Not So Normal, IL

Introduction
Illinois State University prides itself on the idea of a Big Time University with a Small School Feel. When deciding where I wanted to go to school, I definitely took this into consideration. I wanted a large university with a lot of students and new oppurtunities, but I DID NOT want to be just a number. Now, as a student at ISU, this has come true. With over 20,000 students, I am constantly meeting new students, teachers, and faculty, but have had no problem finding a group of great friends. The students here are really friendly and open minded. Everyone seems to be looking for new and different oppurtunities, and with that comes the bonds and friendships that make college an unforgettable experience.

Campus Life and Social Life
At Illinois State, the social life is amazing. For me, coming in as a freshman, there was a lot of nervousness and excitement towards the partying side of college. Right away, I realized how awesome the nightlife can be. There are so many students here, there is never a problem finding a party. Greek life is also a big part of the social scene. They throw parties every week and have special events and themed bashes randomly throughout the year. If you are not into the party scene, the town of Bloomington-Normal is full of amazing things to do at night too. The bowling alley on campus is always packed, movies are a big thing to do, and of course there are tons of great restaurants to hit up. Whether you are looking to get crazy or just hang out with some friends, the social scene at Illinois State is for sure poppin' hook year round. Advertisement
Academics
Academics at Illinois State are getting more and more prestigious as I continue at the school. There is a huge variety of departments, and a great gen ed program that gives you a taste of everything. I have friends that are studying just about everything under the sun. The College of Business just built a brand new building (which is amazing by the way), there is a great nursing program, and of course education is huge here. Also, I have friends that are studying fine arts and economics, both of which love their majors. So far, I have had no problems with my Professors and TA's. They are all awesome and ready to help you with anything. Most of them understand that you are a busy college student and work around your needs. The workload is not bad at all. Obviously, you have to put in some effort and attend class (sometimes that is), but overall you can find time to balance school, friends, and anything else you want!

Student Body
Most of the students at ISU are from Illinois. A lot of my friends, as well as myself, are from the suburbs of Chicago, so we have stuff in common. There are also a good number of students from near St. Louis. ISU is really in a great location because it is basically right in between St. Louis and Chi Town, so we get a good mix of kids from both. Aside from that, there are of course students from out of state and even a lot of international students. Freshman year was great because I got to meet new people from all different type of backgrounds and hometowns.

In Closing...
Overall, ISU is an amazing school. The campus is beautiful and the social scene is crazy. The academics have a great repuation and the professors are really great in general. I could not imagine myself at any other school.