From: uiuc undergraduate admissions
To: Sonia
Subject: Re: a few questions
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 11:22:22 -0500 (CDT)
Dear Sonia,
We will be sending you booklets in snail mail as well. These questions are all very subjective and very broad. To your first question, the only answer I could give is that there is something for everyone at a university of this size and diversity. If you have any students from your high school or neighboring schools that attend the university, you should ask them.
Regarding what sets us apart from the pack. Our most well-known programs are in Engineering and Business although all of our departments have programs which rank in the top ten in the nation. We are a comprehensive university offering courses from aviation and agriculture to bioengineering and education. We have an excellent faculty and great research facilities.
I do not know what you mean about policy on Affirmative Action, but I can tell you that on our campus Native Americans, Latin Americans and African Americans are the underrepresented minorities. This means that their numbers on this campus are below national and state averages.
All of the factors you mention weigh into our admissions decisions, but we would certainly rather see someone with great scores and grades not involved in every activity available at a high school rather than a student with simply average grades and test scores, but heavily involved in activities. We don't want to see other activities and experiences to hamper a student's scholastic goals, but rather enhance them.
I hope this helps to answer your questions!!
Undergraduate Admissions Information
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
10 Henry Administration Building
506 South Wright Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-0302