Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)

Minutes from downtown Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology is a "beautiful green oasis in a bustling city." This career-oriented university prepares students to "[make] the jump from student to professional" with a curriculum "strongly based on applied learning" and access "to student research at all levels." Illinois Tech "caters to those individuals that want to pursue careers in areas of STEM," although the curriculum "puts an equal emphasis on the life sciences and doesn't discount humanities." And while most come for the school's "historic reputation," particularly in engineering and architecture, students don't dismiss the value of the school's diversity. "The size and diversity of Illinois Tech is perfect," one student argues, "small enough for individual attention, but large enough for various resources to be available. Working with students from around the world gives you a unique perspective that is useful after college as well." Students are overall positive on the faculty: "I have had some really fantastic professors who are engaging and make the material genuinely interesting," one student explains. "However, I've had the exact opposite too." Others say that their "professors are very willing to help...but [they] want you to think for yourself." Most agree that Illinois Tech "is a very academic-based institution with mostly excellent professors, especially in upper-level classes. Academics here are challenging but rewarding." Others are quick to point out that many of Illinois Tech professors "also work in the field" and, therefore, they "apply topics studied in the lectures to the real world," and "their lectures are very current with the solutions and technologies that are actually being used."

At Illinois Institute of Technology, students pridefully declare that they "study hard, focus for the future, bathe in the diversity of campus life, and are able to enjoy" everything that the school and city have to offer. Many students highlight an interest in "innovation and in aspiring creativity." They are "quiet introverts" who value teamwork and hail from around the world. Many of the Illinois Tech student body are international students, which "provides a variety of perspectives" and cultures present in classroom discussions and clubs. Students largely describe one another as "warm, accepting, welcoming, and friendly." Overwhelmingly, "Illinois Tech students are serious about their studies, have a great eye for design and architecture, and love to have a good time especially when there is free food involved, which is often the case."

Students engage in common pastimes like watching movies and playing video games, but report that "life at school is work and study every day with a few breaks in between." That "simple and sorted" lifestyle is appealing to some academically-driven students, while others enjoy playing intramural sports and exploring the many museums, restaurants, and cultural attractions of the city. Students suggest that "there doesn't seem to be much partying going on at this school," given the workload, the "mostly small" residential options "that get packed quickly," and an on-campus alcohol policy that feels "very strict" to respondents. As for Greek life, students describe it as being a "serious life-saver for those struggling socially, mentally, emotionally, and academically."