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 moving to test-optional admissions for Fall 2021!
- EIU will no longer require ACT/SAT test scores for admission to the University.
- The test-optional policy begins for the Fall 2021 semester applicants.
- Students can apply for Fall 2021 starting July 1, free of charge for a limited time.
- Applicants with no test scores but who possess a 3.3 GPA and college prep work will meet admissions criteria. Those with no test scores and a 2.5 to 3.29 GPA will have their credentials reviewed to determine eligibility for admission.
- Students may still submit test scores in order to be admitted using standard admissions criteria (minimum 2.5 GPA, 18 ACT or 960 SAT).
- The test-optional policy change was partly motivated by COVID-related disruption of standardized testing, and partly by a desire to eliminate unnecessary barriers to college admission faced by marginalized student groups.
- Merit Scholarships will be made available specifically for EIU’s eligible test-optional admits, as well as those who include their test scores.
Freshman Admissions Standards
Freshmen Entering EIU before Fall 2021
If you'll be entering EIU as a freshman in Fall 2020 or Spring 2021, you must meet these admission 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.
Freshmen Entering EIU Fall 2021 or later
If you’ll be entering EIU as a freshman in Summer 2021, Fall 2021, or later, you have the option not to submit your standardized test scores (SAT/ACT).
Option 1:If you choose not to submit test scores, you will still meet EIU's guaranteed admission criteria if:
- You have a minimum 3.3 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 3.29 (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 Preparation
Any student considering attending Eastern Illinois University as a freshman should pursue a strong college preparatory curriculum. At a minimum this includes:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of mathematics
- 3 years of social studies
- 3 years of natural sciences
- 2 years of a single foreign language
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
- A high school grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0
- A score of 960 SAT or 18 ACT
