Welcome
Introduction Letter:
The Division of General Studies (DGS) is the University of Illinois’ enrollment unit for students who want to explore a variety of academic opportunities before deciding on their major program of study. Approximately one fourth of Illinois freshmen begin their academic careers at DGS. We feel that a student can have no better beginnings than the one offered here.
At DGS, your student will discover a flexible program designed to accommodate their investigation of various majors and fields of study while staying on track for graduation. This tried and tested holistic approach to advising enables our award winning advisors to do more than answer basic questions about course selection and registration. DGS advisors will assist your student in making informed decisions about academic explorations and major choice, encourage them to engage in meaningful experiences through research opportunities, studying abroad, summer jobs, and participating in student clubs and societies. Indeed, the whole program is devoted to validating your student’s desire to explore a number of academic and vocational disciplines before finally committing to one particular field of study. Sophomore Kunal Patel is one student who has embraced the developmental approach to choosing a major, “DGS doesn't restrict thought or progress. Rather than fitting a student into one major,” Kunal said, “DGS helps the student explore new avenues of growth to create their own self-concept.”
It really is okay to be undeclared. Your student will be in good company, for those who enroll in DGS are among the best qualified and most dynamic students on campus. They have embraced the philosophy that they need campus based experiences in order to discover an academic path that is challenging, satisfying, and worthwhile. Indeed, with close to 40% of all Illinois students changing majors at least once, we wonder why more students don’t begin their academic careers as undeclared majors exploring their options, reconciling their abilities with interests, and building a foundation of experience and enquiry that leads to an education that is deep, broad, and diverse.
The foundation that DGS provides should reassure you if you worry that undeclared students don’t have clear academic or vocational goals – for there are no greater skills welcomed by the job market than those of interpersonal communication, critical and creative thinking, leadership, and a sense of organizational maturity that all DGS students should develop. DGS advisors will work closely with your student to ensure a successful transition to campus and to seek out and establish the universal and specialized experiences and competencies that are the hallmark of a superior education.
The DGS mission is, simply, to allow your student the options and opportunities to grow as a student but also as an engaged citizen while preparing for the working world or graduate school. Sophomore Megan Gober embraced such an environment when she transferred into DGS from her initial major, “I switched to DGS in my second semester of my freshman year and I was overwhelmed that advisors actually wanted to advise and help out with my future! My advisor presented many options to me and really cared about me as an individual. I think I found my major today because I transferred into DGS.”
>> Read my February 27, 2008 Newsletter
>> Read my January 10, 2008 Newsletter
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Parent Resources:
Questions for the Director of DGS? Contact:
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Julian Parrott Assistant Provost and Director Division of General Studies Campus Center for Advising and Academic Services 217.333.4710 jparrott@uiuc.edu |