Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL, USA

Reviews

Oakton Community College

Khandkar from Niles, IL

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The professors are great and i do enjoy my time here! They have learning center where students can go and study with tutors.
Am enjoying being here
Yes, because the facilities I am getting in this community is almost the same as in a 4 years of college.
Bang for the buck
This college saved me a bunch of money+ the scholarship i am getting helps me a lot finacially.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you know what you are doing + you should know which degree you are seeking from this college!

Ramina from Niles, IL

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Oakton gets you prepared for the real world. There is a lot of leniency within the school. Better than I expected
Tips for prospective students
Follow the general education course list they have online because the counselors suck.
Academic Rigor
good
Dorm Life
Oakton does not have any dorms.
Food and Dining
The cafe has a lot of great food options. They have a Pizza Hut booth. Their burgers and cheese sticks are good too.
What to do for fun
Theres a forest right across the street. And there is always events going on in and outside of school
Bang for the buck
Oakton Community College is a really great idea if you are trying to save money. It's really smart to go to Oakton if you're planning on attending a four year college after because of all the money you'll save. One semester costs around $1,300. Great for finishing up your gen eds.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
We have this hallway called student street and there are always clubs performing or giving food or holding bake sales along with many University representatives.
Great for these types of students
Student who are trying to save money.
Students who are interested in smaller campus'.
Students that enjoy diverse atmospheres.
Clubs and Activities
Oakton have an nearly endless list of clubs to join. From Astronomy club all the way to Gardening clubs
Greek Life
Oakton does not have any sororities
Campus Safety
The area where oakton is located at is a really safe neighborhood (des plaines)

Christina from Evanston, IL

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am primarily a student in both the life sciences and art departments, and the experience here has been incomparable. Our science departments are really second to none, especially for a community college, mainly because Oakton has a fantastic nursing program. We have access to cadavers for our anatomy classes, which even some universities cannot boast! I have been an artist my entire life as well, but I have never learned so much about art before.
Am enjoying being here
I think it's a great experience, if you're willing to go the distance. There are some students here who don't have any direction whatsoever, and sometimes it shows. However, there is no limit to the opportunities and support that you get here, if you decide to seek it out.
Bang for the buck
Needless to say, much cheaper than going to a university! Especially because Oakton is well recognized for being on par in many cases with university classes. You get the challenge, with a smaller class size, and for less than $2,000 a year--and there is plenty of financial aid available. I've literally made thousands of dollars in extra financial aid, because they send you the difference in a check.
Tips for prospective students
Do not be afraid to take advantage of all of your resources! And don't expect it to be easy just because it's a two-year. Seek out the best teachers--ask someone who goes and who is interested in the same subjects as you, because there are some fantastic instructors (as well as some less than fantastic instructors). I think the professors really make the difference.
Great for these types of students
Anyone. I have seen so many different types of people, culturally, socially, and age-wise. Anyone who isn't a snob about universities, because those tend to be the students who fail here.

Polina from Niles, IL

a past student here
0 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
AWESOME. AWESOME. And, oh yeah!, AWESOME.
Tips for prospective students
Know where you're transferring after. If you don't know yet, do not take specialized classes because they most likely will prove unnecessary to your future university. The good news? There's PLENTY of gen eds to choose from!
Academic Rigor
Depends on the class and the instructor. If you're planning on doing the Honors Program (which I highly recommend), be prepared to challenge yourself to bypass your own expectations. In other words, you will produce phenomenal, fulfilling work.
Dorm Life
No dorms here... Be ready to commute! The good news? Two words: BUS. PASS.
Food and Dining
Vending machines around every corner and in every student lounge, along with a cafeteria equipped with amazing grilled chicken sandwiches, ten different Tazo teas, microwaves and more vending machines, and fresh coffee every morning.
What to do for fun
GET INVOLVED! Everywhere you look, you will find notices and pamphlets for clubs and organization meetings or upcoming events. So go to one! The worst that could happen is that you'll love it and end up coming back :)
Bang for the buck
Two grand a semester is significantly less that twenty. I'd say that's way more than just bang for your buck. If you know where you want to transfer after Oakton, even better! You'll end up only taking the exact classes your future university wants and save even MORE money for yourself.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The circular outdoor dining area off the lake. What some might consider unusual, I call GORGEOUS. And if you bring something exceptionally tasty for lunch, you might make a few chipmunks friends.
Great for these types of students
ALL students!!! To be totally honest, I wouldn't attend just for an Associate's degree. Oakton's definitely better suited to attainment of general education classes for transfer to a university. Saves you lots money and you get to stay with mom and dad for a little bit longer! That being said, whatever type of student you are, no matter what kind of education you are looking for, you won't leave Oakton dissatisfied.
Clubs and Activities
Whether you're an astronomer, dancer, hippie, future lawyer, or something entirely different, Oakton has over 50 clubs to choose from. And if for some reason none of them seem to tickle your fancy, start your own!
Greek Life
The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society summarizes Oakton's Greek life. Membership is fairly exclusive and must be earned with outstanding academic performance. That being said, once in, you're in forever, providing students with partnerships and friendships for life.
Campus Safety
You can't turn a corner or enter a hallway without running into a Public Safety Officer. That being said, they can't catch everyone who chooses to disregard the speed limit. If you're waiting for whether I feel safe when I'm at school? YES. And if you really desire further information, please feel free to visit the following OCC link: http://www.oakton.edu/about/officesanddepartments/public_safety/safety_emergency/crime_statistics/index.php.

Michelle from Des Plaines, IL

a current student here
0 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
i personally feel that oakton community college is a school full of unique people. as i pass by students like me, they carry things like instruments and artwork to show others what they are passionate about. that is what i love about college: we are are ready to take that leap to success.
Tips for prospective students
students who will be attending oakton community college should expect themselves to be contained with knowledge by some of the best professors known. they have the strong desire to teach students and to make sure they succeed in life.
Academic Rigor
i love how in some of my classes, we have deep discussions on each topic. it makes students want to explore and makes us eager to learn about that situation because everything we learn will somehow help us in the future in the outside world.
Dorm Life
there are no dorms at oakton community college. it is not a hassle for me at all to commute there because i travel about 5 minutes from the des plaines location. i love that it is very convenient for me.
Food and Dining
i think that oakton community college has a wide variety of food choices in the cafeteria. i love visiting new restaurants and trying new foods because it let's me have a little taste of the world. i plan on traveling across the globe to experience authentic food when i am older.
What to do for fun
i love baking desserts for fun, especially cakes. i am known for creating specialty cakes are a present for a special occasion. i can honestly say that baking is my passion.
Bang for the buck
i am trying my hardest to save my money every time i receive my paycheck. i want to give everything i earn to the school that i plan on transferring, which is kendall college.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
i always used to meet a group of my friends in the cafeteria and we would all play a card game, called uno. we had a blast together making up our own rules. it was nice to have a fun break in between classes.
Great for these types of students
oakton community college has many clubs and activities for students to get involved in. for example, they have plays, job opportunities, and leadership meetings are fun to be in.