Eastern Illinois University Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
What does it take to become an EIU Panther?
We’re looking for students who are most likely to benefit from and contribute to the EIU community.
*EIU is test-optional! No application fee!*
Freshman Admissions Standards
If you’ll be entering EIU as a freshman you will have the option not to submit your standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process.
Option 1:If you choose not to submit test scores, you will still meet EIU's guaranteed admission criteria if:
- You have a minimum 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- You have successfully completed college preparatory work (see "High School Preparation" section below).
If you choose not to submit test scores, and you have a GPA of 2.5 to 2.79 (on a 4.0 scale), your application will be reviewed by EIU's Office of Admissions to determine your eligibility for admission to EIU.
Option 2:You may still choose to submit test scores in order to be admitted using standard admissions requirements:
- A high school grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- SAT: 960 or ACT: 18
If you almost meet these requirements:
If your GPA and/or SAT/ACT scores are slightly below the requirements listed above, or if your GPA decreased noticeably during your junior or senior year of high school, we strongly encourage you to include a personal statement and a letter of recommendation.
The personal statement should provide background information about your life that helps explain why you would still succeed at EIU, or about the personal circumstances that led to your GPA decreasing noticeably. The letter of recommendation should be completed and signed by a teacher, counselor, or school administrator who can address your potential to succeed at EIU.
Both can be emailed to admissions@eiu.edu . We may request additional materials to make a decision on your eligibility for admission to EIU.
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, physical, or agricultural), 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.
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.
Transfer Admissions Standards
If you’ll have 24 or more college-level semester hours when you transfer to EIU, you must meet these requirements:
- A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale based on ALL college-level work attempted
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale from the last institution attended
If you’ll have fewer than 24 college-level semester hours when you transfer to EIU, you must meet these requirements:
- A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale based on ALL college-level work attempted AND
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale from the last institution attended
- And meet the freshmen admissions criteria listed above
