8 THINGS

YOU CAN DO TO

PREPARE
C O L L E G E P L A NNING G U I DE
As you start planning for college, we’re
here to help! Read on for eight ways
you can set yourself up for success.
1. Talk to your high school counselor about UIUC COURSEWORK
your college goals.
REQUIREMENTS
Every school has a counselor or an academic advisor who
helps students plan for the future. This person can be an
amazing advocate as you work toward college. If you haven’t
already, set up a meeting with them to discuss your college Following are the courses you need to take while
plans, career goals, and more. in high school and the number of years you need
to take them. You should work to consistently earn

2. Take challenging classes that meet strong grades in these classes.

college admissions requirements.

Many colleges require you to take certain classes in high school. MINIMUM # RECOMMENDED
SUBJECT OF YEARS # OF YEARS
When you have the chance to take advanced coursework, go for
it! Such experiences prove you’re willing to work hard; plus, they English 4 4
will better prepare you for your colleges classes and may help
Math 3 or 3.5* 4
you earn scholarships.
Social Sciences 2 4

Lab Sciences 2 4

Language Other Than English 2 4

Flexible Academic Units 2 4+

*Certain programs also require specific high school coursework to be completed for admission.
You can review the complete list at go.illinois.edu/hscourses.
 UIUC
MAJORS
Our online resource allows you to explore your options.
For each major we offer, you’ll find a program description,
program costs, related careers, post-graduation success
stats, and more. Not sure where to start? Take a quiz to
view the majors that fit your personality type or filter
based on your interests.
GO.ILLINOIS.EDU/MAJORS
3. Explore your academic interests.
If you have a major in mind, seek out experiences related to it.
Doing so will help you get a feel for your potential field and show
that you’re serious about it. If you don’t know what you want to do
yet, no worries! This is your chance to narrow down your options.
4. Get involved in extracurricular activities.
Take part in the activities you’re passionate about and enjoy.
Colleges take notice when you show a strong commitment to and
high level of impact in the things you love.
5. Research and narrow down your college list. VISITING UIUC
Many great colleges exist out there, so how do you compare them?
It starts with what you’re hoping to gain from your experience.
Here are some ways to narrow things down: We offer a variety of in-person and virtual visit
options, from admissions info sessions to campus
Do you want to go to a large school
SIZE
or a small school?
tours to academic meetings. Explore your options
and stop by to see us soon!
How close to home do you want to be, and do
LOCATION
you want to live in a big city or a college town?
GO.ILLINOIS.EDU/VISIT
What career path are you considering, and
MAJOR
which schools offer majors related to it?

What’s the best value for your education,

COST
and what can you comfortably afford?

FIT Does it feel right to you?

6. Visit colleges you’re interested in.

Visiting a college is a great way to learn more about that school

and whether you can see yourself there. Different colleges offer
different visit programs, so take some time to explore your
options for each of the colleges on your list.
 UIUC TEST OPTIONS

We are test-optional for all students planning to apply for

fall 2023 admission. This means you’re not required to
submit SAT or ACT scores as part of your application.
If you do provide your scores, we don’t require or use
the ACT writing test or the SAT essay.
7. Register for, practice for, and take
the ACT or SAT. SAT school code: 1836 ACT school code: 1154

How you prepare depends on who you are as a student. Test

websites provide free study guides and old exams you can work
through at home. Some students also enroll in test-prep classes Admitted Profile

or hire tutors, although these options usually cost money. These are the test scores and GPA ranges of admitted students over the past
Whatever methods you choose, make sure they offer you the three years. Half of students were in the middle ranges, 25% of students were
best chance for success. below the 25th percentile, and 25% were above the 75th percentile.

LOWER 25% MIDDLE 50% UPPER 25%

8. Talk to your family and finalize your college list.
Below 3.50 3.50-3.94 Above 3.94

If you haven’t spoken to your parents about the schools you’re GPA*

interested in yet—including any financial, geographic, or Below 1300 1300-1500 Above 1500

SAT (no writing)

logistical restrictions—now’s the time. Fine-tuning your list can
be stressful, but you’ll be much better off once you know exactly Below 28 28-34 Above 34

ACT
where you’re going to apply.
*GPA is based on academic courses only using an unweighted 4.0 scale.
 MORE PREP
RESOURCES

For more advice on all aspects of the

college search process, check out our blog.

GO.ILLINOIS.EDU/COLLEGEPREP

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