Freshman Admission Requirements
Freshman Admission Requirements
Each year, over 20,000 high school seniors apply for 7,000 available seats. Review the factors for admission below and see how you compare academically with recent Illinois freshmen.
Evaluation Factors for Admission
- High school coursework requirements (see below): strength of curriculum and rigor
- ACT Composite score or SAT I
Please note:
The writing component of the ACT is required.
We do not use the SAT II for any admission purposes.
- Application Essays
- Essay 1: In an essay of 300 words or less, write about how your personal or academic interests relate to your intellectual or professional goals.
- Essay 2: In an essay of 300 words or less, choose one extracurricular activity, work experience, or community service project from the list you provided on the application and explain why you initially chose it, why you continued with it, and how you benefited from it.
- Activities, service, and work experience
- An audition, portfolio, or interview may be required for Fine and Applied Arts applicants.
Please contact the specific department you are applying to for more information:
Art & Design, Dance, Music, or Theatre.
- International students or domestic students with coursework outside the U.S. should view our additional requirements
High School Coursework Requirements
| Subject |
Minimum Years of Coursework |
Recommended Years of Coursework |
Explanatory Notes |
| English |
4 |
4 |
|
| Mathematics |
3 or 3.5 |
4 |
3.5 years of mathematics, including trigonometry or higher are required for:
Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences: agricultural engineering sciences
Business: all curricula
Engineering: all curricula
Fine and Applied Arts: architectural studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences: specialized curricula in biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemistry, geology, and physics |
| Social Studies |
2 |
4 |
|
| Lab. Science |
2 |
4 |
|
| One Foreign Language |
2 |
4 |
|
| Flexible Academic Units |
2 |
2+ |
Two courses from any of the five subject categories. Approved art, music, or vocational education courses may be included. |
Overall Selectivity for 2008 Admitted Freshmen
| ACT Score |
Percentage of 2008 Admitted Freshmen |
| 32 - 36 |
26% |
| 27 - 31 |
51% |
| 23 - 26 |
18% |
| 22 or below |
5% |
| High School Class Rank |
Percentage of 2008 Admitted Freshmen |
| Top 1% |
12% |
| Top 10% |
59% |
| Top 25% |
92% |
| Top 50% |
99.5% |
College Selectivity for 2008 Admitted Freshmen
Some programs within a college may admit at a more competitive level.
Middle 50% of Students
| College |
ACT Score |
SAT Score |
High School Class Rank |
| ACES |
25 - 29 |
1700 - 2000 |
80% - 94% |
| AHS |
25 - 29 |
1660 - 2110 |
84% - 95% |
| AVI |
25 - 29 |
1660 - 1940 |
68% - 91% |
| BUS |
28 - 32 |
1870 - 2110 |
91% - 98% |
| EDU |
25 - 29 |
1670 - 2000 |
83% - 94% |
| ENG |
30 - 33 |
1880 - 2140 |
90% - 98% |
| FAA |
26 - 30 |
1730 - 2060 |
77% - 95% |
| DGS |
25 - 30 |
1770 - 2020 |
81% - 92% |
| LAS |
27 - 32 |
1850 - 2120 |
87% - 97% |
| COM |
27 - 31 |
1810 - 2070 |
88% - 97% |
| Campus |
27 - 32 |
1820 - 2100 |
85% - 96% |
For more information on requirements, review our detailed list of all requirements.