Indiana University-Bloomington Top Questions

The best thing about IU is the amount of ways to get involved that it offers. There honestly is something for everyone to do. For me, there really isn't much I would change except for the ridiculous parking policies around campus and the amount of tickets issued. I think my school is just right. Yes it is big but it makes it that much more enjoyable to explore. Honestly, everytime I tell someone that I attend IUB they react with, "Ohh, the campus is so beautful!" I spend most of my time at the Indiana Daily Student writing articles and taking pictures, or in the Indiana Memorial Student Cunion ceramics studio. I think the administration is a little uptight but for the most part they are reasonable. My most recent controversy on campus has been the IU Campus-wide Smoking Ban. It has sparked alot of mixed opinions from students and faculty. We have alot of school pride!!! One experience I will always remember at IU is the first time I looked in the newspaper and saw one of my photos that I took got published.

When I tell people I go to Indiana, I most often get either a question of "Are you a big basketball fan?" or "So what exactly is a 'Hoosier'?" The latter I cannot really answer confidently without some serious research. But it is quite hard to pinpoint just one of my favorite things about Indiana. The campus is breathtaking. I used to live right by Kirkwood, which is the nightlife of Indiana, and I was in perfect walking distance of campus as well as Kirkwood. It doesn't really get much better than that. I would say that I spend most of my time either on Kirkwood or sitting on the grass by the Arboretum. The weather is a bit Jekyll-and-Hyde-like, but when it's warm, it's wonderful. The town itself is a total "college-town," until summer-break happens, where the town is almost deserted. However, in those 9 months of school Bloomington is definitely the place to be. School pride is incredible, mostly when it comes to either Basketball or "Little 5," the infamous Bike race that occurs every spring on campus. Although I am currently studying in Spain, I have several friends from Indiana here with me, and IU is a very popular topic of conversation for us, anywhere and everywhere. We are currently planning a Little 5 party, seeing as we are quite depressed about missing it this year. Again, I think it may be too difficult to pinpoint just one experience that has changed my life forever. The school in general has. The people are genuinely happy to be there, and the love of the University as a whole is empowering for me as a student there to think that I am a part of it all. Although some people may think that Indiana's campus resembles Hogwarts, to me, it is better. It truly is a magical place.

The school is big and its nice. You always meet new people when you go out, and there are a lot of different people from different backgronds with all different interests. Most of my time on campus is spent around the dorms and friends places. The weekends are spent out at the frats since im a freshman, but most upper classmen are either around at the bars or house parties. There is a lot of school pride here, and we are REALLY into our sports.

The best thing about Indiana are the opportunities. There are so many different things you can pursue. The first semester I spent in bloomington I was shy and didn't really make friends too well and kinda just stuck to myself but at the beginning of second semester a friend from where I work on campus invited me to this Fraternity party and I never had the best view of what fraternity life would be like but I ended up going to the party and the choice I made to go to that party was the best thing I have ever done in my life other than choosing to come to IU and become a hoosier. If I could change one thing it would be my housing decision. I lived in a single person dorm room and I think that was a poor decision on my part. I don't really think that you should room with someone you know but I think if you can live with someone you don't know it would be an interesting and growing experience. The size of IU is one of its greatest features. There are so many students that go to IUB but the great thing is that it can still have that smaller school feel. Its great for meeting a ton of new people but I believe that the size of campus is one of the best parts about IU When I tell people that I go to Indiana University I will get tend to get a positive reaction. Anyone who is up to date about the quality of universities around the nation will know that IU is a high quality school. In the last two years or so the school has increased the enterance standards as a result of all the interest of incoming freshman to become a part of Indiana. When I am on campus I am usually down at ground zero where all the building are that hold classes or at the president of my fraternities house seeing that we are an off campus fraternity (which I would highly recommend). Bloomington is a college town for sure because you can step past the sample gates and be in downtown Bloomington. Whenever I drive into Bloomington after being away for awhile I get the picture of the first time I came to school when I moved into the dorms. I was so nervous but just driving into Bloomington just calmed me down and the feel of the town is great its one of those things you just can't get anywhere else in the world I think the administration of IUB is kinda frazzled sometimes in that it seems like things could be run better but I think that is mostly because students voices are heard and it can be difficult to accomidate everyone. A huge part of the happenings at IU are student run the school doesn't just baby you and take care of you they help you grow up and do stuff yourself so if there is something you want... do it im sure that there will be a way or someone to help you understand how. I'm going to put school pride and recent controversy together and say that Kelvin Sampson was one of the biggest controversies on campus this year. The funny thing about it was that all over sportscenter and the news they were talking about the feelings of the students on campus and they said that everyone wanted him to go but it wasn't really like that. Alot of the students still really stood up for Sampson because he was still our coach and until someone told us that he was no longer a hoosier most people still stood behind him. For the most part the student of Indiana University stand behind there school and have alot of school pride. IU has its unique features like Little 500 is a big thing. Also there are painting bridges around IU that organizations will paint. The paint bridges actually have so many layers of paint that the paint is starting to crack and you can see down to tons of different layers. But nothing about campus really seems unusual anymore its just IU its just home. I can't think of just one thing that I will always remember because I know there will be alot of things ill forget and alot of things ill never forget but I know when I look back on this time and this place I will be positive that I chose the best school and I will always have great memories of IU. The thing about students complaints is you don't really hear alot about people being upset with IU there are always gonna be stresses from class and work and your parents but I don't hear people complaining about IU very much honestly.

Best thing about IUB? The gorgeous campus, the thriving social scene, the amazing academics, and the opportunity to enjoy all 3 of these things as an IUB student :) What would I change? I'd make the admission standards even higher. I wish I could find more serious and studious academics on campus. Size? IU is huge. And perfect that way. When I tell people to go to IUB, they say "it's too far away!" Most of my old friends are on the east coast, though there are a LOT of east coasters here. Bloomington, or as most know it, B-town is THEE college town. I'm not going to spoil it for you, you just need to come experience it for yourself. But it's centered around IU. Without IU, there wouldn't be a B-town. IUB's administration is very knowledgeable and qualified. I think it could be hiring better teachers in the chem & math departments, and a few in bio, but who am I to complain? Makes it challenging, haha. Biggest/most recent controversy on campus? People want a basketball student section, but who know if we'll ever get one. Also the whole Kelvin Sampson incident... eh..... School pride? Tons of it. It provides a unified feeling, as though you have something in common with a stranger you don't even know-- but you;re both hoosiers. Unusual about IUB? Well, you can make your own major, which is pretty rare and pretty great. Also our buildings are made from limestone. And the Dalai Lama's brother lives in Bloomington, so he visits (though rarely.) One experience I'll always remember? It hasn't happened yet, but it is bound to be the week of Little 500!! Most frequent student complaints? Chem department, math department, parking issues (it's hard to get a spot around here), price of textbooks, lack of a fall break, no bbal student section, no weekend health center hours, expensive dorm food.

IUB is an absolutely amazing school in a wonderful college town. School pride is high, we're all about being a Hoosier and being against the hated Purdue.

From the start, IU struck me as a HUGE school. So many buildings, so many people, so many ridiculous ways for me to get lost ... but after a few weeks, campus started to become a lot smaller. I actually got to know my way around and started recognizing some people here and there. This is a very educational place, you see: besides the knowledge I gained in classes, I learned that the letters on the buses serve a purpose- they are not just actively reminding us that the alphabet exists. I learned that the different colors on the map are not merely there to spice it up and make it more colorful. I learned that the whole "do not drink in your room" thing is not simply a suggestion, but a rule, and I learned that wherever I am, the stupid guys I have stupidly hooked up with will all stupidly be. It's truly amazing how easy it is to get acquainted with this campus. It's only spring semester of freshman year, but I have come to be incredibly comfortable here. Even though I still get lost from time to time, I am proud to say that I can confidently determine which bus will take me to my dorm and which one will take me to Ohio. I know where to hide the alcohol so the RAs (or my parents) do not find it when they make rounds, and I have dyed my hair in order to avoid the assholes and stalkers of Welcome Week past. Everything has worked out splendidly. I would not want to be anywhere else.

The best thing about IU is the diversity. Sure, you might think that you want to go to a school where everyone shares your likes and dislikes and people that generally annoy you are nowhere to be found, but in all honesty, it is nice to have a healthy mix of people around. It's more lively and exciting that way! If I could change anything I'd probably wish that Greek like wasn't SO dominant here. Sure, you can avoid it pretty well, but it definitely has its influence on campus. I think the school is the perfect size, actually. It has all the benefits of a large Big Ten University, but to me, it doesn't feel overwhelming. I know the campus well and it only takes about 10 minutes to walk across it, and once you find your niche, it doesn't feel too big--it's comfortable. Most people seem somewhat impressed when I tell them I go to IU because it is a Big Ten University, so obviously we have great academics, arts, and sports. I spend most of my time either in my dorm, at the Union, or at the radio station. Bloomington is DEFINITELY a college town, but it's not just dominated by bars. It's got great shopping, it's eclectic, it has great ethnic dining (especially great for those who eat organic or are vegan/vegetarian), and it's wonderfully supportive of the arts. There's always something to do. The administration feels a bit removed from students sometimes, but it's never bothered me to a point where I feel the need to try and address it. The biggest recent controversy was surrounding the Men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson. It was a HUGE deal here. IU has more school pride than most other schools I have been to. It's quite nice. The unusual thing is that IU feels almost like a Big Ten University with the ethics and values of a Liberal Arts college. They are very accommodating and you find that you can explore your education to your heart's content. And it's a great mix of people here. It isn't just dominated by sports lovers or arts kids. One experience I'll always remember is my work at the radio station, WIUX. It has allowed me to indulge in my passion for music and get completely hands-on to host my own show. I have learned more about the music industry through my time there, and it's a great tie to the school AND community, and I've met wonderful people there. Most complain about the amount of work they have, but that's usually in science classes and should be expected I guess. Others would say the smoking ban, but I don't care one way or another.

The best thing about IU is the variety of everything from people to classes. It's hard to get bored with IU. But one thing I would change about IU is how bureaucratic the school is with charging some ridiculous fees that you rarely benefit from to sticking it to you on parking. IU housing will definitely rip you off. I've spent most of my time in different dorms hanging out with friends, studying, or playing halo. IU is definitely in a college town, but sometimes you don't really notice it. IUB's administration? Some things could stand to change, but people who don't really have that much authority are very nice and very helpful.

Being at a large school like IU has innumerable advantages; there are thousands of things to do, ways to get involved, and people to meet. Despite the stereotypes, there is a lot of diversity of interests at IU (I, for one, have never been to an IU basketball game, and I'm not ashamed to admit it). The town of Bloomington itself has amazing cultural opportunities - we get a lot of great bands at the Buskirk-Chumley, a local downtown theater. Although being at a large university means more bureaucracy and red tape, it also means there are more administrators trying to make you happy. My experiences with student government have shown me that administrators are more than willing to take student input into consideration when forming educational policies.