Student Testimonials
Below are student testimonials about their experiences at Allen Hall (Student Name / Major)
Jenny Hanson
"To me, Allen was the best intro into college I could have asked for. So many resources and I made friends for life. It was such a wonderful environment and I must admit I miss the community."
Sigmund Ku
"Allen Hall gave me the closest group of friends that I've had and known for my entire college career and post graduation as well, I loved it here!"
Sara Lloyd
"I really enjoyed my time at Allen. There's a very strong community here and it's a really great place to make friends. From coffee houses to Bubble tea night, to all-out dance parties, there is always something fun going on."
Tina Ruskyls
"Allen Hall was like a family to me. I especially loved all the Unit One classes, getting to stay in my pj's all day and going to classes with my friends and neighbors. I miss that."
Anna Patterson
"Coming back to Allen Hall is like coming home to a living room full of good old friends."
Allie Rustin
"Allen means having good friends down the hall. Taking good classes in my pj's (also down the hall), and it means feeling a part of a unique community!"
Michael Clark
"Almost all of the friends I have as a senior, I met at Allen Hall."
Alison Rigell
"Allen Hall was always a comfortable environment to be a part of. Everyone was always tolerant of everyone else's differences."
Kristen Wanderlich
"Allen was my community, my support network, my college family and home."
Silvia Gonzalez
"Allen Hall was family and community for me."
Alex Tsaparis
"Living in Allen made the university smaller. I met lifelong friends here."
Caity Barsko
"Allen Hall becomes your family."
Kathryn Sipple
"Allen was where I met all of my closest friends. We all bonded over dinner, and late nights in the main lounge."
Dan Clausius
"Allen was a place where the future was always exciting."
Katherine/Undecided
"The services, activities and such at Allen are really great. I'm taking Psych 100 here and it's a fun class. Instructors are friendly, knowledgeable, and nice to talk to. Unit one is great. There's a variety of classes offered. It's very convenient to take classes at Unit One.”
Victoria/English
“Unit One is a fun place. Classes are neat. Faculty and Staff are wonderfully embracing and truly interested in helping out. The facilities are convenient and there are lots of fun people.”
Aaron/History
“The Living/Learning program provides opportunities for residents to interact on both a social and educational level.”
Toyas/Political Science
“I like Unit One because it takes out time to make interesting programs. Its the best. I wouldn't live anywhere else.”
Phil/History
“The people are great. There is a friendly community atmosphere, with a diverse and socially accepting environment.”
Ryan/Math
“I was grateful to have an opportunity to live in a hall where there was an actual sense of community and involvement among the students.”
Chris/Biology
“It's the best! We have the best and only PA's. Having classes just downstairs is really convenient. There is a real sense of community here.”
Kathy/Crop Science
“Allen Hall is a great opportunity for students to develop and grow in a supportive community and the Staff is the Best!!”
Jenn/Civil Engineering
“I like the availability of all the resources through Unit One and Allen. Not many people can brag about having a ceramics lab, library, computer lab, and music rooms in the basement. Plus, I love the people.”
Christopher/Physics
“I really have benefited from the facilities here. Like the classrooms and music practice rooms. Its nice to always have a place to study quietly, especially in the dorm.”
Amit/Bio-Engineering
“I like the academic atmosphere and the study rooms.”
Ben/Cell and Structural Biology
“For me, Allen Hall has provided an environment that has helped me study and promoted my involvement in extracurricular activities. Through Allen, I was able to get free voice lessons and take a music theory class. The location of the hall is good, close to most classes and the libraries and across from a gym.”
Sandeep/Biochemistry
“The Guest-In-Residence program is fun and worthwhile. Students have the opportunity to interact with guests-in-residence. I find it interesting, especially when they are weird or revolutionaries. Allen Hall usually does have some fine guests-in-residence.
The Unit One program here is priceless...perhaps the single best aspect of Allen Hall.”
Santos/Undecided
“The facilities are quiet and the perfect environment for studying. I think we have the best computer lab because I have never had to wait for a computer.”
Michelle/Kinesiology
“Allen Hall provides a great conducive environment for making friends. Just being yourself. I found the African-American community to be more supportive than any other Black Residence Hall community on campus. We have become like a family. We really care about each other's well being. Nice size computer lab. Assistance for just about any situation is available. There is nothing like rolling out of bed and going to class downstairs.”
Beth/Secondary Education
“What initially attracted me to Allen Hall was the advertised sense of community. I suppose that sounds somewhat cheesy, but it's true. The people I have met here are friendly and are also wanting that sense of community in this big university. It's the mindset for a community atmosphere that brings the community feeling to Allen. It is definitely here and especially noticeable through the activities planned here in Allen including floor volleyball tournaments, variety shows, etc. It's a great place to live!”
Lei/Accounting
“It is a very quiet place if you want to study. Various facilities are provided for your studying and stuff.”
Other testimonials:
"Allen Hall shaped me to be the person I am today by exposing me to people who were very different than me."
"Allen is such a rich environment. By living at Allen, I learned so much about others and myself. The friends that I made and the community at Allen are definitely worth living in this happening place!"
"Being an out-of-state student from New Jersey, I knew no one when coming to the U of I. At Allen, I met so many wonderful people many of which I'm still in contact with now 4 years later. Allen was my home away from home and I wouldn't have changed a thing."
"Living in Allen was a great experience because of how outgoing the residents are here and because of the overall welcoming atmosphere."
"Allen Hall is more than a dorm. It's a family, a community, a dance party, a place to talk about diverse ideas, a circus! All are welcome! Allen Hall made me friends for life, and made my college experience about more than exams!"
"I loved all the programs and especially the music lessons - the teachers were great!"
"Allen hall is a great place to live, filled with energetic and passionate people. You can be whoever you want to be at Allen."
"Living at Allen Hall has meant a chance to become familiar with people from many different backgrounds."
"Allen Hall was a place where you can make great friends on your first day, and great memories each day after that. One of my best memories was Karaoke night in the dining hall and all of the guest speakers."
"Living in Allen Hall was one of the best decisions I made coming into this university. As a freshman, it helped me to shape my identity and find myself in a very accepting environment. Miss living there!"
"With such an open and inviting atmosphere, it is easy to make friends and meet people with similar interests."
"I have met the coolest and nicest people at Allen Hall. I will never forget my experience in my two years at Allen."
"I learned more about myself and others from living in Allen than I have learned from any of my classes. I have had some of the best times here and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Love it and miss it."
"Allen Hall was the best introduction to Illinois I could have asked for. I loved being able to take classes in the same building where I lived."
"Allen Hall was more than a space to live, it was a place to meet new people, new friends for life, a place to play, to learn."
"Allen Hall is unique. You meet a wide variety of people and there is something of interest for everyone."
"Allen hall was an awesome way to come in as a freshman. A very inviting community!!"