Life at ICO/Chicago

[IceNine]

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Hello,

I'll be attending ICO in August, and since I've never been to Chicago, I was wondering if you could give me some suggestions about the main attractions in your area. My parents have decided to make my moving into ICO a family trip. I'm a bit hesitant, since I hear we are in the rougher parts of town, and I don't want to scare my parents into thinking we're in an unsafe neighboorhood. How is the parking situation around ICO? Are there places where you can park your car for free overnight? And where would be the best hotel for my parents to stay in, and which part of town would be the most scenic and safe to go to?
I just have this lingering fear that they'll come and freak out thinking that the area is too dangerous to live in.

Thanks!

 

[catzeye523]

Hi,

I will be going to ICO as well! I have lived in Illinois all my life. I went to the University of Illinois at Chicago. I lived in the dorms here and also had an apartment. That area was a bit closer to the loop than ICO is, and a little safer. I must admit that ICO is NOT in the safest part of Chicago, but it's not so bad. It looks bad because a church right next to the school burnt down a few months ago. It's so close to the school that they even had to evacuate when the fire was going on.

There are many attractions at Chicago. From the Museum of Science and Industry to Millenium Park, to the Planetarium, to Navy Pier...if you go on metromix.com, it'll show you all kinds of places in Chicago, along with the pricing and parking. As for hotels, I'm not quite sure. But since it's in the city, it's definitely going to be a bit on the pricey side. At ICO, I know you can get parking in the building itself, but I'm not sure how it works with the rates (if it's only for students with parking or what). It's going to be my first year too, so I'm not quite sure what it's like at ICO itself.

As for places to go (without your parents!), there are countless bars and clubs, along with amazing restaurants to go to! You're going to love Chicago, even though ICO isn't in the greatest neighborhood. You get used to it...as always, with any place, you need to be aware of your surroundings.

 

[devcar3]

Hi I am entering ICO this fall and I was wondering if incoming first year students are going to live in the dorm is it pretty much guaranteed that they will have a double, or is it possible to get a single?

 

[IceNine]

Hi I am entering ICO this fall and I was wondering if incoming first year students are going to live in the dorm is it pretty much guaranteed that they will have a double, or is it possible to get a single?

From what I've heard, first year students are gauranteed a place to live. It is POSSIBLE to get a single room first year, however the chances are VERY SLIM. Depends on how lucky you are!

 

[devcar3]

Any comments on how good of an idea it is to live in the dorms the first year or not? From people who did and didn't. On the tour they told us to but I'm not sure if they were just saying that because they're supposed to or not. Thanks for any input.

 

[canshman]

Did anyone eat the dorm food when they went to interview? The cafeteria was closed when I went so I didn't get a chance to taste any of the food.

 

[pre_opt_sku]

Did anyone eat the dorm food when they went to interview? The cafeteria was closed when I went so I didn't get a chance to taste any of the food.

I ate breakfast there when I was there for my interview and it was fine....but you can't really go wrong with breakfast

 

[in_translation]

Did anyone eat the dorm food when they went to interview? The cafeteria was closed when I went so I didn't get a chance to taste any of the food.

I thought the food was pretty decent... then again all we had were cold cut sandwiches and chips, your typical box lunch-type deal.

 

[catzeye523]

I thought the food was pretty decent... then again all we had were cold cut sandwiches and chips, your typical box lunch-type deal.

Yup, that's exactly what I had. I'm not quite sure if I understand their meal plan offers either. I already forgot, it said something about getting 12 meals or 17 per week. I don't get it.

As for the dorm situation, there are times when I hope to get a single, but then I feel like I should just stick it out and get a double. I already live just about 35 minutes away from ICO. I could technically commute, but I feel that it's important to get used to the place and meet some of the people I'll be spending the next 4 years with.

 

[in_translation]

I already live just about 35 minutes away from ICO. I could technically commute, but I feel that it's important to get used to the place and meet some of the people I'll be spending the next 4 years with.

When talking to some older students about commuting or living near / on campus at ICO, they recommended not commuting - as first years, we have class at 8 am and exams as well. I don't know about you, but I'm not a morning person, so a commute at 6 or 7 am wouldn't be my favorite thing ever.

Also, in response to the meal plan thing - If you're in the RC I believe you just pick whether you want 12 or 17 meals each week and then you can go to the cafeteria whenever they're open and eat a meal, up to your 12/17 meals per week. When you're in your 3rd or 4th year and live in the RC you can get an apartment style place, and then you aren't required to purchase a meal plan. Students who are off campus can probably also sign up for a meal plan if they want one.

 

[sethuel1]

I live in Wrigleyville and I'll be taking the L in every morning. 45 minutes each way, on average. Small price to pay for A) me not having to move, B) not having to move to the Southside, and C) getting to continue to live in Wrigleyville.

To those of you that want to know about stuff to do in Chicago...name something. Anything.

You can do that in Chicago!

 

[sparikh]

Man, if I lived in Wrigleyville, I'd fail out of ICO. With the Cubs there and all those ballgames, it would be really hard to concentrate.

 

[sethuel1]

Man, if I lived in Wrigleyville, I'd fail out of ICO. With the Cubs there and all those ballgames, it would be really hard to concentrate.

I've lived here for 3 years already, so I've lost the "Wrigleyville! Party time!" shock. That being said, it is very hard to concentrate on anything other than the Cubs sometimes in the summer.

Also I moved from New Orleans, where I managed to do an entire 4 years of undergrad. i figure if I can survive that without failing out then Wrigleyville and Optometry school should be doable.

 

[powerpuff]

a little off topic, but when does the fall quarter start for ICO?

 

[canshman]

When I called ICO last week they told me that dorm move in day will be Aug 13. Orientation will be Aug 15-17. And the first day of class is Aug 21!

 

[rpames]

- as first years, we have class at 8 am and exams as well. I don't know about you, but I'm not a morning person, so a commute at 6 or 7 am wouldn't be my favorite thing ever.

You do not have test at 8 am, but that is when test take place. You have 50 minutes to complete the test and then classes and labs start at 9 am. During first quarter, you will have 2 - 3 test per week, so will be there early most of the time.

As far as living off campus or on during 1st year...I would recommend the RC. I never lived there b/c I'm married, but most people I spoke to do not regret the RC. During first year you will have enough to deal with just getting through it, much less having to deal with the real world. By being in the RC, you will be surrounded by students who are going through the same thing. The support network is already available to you. Although I did not have much trouble making friends, it is much easier if you live with 100 of them.

My recommendation:
1st year-live in RC
2nd year-come back a little early from summer break and get an apartment with some friends.

 

[powerpuff]

hey a little off topic again 😳 but does chicago do phone interviews at all? or does one need an interview on campus to be accepted?

 

[rpames]

hey a little off topic again 😳 but does chicago do phone interviews at all? or does one need an interview on campus to be accepted?

On campus only