College-Specific Criteria
Each college looks for different qualities to ensure a student is a good fit with a particular program.
College of Agricultural, Consumer, & Environmental Sciences
- Experiences related to the major
- Strong math and science coursework and performance for most majors
- Agricultural and Consumer Economics: Calculus preferred (if available at high school) and strong social science and business-related coursework and performance
College of Applied Health Sciences
- Understanding of the major and career options
- Leadership experiences
- Kinesiology, Speech and Hearing Science: Strong science coursework and performance
College of Business
- Strong math coursework and performance
- Calculus preferred (if available at high school) over statistics
- Leadership experiences
- Commitment to activities (don’t have to be related to business)
College of Education
Licensure Majors
- Illinois State Board of Education testing requirement
- Strong English coursework and performance
- Elementary Education: Interest and experience in working with children
- Special Education: Interest and experience in working with special-needs students of any age
Non-Licensure Majors
- Learning and Education Studies: Interest in a career in education outside of teaching
College of Engineering
- Strong math and science coursework and performance
- Calculus preferred (if available at high school)
- Math and science-related experiences, including scientific discovery beyond the classroom
- Interest in improving society through engineering
- First-Year Engineering Undeclared: Essay demonstrating an interest in exploring multiple areas within engineering
College of Fine & Applied Arts
- Architectural Studies: Strong math coursework and performance
- Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies and Planning: Strong social science coursework and performance
- Fine arts majors: Strong talent review (audition or portfolio)
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Strong coursework and grades related to the area of study
- Understanding of and genuine interest in the major
- Computer Science Plus majors: Interest in the plus part of the major in addition to Computer Science
College of Media
- Strong English and humanities coursework and performance
- AP English Language or AP English Literature preferred (if available at high school)
- Experience in newspaper, yearbook, broadcasting, blogging, or using social media for promotion
Division of General Studies
- Interest in exploring majors and academic interests or interest in nursing
School of Social Work
- Interest in helping people, making a difference, or having an impact on the community