What I Looked For on a Campus Tour

It can be hard to make an informed decision about where to grow, learn, and study. The process can be exhausting, as there are various factors to explore when visiting universities to make an informed decision. Brainstorming a list will help make this process more bearable, so posted below are features that I looked for on a campus tour.

Major/College

As a high school junior or senior, it may be difficult to decide what to study and pursue. Therefore, searching for schools with multiple degree programs (i.e., business, engineering, education, biology, etc.) will stimulate your decision making. If one knows his or her career path, looking for a recognized college may ensure a favorable education. The University of Illinois offers both of these, along with resource centers within those colleges for students to use. For example, the Gies College of Business is a popular business school that offers resume reviews, mock interviews, and many other opportunities for students to utilize. 

Dorms and Off-Campus Housing

Notice the location and proximity of dorms and housing. Where the housing is in proximity to the dining hall, restaurants, grocery stores, and classes is important. Walking to these places is a blessing in disguise.

Sports

For me, attending a university in which sports were prominent was important. I wanted to have opportunities in each season to cheer on a team. Athletic events are powerful tools to bring people together and create a sense of community. This unification of pride allows students to find connections and create life-long memories; for example, no one will forget the Homecoming win against Wisconsin last season. The vast size of the University of Illinois offers hundreds of these circumstances for fans to cheer on athletes, making memories that will last a lifetime. To make things better, most teams even offer positions for non-student athletes to be involved with the team first-hand.

Gym/Recreation Center

Having an organized and exciting recreation center was critical. Daily exercise promotes both physical and mental health. In college, mental health is extremely vital to personal and academic success. The Activities and Recreation Center offers hundreds of workout classes and occupies over 300,000 square feet for individuals to explore.

Greek Life and Registered Student Organizations

I wanted to choose a University that offered Greek Life and other student organizations. Sororities would be the most effortless way to meet lifelong friends while making a worthwhile difference in my community. While Greek Life is eminent at the University, registered student organizations are just as impressive. Students can join multiple clubs and organizations in order to cultivate themselves professionally and socially. Quad Day is a special day at the University of Illinois for students to discover hundreds of organizations and all of their opportunities.