9/16/2016 Emily Scott
As identical triplets, Mary, Frances, and Theresa Ponicki realize that their life experiences will be unique.
Written by Emily Scott
As identical triplets, Mary, Frances, and Theresa Ponicki realize that their life experiences will be unique.
“Being an identical triplet is a one in a million chance, so it draws a bit of attention,” Frances says.
In their college education, the sisters have embarked on a new life experience that is perhaps even more unique — they all decided to attend the University of Illinois and join ISE.
They say the recognition that comes with being triplets has helped them meet new people and establish relationships, which they say has enriched their freshman year and reinforced their decision to go through college together.
The decision to join ISE came from their interest in math and science, but they say they wanted a degree that would allow them to have a creative outlet. In their words, the major gave them “a personal side to engineering.”
“What we all liked about it in the end is that it lets you kind of create your own path in engineering, you can kind of carve your own way because you can choose your own concentration,” Theresa says.
As they are now finishing up a successful freshman year, the three say they have enjoyed taking the same classes — something they didn’t get to do in high school.
“Obviously it’s a really nice built-in support system,” Frances says. “Just being an engineer, you’re going to have some late hours, so it’s nice to have someone just be like, ‘Hey, you have to stay up!’”
Another upside of being triplets, they say, is the initial recognition that has allowed them to meet new people.
“It’s funny because we grew up and it’s the norm for us…but you get here and you’re walking down the street with your sisters and everyone’s like, ‘Guys, did you see that? They were triplets!’” Mary says.
But they say this recognition has helped them to develop a kind of community, one that also includes the relationships they have established with professors.
“It just makes the class more interesting and engaging,” Mary says. “You understand where the professor is coming from and what’s going on.”
Creating their own community has been the sisters’ way of making the University’s large campus into a more personalized one.
“The campus itself just feels like one big opportunity,” Frances says. “You just have to be the one to take that initial step, and people want to help you, which is a really nice, embracing feeling.”
Going into their sophomore year and beyond, the three say they all have general ideas for their major concentrations, but they still want to explore the different paths that ISE would allow them to take.
But whether their education would be different if they weren’t triplets is another question.
“It’s hard to compare because I’ve never (not been a triplet),” Mary says. “It’s like a big group project.”
Despite their unique experience and perspectives, their goals for their time at the University are the same.
“I just want to walk out feeling like I made the most of those four years,” Theresa says.
“I want to make the most of my time here; grow as a student, grow as a person,” Frances says. “That’s all you can really ask for out of your college education.”