Admission & Enrollment

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Applications for admission to the University may be obtained by writing to: Office of Admissions, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois 61920, or apply directly on the Internet at www.eiu.edu.

Acceptance of applications and granting of admissions are subject to completion of the application process. All applicants must have ACT or SAT scores submitted to the University. Official high school transcripts and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended also must be submitted (See Admissions Procedures). Applications should be on file no later than 10 calendar days preceding registration for the term the student wishes to enroll. Since the University reserves the right to limit enrollment to available facilities and resources, earlier closing dates may be announced.

Applicants who choose not to attend EIU for the term listed on the application must notify the Office of Admissions in writing if they wish to be considered for a future term. Applications are retained for one semester past the enrollment date.

A Registration Permit to Enroll is mailed after an application has been processed and accepted. The Permit must be presented at the time the student enrolls. Mailed with the Registration Permit to Enroll is the University Health Service Immunization Record form. To be in compliance with State of Illinois Public Act 85-1315, which mandates proof of immunity to selected vaccine-preventable diseases, all new students born after January 1, 1957 must have this form completed by a nurse or doctor and returned to the University Health Service by the seventh week of class. Legislation requires that students not be allowed to register for a second semester if immunization requirements are not met. Housing applications must be sent to the Office of University Housing and Dining Services (See Living Accommodations) and may be made at any time even though an Application for Admission has not been filed or accepted. The Application for Housing does not constitute an Application for Admission, nor does the Application for Admission constitute an Application for Housing. Early submission of applications for admission and housing is encouraged, particularly for the Fall Semester.

High School Subject Requirements

College-Preparatory English: Four years of English, emphasizing composition, grammar, and literature. As much as one year of the requirement may be satisfied by two semesters in any combination of drama, debate, public speaking, or journalism.
College-Preparatory Mathematics: Three years of mathematics, including algebra, geometry, advanced mathematics, or computer programming.
College-Preparatory Science: Three years of natural sciences (biological and physical), with significant laboratory experiences.
College-Preparatory Social Studies: Three years of social studies, including one year of United States history and/or government.
Electives: Two years of academic or vocational electives.

The University will consider a flexible redistribution for up to three of the 15 units within the subject areas. No more than one unit each (for a total of three) from the categories of Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and Electives may be redistributed to any of the other five categories of course work. No more than one unit may be applied to any one category to make up a deficiency. If flexible units are utilized, prerequisites for specific courses may not necessarily be met.

First-time freshman applicants and transfer applicants with fewer than 30 semester hours of acceptable credit who meet all criteria for admission except high school course-specific requirements may be admitted on a provisional basis if (1) they did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school.

The courses in which provisionally admitted students enroll must include courses in the high school subject areas in which course-specific requirements were not met. One three-hour college course is considered to be the equivalent of one year of high school work in a subject area. To remove provisional status in English, Mathematics, Science and/or Social Studies, students must complete at least three semester hours of course work with a grade of C or better for each year or fractional year of deficiency in a subject area. (Proficiency examination credit in accordance with University policy also is acceptable.) Courses used for this purpose must be selected from the list, which follows:

* There is an honors version of this course.

Transfer students admitted on a provisional basis will be considered to have removed a deficiency if they received a grade of C or better in transfer work equivalent to at least three semester hours, or four quarter hours, for each year or fractional year of deficiency in a subject area.

High school deficiencies may be satisfied by satisfactory completion of a course in that subject area (See list above). In the case of deficiencies in English, English 1001G and 1002G may also be used to remove a deficiency. Any course from the above list used to satisfy a deficiency that is designated as part of the General Education Program may also be used toward the General Education requirement. Provisionally admitted students are expected to remove deficiencies by the end of the grading period in which they complete 44 semester hours.

Students who graduated from high school or obtained a High School Equivalency Certificate through the General Education Development (GED) Test five or more years prior to entering the University are exempt from course-specific admission requirements. Students who graduated from high school or obtained a High School Equivalency Certificate less than five years prior to entering the University must meet the course-specific admission requirements.

Concurrent High School Enrollment
Students who have completed their junior year in a recognized high school may be eligible for concurrent enrollment at EIU. To be considered, students must have completed twelve acceptable units, rank in the upper twenty-five percent of their class, and obtain the recommendation of their principal.

In this program, college course enrollment is limited to eight semester hours for the summer preceding the high school senior year and four credit hours during the regular semesters of the senior year. Credits earned under this arrangement are held in escrow to be applied toward graduation requirements at EIU. Students are cautioned that such credit may not be acceptable to, nor transferable to, other educational institutions.

Those wishing to continue their enrollment at EIU after graduation from high school must complete the standard freshman admission process.

Graduates of Non-Accredited or Non-Recognized High Schools
“Recognized” is defined to include secondary schools recognized by the Office of the Illinois State Superintendent of Instruction OR accredited by the North Central Association or one of the five other regional accrediting agencies.

Graduates of high schools which are neither regionally accredited nor recognized may not be considered for admission unless they have passed the General Education Development (GED) Test and obtained a High School Equivalency Certificate. For students who have been home schooled and do not present a recognized diploma, the GED requirement may be waived with an acceptable ACT score as determined by the Office of Admissions. Home-schooled students must also submit a transcript of all courses completed with grades listed for each class.

Beginning Freshmen

All admission criteria are listed as guidelines. They are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission to the university. Applicants for admission to EIU are considered, dependent upon facilities and resources, from candidates who satisfy one of the following categories.

1. Rank in the top one quarter of their high school class based on six or more semesters or have a GPA of 3.00 (B or better)/4.00 scale AND have an ACT composite score of at least 18 (SAT 860).
2. Rank in the top one half of their high school class based on six or more semesters or have a GPA of 2.50/4.00 scale AND have an ACT composite score of at least 19 (SAT 910).
3. Rank in the top three quarters of their high school class based on six or more semesters or have a GPA of 2.25/4.00 AND have an ACT composite score of at least 22 (SAT 1020).

Applicants are considered based upon the preceding categories. Additional materials may be requested and used in the decision process. Although not required for admission, applicants are encouraged to submit ACT Writing Test Results. Other applicants may be considered for admission on a space available basis by the Director of Admission.

Native Students
The University defines a native student as one whose initial college/university enrollment was as a beginning freshman at EIU.

Transfer Students

Dependent upon the availability of facilities and resources, the University considers applications for admission from candidates who have attended one or more other colleges and universities. In order to be considered for admission, an applicant must submit official transcripts from all educational institutions previously attended; these include each college or university, as well as the high school from which the applicant graduated. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 on a 4.00 grading scale based on all college-level work attempted, and a 2.00 cumulative GPA on a 4.00 scale from the last institution attended.

As a condition of continued enrollment, transfer students admitted to the University with 30 or more semester hours of earned credit who have taken the ACT or SAT test prior to beginning college must submit their test scores to the University prior to the close of their first term of attendance at the University.

Transfer students with fewer than 30 semester hours of earned credit must also meet beginning freshman admission requirements. For the benefits of transferring to Eastern with an Associate’s degree from a community college, see Section V.

Graduate Students

See Graduate Catalog.

Non-matriculated Student Enrollment (Guest Students)

(Policy effective Spring 2005)

(Undergraduates)
A non-matriculated student is one who is not seeking a degree at EIU. The purpose of non-matriculated student enrollment is to facilitate transfer of credit hours to another institution or for non-degree personal/professional development. Non-matriculated students may be enrolled for any semester without having to submit official transcripts. The student is required to complete a Non-matriculated Student Enrollment Request including a signed statement certifying that she or he 1) has the necessary academic preparation for the proposed course(s); 2) understands that enrollment as a non-matriculated student does not constitute admission to the University for subsequent semesters; and 3) is aware that credits earned as a non-matriculated student may or may not be applicable to a specific degree program at EIU.

Each academic year (fall, spring, summer) a student wishes to enroll as a non-matriculated student, she or he must submit a Non-matriculated Student Enrollment Request including a signed certification and pay the $30 processing fee. Admission as a degree-seeking student requires submission of a regular Application for Admission, a full set of required documents showing admissions standards have been met, and the $30 application processing fee. All Non-matriculated Student Enrollment Requests are considered on a space available basis. Individuals who are otherwise prevented from registering are prohibited from enrolling on a non-matriculated basis. Individuals who have been academically denied admission or continued enrollment during the previous two academic years are similarly prohibited from enrolling on a non-matriculated basis.

Students enrolled on a non-matriculated basis are not eligible for state, or federal financial aid. Institutional aid may be available depending on the criteria of the award.

International Applicants

Standard and Conditional Admission for Undergraduate Applicants
Undergraduate international applicants must submit a complete packet of admission materials to the Office of International Programs. A complete packet for undergraduate applicants includes an international application, an application fee, an approved financial affidavit form, an official raised seal transcript from high school, and documentation of English mastery. The approved financial affidavit form must verify the applicant’s financial status for study. For undergraduate applicants the raised seal transcript or original copy of national examinations must document completion of secondary education, comparable to that awarded by a United States high school. The high school transcript must also verify that the applicant earned a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

English language mastery for undergraduate applicants for admission may be documented in one of the following ways:

1. Submission of a score of 500 or higher on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a score of 173 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL
2. Submission of evidence of residency in a nation whose official language is English
3. Submission of evidence of successful completion of 24 semester hours of college credit at an accredited college or university in the United States.
4. Submission of evidence of a Level 9 Certificate of Completion from an Intensive English Language Center in the United States.
5. Submission of evidence of successful completion of three years of high school in the United States and an ACT composite standard score of at least 18 (SAT 860).

Admission to EIU and an approved financial affidavit form are required in order for the Office of International Programs to issue Sevis Form I-20 or DS-2019. Applicants who meet all of the requirements for admission, but do not meet the criteria for English mastery may be offered Conditional Admission.

Conditional admission may be offered to undergraduate international applicants who meet the criteria for admission to EIU except for English language mastery. Conditional admission is granted only by the Office of International Programs. Conditional admission limits enrollment to Intensive English Language courses. Undergraduates with conditional admission status must provide evidence of meeting English language mastery to the Office of International Programs in one of two ways to be considered for standard admission: Students must provide evidence of full-time enrollment in the Intensive English Language Center at EIU and earn a 500 or higher on the institutional Test of English as a Foreign Language taken at EIU or students must earn a 500 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL taken in their home country, or a score of 173 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL.

Gateway Program

Students who do not meet regular admission requirements may be considered for admission to the Gateway Program. Admission is considered for beginning freshmen for the Fall Semester of each academic year. Maintaining a culturally diverse student body, including adequate representation of students in the total student body, is an educational goal of the University. The University measures annual progress toward its ultimate goal by increases in the percentage of underrepresented students in its student body.

The University will consider applications from candidates who have an ACT composite standard score of at least 14 and who have a high school cumulative GPA of at least C (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) based on six or more semesters. This differential test score standard is intended to take account of the cultural bias associated with standard admission tests. Applicants must also meet the high school subject requirements specified for all entering freshmen. In addition to completing a program admission application, applicants must submit a writing sample, a completed participant agreement, and three letters of recommendation from high school teachers and/or counselors which provide evidence of the applicant’s character, motivation, ability to overcome economic and educational disadvantage, work experience, and other relevant factors. An interview may be required and high school attendance patterns will be considered. Gateway is a limited enrollment program and meeting minimum academic guidelines does not guarantee admission.

Students admitted to the program are provided the following: designated program academic advisors; assessment of basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics; placement in specified courses; and programs selected to address special needs or deficiencies identified by assessment.

Continued enrollment in the program requires that a student enroll in at least 12 hours each semester.

General guidelines for the program are established by the Advisory Committee chaired by the Director of Minority Affairs. Among the program guidelines, students are required to live in University residence halls; are subject to the same academic warning, probation, and dismissal policies as are all University students; may declare an academic major no sooner than the second semester of attendance; may be main-streamed as soon as the end of the second semester of attendance if they have earned a minimum of 20 hours over two semesters with a GPA of 2.00 or higher each semester; and will be mainstreamed at the end of the term in which they earn 45 semester hours of credit, or complete four semesters and obtain the permission of the program director to exit the program. Students in good standing at the end of their second semester who have failed to successfully complete two consecutive semesters with a 2.00 or higher GPA will be mainstreamed if they earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 at the end of their third semester. If a student is not in good standing at the end of his/her second semester, but makes significant academic progress in his third semester, he or she may be mainstreamed with the concurrence of the Gateway staff and the director of Minority Affairs.

Gateway Program students must agree to follow the academic program prescribed by their academic advisor and the general guidelines established for the program as conditions for continuation in the program. Students who fail to comply with program guidelines may be dismissed from the program and the University after a review and appeal process established by the Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee shall consist of: Director of Minority Affairs (Chair), Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of Admissions, and a faculty member appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Adult Student Admission Policy

Students who have never enrolled in any college or university and who have been graduated from an accredited high school for at least five years may be admitted to EIU on a conditional basis. During their first 24 semester hours at EIU, those students are required to successfully complete the following courses: General Studies 1000, English 1001G, English 1002G, and an appropriate mathematics course. Students admitted in this category will be evaluated for satisfactory progress using the standards in place for student retention at the University.

An Application for Admission, an official high school transcript, and a letter requesting consideration for conditional admission are required for consideration. These items and any other available supportive material should be sent to the Director of Admissions. The Director will review each application and make a decision based on the applicant’s potential for success at EIU.

All applicants must submit a $30 non-refundable fee with the application. Check, money order, or credit card (Visa or Master Card) payments may be made at the Cashier’s Office; credit card payments also may be made by phone at (217) 581-7387. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Eastern Illinois University.

Beginning Freshmen

1. Obtain an application for admission online at www.eiu.edu or by contacting:
   
   Office of Admissions
   Eastern Illinois University
   Charleston, Illinois 61920
   (800) 252-5711
    
2. Provide all information requested on the application form. Request your high school to complete the form and forward it and a copy of your transcript of grades to the University. You should also request that your high school send a final transcript when available.
3. Request ACT or SAT scores be sent directly from the testing agency to the University. Scores forwarded by your high school may be used as a working document only.

Transfer Students

1. Obtain an application for admission by contacting:
   
   Office of Admissions
   Eastern Illinois University
   Charleston, Illinois 61920
   (800) 252-5711
    
2. Provide all information requested on the application form and send the completed form to the Office of Admissions.
3. Request that all institutions previously attended send official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. This includes both high schools and colleges.
4. Transfer applicants with fewer than 30 semester hours of earned acceptable credit must also meet beginning freshman admission requirements.

Transfer students admitted to the University with 30 or more semester hours who have taken the ACT or SAT test prior to beginning college must, as a condition of continued enrollment, submit ACT or SAT scores during the first term of attendance at the University.

Illinois State Immunization Compliance
Illinois Law, Public Act 85-1315 requires all admitted students born on or after January 1, 1957 and enrolled in six or more hours of on campus classes to submit proof of immunity for diphtheria/tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella. Compliant immunization records for new students must be received by the Student Health Service no later than the first day of classes of the students’ first semester.

Compliant immunization records must be signed by a nurse or physician and must include:

• One DT (diphtheria/tetanus) within the last ten years
• Two MMR’s (measles, mumps and rubella) after the first birthday

International students must submit proof of three DT’s and two MMR’s. If records are not in English, they must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Readmission

Former Undergraduate Students
Former undergraduate students who are academically eligible and wish to return to the University after a lapse of one or more semesters should make application for readmission to the Records Office at least 10 calendar days prior to the first class day of the term in which they intend to enroll. An earlier closing date may be announced in the public press. Students enrolled in the Spring Semester need not apply for readmission for the ensuing Fall Semester.

A former undergraduate student who has attended one or more regionally accredited colleges or universities since last attending EIU may be readmitted provided the following two conditions are met with respect to course work taken since last in attendance at Eastern: (1) the cumulative GPA in all course work attempted is at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale AND (2) the GPA at the last college or university attended is at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale. If the student is attending another regionally accredited college or university at the time of applying for readmission, a statement from that institution indicating the student is earning at least a 2.00 on a 4.00 scale for course work subsequent to last attending Eastern will suffice until the official transcript can be sent at the end of the term.

Students dismissed for poor scholarship must remain out of the University for at least one regular semester. After the inactive semester, students dismissed for the first time will be automatically eligible for reinstatement and may re-enter the University at the beginning of a fall or spring semester provided they indicate their intentions to do so prior to established deadlines and have the required GPA from any other institutions they have attended. Students dismissed for poor scholarship will not be allowed to re-enter during a summer term. Any student dismissed from EIU for academic reasons should enroll in GST 1000 during the term in which he or she re-enters the University as a condition of reinstatement. Reinstated students re-enter the University with the cumulative GPA they had upon dismissal and are placed on academic probation. This probationary status will continue so long as the student satisfies the conditions specified in the section on “Academic Probation.” Students failing to make satisfactory progress are dismissed again and may not be reinstated a second time except by approval of the Committee on Reinstatement. Petitions for reinstatement must be submitted by the third Monday in June for the Fall semester and by the second Monday in September for the Spring semester. No petitions are accepted for Summer terms. Petition forms are available from the Records Office.

A former undergraduate student dismissed for low scholarship who has attended one or more regionally accredited colleges or universities since last attending EIU may be readmitted provided the following two conditions are met with respect to course work taken since last in attendance at Eastern: (1) the cumulative GPA in all course work attempted is at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale; AND (2) the GPA at the last college or university attended is at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale. If the student is attending another regionally accredited college or university at the time of applying for readmission, a statement from that institution indicating the student is earning at least a 2.00 on a 4.00 scale for course work subsequent to last attending Eastern will suffice until the official transcript can be sent at the end of the term.

A former undergraduate student dismissed for low scholarship should consider taking advantage of the academic assistance services offered by the University. A description of these services appears under the heading of Academic Services.

Former Students Who Have Graduated
Former students who have graduated and who return to the University after a lapse of one or more semesters should make application for readmission to the Records Office at least ten calendar days prior to the first class day of the term in which they intend to enroll. An earlier closing date may be announced in the public press. Students not previously admitted to Graduate School must also apply for admission to the Graduate School.

Enrollment

Registration Procedures
New Students. Instructions for the registration of new students are given in writing, in conferences, and at meetings during orientation periods.

Students Currently Enrolled. Each student currently enrolled should participate in early registration for the following term. By doing so, the student agrees to complete his/her registration by payment of all tuition and fees. Scheduling for the reservation of space is planned so that graduate students, seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen are assigned space in that order.

All students who have not completed early registration for a given term may register during late registration. Each student currently enrolled must follow instructions in the class schedule to register by PAWS. The University assumes no responsibility for accepting an ineligible student’s registration. Reservation of a space for any class is subject to the assigned capacity of the class.

Former Students. Students who return to the University after a lapse of one or more semesters receive written instructions for registration procedures after they have applied for readmission.

New Student Orientation

The primary function of the Office of Orientation is to provide incoming students the tools to take on the college experience by providing information on academic and social opportunities throughout the university. We provide the essential information for both students and parents to know they are in a safe and caring environment that will bring opportunities for success. Such information includes policy and procedure related to safety, financial aid, housing, policies, academic integrity, and student issues.

New students arriving on campus for the Fall and Spring Semesters are invited to participate in the Panther Preview Program. The Panther Preview Program provides a variety of campus-wide social, recreational, and awareness programs designed to acquaint new students with university life.

Ongoing Orientation programs and transition activities are sponsored by the Office of Orientation throughout each semester. Schedules of Orientation activities are provided to new students by mail and are also available through the Office of Orientation, (217) 581-6435.

Unclear Records

The academic records for students who have outstanding obligations with such departments as Booth Library, Athletic Department, Textbook Rental Service, Financial Aid, Chemistry Department, University Police and Parking, Registration and Business Office will be marked “unclear.” Each student should check with all departments to clear all obligations prior to semester or summer term breaks and/or leaving the University permanently. Official transcripts for any student with an unclear record will be withheld and not sent to any one or any place. A hold on a student’s record precludes readmission, registration, or graduation.