University of Illinois

“You should file an ‘intent to graduate’” I tell Gabriella as we approach May 2024.

“I don’t think they let you graduate unless you have the credits,” she replies.

She had taken her time at community college and had only recently gotten into a routine of taking on campus classes, joining clubs, and making friends. Suddenly, it was time to move on. She had more than enough credits to graduate with honors with an Associate’s in Elementary Education. She is the type of person that just takes change at a bit slower pace.

We had done several university visits, and while they were OK, none of them felt like a great match to her. We decided to tour the University of Illinois, which is just an hour or so from our house, but was a much larger University than she had been looking at. It has a great academic reputation (#9 public university in the nation), but with that came a more rigorous application and selection process.

To my surprise, she liked it! After a visit, Gabriella decided to apply to the Education department and was accepted. She was even granted a Children of Veteran’s tuition waiver. Even though she had been living in her own apartment and working over 30 hours a week, she chose to go the more typical college-student route. She quit her job, sold her car, and moved into a dorm on campus.

UICU requires 3 years of classes before they will grant a degree, so she is taking the long route for a degree. This kind of fits with her “slow to change” personality and she is using the extra time to pick up a minor in hearing sciences. She is enjoying the opportunities that a larger, more diverse campus offers. She has a group of friends that meets regularly and she joined a print-making group and a textile group. Best of all (for mom) she is just a short train ride from home!