EIU Admissions Staff
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Will Padgett
Transfer Admissions Counselor: Southern Illinois Office: 1229 - Old MainPhone: 217-581-7013
Email: wcpadgett@eiu.edu
INTRODUCTION
Growing up in the Mattoon-Charleston area, I suppose that going to EIU was simply a matter of time more than anything else. Every time I'd be heading into Charleston itself, I would always see the castle of Old Main on the horizon. There was never a doubt in my mind that that was where I wanted to go. I didn't have any knowledge of what college was like back then, of course, but finally getting to attend all those years later made waiting worthwhile. I cannot say enough just how much EIU means to me. I wasn't always the best student, but the professors, instead of focusing on my mistakes and putting me down because of them, lifted me up and fundamentally changed me for the better. Now that I have the chance to spread the "good word", so to speak, of what EIU can do for new Â鶹´«Ã½, I find myself happy that I can assist in giving Â鶹´«Ã½ the same chance I was given so long ago.
My biggest piece of advice for Â鶹´«Ã½ considering EIU is this: Think about the size. So, so many colleges around the country are huge with so many Â鶹´«Ã½ per class that you're swept away in the sea of faces. That means if you're struggling, you may find it difficult to reach out to your professor and get the assistance you need. You may be doing well in school now, but college is on a whole other level in terms of freedom and responsibility. If you're anything like me (bull-headed and obstinate), you may just try to push through your struggles with brute force. At EIU, the classes are small enough to where the professors know who you are and take an active role in helping you grow. Don't waste that opportunity; you may not get it at another school.
Research & Creative Interests
I majored in English (specifially Composition and Rhetoric) so one of my hobbies is writing personal projects. I used to do a podcast with my neighbors that never gained any traction. I'm a frequent Dungeons and Dragons player and am in the midst of writing a multiverse-style campaign for me and my friends.
A lot of my academic/research interests revolve around cinema, contemporary literature, and the evolution of writing standards and slang.
Publications
I used to write opinion columns for The Daily Eastern News. I did that for about a year and wrote on a variety of topics so if you're interested, definitely check them out on the DEN's website.
Education & Training
I have a Bachelor's in English with a concentration in Professional Writing.
I also have a Master's in English with a concentration in Composition and Rhetoric.
My EIU Story
I grew up in the Charleston area, so coming to EIU was a no-brainer. I originally wasn't an English major, though; my original degree was going to be in Middle Level Education. I changed my major my senior year (which my parents were thrilled about) to English because I had this overwhelming sense that I just wasn't meant to teach that level. I'm still trying to figure out if that was the right call, but so far everything's been peaches and gravy.
I believe, wholly and truly, that EIU is one of the best schools in Illinois (and that's not just because they write my paychecks, shoutout to the Payroll Office). The familiarity you'll have with your professors and your classmates is invaluable and the fact that we don't have a million people running around means you can actually hear yourself think...most days. Charleston is a great city and there's more to see beyond campus. If you're reading this, absolutely go to Jackson Avenue Coffee if you're looking for your caffeine fix. Tell 'em Will sent ya. They may act like they don't know what you mean but trust me they do.