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Tough Questions
 By addressing these potential concerns with more detail, these tough questions might not seem so intimidating. The following questions may have caught you off guard; but now you'll be prepared!
Q: How do I know if UIC is the right place for me?
A: The best way to decide on any university is to visit the institution, take a guided tour, and speak to a pre-admissions counselor. If a student wants to live in the residence halls, he or she should ask to see them... at UIC or anywhere. At UIC, we offer an information session every weekday at 1 p.m., followed by a student-guided tour at 2 p.m. We also offer some Saturday hours (generally once a month) during which we have an information session and a tour. These Saturday hours, unlike the daily tours, require an appointment. In addition, during these Saturday hours, we offer a tour of the residence halls. We also have Preview Days (most people call them "Open Houses"), where different faculty members speak, and tours of both the campus and residence halls are given. Therefore, if students want to see a residence hall, they should plan to attend a Preview Day or make an appointment for Saturday hours.
Q: I heard that UIC's graduation rate is really low. Is this correct? Why?
A: Based on our size, location, value, and quality of education, we attract a broad variety of students. This is easily seen through our diversity, number of "non-traditional" students, etc.; there is no "typical" student at UIC. Based on our urban setting, we serve a variety of functions to our students and to the community: some students take classes to fulfill prerequisites prior to entering a professional school; some attend part-time while raising a family, but don't necessarily graduate from the university; others return to work prior to graduation. All of these factors adversely affect our graduation rate.
Q: Is UIC a safe environment? I heard it's in a bad part of the city.
A: The UIC campus is one of the safest public, urban, institutions in the nation. We take precautions to ensure that students feel safe at UIC. For example, we have an extensive UIC campus police force (the second largest in the state); in addition, the Chicago Police patrol the area as well. We have shuttle buses and vans that, in combination, operate 24 hours a day. UIC's campus boasts more than 200 emergency (blue light) kiosks that, when activated, signal the police to respond to the exact location from which the call was placed. The police, who are constantly patrol campus on foot, by bike, or in squad car, and respond to calls within 30-60 seconds.
Chicago is truly a city of neighborhoods. Throughout many areas of the city, it is possible to travel only a few blocks and move from a new condominium development to a public housing complex. While the area in which campus is located has begun revitalization, there are locales in the vicinity that are less desirable. As with any part of the city, even those that seem very safe, caution must be exercised; one must be cognizant of his or her surroundings and respond appropriately. ***The yearly campus crime rates are considered to be average when compared to other universities, regardless of their location (urban, suburban and rural).
Q: Can you party at UIC? Is there beer?
A: There are definitely social activities that occur both on and off campus. On a given weekend, there may be several parties/dances/events planned by some of the on-campus organizations. Students are free to make their own decisions about their social life on and off campus. In terms of on-campus "parties," UIC administration controls what goes on in residence halls or other facilities. In terms of the use of substances, UIC operates under the laws of the State of Illinois: you must be at least 21 years of age to drink and any drug use is illegal.
Use your best judgment when responding to this question. It may be worthwhile stressing to the student or parent that not all students choose to drink; it is not a prerequisite for having a good time. In addition, there doesn't seem to be pressure on campus that causes students to feel that they must drink in order to fit in or be accepted. Once again, use your discretion; identify the concerns and respond appropriately.
Q: Is it difficult to be a minority student at UIC? Does UIC do anything to help?
A: Although it is impossible to make a generalization regarding all minority students, it is safe to say that most students find their niche at UIC. As diverse as UIC is, it is likely that students will find others that they identify with (this is often a source of comfort and assurance, especially in one's college years). UIC works very diligently to extend support to minority students on campus through academic support units including AAAN (African American Academic Network), LARES (Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services), and NASP (Native American Support Program). The Office of International Services handles the needs expressed by the international student community here on campus. Although all of these programs primarily serve to assist in academic needs, they also foster a sense of community among students. In addition to these programs, there are also student-run clubs and organizations, as well as college-specific organizations and awards tailored for minority students.
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