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Checklist and Timeline for the Admission Process
There's a lot to do to prepare for college, and it can easily be overwhelming! Use this checklist and timeline to help you prepare for your college career at Western Illinois University. As always, if you have any questions, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office at 877/PICK WIU or email admissions@wiu.edu .
High School Juniors
- Explore possible majors and careers - talk to your guidance counselor, friends, and family about choices
- Talk to WIU Admissions Counselors when they visit your school
- Attend college fairs held at your high school or local community college
- Take the ACT or SAT at the end of your junior year and request the scores to be sent to WIU (code numbers: ACT 1158, SAT 1900)
- Make sure you will meet WIU's Admission Standards
- Schedule a campus tour or a Discover Western Open House to see WIU's campus
High School Seniors
August and September
- If you have not already taken the ACT or SAT, register for the earliest possible test date
- Attend college fairs held in your area
- Begin researching scholarship opportunities
- Schedule a campus tour or a Discover Western Open House to see WIU's campus
- Apply for admission to WIU - apply online or see your guidance counselor for a paper application - WIU begins processing applications on September 15
- Printable Application Checklist
October
- If you are a Music student, complete the application for admission to the School of Music. Once the application is received, your audition for acceptance to our program may be scheduled.
- Have your high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores sent to WIU (code numbers: ACT 1158, SAT 1900):
Undergraduate Admissions Office
115 Sherman Hall
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455 - Once you are accepted to WIU and receive your welcome packet, sign up for class registration, orientation, and on-campus housing
- Apply for scholarships
November - December
- Begin exploring the financial aid process - you can file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid anytime after January 1. Download a pre-application worksheet from www.fafsa.ed.gov to get a preview of the FAFSA form
- If you are an athlete and want to participate in WIU Athletics, talk to your guidance counselor about the NCAA Clearinghouse . WIU sports are NCAA Division I (Football is I-AA)
January
- File the FAFSA form after January 1 online at FAFSA or obtain a paper form from your guidance counselor. WIU's priority deadline for financial aid is February 1. The Federal School Code for WIU is 001780
February - April
- Review your Student Aid Report - you will receive this about four weeks after submitting your FAFSA - make any necessary corrections
- If you have not already signed up for Summer Orientation and Registration and applied for on-campus housing, do so now
- Explore getting a head start on your degree by enrolling in summer classes at your local community college
- Review your financial aid award notification from WIU
- Take any Advanced Placement (AP) exams for any AP subjects you have taken in high school and have the scores sent to WIU
May - July
- Make your final college choice - if you were admitted to more than one school, notify any campuses that you have chosen not to attend
- Have your final high school transcripts showing your date of graduation sent to WIU to complete your application file
- Attend the Summer Orientation and Registration you reserved for June or July where you will receive your class schedule and student I.D. card, as well as learn more about student life on campus
- Review your WIU housing assignment on STARS and contact your roommate - use the housing checklist to determine what to bring when you move in
- Submit your immunization records to Beu Health Center
August
- Move in to your residence hall room on your scheduled day
- Attend New Student Convocation and opening-weekend orientation programs
- Start your classes at Western Illinois University!
What Should I Be Doing? And When?
Are you a transfer student? View your personalized checklist.
