Frequently asked questions about
freshman admissions in Illinois
When should I start thinking about college?
It is best to begin thinking about college no later than junior
high or middle school. A student who decides to go to college
before high school is able to use all four years to help reach his
or her goals. If you know the courses you need to take in high
school, you can start satisfying college admission requirements as
early as the 8th grade. The decisions you make about your high
school studies can influence whether the college you choose will
also want you.
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What if I know that I want to go to college, but I am not sure
what I want to study?
Sometimes it is difficult to decide, especially for students who
enjoy many different things and have the ability to do lots of
things well.
One thing that can help is to begin thinking about your career
choices early and to consider all the different aspects of a job.
Do some research, find out what jobs are available, and talk to
people who work in an area that you think sounds interesting. It
may not be necessary to decide on a specific career immediately,
but it is a good idea to narrow your choices as much as
possible.
Use the surveys in
Learn About Yourself or the
Career Finder to assist your search.
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What high school courses do I need to take to help me get into
college?
Even if they are not required for high school graduation, most
colleges require at least three, and preferably four, years of
studies in the following subjects:
- English
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
You can find specific recommendations in the
8th Grade Planner Timeline.
In addition, most colleges require at least two years of the
same foreign language. Computer science courses or courses that
require students to use computers in research and project
preparation are often essential for college performance.
Courses that require study and time outside the classroom (such
as debate, band, communications, and drama) indicate a willingness
to cooperate with others and to put in the effort needed to
succeed.
Your grades are very important. However, the difficulty of your
coursework can also be a significant admissions factor. Although
you should strive to earn good grades in challenging courses, in
general, most colleges would prefer students with average grades in
tougher courses than students who opt for easy As.
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What else can I do to improve my chances of being
accepted?
Class Rank
College admission counselors usually consider class rank. By doing
so, colleges are looking at the grades you make in relation to your
peers. If your school does not rank, colleges will look at your
cumulative grade point average.
Standardized Tests
In addition to coursework, grades, and class rank, scores on
standardized tests (such as the ACT and SAT) are included among the
criteria for admission to some colleges.
College Credit Before You Start
Often high school students are eligible to receive college credit
while they are still enrolled in high school. Advanced Placement,
International Baccalaureate, and technical-preparation courses
offer students who prepare early and take more difficult courses
during their junior high school and high school years the chance to
gain college credit and save on tuition.
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB)
courses are available in more than 20 subjects. Students scoring
high enough on AP or IB exams can receive college credit and save
time and money by taking fewer college courses. Ask your high
school counselor if AP or IB courses are available in your
school.
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What are standardized tests?
Students interested in attending college should become familiar
with three exams associated with college admission. Check with your
high school counselor or the schools you're interested in attending
to find out what test or tests are required for someone in your
situation. Also, ask your counselor, contact the testing agencies
or check your local bookstore for samples of past tests to
familiarize yourself with the test(s) you will take.
PSAT
The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test) is a two-part
exam that is very similar to the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test).
The PSAT consists of two 25-minute verbal sections, two 25-minute
math sections, and one 30-minute writing skills section. Most
students take the PSAT in the fall of their junior year of high
school, though some choose to take it during their sophomore year.
PSAT scores from the junior year are used to determine National
Merit Scholars, students who qualify for merit-based scholarships
distributed throughout the United States. Talk to your high school
counselor for more information or call the PSAT information line at
609.771.7070.
PSAE
The PSAE (Prairie State Achievement Examination) is a standardized
exam given by the Illinois State Board of Education. It is a free,
mandatory exam for all Illinois public high school students to be
taken in April of their junior year. The test measures writing
skills, science knowledge and social science knowledge, along with
having a writing component. Talk to your high school counselor to
find out about taking this test.
ACT Assessment
Another standardized test used for admissions by colleges is the
ACT Assessment. The test is designed to measure achievement in
English, math, reading, and science, and has an optional writing
component. Scores for each section are averaged to create a
composite score. A perfect score on the ACT Assessment is 36.
Contact your high school counselor for test dates, locations, and
study materials to familiarize yourself with test content and
questions, or call the ACT information line at 319.337.1270.
Strength your ACT knowledge by taking IHaveaPlan's free ACT test prep
modules.
SAT
The SAT is one of the standardized tests used by colleges as part
of their admissions criteria. The SAT is an exam that measures
writing, critical reading, and math reasoning skills. Scores on
each section range from 200-800 points. The SAT Subject Tests
consist of more than 20 subject-area tests designed to measure
subject-area knowledge. Contact your high school counselor for test
dates, locations, and study guides, or call the College Board SAT
Program for general SAT information at 609.771.7600.
Get ahead on your SAT skills by taking "WhatsNextIllinois" free
SAT test prep
modules.
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Does it help to take both the ACT and the SAT?
Some students do choose to take both the ACT and the SAT, and
some test takers do perform better on one than the other.
Sometimes, however, scores on one aren't much better or worse than
the scores on the other. Talk to your counselor or an admissions
officer at a college or university before deciding which test to
take and whether or not to take them both. There really isn't any
way to know whether you will do better on one or the other until
you take them.
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What if I don't like my score? Can I take the test a second
time?
Yes, both the ACT and the SAT allow students to take the test
multiple times. Sometimes scores do improve enough to make a
difference, but there is no guarantee that scores will improve. If
you want to improve your scores, you should see about doing some
things to prepare first. Talk to a counselor before you take a test
over.
Improve your ACT and SAT knowledge and skills by using the
"WhatsNextIllinois" free test
prep.
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What if I don't know to which college I want to send my
scores?
Both the ACT and the SAT allow test takers to send their scores
to several different organizations, including scholarship programs,
colleges, and universities. Even if you aren't certain which
college(s) you will apply to, you can send your scores to those
that you think you are most likely to decide to apply to. If you
decide on one that isn't even on your list of possibilities, you
can pay to have another report sent there later.
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