You challenge accepted theories, examining every implicit assumption, every weakness in an argument, every gap in the scholarly literature. You take the initiative to develop your own research program. You do not cheat on homework and examinations, and you report your progress accurately to your advisor. In short, as an ideal student, you are knowledgeable, creative, inquisitive, energetic, cooperative, independent, and trustworthy. They believe that working with graduate students maintains and develops their professional skills more effectively than any other activity. . . .
Graduate students are the faculty's young disciples who ensure the continuity of learning. . . .
There is profound pleasure in graduate work. Although graduate study can be stressful, it can also make you supremely happy. Welcome to graduate study at the University of Illinois.