An IWU grad story...

<p>Hey all,
I haven't been as active in the last few months as I'd like it to be, so I'm just giving everyone an update.</p>

<p>I graduated from IWU in May, and then did my last May term class. The class was fun, but I couldn't enjoy it as much as I would like to due to the stress of waiting for Aussie med school results.</p>

<p>Went back to Indonesia in June and soon got into the University of Queensland School of Medicine. It turned out that the process of applying to medical schools in Australia is more humane than the one in the States. I managed to secure interviews in all the schools I applied to. I ended up choosing the University of Wollongong over the others (most others are more well-known) due to that same feeling that I had about IWU. It just felt right (weighing the financial aspect and the educational one). I did make the right choice. I've been in Wollongong Australia for about 7 weeks now and every day I wake up to go to school, I have no regret.</p>

<p>How does it apply to IWU? As I said before, the process of me getting into a medical school is just like choosing IWU out of other schools. I got into the University of Virginia, UW Madison, and some other schools that many people would die for, but I chose IWU for what it is. Heck I was so close to being offered a place in HKU 5-year med program, which would mean that if I had done that program, I would be a doctor by June this year. Nope, I forfeited the place and my application, because of that feeling of certainty about IWU. My parents still question that decision considering that IWU is practically unheard of outside of the US, but I have had no regret about going to IWU and I will never do.</p>

<p>To end this, before the graduation ceremony, my parents insisted that we attend the service in the chapel. I received a scroll with a quote from John Wesley. I will gladly say that the quote is up on my wall now and it is my motto that I live by each day.</p>

<p>Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
In all the places you can
At all the times you can
To all the people you can
As long as ever you can.
- John Wesley</p>

<p>Cheers,
Nurm</p>

<p>Thanks for the report. My son really clicked with IWU when he visited as a junior. He's now admitted and we are going to visit the campus again as an admitted student.</p>

<p>Ditto that. My d is also admitted. We don't know yet whether that is the school she will choose, but I as the Mom would be very happy with that decision if she does go there. </p>

<p>momoffive, are you an Illinois resident? We are not, so probably won't make the trip back to campus. But we've been invited to an accepted students dinner event in our town.</p>

<p>P.S.</p>

<p>Routing for IWU alumnus Richard Jenkins for best actor tonight at the Academy Awards. The movie ("The Visitor") he won for does not have a high profile, but it was a very good film.</p>

<p>Yes, we are Illinois residents and my husband and son will be going to the Scholars Day on March 7. I will let you know what they think. :)</p>

<p>momoffive</p>

<p>why, thanks - I would appreciate the feedback!</p>

<p>Chi-D1 is a first yeat student at IWU and loves it. If you have questions from a parents perspective, fire away.</p>

<p>Pete, thanks so much - I may do that. Attending an "accepted students dinner" in 2 weeks (in my state, not on campus). May have some questions after that!</p>

<p>Nurm,</p>

<p>Congratulations and good luck in the future! You were so helpful answering my questions when S was deciding on college. He is now completing his junior year and couldn't be happier. We are thrilled with his college experience and can't say enough about IWU. And he got to meet and have a class with Richard Jenkins - very thrilling!</p>

<p>PeteOsix, I'll take you up on your offer. The IWU website says that they guarantee campus jobs for kids eligible for aid according to FAFSA. I don't know yet if that will apply to my D, so I was wondering - do you know how hard it is to find a campus job if you are not aid eligible? Also, I have not been to Bloomington; is the campus in an area where an off-campus job might be feasible for a kid who does not have a car?</p>

<p>baymom, I'm glad that your S is enjoying IWU. I'm still going to be here once in a while. I figure it'd be nice to return the favor.</p>

<p>chisquare,
I don't think it is that hard to find a campus job in IWU, even for students who are not eligible for aid. Sodexho (the campus food provider always needs employees). I highly suggest trying to avoid Sodexho. The library is always nice to work in, desk aid job is not too bad, and an RA job is always an option for sophomores up. My suggestion would be for your D to apply to these places early.</p>

<p>Cheers,
n</p>

<p>nurmanator, thanks! D is a vegetarian & refused to work around meat, so I doubt she'd be interested in Sodexho anyway.... I'll pass on the advice about applying early.</p>

<p>D1 got job as part of aid offer. However, applied early for a job in the theater department and got it. I don't beleive the aid had anything to do with it. Applied and interviewed during the orientation week. As I recall, there were multiple job's available at that time. Many kids on her floor have desk jobs and those didn't seem difficult either. I would say most new students have some type of job on the campus. </p>

<p>As far as town jobs, I think with ISU being less than a mile away, they are more scarce. Downtown Bloomington is not far at all, but I sense most jobs are working in bars and places that attract the college crowd.</p>

<p>Thanks for the feedback, Pete. Sounds like applying early is key.</p>