Is UIC popular with downstate students

[Zoness]

Not a popular choice here at all. Western Illinois University, Knox College and Monmouth College are probably the top three followed by (in no particular order) Bradley, SIU/SIUe and ISU.

Note: "here" actually refers to my hometown, Galesburg, not Peoria.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by Zoness

Not a popular choice here at all. Western Illinois University, Knox College and Monmouth College are probably the top three followed by (in no particular order) Bradley, SIU/SIUe and ISU.

Note: "here" actually refers to my hometown, Galesburg, not Peoria.

i'm surprised that NIU wasn't on the list, considering the distance isn't bad (certainly not for students in Peoria). Can I surmise that NIU is seen as being "too Chicago" (a bit of a stretch, but DeKalb is somewhat of a Chicagoland extension and will, in time, be part of the area).?

[linicx]

Much of where downstate students go to post elementary school depends upon several factors including distance, finance, students goal, school reputation and courses offered. There is also an invisible dividing line called politics and religion. There is also a divide between the northern half of the state and the southern half. The ultra conservative religious parent is not going to send the kid to a party school.

The ultra-conservative family in Peoria with an average kid will more likely chose Peoria, Eureka, Bloomington or possibly Quincy over Normal, Champaign, Macomb or Springfield. A parent with a seriously committed student may make entirely different choices. The farming family may also make different choices based on needs and the child's dream.

Farming is a family affair. A friend's grandson, from a small child, never wanted to do anything except farm. She inherited a section of land that he helped farm as soon as he was old enough to run a tractor and all through high school. His choice of continuing education was math/mechanics. He graduated with honors and was gifted with a tractor and 640 acres.

As far as I can see the only connections between Chicago and downstate is Springfield and Champaign.

[Zoness]

Originally Posted by edsg25

i'm surprised that NIU wasn't on the list, considering the distance isn't bad (certainly not for students in Peoria). Can I surmise that NIU is seen as being "too Chicago" (a bit of a stretch, but DeKalb is somewhat of a Chicagoland extension and will, in time, be part of the area).?

I can't 100% answer your question but I don't think kids skip it because its "too Chicago", although there is a very negative perception of the DeKalb area as being unsafe. I don't know, I have never really spent any time there. In my graduating class of about 300 I only know 2 kids that ended up going to NIU. Distance wise its about the same as UIUC, must be a preference things. I must emphasize how overwhelmingly people choose Western, many kids from Knox county.