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| - UIUC is a damn good college. The engineering is world-class, we're the best party school according to some survey, we do a lot of research, all that stuff. It's a state school so it's not too expensive if you're an Illinoisan, which is a decent reparation for growing up in the least interesting region in the States.
I got my bachelor's in CS here 2012-2016 and I can safely say that UIUC prepared me for a great career. For the most part, my classes were well-taught, gave me lots of valuable knowledge, and at least with the schedule I chose, I very rarely felt excessively stressed out. I had a full-time job offer (at Yelp!) months before I graduated, and all my other engineering friends were in the same boat. There are tons of career fairs here each semester and companies love to recruit from UIUC, so as long as you make an effort you have a very good chance of landing a full-time offer before graduation. Some of my friends had a full-time offer at the beginning of their senior years and another had one after he finished his sophomore year. Rest assured, if you're a fantastic student and do a good job of putting yourself out there, you will be employed.
Some of the classes and professors I've had were excellent. Special shoutouts to Eric Snodgrass of ATMS 120 fame, Jon Solomon in CLCV, and the entire Astronomy department. Of course I've had some professors who weren't very good, but I'd say that on the whole, the average UIUC professor is well above average. They're all very bright and qualified, but some just aren't as good at teaching as others. But not everyone can be perfect, right?
Outside of academics, there's a decent amount to do. There are lots of clubs, which you can (and 100% should) check out on Quad Day at the beginning of each year. There are a ton of bars and restaurants in the area, and you're especially in luck if you like Chinese food. The age to enter bars is only 19, so even sophomores can have the true college experience (even though they can't legally drink). The Canopy Club on the East side of campus has had some reasonably big-name bands like the Chainsmokers, Madeon, and Porter Robinson, so keep an eye on who's coming next. There are some movie theaters nearby, a mall, and lots of Illini sports to watch, even if you don't like watching your football team suck for the umteenth year in a row. There are also nature trails nearby if you're into biking or jogging, though there isn't much in the way of scenery. Different school departments have events regularly, too. There are lots of plays and concerts in Krannert, there's the annual Engineering Open House, and the Astronomy department regularly opens up the old observatory on the south side of the Quad on clear nights for anyone to stargaze.
Unfortunately, it's located in the middle of scenic nowhere, so no matter where you lived before coming here, you probably have to drive at least a couple hours to go home (or anywhere worth going, like Chicago or STL). Be prepared to stay close to campus all four years. Oh yeah, and the weather is pretty bad. It gets up into the 90s in the summer, drops down into the single-digits and negatives in the winter with a yearly paralyzing blizzard. There isn't much of a spring or fall. I also recently learned about "corn sweat", which is a phenomenon wherein the massive amounts of corn in Central Illinois siphon water out of the ground and directly into the atmosphere, making some days unbearably humid in addition to their high temperatures. So be ready for that.
So, yeah. Great school. Would go again.
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