University of Iowa Top Questions

My overall opinion of this school is that it is perfect for me and the best choice I made. The school has over 30,000 students but it truly does not feel that way. It is built perfectly so that it seems like you are in a small, quaint college where everyone knows everyone else. This could be because there are only 3 main spots where mostly everyone hangs out. This would be the library, the IMU, and downtown which consists of a couple streets. On these streets are small bookstores, coffee shops, interesting restaurants, and shops. This is where I spend most of my time. There is always something going on downtown which is located right across the street from campus. From art shows, to live music, to dancing, to food festivals, there is always something to do! I give props to the school administration because they always support the events happening downtown. The biggest recent controversy on campus was the fact that the bars used to be 19+ and last year had turned 21+. Many people were upset about this and some said they would transfer or choose a different school. The most unusual thing about our school is how close we are to all the action downtown. It is literally steps away and can be so easily accessed! School pride is immense here and alumni are always at football games, basketball games, etc. Many families proudly represent the hawkeye symbol from their shirts, to their cars, and even to their homes. The one experience that I will always remember is the first day of class when they gathered my entire freshmen class on the grass outside of the old capitol building and gave us a motivational speech. The day was beautiful and it was so amazing to see so many new faces ready to begin college.

I really like this school! Freshman year was a bit of an adjustment for me, but now I am a junior, and I love it! I am on Thanksgiving break now and can't wait to go back. Most people can't wait for the weekends- dancing downtown is really fun! There is a lot of football pride during the game season.

Academically, the school is mediocre but it depends on the program that you are enrolled in. The campus is nice and well kept, and most buildings are in reasonable walking distance from the dorms. I spend most of my time either at the library or in Schaeffer Hall. Homework is piling up so I am transforming into a grouchy curmudgeon. There have been a lot of complaints lately that the school administration spends too much of its budget enlarging unnecessary bureaucratic positions while cutting back on department spending. Hawkeye pride seems to be pretty important here. I don't really understand why, but, again, I think it's related to Football and beer. One really great thing about this school is the concerts we attract. Lots of cool bands stop by and play gigs for pretty cheap. Student organizations also usually host some big names for an affordable price.

It is a school full of opportunities.

Overall, I love the University of Iowa. Iowa City really is the campus, so you're surrounded by college students and you can fully appreciate college life, but you're not confined to an enclosed campus. Iowa City is a college town through and through. The city isn't very large either, which was really helpful for me, coming from a town of 3000 people and worrying I would be overwhelmed. The undergraduate student body is like five times the size of my town, but even with the large number of students, there are plenty of ways to find a niche here. Once you get involved in things you enjoy, you start to see the same people that also enjoy those things. As an English major, the constant literary opportunities create a community for me as well as offer me a lot of knowledge and experience. However, I really feel that the honors department is what has made the University of Iowa so perfect for me. With honors, you can be as involved as you want, so you'll find the students who don't do anything with honors, and you'll find students (like myself) that do way too much. There are just so many opportunities and the staff is so helpful that I find it difficult not to jump at everything I can! Most of my involvement is with the honors department--but I've found communities outside of honors that are just as inviting and helpful, so, by all means, you don't have to be an honors student to find your place at Iowa.

It's a big school, but it didn't feel that huge to me. It seems like everyone has a group of friends they usually hang out with, and but it's so nice to not run into the same people over and over again. Iowa City is definitely a college town - it's a beautiful place except in the dead of winter when the sidewalks are icy and you wish you'd moved somewhere much, much warmer. There are a lot of intellectuals walking around, and it's nice to be surrounded by such smart people. The atmosphere is definitely one that encourages learning, as long as you don't let the bar scene get in the way too much (save it for the weekends).

Iowa is an amazing college, in an amazing college town. My older brother started going here when I was a sophomore in high school, and I loved visiting so much that I came here, too. The campus is small, easily walkable, and always beautiful. The town is the perfect size, and you would never know that 20,000 students are going to school there at the same time as you. On campus, I spend most of my time between my house on Lynn Street, the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU), and classes. The administration is very helpful, but aren't afraid to tell you no...especially if you don't have the paperwork they needed(if there was any). The biggest recent controversy on campus is the fact that twelve of our buildings are flooded severely from the Iowa River. You probably heard about it in the news. Besides the flood, Iowa's Campus is going smoke-free starting some time in July of 2008. Good thing I don't smoke. One experience I'll always remember is playing a game of frisbee at 2 A.M. on a Thursday night, and some people who had just been in the bars came and played with us. They were relatively inebriated and severely entertaining. Oh, and the Marching Band gets to go wherever the Football team does during Bowl season...for free. I got to go on a Four day vacation to San Antonio with my brother and 244 others for free.

While some people see Iowa as being too large or impersonal, they couldn't be more wrong. Because of the way the campus is set up it is impossible not to run into fellow students from your own major and often your own classes. School pride at the University of Iowa is a priority for the majority of its students. There is nothing more fulfilling or exciting than seeing seas of yellow and black at football games, or any other day of the week. I am always proud to tell people that I am a hawkeye! The University of Iowa is unique because it is a Big 10 school with a smaller feel. The campus is so diverse, so everyone is welcome. It has definitely become my second home.

The University of Iowa is like living in a metropolis. You have the opportunity to meet a large number of students, but yet feel a part of the UI community. Iowa is a school that has a lot of school pride. We take our Hawkeyes seriously and that is why no matter what day it is you will see black and gold all over our campus. Iowa has activities for everyone to do. With more than 4,000 student orgainzations you should have no problem finding what you like. As for the campus it is beautiful. he state's Old Captiol is the campus's gemstone. It sits in the middle of a campus that is full of life. In the warm months people will be outside getting some sun and catching up on some studying. In the winter you may find yourself in a snowball fight and building a snow man. What makes the University of Iowa even better is the city it is in. Iowa City is often called the New York City of Iowa because all of it culture and unique features such as a pedestrian mall that consists of flowers, fountains, bars, restuarants, shops, and a library. No matter the season this region is full of life. The UI also sits right next to downtown Iowa City giving students a shopping mall, and an old fashion downtown full of busnesses and people.

Initially the campus draws many people in. It is a big ten school but feels like a small private one. You see friends on campus to and from classes every day which gives you a sense of comfort. Downtown is as definately as fun as everyone says it is. Great restaurants and bars..i have never heard one person who does not love it here.