Hear from Previous DGS Students
Annie
“When I was an incoming freshman, I knew that I wanted to be part of the healthcare field, but I was not exactly sure when it came to the specific discipline. With the flexibility that the Division of General Studies provided me, I was able to explore various fields of healthcare such as psychology, kinesiology, community health, and interdisciplinary health. A major in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences was the perfect match for my undergraduate degree. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to begin in the Division of General Studies because I would have never found a major that I am so passionate about.”
Cassidy
“The reason I chose Illinois was because I wanted to go to a big school and wanted to go to a prestigious university. I chose to apply to the Division of General Studies as an undeclared student because I didn't know what I wanted to major in and thought that DGS would give me the opportunity to explore different majors. I wanted the flexibility to fulfill my general education requirements while being able to enroll in different courses throughout the University.”
Natalie
“As a student and DGS leader, I often get asked the ‘why Illinois?’ question. My short answer is why not Illinois, but that is not the view I had when choosing a college this time four years ago. I chose Illinois not only because it felt like home but also offered a program that was pivotal to my future, even though I didn't fully know it at the time. The Division of General Studies program was that program. I felt comfortable knowing that I could explore my interests and graduate on time regardless of being an undeclared student.”
Dharra
“I joined Illinois and DGS because of the large number of options and opportunities it granted me. There is something for everyone on this campus, and I even found a major I was not even considering or knew about!”
Jessica
“Like everyone else, I was not sure where I was to attend as a freshman, but I heard a lot of positivity about the community at Illinois. There are abundant opportunities to be active and involved with that allow you to meet new people. Interacting with like-minded individuals allowed me to figure out who I wanted to be. I had no clue what I wanted to study until I went through DGS. Taking this route helped me understand and visualize my strengths. The individuals that work in DGS dedicate their time to assisting everyone. As a first-generation student, knowing that there are people who genuinely care about the success of their students is what drove me to choose DGS at Illinois.”
QUESTIONS?
Please email us at dgsadmissions@illinois.edu.