn't you can make one and its quite simple. This is a wonderful place for clubs and organizations. Most students leave their dorm doors open. Most people are very welcoming. The dating scene, well it all depends, there are a lot of people here to choose from. I, personally, haven't found someone yet. But, I'm okay with that. I met my closet friends from the dorm I lived in freshman year and the sorority I'm in. If its Tuesday night at 2am I am walking home from Kam's. Tuesday night is country night! There are people out partying every night, but remember you still have school work. A balance would be ideal. I didn't do that so much my freshman year. I went out too much. We do have the biggest greek system in the nation here at U of I, but I have friends in other houses, I have friends that aren't in houses at all. So, its what you make it to be. Last weekend I went home. Not a good answer, but usually I would be with friends. Off campus, I actually dont go off campus that much, there really isn't a need too. I do go to the mall though (which is off campus)

Josh

Join Illini Pride! And go to Football and Basketball games!

KJ

The most popular organization on campus would have to be the Greek community I am involved in many groups... Students leaving their dorm doors open is dependent upon the dorm they're in, Six pack= Yes all the time (party dorms), FAR=Not so much (Minority dorms) Athletic events are very popular and always sold out Dating scene is not so much a dating scene as it is a 'hooking up' scene, guys in college don't want to date they want to mate I met my closest friends through social events on campus If I'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday I am studying... Some people party everyday, most start their weekends on Thursdays and party Thursday through Saturday. Greek life is very important to people, they consider it a huge part of their college life I'm not currently in school (I'm on my summer vacation) but on a typical weekend I go out on Thursdays and Fridays to the local bars. Saturday night you can go to the movies, go downtown to eat at a chic restaurant, go bowling, pretty much anything you can do at home on the weekends you can do at U of I, it's made up of two towns. Off campus I often go to the movies, go eat at a nic restaurant, shopping, etc.

Kelly

greek life is a great way to expand your social circle. At the same time, it also makes things into cliques. There are numerous bars. Bars make up most of the night life. They are only 19 to get in, so students start going there their freshman year. Some bars are where most often greeks go, and others non-greeks. Some have a younger crowd, while others usually host an older crowd. During football season, those saturdays are just crowded with masses of people all over, especially on Green street and at the bars and tailgating. Close friends are often met in the dorms freshman year and through clubs/organizations or greek life.

Elizabeth

Greek life is huge here, and if you're not in a frat or sorority, you will learn to hate it because those kids get drunk and pregnant the first year. They cheat to pass. Although I've met some intelligent frat boys, I have honestly never met a sorority girl who earned very high grades. Of course, this is the U of I, and I'm sure they exist... I just personally have never met any. I'm involved in Orthodox Christian Fellowship, which is a fantastic group for Orthodox students. We welcome everyone, though, so while most students are Orthodox, there are also students that come who are just interested in Orthodoxy. This is how many organizations are on campus - most of the members are who the organization was designed for (Asians, engineers, pre-meds, Muslims, etc.) and there are almost always some members who are just curious. I'm almost involved with Marching Illini, which is indescribable. It's the best group on this campus. I would recommend to ALL students to join at least a few organizations right away. This is how I met my best friends now. I would not survive in this school if it weren't for their constant support. It's easy to get lost here and to feel isolated, even though there are thousands and thousands of students around you. It's important to figure out who you are, what you're doing here, and who loves you. If you can answer those questions within the first year, you will have a pretty good experience at this school.

Hannah

There are a lot of groups. I am most involved in Epsilon Delta (the organization for future teachers). It is a great organizations because it offers a lot of philanthropy opportunities as well as interactions with other educaters (of all kinds) and students from the Chicagoland area. Students left there dorm doors open until it was assumed that you can come in whenever you would like. Students were very welcoming to meet others and respecting others as far as bringing home dates. Atheletic events are very popular, much more so then theather productions. I met mty closest friends from my dorm floor and my sorority. If I am awake at 2 am on Tue I am writing a last minute paper due Wed morning. People party at least twice a week. On sat night you can go ice skating, bowling, see a movie, rent movies from the dorm, play pool, go swimming, work out, etc.

Stephanie

Illinois Athletics are very popular, and so some of the most popular groups on campus revolve around these teams. For instance, Orange Krush is one of the student groups which attends Illini basketball games. Also, we have the Block I cheering section at football games. We also have some unique groups on campus, such as the October Lovers, the Falling Illini Skydiving Club, the Harrassing Illini, who frequent the Illini hockey games, and the Positive Event Chain, which can often be seen giving out hugs on the quad. I am involved with the Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society. We participate in a variety of events, including Relay for Life, blood drives, helping out at soup kitchens, and selling beads before football games. We also hold events related to Psychology, such as Career Info Nights, Grad School question sessions, meetings about which courses to take, etc. I met most of my friends through Psi Chi and my Psychology courses.

Sarah

SOOOO many groups and organizations. If you can't find a club to be a part of there is a big problem. If I'm awake late at night I'm probably studying but if I'm not then there are plenty of people around to hang out with. Campustown is big and full of things to do, many within walking distance.

Ashley

Intramurals are so popular that people start planning for them months in advance! You have got to try broomball! Athletics are huge and the fan support is amazing and makes me proud to be an Illini. On a Saturday night, students can be found at apartments playing Catch Phrase, at the bars, out to the movies, or hanging around the dorms with friends or doing homework.

Sarah

The Greek system at U of I is the largest in the country and involves between 20 and 40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the students on campus. It's a great way to meet new people, to network, and to give back to campus. All Greek houses have a philanthropy component, so there are tons of opportunities for community service. However, there are lots of social organizations that are not a part of the Greek system, in case some people do not want to join. It seems like members of the Greeks system and non-members all get along fine and still hang out socially outside of their organizations.

Jennifer

This is an INCREDIBLY social campus. Beginning with welcome week, everybody leaves their doors open and all the frats hold parties open to everyone. (Later on in the year, the frat parties become more exclusive for guys and you can only get it when on a list.) Greek life is visible and powerful here, but there are definitely ways of avoiding it. Every student at U of I (with the exception of some engineering students) parties. A lot. There is always someone looking to go out everyday of the week. It is generally accepted that the weekend here starts on Thursday. The bar age is 19, so the bars are a huge part of the social scene and all have great drink specials during the week. Like everywhere though, there are always exceptions. Drinking is really prominent on campus, but the University makes lots of free programs available. Football is huge here in the fall, and everyone pregames and then screams the game away in Block I. The Union has free bowling on weekends and often has free comedy and improv shows performed by local groups on campus. I was also surprised when I got here how cool the local music scene is. Canopy Club (18+) always has cool indie bands playing for pretty cheap.

Alex

I'm on the swim and dive team at Illinois. It keeps me active and on top of my work. It has made me a more dedicated individual who has a drive to succeed.

Alex

The athletic life is very active on campus. Attending the sporting events is always a good source of entertainment throughout the week. There is also a good party scene. You can chose to do both, one, or neither. Something is always going on. You just have to decide what's worth your time and who you want to surround yourself with.

Sally

There are always really cool guest speakers on campus. I really wish I had more time because I would go to one almost every night!!

Katie

I am a swimmer on campus so my social life is limited sometime, but it is the biggest Greek system in the country - there is a sorority or frat for everyone. Many students attend basketball and football games many people "bleed orange." I would say it is a very active campus with a lot of different bars to chose from.

Ann

We have the largest number of sororities and fraternities out of any campus within the United States. With that said, Illinois is a party school-like it or not.

Timothy

Greek life is huge at U of I and so are athletics. There are hundreds of different clubs that you can join. Anyone can find a place that they feel they belong. As far as partying goes... there is basically a party to be found every night somewhere on campus... Never a dull moment. People at U of I definitley seem to work hard and play hard.

Rob

Athletic events are very popular. Campus is so big and has so many options that i mostly stay on campus, but if i leave ill go see a movie or go to walmart or shopping. Fraternities host most of the parties with sororities hosting very few. I met most of my friends on the first few days of school. Most dorm rooms are clsoed iwth a few being open.

Andy

Greek life can be very important if you join it for the right reasons. My opinion is that mainstream greeks join orgs because they want the girls/guys, parties, and beer. That is not what going greek means to me. I joined because I saw what it can offer me and what I can offer it. I saw a group of brothers that were almost like blood brothers. I treat them as I would my blood brother. I introduce them as "my brother" to everyone. Like other orgs in UGC, Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. hosts several events on campus that spread cultural awareness, which is one of our pillars. Our culture is a big part of why we are on campus. We have had brothers of many different cultures and backgrounds. We are a Latino-Based Fraternity, but not strictly to Latinos.

John

The greek system takes over 25{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of our campus. Thats a HUGE number for a large public school with close to 30,000 undergraduates. Dorm room doors are left open during the day, and kids are very social. Athletic events are pretty big on campus; students are very active. The dating scene is pretty hot, there are alot of good looking girls here, and the big bar scene helps alot. Im greek, so most of my good friends are greek. Being greek is huge, and opens so many doors to relationships of both sexes. I am normally up past 2 am every day of the week. If im studying, i study late, and if im not, i probably am drinking either at my frat house past 2 am, or at the bars, which close at 2 am. People party alot here. If you wanted to party every day of the school year it is absolutely possible, but that doesn't mean people aren't disciplined. Students get their work done, and then party hard. Last weekend i went on an greek exchange to St Louis for a Blues vs Blackhawks hokcey game. It was a blast. On Saturdays if i dont want to drink there are plenty of things to do. There are frequent concerts... people play cards... There is a ton of stuff, but i am a bad example though beacuse i drink every Saturday.

Grant

none

Kevin

At Illinois there are a few things that incoming students should be aware of. The greek system is large and you only have to be 19 to get into the bars. Following that statement I should mention that the local police make it their number one priority to catch underage drinkers ($300 dollar ticket) at the bars. The greek system is for everyone. Like everything in life there are the "beautiful people" and they usually join the same frats and sororities. The sorority system is as democratic as politically correct as possible but no matter what there are always girls crying after the last day of bids because they didn't get the house they wanted. Ill take you through a typical day for an Illinois student on a Saturday for a football game. 8am-Wake up from long night before. You were going to come home early but didn't. It's going to be a long day. 9am-If you're in a frat or sorority you're getting ready for block (going to a bar with a greek system of the opposite sex), if you're tailgating you're heading towards the stadium to grill and party until the game, if you're in the 6 pack the band is walking by and waking you up with their music and you try to find someone to party with. 11-4pm- You're likely at the game, watching the game at an apartment, or watching the game at a bar, or depending on the night before still sleeping. 5pm- If you're tailgating with friends or family you will probably continue, otherwise return home and rest/recover, lastly go straight to the bars and continue to party 7-10pm- you're likely resting or watching some other sporting event, you've come to an Illini Hockey game (every fri and sat after september at the Ice rink at 7pm), or you're still partying 11pm- go out to the bars if you still can and have a good night celebrating the win. 2am-go eat at Antonios for the best Pizza on campus

Emily

U of I has a HUGE greek system. There are over two-thousand people that are apart of either a fraternity or sorority which makes it the largest in the nation. Being apart of a house has been a highlight of my freshman year. I would highly recommend going through rush freshman year because you get a chance to meet a ton of new people that you normally wouldn't. The dorms are also a great place to meet people, too. The six-pack dorms are very social and everyone leaves their doors open so it's easy to make friends. My friends and I all joined Illini Pride and Orange Krush. Get football tickets because those games are so much fun! Especially because we've got a good team now!! Orange Krush (basketball) tickets are awesome because if you get to the games early enough you can get floor seats and be 40 feet away from the players. Orange Krush is a lot of fun but you have to do some fundraising in order to get good seats. It requires some work but it's definitely worth it!

Stevie

Basketball and football are big athletic events, but everything else has to be free with food for people to think of going. People range in how much they go out, I'd say usually 3 times a week, but it completely depends on midterms, work, etc. Greek life is huge but I feel like you could stay pretty much completely out of it if you wanted.

Kathleen

I already touched on Greek IV and that is where I have found some of my closest friends who are in the Greek system and pursuing a Christian lifestyle. I also have great friends in Young Life, a ministry geared toward high school and middle school students in local Champaign. Regarding athletics, I have found the love of my life, rowing. We don't have a body of water near campus, so we go to a lake 15 minutes away to practice for regattas in St. Louis, Indianapolis and elsewhere. It's a small but steadily growing team. The coaches are very passionate about this sport and are taking big strides to get the university more involved.

Allyson

There is an interesting merge at U of I between school activities and drinking. Alcohol permeates the culture here, and even professional associations have social events that revolve around drinking. Partying throughout the week is the norm until junior or senior year.

Jordan

There are a lot of organizations on campus. Too many to even list. If you think of something you want to do, you can do it. Dancing, sports, theater, gaming, fencing, culture clubs, cookie, guest speaker, you name it. We have it. For more, see my statement on stereotypes.

Mariela

Sports are a major things in this school. I am not big on the social thing but I have found friends that are like me. We like to stay home and just watch TV, and go to Starbucks, the movies and late nights at Walmart. Last weekend I watched the whole second season of Dexter. On a Tuesday at 2am I am more than likely studying. My closest friends are from organizations and classes I have been.

Abe

If you want to have a good academic first year and meet some smart people then live at ISR. If you want to have fun, party, and make friends then live at the six pack.

Johanna

Greek life is popular. 25{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of undergrad population is greek and it's the largest greek system in the nation. I love my sorority and I couldn't imagine college life without it. I've met amazing women and made amazing memories. Plus we participate in philanthropies and make connections with others in the greek community. It's truly incredible. Yes they leave their doors open... it's really cool. VERY popular... footbal is getting a lot better and basketball is always sold out. There's definitely a lot of school spirit and a lot of emphasis on the games. They're social and a great time! Guest speakers come every once and a while. Theater... I'm not that familiar with it. Dating scene ... you see some of it but a lot of people, guys in particular like to have fun and don't really want a relationship. I don't like that, but that's just my personality. I met my closest friends from my sorority and through my sorority... and plus I'm still friends with a few people I went to high school with that go here. Usually talking online or talking with friends in my sorority. Maybe watching tv or a movie. Or just getting home from going out to the bars. Traditions - Unofficial, for sure. Dad's weekend and Mom's weekend are pretty big too. People party hard on the weekends but there's always something going on every night of the week... either at bars or at fraternities or apartments. Fraternities/sororities are definitely prominent on campus but there's a lot of other organizations on campus. It seems that you see greek letters everywhere you go though. Last weekend I went out to Brothers - a bar here on campus. Watch a movie (or go to the movies)... people get creative. Off campus I go shopping... the mall, target, walmart... and go to the movies. Sometimes I'll go out to eat.

Matt

What are the most popular groups/organizations/clubs/teams on campus? Basketball and Football Do students in dorms leave their doors open? Depending on the dorm, 6 pack they do If you’re awake at 2am on a Tuesday, what are you doing? Studying What traditions/events happen each year? Quad Day and Unofficial St. Patrick's Day

James

Fraternities/Sororities are the most popular

Tony

Intramural sports are always popular on campus. They are really easy to join and they are fun to compete in with a group of friends. Some students in the dorms leave their doors open, while others almost always keep them closed; it really depends on the person. The most outgoing people will leave their doors open all the time (and usually they are the loudest). The people that prefer to get work done or watch TV usually keep their door closed so as not be disturbed. People really do party almost every night on campus. Although most of the parties take place Thursday-Saturday, people go to the bars almost every night. Even if you don't drink, the bars are a great place to go to hang out, meet new people, get some food, or watch TV.