2/2/2023 Katelin Chong
Written by Katelin Chong
Choosing what college to attend is a big decision. With so many factors to consider, it’s not surprising that some students start at one school, then transfer.
For Michaela McBride, Eastern Illinois University provided her many opportunities before getting into the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
“My grandparents and my parents went to EIU, so I practically grew up on campus,” McBride said. “I really enjoyed my time as a Presidential Scholar in the Pine Honors College, majoring in engineering physics, and participating in summer research with the Department of Physics at Eastern. The 3-2 program I’m in will allow me to finish college with two degrees.”
She said she was also familiar with UIUC.
“I grew up about an hour away from campus, so we often took day trips to Champaign-Urbana for football games, ice skating, and shopping,” she said. “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know about the U of I.”
Since transferring, McBride has adjusted to the change in environment and set new goals for herself to reach. She has been enjoying new opportunities and student groups.
“I would love to get an internship before I graduate. Besides that, I’m looking forward to getting more involved with projects in the Illinois Space Society,” McBride said.
For Jakub Mitka, the quality of life the school offered was what made him choose to transfer.
“The school provides great opportunities in research, student organization,” Mitka said. “Not only that but the amazing campus and its community make it easy to balance school life and social life.”
Mitka started at Oakton Community College to both save money and participate in the UIUC engineering pathways program they offer. The differences between attending a community college and a university have been huge.
“The social life, the opportunities, are way better,” he said. “Being here has allowed me to do so much more than I expected when I transferred last fall. Being at UIUC has immensely helped progress my education and future career forward.”
Mitka hopes to meet new people and explore what UIUC has to offer.
“I want to get to know new people, make connections,” he said. “I also want to get involved in various research opportunities as well as working hard and getting really involved in registered student organizations.”
Divyansh Ojha was captivated by UIUC’s academic prestige when deciding to transfer.
“The first thing that caught my attention was how great an engineering school UIUC is,” Ojha said. “Illinois is exceptionally ranked, opportunities for undergraduate research, and amazing student organizations.”
Moving schools does not mean Ojha did not enjoy his time at Iowa State University — it was still eventful and filled with unique experiences.
“It is hard to compare Iowa State University and UIUC. They are both amazing schools,” he said. “I had a phenomenal time at Iowa State University, even though I was only there for two years. And so far at UIUC, I am having an amazing time. Both schools are outstanding in their own ways.”
Transferring to UIUC has broadened Ojha’s horizons.
“I am assisting a professor with undergraduate research,” he said. “I am working under a graduate student. I hope to continue working with him and maybe even be part of other research happening here at UIUC.”
Avery Beinhauer was a student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville but after having conflicts with the school’s out of state tuition, she decided UIUC was a better fit.
“I applied here for the in-state tuition and being closer to home where I have access to an airplane,” Beinhauer said. “I was at the UT Knoxville and decided not to return to campus last spring when I received my tuition bill.”
Taking a break from school allowed Beinhauer to explore other opportunities and gain experience in new fields.
“I took a semester off school, moved to Florida, worked for a manufacturing company, and worked toward getting my private pilot’s license — which I received in May. Obtaining my pilot’s license is what made me want to switch from mechanical to aerospace engineering,” she said.
Beinhauer said she is more enthusiastic about her courses here and is gaining a deeper understanding of the material.
“I feel like I am being taught more of the theory and background rather than teaching by examples and just being expected to remember how to do that exact problem later on,” she said. “For my future at UIUC, I am just hoping to enjoy my time here and connect with students and staff and hopefully leave knowing I have people I can always reach out to in the future.”