EIU Pine Honors College

Admission to the Pine Honors College

We seek diverse, academically-talented students for our Honors community.  Depending on your academic standing, you may not need to apply. 

1. Automatic admission for entering freshman students
2. Dean's choice admission for entering freshman students
3. Admission for Continuing and Transfer students
4. Admission for International students

Students from all categories who need to apply are invited to use the Dean's Choice form at the bottom of this page. 

(1) Automatic Admission for Entering Freshman Students

Entering freshmen will be automatically admitted to the University Honors Program if:

• They have a 3.75 final high school cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
• They have an SAT of 1230+ (or ACT composite of 26+) AND have a high school GPA of 3.5 to 3.74 or are in the upper 10% of their high school graduating class.

These students will receive admissions materials from the Pine Honors College upon their admission to the university. If you don't receive a letter from Honors a few weeks after being admitted to EIU, please e-mail us.

(2) Dean's Choice Admission for Entering Freshman Students 

Entering students who do not have the above criteria but who have demonstrated academic excellence or potential in other ways are encouraged to apply online using this application form: Dean's Choice Admission Form

(3) Current EIU Students and Transfer Students

Current EIU students or transfer students interested in departmental honors (advanced, research and creative activity focused courses) should talk to their departmental honors coordinator to join the Honors College. This option is suitable for students who have completed general education requirements. Students interested in signing up for University Honors or General Honors (described here) can join Honors after their first semester (at EIU or elsewhere) by applying online (below). We generally admit students who have earned a GPA of 3.5 for at least 12 hours of post-secondary coursework (whether at EIU or elsewhere) but will consider applicants who have demonstrated academic excellence or potential in other ways. Current freshman students not involved in Honors who have an EIU GPA of 3.5 or better after their first semester will be invited to participate  in University Honors. 

(4) International Students

International students who have been admitted to the university are eligible to apply to University, General, or Departmental Honors, depending on which is most appropriate for their career as an undergraduate at EIU. Students can apply using this online application: 

Form not showing? Try this link - Dean's Choice Admission Form

If you have questions about the admissions process, feel free to email the Honors College staff at honors@eiu.edu or you may call us at 217-581-2017.