[Sandman5.56]

Hey All, Babette over at SBN gave me this link, and suggested I ask my question over here. I'm currently stuck in CT but am going to go back to college in either IL or IN. I grew up in Lake Forest (approx 45min North of Chicago) and want to get back to the mid-west. I'm looking at a few schools in IL and was wondering if anybody has any info on these schools since I'm going to have to make my decision based on 1 campus visit (it's about 12hrs for me to drive out there so I can't do it more than once). I'm looking for info about the schools, the areas they're in, and if anybody can tell me anything about cost of living (rent costs) in the areas that would be awesome! I'm also listing the IN schools in case anybody has any info on them. Thanks In Advance!

The Schools:
Olivet Nazarene University - Bourbannais, IL
Bradley University - Peoria, IL
Indiana State University - Terre Haute, IN
Saint Josephs College - Rensselaer, IN
Butler University - Indianapolis, IN
University of Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN

Thanks Folks!!!

 

[BusaDave]

I went to ISU in Terre Haute. You will not find a much cheaper place to live than Terre Haute.

The social scene there can be iffy, especially if you have any problems with blue collar entertainment. For cultural events you will find some but Bloomington (home of IU) has lots of nice eating establishments and a decent music scene and is about 40 minutes from TH.

You also have Indianapolis about the same distance and Champaign and Chicago are not out of reach for a one-day jaunt.

ISU has a pretty good technical school and decent computer science dept. They are also well known for business and teaching curriculum.

 

[Kruz]

None of these colleges are really in the Chicagoland area.

Olivet Nazarene University - Bourbannais, IL
Never heard of

Bradley University - Peoria, IL
Good rep...pricey private school...who would want to live in Peoria?

Indiana State University - Terre Haute, IN
Good state school

Saint Josephs College - Rensselaer, IN
Never heard of

Butler University - Indianapolis, IN
Small, pricey, private school

University of Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN
Not sure

What type of degree are you pursuing....?
If it's business...DePaul, NIU, UIC, N. Western and OofC all offer great programs.

 

[Sandman5.56]

Sorry, I probably should have mentioned that I'm going for a Criminal Justice Degree.

Whats wrong w/ Peoria? I really don't remember much about IL, we moved when I was 8 so that was years ago.

Thanks guys, please, keep it coming!

 

[Doc]

Most of Peoria is kind of a shithole. However, there are some good parts. The bars are decent and they stay open late, they have the Rivermen (hockey), Chiefs (baseball), a decent mall, and pretty good concerts.

Olivet is in a nice area, but there isn't shit to do. Luckily, it's only 25 min. from the south suburbs. Otherwise, my wife would go even more crazy about how there's nothing to do here. A plus is we have the Chicago Bears training camp.



Doc

 

[Sandman5.56]

Most of Peoria is kind of a shithole. However, there are some good parts. The bars are decent and they stay open late, they have the Rivermen (hockey), Chiefs (baseball), a decent mall, and pretty good concerts.

Olivet is in a nice area, but there isn't shit to do. Luckily, it's only 25 min. from the south suburbs. Otherwise, my wife would go even more crazy about how there's nothing to do here. A plus is we have the Chicago Bears training camp.



Doc

They used to practice in Lake Forest, about 2 blocks from where I lived. I had Walter Payton's Autograph as well as most of the Monsters of the Midway from 85, but they somehow disappeared in the move Oh well.

Whats rent like out there in the Olivet/Peoria area? TYIA!

 

[Doc]

In Bradley-Bourbonnais, rent is pretty cheap. Mike (Cherrypicker) is actually looking for a roommate ($300 w/ garage). There's quite a bit of rentals open too. For a nice/spatious 2 bedroom, you are looking at around $500-600.

Peoria will probably be a little bit more. Especially if it's in a good area...which I assume is what you want. Otherwise, you could probably rent a house for about $300 and walk down to the local gas station and buy single cigarettes for fifty cents....just like the crackheads do.

Again, Peoria is a more "happenin'" place, but it does have its downfalls. Bradley-Bourbonnais has its downfalls too, but I think it is an overall nicer place to live. Just stay out of Kankakee.


Doc

 

[Sandman5.56]

In Bradley-Bourbonnais, rent is pretty cheap. Mike (Cherrypicker) is actually looking for a roommate ($300 w/ garage). There's quite a bit of rentals open too. For a nice/spatious 2 bedroom, you are looking at around $500-600.

Peoria will probably be a little bit more. Especially if it's in a good area...which I assume is what you want. Otherwise, you could probably rent a house for about $300 and walk down to the local gas station and buy single cigarettes for fifty cents....just like the crackheads do.

Again, Peoria is a more "happenin'" place, but it does have its downfalls. Bradley-Bourbonnais has its downfalls too, but I think it is an overall nicer place to live. Just stay out of Kankakee.


Doc

Yhea defenitely want to stay in a "decent" area cause I'm keeping my residence here in CT at my folks house (better insurance) so I won't be allowed to posses my firearms out there

Thanks for all the info, and if I end up in the Bourbonnais area and cherrypicker is still looking for a roommate, I'll def. talk w/ him!

 

[Paul Vincent]

For all of you who care about the Bears but have never heard of Olivet, your day is coming soon. Olivet College (and most people of the greater Kankakee area) consider the Bears using Olivet as their training camp to be the most important thing to happen to this area- ever. As it is going to impede my traveling daily for the next six weeks or so, I am not in the majority on this one. Also, Sandman, one very good thing about Olivet: They stand by their people. They will work with you and make sure that your degree gets you a career related job. You couldn't ask for better help than what they give their graduates.

 

[TerminatorR1]

Dont forget about the riverboat and ummmm well Club Cabaret and Big Al's for Peoria's resume.


I am so stoked about the Bears in Bourbonnais. My schedule has me down in Bourbonnais every Friday. I told my boss. I will have my cell phone on, but Im going to be at the training camp for some of the day. He told me, hell I'll be riding with you on Friday's.
:evil

 

[jibaro69]

Alittle bit of money saving tip if you want to take it... If you are looking to get a criminal justice degree go to a community college. Triton college or if your in chicago u can go to Wright college if u want down town area try ST. Louis university ( not really sure if ST. Louis university has CJ degree in its curriculum [ spelling] ) Going to a community college is alot cheeper most classes are like $90 - $120 + books and you will be close enough to go on group rides :thumbsup

 

[HDTony]

If your going to go for Criminal justice. Then you would want to look at Western IL U. Or Lewis University They have two of the best criminal justice programs in the state. My wife was going to go to western but then she decided to become a teacher instead.

 

[Sandman5.56]

Alittle bit of money saving tip if you want to take it... If you are looking to get a criminal justice degree go to a community college. Triton college or if your in chicago u can go to Wright college if u want down town area try ST. Louis university ( not really sure if ST. Louis university has CJ degree in its curriculum [ spelling] ) Going to a community college is alot cheeper most classes are like $90 - $120 + books and you will be close enough to go on group rides :thumbsup

I dont really want to do the community college route only because they tend to not offer Bachelor's degrees and thats what I want.

Tony, thanks neither of thoose schools turned up in my searches, I'll have to take a look-see!

 

[Sandman5.56]

t

Well, at least you are getting out of CT for awhile .. i lived there for 10 years .. hated it!!!

So where in this communist state did you live? I'm in SW CT near Danbury.

 

[BusaDave]

I think ISU's Criminal Justice program is decent. Terre Haute will be a bit of culture shock from CT though.:cheers

 

[Sandman5.56]

Terre Haute will be a bit of culture shock from CT though.:cheers

How so?

 

[BusaDave]

How so?

Well Terre Haute is your basic midwest blue collar town, not at all the east coast culture. The people are on average more friendly and less educated than the norm on the east coast. It has slightly less culture than you would normally expect from a college town.

 

[Sandman]

Well, where ever you end up it's comforting to know there's two "sandman" riders on this board.

Tell us what kind of bike you ride, or are you just a Babette referral looking for friendly advice?

 

[Sandman5.56]

Well, where ever you end up it's comforting to know there's two "sandman" riders on this board.

Tell us what kind of bike you ride, or are you just a Babette referral looking for friendly advice?

Haha, two sandman's....what are the odds....now a prize to the person who figures out the combination of sandman and 5.56 and how I got my nickname

Sorry bout that, I was in a hurry when I registered, I ride a 99 Kat 600 but she's for sale, I'm gonna get either a Gixxer 750 or an R6....but I'm leaning more towards the Gixxer. Time to run now, the bike needs a wax before tomorrow's huge rally, and my friends are waiting for me at the bar

 

[Sandman]

Well, hope it doesn't get too confusing if you end up posting frequently here. I have no clue what the 5.56 could refer to- go ahead and give it up and dazzle us!
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---> the original Sandman, lifting his hind leg and marking his territory:laughing