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Illinois College Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

See Illinois College reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Illinois College. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Illinois College reviews, or contribute your own Illinois College review if you're a current student there.

  • 6 out of 6 people found this review useful.

    Sarah from Virginia, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Illinois College offers majors in a wide variety of subjects, whether your field be science, art, English, theater, education, etc. Pretty much you name it and they can probably find a way to make it work for you. As a liberal arts school, students are also required to take classes outside their major, which leads to exposure to a great many topics and subject areas that you might never have heard anything about. They also have a convocation program that gives students a quick taste of many different issues and cultural experiences, everything from dance groups and music ensembles, to lectures on current controversial topics, to presentations by various TV hosts. Your professors all know you by name and there's free tutoring for when you need that little extra boost.
    Am enjoying being here

    I fell in love with the campus the first day I set foot on it. It's really the best of both worlds, having both the physical beauty and networking opportunities of a large state university but with personalization and small size of a rural college. As a general rule, they do an incredible job of matching people to good roommates, and almost everyone is so friendly that it doesn't take long to develop a close circle of friends. Also being so close to Springfield and St. Louis provides ample opportunities for culture and fun.
    Bang for the buck

    Though small the campus has the beauty usually associated with a large school. A new athletic center was just built a few years ago, which includes not only facilities for the sports teams but also weight rooms, open gym times, and an indoor pool complete with hot tub open to everyone. You get personalized attention not found at a state school coupled with chances to get involved which many small schools simply don't have the resources for.
    Tips for prospective students

    Your professors will expect A LOT from you. However, they are more than willing to take the extra time to help you; many will even give you their cell phone number. Take advantage of this!

    Join clubs on campus. Not only is it a great way to make new friends, but with so many options, their really is something for everyone whether it be intramural sports, choir, a religious life group or something else entirely.
    Great for these types of students

    IC's teacher education program is one of the best in Illinois. They also have an incredible Biology department and a large Psychology program. Though the art department is small it's a very good program.
    Regardless be willing to work.

  • James from Centre, AL

    Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Friendly, both academic and sports encouraging. Many excellent opportunities. Seems to have faculty and upperclassmen support.
    Tips for prospective students

    Inquiry and be available.
    Academic Rigor

    Seems to be very good, but have not started classes. Rating very high on my scale. 5 Star
    Dorm Life

    Unknown, but seems very good. As of now, it is a 5 star
    Food and Dining

    Excellent choices, lots of food. Rating should be 5 star
    What to do for fun

    Both town and campus have many activities available.
    Bang for the buck

    Have only visited but I am excited and cannot wait to enter in August. This should be a 5 star.
    Clubs and Activities

    Visitation looked very good.
    Campus Safety

    Excellent and very supporting. Rate as a 5 star.

  • Kelly from Homer Glen, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    It is a good school. You have professors that are excellent, and some that leave you thinking about how you've learned nothing in the past semester. However, the professors are able to meet with you one-on-one, and know you by name rather than a number.
    Tips for prospective students

    -get involved, it'll help you make more friends and make new connections
    - learn to cook, Chartwell's is not Mom's home cooking
    -Buy text books from online, you'll save a lot
    Academic Rigor

    Illinois College is a college that believes in creating a well-rounded individual. All students have certain gen-eds that need to be accounted for in addition to requirements of their selected major. In the end, academic rigor truly depends on what major you decide to go into. Biology and education majors seem to spend more hours studying while sociology majors seem to have more free time to spare.
    Dorm Life

    Depending on what dorm you live in, it could either be a good experience or a bad one. New hall/ Lincoln is relatively quiet, but has sensitive fire alarms that may create 4 a.m. wake up calls. Pixley is good for girls who don't necessarily want to deal with guys 24-7, and turner is for guys that don't want to deal with girls 24-7. Crampton is for those who don't mind staying with 2-3 other people. All the dorms have their moments of being quiet and loud and clean and messy. The janitorial staff of the school does a real nice job at doing their best to keep all the dorms clean as possible. students also have access to the security staff who will escort anyone who needs it if someone does not want to walk in the dark alone. there are also emergency posts throughout the campus.
    Food and Dining

    Food over all is not bad, but does get old after a while. The cafe is the main eatery. It has hot dishes, pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, salad bar, and desserts. However, the hours of operations don't always fit into an athlete's needs. It is closed on the weekends until 10:30 a.m. when they serve brunch, and closes at 1:30 pm. this small time frame can make it difficult for athletes to get a good sized meal. The Grill is a place where students can get burgers, pizzas, smoothies and chicken sandwiches. A lot of students enjoy this eatery place and seem fairly satisfied with it. the Final place for dining is the Coffee Shop. Here, students can get a sandwich, wrap, salad, smoothie, or coffee to start or end their day. the eating plans are probably the worst out of the entire dining experience at Illinois College. If you get the 19 meal/week plan, you are given 3meals/day, but they don't tell you that if you don't use a meal for that day you lose it for the entire week. You also have time slots that you can eat in (i.e. dinner starts at 4:30), and unlike he other meal plans you cannot swipe for anybody else who may need a meal. You're better off getting the highest block plan. That way you can use your meals with more flexibility.
    What to do for fun

    There are a few things to do for fun off campus, but you'll mainly have to make the 30-40 minute drive to Springfield if you want more options. However, on-campus, the Student Activities Board (SAB) is constantly bringing in bands, comedians, putting on carnivals, and other family and student oriented activity.

  • Mikel from Cambridge, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Illinois College is a small Liberal Arts College that is dedicated to getting its students a broad educational experience. The faculty here are exceptional not just because of their skills in their field, but they also make a personal effort to get to know every single student they teach. Here at Illinois College the teacher and overall campus environment make it exceptionally easy for anyone to succeed academically.
    Tips for prospective students

    To best prepare for college all you have to do is have to ability to manage your time. Your are able to have fun and do all the things you want all long as you factor in some time to finish all of your academic obligations.
    Academic Rigor

    Here at Illinois College all the classes that are offered challenge the students in different way. There are classes that require you to give speeches or participate in debates. In other classes such as Genetics, we had to read multiple medical documents and then write a paper that explained specific details of diseases and research we had learned. All classes challenge the students to use their minds to their full extent, without overtaxing the workload given to the students.
    Dorm Life

    I live in a coed dorm that is separated by floor. On my floor there are all guys and we are like a family. There isn't a day that has gone by that we haven't checked to see what everyone was doing. Other dorms on campus include dorms that are designated all male or all female, and there is even a dorm that has males and female on the same floor. This campus also provides actual houses that a group of people can live in if they so choose.
    Food and Dining

    Here we have a buffet style cafeteria that is open every day of the week. We also have two other places to eat. One is The Grill, where you can get pizzas, burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, onion rings, and multiple other grilled and fried foods. The other option is the Coffee Shop, which is pretty much like a Starbucks. You can also get freshly made salads and deli sandwiches here.
    What to do for fun

    There are many events that are put on by different organization at the school every week. We have concerts, comedians, plays, dances, and other activities that are hosted by the school. This doesn't include all of the activities that you can do in town. Our town is very large with multiple restaurants and other places for you and friends to hang out and have fun.
    Bang for the buck

    I love this school. The best part for me is that if I ever need any assistance I can always contact my professors. They give you their phone numbers and home addresses. This is a smaller school so everyone here is like family making it really easy to get help with any problems that you are having.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    Here at Illinois College, every year we have a big competition between the freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior class. We have obstacle courses and puzzles that each class tries to solve to see who is the winning class of the year.
    Great for these types of students

    This college is right for almost all types of student because we have such a well rounded curriculum. I am a biology/pre-med major and I am getting exceptional help.
    Clubs and Activities

    There are about 100 different clubs that you can get involved in at Illinois College and if there isn't one that interests you, then the school gives you the option of creating your own club and recruiting members. This gives everyone the chance to be active in something they are passionate in. These activities don't include all of the sports teams that are available at Illinois College.
    Greek Life

    There are multiple fraternities on campus. If you want to be a frat boy or girl, or if you just want to join a service fraternity we have a variety of choices.
    Campus Safety

    This campus has never had any accidents or injuries since I have been here. It is a small campus and everyone is really close, and crime is almost non-existent here.

  • Martha from Winthrop Harbor, IL

    Reviewer is A past student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    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.
    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.
    Academic Rigor

    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.
    Dorm Life

    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.
    Food and Dining

    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 to do for fun

    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.
    Bang for the buck

    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.
    Great for these types of students

    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!
    Clubs and 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.
    Greek Life

    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.
    Campus Safety

    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.

  • Colby from Auburn, IL

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    I love that this school is smaller and private. I really like that it is close to my home. I also am happy that it is a liberal arts school that focuses on your future.
    Tips for prospective students

    It is an expensive school because it is private. The scholarships are larger because of the prior note. This college has a real family atmosphere.
    Academic Rigor

    This college has many excellent students. This college has a small campus for getting around. This college expects good grades from their students.
    Dorm Life

    It seems like most dorms are up to date or getting there. Some seem a little loud. Just write down all of your prior interests on the application so you get matched up with a good roommate.
    Food and Dining

    There are 3 dining facilities on campus. One is a grill/deli area. Another is a coffee shop area. One is a full cafeteria with great choices.
    What to do for fun

    There are several great literary societies here. The colleges athletic facilities are amazing. There are a lot of great social activities and travel opportunities here.

  • Samuel from Brighton, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    illinois college is a great campus with lots of history and nice small classes. the teachers i have had for class are great--they really care and do all they can to help you. it is very easy to get extra help and tutors when needed for classes. i love the music department and have joined wind ensemble, jazz band and concert choir. i just got back from a week long trip to disney with the band and it was great. i am so glad that i chose ic.
    Tips for prospective students

    come and see the campus and you will feel right at home. if you are interested, apply even though the cost may be high. they do give good financial aid and there are jobs available on campus. check out a preview day.
    Academic Rigor

    classes are a challenge in the science department but much help is available. other than the first biology class, all my classes have been very small. teachers are concerned and very helpful.
    Dorm Life

    the freshman dorms are a little noisy but their location on campus is great. the older dorms are not completely air conditioned but are being updated and air conditioned right now. freshman dorms are standard twp bed rooms but upperclass dorms feature suites.
    Food and Dining

    the food is mediocre definetely not moms home cooking. the main dining hall is buffet style and there is also a coffeeshop and a grill to choose from.
    What to do for fun

    there are many clubs on campus for just about anything. there are also movie theatres and a bowling alley in town. many fast food restaraunts can be found blocks away. the student group also brings in many speakers and music groups and offers bingo several times each sememster. there is also a great fitness center and pool available for student use.
    Bang for the buck

    i feel that i am getting a great education and lots of experieces for my money. the cost is high but financial aid is very available.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    there are many great old buildings on campus, including beecher hall the oldest college building in illinois. the college has a great orientation program for first year students which leaves them feeling very comfortable and ready to start school. each 1st year student gets an invitation to attend a dinner at the president's house with a group of about 14 other new students in their first semester on campus.
    Great for these types of students

    ic is a great school for anyone who wants a very well balanced education and a chance to develop close relationships with other students and even the faculty. it is possilbe for students to even assist teachers with research opportunities.
    Clubs and Activities

    clubs for just about anything: religious groups like newman club and fca, an environmental club, an outdoor club, ic theatreworks which offers 3 productions each year. groups are small and opportunities for leadership are there.
    Greek Life

    illinois college has literary societies which do literary productions, community service activities, and are great opportunities to form friendships for life.
    Campus Safety

    campus is small, close together and very safe. security officers are on duty 24 hours a day and the campus is very well lit at night.

  • Hailie from Genoa, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The professors here are fantastic to learn from! They really want you to succeed in their classes, and if you put in the effort in your classes, it will totally be worth it!
    Am enjoying being here

    I've learned so much in three years, and I can't wait to start my senior year! I've taken a wide variety of classes to earn a liberal arts degree, and although my classes are varied in subject, professors here frequently make connections between them. Also, I think we have one of the best Health Services here on campus, just saying.
    Bang for the buck

    Illinois College can be a bit on the pricey side, but I feel like I'm getting all the possible bang for the buck out of my college experience. Also, there are a lot of merit-based scholarships that help students meet their financial needs!
    Tips for prospective students

    You're welcome to visit classes on campus during the school year, and to chat with current students about their experiences at IC. Also, I recommend applying as early as possible, because IC offers a lot of merit-based scholarships, and the earlier you apply the better!
    Great for these types of students

    IC is great for visual learners and people who like hands-on activities. Teachers will make an effort to teach their subject to you, and if you want more help on top of that, fantastic tutors are nearly always available to help you out!