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University of Iowa
- Local Atmosphere

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University of Iowa - Local Atmosphere - Local Atmosphere - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.85

Local Atmosphere

B+
Where does this grade come from?View all Local Atmosphere rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Local Atmosphere Grades:

Quick Stats

Fun Local Trivia
  1. Iowa City was the state capital from 1842 to 1857.
  2. The University of Iowa was a state gift to Iowa City when the capital moved to Des Moines.
  3. Iowa City is Iowa's sixth largest city.
  4. The name "Iowa" comes from the name of a Native American tribe that once settled here.
  5. Many feel that Iowa City and Coralville (a neighboring city) will become one large city in the future, because both are expanding into each other.
Notable Natives
  • Tom Arnold – actor, comedian
  • Tom Brokaw – TV news reporter and anchor
  • Tim Dwight – NFL wide receiver
  • Herbert Hoover – 31st president of the United States
  • Ashton Kutcher – actor
Local Slang
  • Blue Bus: The name for the Coralville buses, because they are bright-blue
  • ICPD: Iowa City Police Department
  • Ped Mall: The Pedestrian Mall, the heart of downtown Iowa City; it contains several bars, restaurants, and retail shops.
  • The Res: The name of the beach along the Coralville Lake; students can often be found there in the summer or the early part of the school year.
  • University Heights: A small town right off the University campus; a major speed trap for student drivers
Points of Interest
  • The Old Capitol Mall
  • The Pedestrian Mall

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Iowa City is the world’s biggest small town—at least, that is what the locals like to call it. The city has the feel of a classic small Midwestern town. The townies are very friendly to the college population, and life is catered toward students, since they are the major source of income for the city. Many students enjoy the concerts and activities that the city puts on, such as the summer concert series. The Ped Mall gives students a chance to unwind, either after classes or on the weekend. Many students also enjoy using the large Coral Ridge Mall to do their shopping.

Students from large metropolitan areas may find themselves bored with Iowa City life after a few months. However, UI and the city are growing—over the last decade, both have drastically changed and become much more accommodating to the college crowd. The city provides services to make the students as comfortable as possible, such as guides to off-campus housing or travel opportunities to attractions around Iowa City.

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Iowa Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Local Atmosphere at University of Iowa

kristinaakolo

Civil Engineering '15

4.6
A

Love It!

IOWA is a great place to learn, observe, relax, entertain and so much more. The atmosphere is top notch and there is always something to do regardless of time or day of the week. Downtown is hoppin on the weekends and its just an overall great place to be.

May 27, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of Iowa

GoHawksIA

Nursing '13

5.0
A+

College Town

Tons of places to eat and study open super late. Coffee shops stay open until midnight and most food places stay open until 2am. Plenty of places to shop, eat, and experience culture. Also, Iowa has one of the BEST nightlife scenes!

May 12, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of Iowa

JennyKA

School Psychology '17

5.0
A+

Always Something Going on

There are always cultural events going on, concerts, plays, movies, etc. All campus sponsored events are emailed to you so that everyone has equal opportunity to hear about them. Hawkapalooza is a major event outside on campus, as well as the Homecoming concert, Summer of the Arts festivals, Jazz festival, the farmer's markets, etc.

May 07, 2012

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Page 1 of 11
User rating for University of Iowa - Local Atmosphere is 4.6 out of 5 based on 33 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the local atmosphere on the following topics

What is the local atmosphere like at your school?

What is the proximity to other universities? Is there much interaction?

Can you see yourself living here after graduation?

Facts

Shopping Centers
  • Coral Ridge Mall
  • The Old Capital Mall
Major Sports Teams None:
City Web Sites
Distances to Nearest Major Cities
  • Cedar Rapids: IA: 30 minutes
  • Chicago: IL: 3 hours, 30 minutes
  • Minneapolis: MN: 4 hours, 30 minutes

Movie TheatersWhat's This?

Coral Ridge 10
Coral Ridge Mall
(319) 625-1010

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Kelly McPhee
Hometown
Naperville, IL
Major
Journalism

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.