User Profile
kmmyr
University of Iowa '15
Majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Member since 10/13/2011
B
I Say Above Average
I think maybe it's just because I am not a minority student, but while I know there are a lot of minority groups on campus, I'm not hugely affected by it. I know the university offers a lot of ways to help get minority groups involved and, especially for international students, acclimated to campus. Services like TRIO I know are for minority groups and there are some multicultural sororities and fraternities on campus, but I really wish there were more. International students do have a longer and more intensive orientation than other students, and I am sure that my friends from South Korea have told me that advisors work more closely with them to ensure the college transition - and cultural transition - is going okay. I know that my class, the class of 2015, is the most diverse in the University of Iowa history, but that can always change.
With over 450 student organizations on campus, a student would be hard-pressed to find one that didn't make them feel comfortable. There are LGBT alliance groups, religious/youth groups, and various political groups that range from very intense to very relaxed. I feel like some of the Christian religious groups may claim to be nondenominational but really feel like they have a strong Catholic trend to them.
Oct 13, 2011
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C+
Greeks Are Here
I think the University of Iowa has the best Greek system possible - if you are interested in Greek life, great, you can join, but if you aren't interested, no one notices or cares. There are lots of parties and the university is trying to "tame" the Greek chapters on campus, but you typically have to know someone in a frat to get into a frat party. At least that's what I have heard. With any Greek chapter, each one has a different reputation, especially the sororities, but there are some that aren't as talked about as, oh say, Tri-Delta. Greek life is currently expanding at Iowa, but it still isn't huge.
What it boils down to is this: You will see Greek letters on campus, but it is not going to make or break your friendships at Iowa.
Oct 13, 2011
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C
Pretty Nice
I'd say the weather has been pretty nice - quite hot in August, but we are in Iowa. Being as I haven't actually experienced winter here yet, I've heard from students that the big, steep hill on campus can be treacherous, but if the Cambuses can't get up the hill in the winter, that's when classes get cancelled. They did have a snow day in the 2010-2011 year, but who knows if that will happen again any time soon?
It is really a beautiful campus in the fall when the sun is shining... but in the rain, there are a LOT of puddles, so I would recommend rain boots. If you have them.
Oct 13, 2011
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