University of Iowa Top Questions

Iowa is the perfect size. It is a "small-big school." We have all the luxuries of a Big 10 school (athletics, departments, extracurriculars, etc) but we have the personal attention and class size of a small school. Everyone finds something for them. The downtown is alright, not the best food selection, but off campus there are more options.

There is so much that can be included in "The Big Picture" I don't know where to even start. I have so much pride and respect for Iowa as an institution that I could go on for pages. To be honest, when I was a senior in high school, I made fun of a friend of mine for looking into Iowa as her college or choice. However, when I actually went on a campus visit, and saw how much Iowa has to offer - I chose to attend. I would not change my decision for the world. So many doors have been opened up for me while I've attended Iowa, and I have changed so much into a better person because of Iowa. The best thing about Iowa, as I'm sure you've heard before, is the people. Plain and simple. Everyone who goes to Iowa, loves it. And if they don't, they still walk around with a smile on their face. Everyone here is so extremely friendly and willing to help. And, we have an enormous amount of pride. More often than not, I will walk into a class or just walk on campus and see IOWA! proudly displayed on peoples t-shirts, sweatpants, backpacks, jackets or umbrellas. There is never a season someone can not find something IOWA to put on! I was at HyVee one time, and I was proudly displaying my school's name on a hoodie, and as a girl I walked past turned the corner, I could hear her say "why does everyone at this school wear Iowa stuff?" She obviously doesn't go to school (or work) here or she would understand. I feel like Iowa is a perfect size. It is not too small, but within a Big 10 atmosphere, it is still small. Iowa was the only big ten school I looked at, everything else was small and cozy. I decided to attend Iowa because it was larger than my high school, but not too large where I felt like I would get lost in the crowd or become just a "number" in class. I think the one and only negative thing I can say about Iowa is the lack of parking. And that will be the biggest complaint voiced by students. I don't know what it is, but it is expensive and very hard to find. Not that I want the administration to cut down trees or take away from our beautiful campus just to make more parking, but the matter of the fact is that it isn't great. I honestly do not have one place, besides work and the office of the student organization that I am in. Otherwise, you can find me all over the place. I love walking around campus, especially after the flowers have bloomed and everything is so gorgeous and picturesque. My roommate and I will take our cameras to class with us, just incase a blooming tree or snow covered building inspires us. Now that we're seniors, next year we won't have the luxury of seeing these beautiful images on a daily basis anymore. So we try to capture them on our memory cards and save them for viewing after graduation. The Pentacrest is a fun place to sit and relax in the sun, as well as Hubbard Park. So many people round up games of Ultimate Frisbee, football or softball. It is also the site of many promotional events; for example, student organization fairs, or free give-a-ways by organizations. After class, my friends and I would always go sit by the river. It is so beautiful and relaxing. You take a blanket down, maybe an iPod with speakers, do some homework or take a nap. There are SO MANY experiences I'll always remember. It brings me to tears that this is a reality, and that all of my memories as a student will come to a close relatively soon. I think the times that stick out are in the small moments. My very first day on campus, when I was so scared that I would not make any friends, but now I have some of the best friends I could ask for who will always be a part of my life. The girls that I met freshman, and who have remained my close friends; the laughter and tears we have shared will be something I'll always remember and never forget. Homecoming has always been such a special time for me. I have never missed a Homecoming Parade, and there is always so much excitement and tons of people - all fans of the Hawkeyes. It is great to see so many people, outside of tailgating, supporting Iowa. Speaking of tailgating, I think that will be an experience I'll never forget. My parents decided to buy a "parking spot" at one of the tailgating places, and I have never had so much fun. Tailgating brought me closer to my parents, if you can believe that. They were here almost every other weekend, and we were constantly given hours to chat and catch up. It was a great start to my senior year having my parents here tailgating with my friends and their parents. We would grill out, play games and just talk. The sea of black and gold that just winds through this town on game days is just amazing. My sister, and many of my friends who came to visit, were blown away by how many people tailgated and by how much Black and Gold was worn. Even if our football team doesn't always win, tailgating it always a positive experience! I told you I LOVE Iowa, I'm sorry I wrote so much, sometimes I get carried away!

I came to the UI with big goals of working closely with professors, delving into legal issues, and seeing the world. I have achieved every goal that I have made. Iowa's small-town college feel allows for motivated minds to have the experience one desires. I not only studied abroad in Germany and Turkey, I interned at the Justice Department in DC. I will be returning as a full-time empolyee this summer, working in the Justice's Civil Rights Division. It was because of the support and encouragment of the UI's faculty and fellow students that provided critical guidance in shaping my career path in the legal field. Whether I am in the U.S. of travelling internationally, when people hear that I attend The University of Iowa, I always hear, "Wow, you go to Iowa! How about them Hawkeyes?" Iowa's reputation of a leader in education and school spirit is known far and wide. It is the experiences both in the classroom and in the stands of an athletic event that has allowed me to appreciate being a Hawkeye for life.

If I could change one thing about Iowa, I would want those who stereotype us to focus more on our education than about partying. All schools have some partying involved, and although a lot of the downtown establishments are bar, there are so many more things to do besides it. Like, for instance, our graduate program for medical school is ranked 9th in the nation of all the public medical schools. I wish people knew us for that instead of partying, because I think that might scare students from coming here for college.

What can get students up at 6:00 am on a SATURDAY? Iowa Hawkeye football!! Game Day Iowa City is an environment one must experience. School pride showcases itself more than ever on home game weekends, and what's better than hanging out with friends and watching football?

The best thing about Iowa is the entire atmosphere from athletics, academics, and all social activity. The campus is just right. Everything is pretty much compact into or near the Pentacrest and has the feeling of a small school yet theres something like 30,000 people that go to the University. The school pride is tremendous, just walk to Melrose street before a football game and you'll understand.

The best thing about Iowa is its night life. Downtown is crazy and always a good time. I spend most of my time at the athletic facilities, in my room, or at the athletic learning center There is school pride, but smaller sports need a lot more recognition, i.e. tennis Iowa City is absolutely a college town, there isn't anything fun or interesting outside Iowa City/Coralville

I think that the University of Iowa is a perfect size. Most people where i am from are big iowa fans and support me here. There is a tremendous amount of school pride.

I love the atmosphere at Iowa. If you want to come to a true college town Iowa City is the place to be. Everything is basically built around the life of the students and the university itself. Students are proud to be Hawkeyes and it shows not only at sporting events but at other functions as well!

The best thing about the school is that it is not to big and it's not to small. When I told my friends I was going to Iowa, they thought Iowa was Idaho, and when I go home they refer to my school as Iowa State. Which doesn't fly. I spend most of my time at the complex. Being in to sports, my day revolves around the rec. Iowa's administration is great. They do all they can do, the teacher are flexible friendly, and they understand what students have on their plate everyday. They are always will to work something out. I've had over 20 maybe 30 teachers now and not one was a bad. The school pride is everywhere. To be honest, that is one of the major reason why I came here. I came here on a visit and saw Herky's everywhere. I thought to myself they must take this stuff as serious as they do back in Ohio. The only thing really unusual from all my friends colleges is that Iowa has a ton of Moped. The biggest complants is parking. PARKING PARKING PARKING. I dont understand those people. They just wait at your meter. I saw a meter person stand by my car. It's bad. Really bad.