College-Specific Criteria

In addition to our holistic review process, 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 & Biological Engineering: Calculus preferred (if available at high school)
  • Agricultural & Consumer Economics: Calculus preferred (if available at high school) and strong social science and business-related coursework and performance
  • Computer Science + X majors: Interest in the plus part of the major in addition to Computer Science

College of Applied Health Sciences

  • Demonstrated understanding of the major and career options
  • Leadership experiences
  • Kinesiology: Strong science coursework and performance
  • Speech & Hearing Science: Strong science coursework and performance

College of Education

Licensure Majors

  • Strong English coursework and performance
  • Early Childhood Education: Interest and experiences related to the major
  • Elementary Education: Interest and experiences related to the major
  • Middle Grades Education: Interest and experiences related to the major
  • Special Education: Interest and experience in working with special-needs students of any age

Non-Licensure Majors

  • Learning & Education Studies: Demonstrated understanding of the major and/or specific concentration

College of Fine & Applied Arts

  • Fine arts majors: Strong talent review (audition or portfolio)
  • Architectural Studies: Strong math coursework and performance
  • Computer Science + Music: Interest in Music in addition to Computer Science
  • Landscape Architecture: Strong social science coursework and performance
  • Urban Studies & Planning: Strong social science coursework and performance

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences 

  • Demonstrated understanding and/or interest in the major
  • Computer Science + X 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
  • Advertising: Strong math performance
  • Computer Science + Advertising: Strong math performance and an interest in Advertising in addition to Computer Science

Division of General Studies

  • Interest in exploring majors and academic interests or interest in nursing

Gies College of Business

  • Strong math coursework and performance
  • Calculus preferred (if available at high school) over statistics
  • Strong academic record in core curriculum coursework
  • Commitment to activities, employment, or community involvement

Grainger College of Engineering

  • Strong math and science coursework and performance
  • Calculus preferred and physics expected (if available at high school)
  • Strong teamwork and interpersonal communication skills
  • Interest in improving society through engineering
  • Demonstrated understanding of the engineering major selected
  • First-Year Engineering Undeclared: Interest in exploring engineering majors (excluding Computer Science)

School of Information Sciences

  • Desire to study multiple fields to address complex problems
  • Interest in how people relate to information and use technology
  • Commitment to improving society through the use of information and technology
  • Interest in collaboration and teamwork

School of Social Work

  • Interest in helping people, being a change agent, and making a difference with organizations and communities
  • Understanding of the major and social work values
  • Leadership experience and commitment to activities
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