Virtual Visit
Visiting EIU is a great way to experience student life and learn more about our academic opportunities, but if you can't make it in person, use this information to learn more about our amazing campus.
Schedule a Virtual Meeting
Search for your current high school or college and we'll send you to the admissions counselor you should schedule a virtual visit with:
You can also sign up for one of the virtual events below (all times Central):
There are currently no visit opportunities suited for you. Please check again later!
Welcome from the President
Virtual Tour
On-Demand Resources
Financial Aid
Hear from a financial aid expert about what you should be doing now. Get your questions answered here first!
Housing
Discover the many options for on-campus housing and dining at Eastern.
Housing (2020)
Housing updates and information for the incoming class of 2020.
Career Services
Discover the tools Eastern has to offer to help you decide on a major and a career path.
Admitted Students
Next Steps for Freshmen
Learn about next steps of the enrollment process, have your questions answered and learn what makes EIU such a great place to live, learn and thrive.
2021 Experts Panel
This session has information on Advising, Orientation, Financial Aid, Housing, and Dining. Learn about important deadlines and ways to become a Panther!
Welcome From EIU's Faculty
Dr. Michael Gillespie, an associate professor of sociology at EIU, welcomes you to Eastern on behalf of the entire faculty!
Transfers
Next Steps for Transfers
Learn about next steps of the transfer enrollment process, have your questions answered and learn what makes EIU such a great place to live, learn and thrive.
Transfer Admissions
Learn about EIU's transfer process and how we are here to support you every step of the way!
ROTC
For more than 30 years, the Alumni of the Panther Battalion have used their leadership skills in influencing, motivating and inspiring their organizations all over the world.
En Español
Housing (En Español)
Conozca las opciones de vivienda para estudiantes.
Next Steps for Freshmen (En Español)
Conozca los próximos pasos del proceso de inscripción, responda sus preguntas y sepa qué hace que EIU sea un excelente lugar para vivir, aprender y prosperar.
Freshman FAQs
When is the best time to apply? Where do I apply?
EIU has rolling admissions, meaning you can apply at any time. We do suggest that students apply a year before their enrollment term, as this will make your college search go smoother for purposes of financial aid, housing, and choice of classes.
To apply, you'll need to sign up for a MyEIU account, your portal to everything EIU. Once you create an account, you’ll be prompted to “Apply Now.” You can also start your application at eiu.edu/apply.
The application only takes 10 minutes and does not require letters of recommendation or a personal essay. Plus, the application is completely free for freshman and transfer students.
What is EIU’s admissions criteria?
Standard admissions requirements are a 960 SAT or 18 ACT with a 2.5/4.0 GPA. If your school is on a 5.0 scale, the best way to estimate your 4.0 GPA is to lower the score by 1.0. For example, if you have a 4.0/5.0 GPA on your transcript, you would have a 3.0/4.0 GPA.
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). If you choose not to submit your test scores, you will still meet EIU's guaranteed admission criteria if you have a minimum 3.3 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), and you have successfully completed college preparatory work (see the "High School Preparation" section on the Admissions requirements page).
For students who are slightly below the admission standard, there is the Gateway program. Admission to the Gateway program is limited and isn’t guaranteed. Based off of your application, we may ask for additional information, such as a personal essay and letter of recommendation. https://www.eiu.edu/advising/gateway.php
How can I check the status of my application?
The easiest way to check the status of your application is to log on to your MyEIU account and review your MyEIU checklist. Missing documents that are necessary to make an admissions decision will be listed. Please allow our processing team 7-10 business days to process incoming documents, especially during busy times. If you have any questions about your application, do not hesitate to contact your admissions counselor.
Is it possible to get the enrollment deposit waived?
Undergraduate and transfer students applying for Summer or Fall 2021 will have their application fee automatically waived.
EIU will work with students to defer their enrollment deposit if they have economic need. You can work with your high school counselor or EIU admissions counselor to see if you qualify for a deferment. Check out if you qualify here: enrollment deposit waiver form
Who is my admissions counselor and how do I connect with them?
Every prospective student has an admissions counselor. To find yours, log in to your MyEIU account and click the homepage. Once on the home page, your admissions counselor will be listed, along with their contact information. You can also find your admissions counselor and schedule a virtual appointment with them here: https://www.eiu.edu/admissions/staff.php.
I have Dual Credit and/or AP credits that I want to transfer to EIU. How do I do this?
If you have taken or are in a dual credit class at a community college or university, contact the community college’s or university’s registrar office and request an official transcript be sent to EIU. You will want to do this after you have completed the class and your official grades have been posted. EIU will review your transcript and determine how the credits will transfer to EIU.
Students who want to receive credit for AP courses will need to take the course’s AP test. The score you earn on the test will determine the number of college credits received. The best way to see if you will receive credit for the AP course is to look at the following link: https://www.eiu.edu/registra/advancedplace.php. If you have additional questions on AP courses and how they transfer, you can contact the Office of the Registrar either by calling (217) 581-3511 or emailing records@eiu.edu.
What are the requirements to qualify for your freshman merit scholarships?
Automatic merit scholarships are based on your GPA and SAT or ACT score, if you choose to report your score. If you choose to report your SAT or ACT score, you would need a 1030 or higher on the SAT (20 or higher on the ACT) and a minimum 3.0 GPA. If you choose not to report your SAT or ACT score, you would need a minimum 3.3 GPA. To find out what you’ll receive, visit https://www.eiu.edu/scholarships/merit.php.
What majors and minors does EIU have?
EIU offers a variety of majors and degree programs for students. If you haven’t already, check out our majors and minors database: https://www.eiu.edu/majors/. Our interactive database will give you an overview of each major with additional resources, and a link to the department website.
I haven’t decided on a major. Are there resources to help me?
We don't expect all students to arrive on campus knowing exactly what they want to study, and we welcome and support students who haven't quite gotten to the point of committing to a degree path. In fact, "undecided" is the most popular "major" for incoming freshmen. more info for undecided students
I’m admitted, now I want to update my major.
Great! No worries. You can email admissions@eiu.edu and let them know what you would like to change your major to.
Does EIU require students to live on campus?
Freshmen are required to live on campus. Anyone with 30 credit hours or more is not required to live on campus. However, freshmen may commute to campus if you meet one of the exceptions, such as if you live with a parent or guardian within a 50-mile radius of campus. To be approved for an exception, you must complete the following form: https://www.eiu.edu/housing/Freshmen_ruling_form%20.pdf.
What are your visit opportunities?
To ensure the safety of our campus community considering the evolving situation with coronavirus (COVID-19), we will be only offering small group, campus tours (10 or fewer total students and guests) to allow for social distancing.
We are committed to mitigating the possible effects of this virus and the health and safety of our Panthers is of utmost concern, so masks are required for all guests visiting our campus.
We also offer a variety of virtual visits for you to attend. You can see all our visit opportunities, both in person and virtual, at https://www.eiu.edu/visit.
I sent my FAFSA, how do I know if EIU received it?
Your financial aid package will be found on your MyEIU account on your Financial Aid tab. You also will receive a letter in the mail for a physical copy. Both the electronic and physical copy will have directions to accept the financial aid through your PAWS account. If you would like to go over your financial aid package, email your admissions counselor to set up a virtual meeting time or a phone call time.
I received a financial aid package, but I have a few questions.
Your admissions counselor would be happy to walk through your financial aid package and answer any questions that you have. If we do not have the answers, we can work with an EIU financial aid representative to get them answered.
Where and when do I apply for scholarships?
Once you are admitted, use your EIU Net ID and password to log in to our scholarship search engine. Complete the general application and the system will automatically enter you for some qualifying scholarships. Make sure to check out other opportunities as well. It only takes a couple of minutes to apply for most of our scholarships. https://eiu.academicworks.com/
Where can I find my EIU Net ID and password?
You can find your EIU net ID and password in your admit letter sent to you in the mail. You can also find it posted in your MyEIU account underneath the checklist tab. Your EIU Net ID will be a combination of your first and last name. The password is auto-generated. Please note that once you update your password, it will no longer be listed in your MyEIU account.
What is orientation? Where can I sign up to receive more information?
- It’s a program designed to provide you with an overview of campus, allow you to meet with an academic advisor, register for courses, and complete several other tasks necessary before you start at EIU.
- All orientation programs will be conducted virtually if it is not possible to conduct them in person due to COVID-19.
- You can sign up for an orientation date through MyEIU after you have paid your New Student Enrollment Deposit of $150. You will be emailed an invitation to the program once sign-up dates have become available (generally in March). The invitation will have a program reservation link to MyEIU. You will need to complete the reservation form online to secure a program date.
- After logging in to MyEIU, click on View Entire Checklist.
- If you have paid your enrollment deposit, you will see a green box labeled "Orientation/Transition" and will be eligible to register.
- If you have not paid your enrollment deposit, you will not see the "Orientation/Transition" box and will not be eligible to register yet.
Transfer FAQs
When is the best time to apply? Where do I apply?
EIU has rolling admissions, meaning you can apply at any time. We do suggest that students apply a year before their enrollment term, as this will make your college search go smoother for purposes of financial aid, housing, and choice of classes.
To apply, you'll need to sign up for a MyEIU account, your portal to everything EIU. Once you create an account, you’ll be prompted to “Apply Now.” You can also start your application at eiu.edu/apply.
The application only takes 10 minutes and does not require letters of recommendation or a personal essay. Plus, the application is completely free for freshman and transfer students.
What is EIU’s admissions criteria?
Transfers must have earned 24 semester hours of college-level credit with a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale overall and from the last institution attended. If fewer than 24 semester hours of college-level credit have been earned, students must still have a 2.0 overall and from the last institution attended and meet freshmen criteria (960 SAT or 18 ACT with a 2.5/4.0* High School GPA).
*If your school is on a 5.0 scale, the best way to estimate your 4.0 GPA is to lower the score by 1.0. For example, if you have a 4.0/5.0 GPA on your transcript, you would have a 3.0/4.0 GPA.
We also allow students to apply for free if they attend any of our campus visit opportunities.
How can I check the status of my application?
The easiest way to check the status of your application is to log on to your MyEIU account and review your MyEIU checklist. Missing documents that are necessary to make an admissions decision will be listed. Please allow our processing team 7-10 business days to process incoming documents, especially during busy times. If you have any questions about your application, do not hesitate to contact your admissions counselor.
Who is my admissions counselor and how do I connect with them?
Every prospective student has an admissions counselor. To find yours, log in to your MyEIU account and click the homepage. Once on the home page, your admissions counselor will be listed, along with their contact information. You can also find your admissions counselor and schedule a virtual appointment with them here: www.eiu.edu/admissions/staff.php.
I have Dual Credit and/or AP credits that I want to transfer to EIU. How do I do this?
If you have taken or are in a dual credit class at a community college or university, contact the community college’s or university’s registrar office and request an official transcript be sent to EIU. You will want to do this after you have completed the class and your official grades have been posted. EIU will review your transcript and determine how the credits will transfer to EIU.
Students who want to receive credit for AP courses will need to take the course’s AP test and have official scores sent to EIU. The score you earn on the test will determine the number of college credits received. The best way to see if you will receive credit for the AP course is to look at the following link: http://www.eiu.edu/registra/advancedplace.php. If you have additional questions on AP courses and how they transfer, you can contact the Office of the Registrar either by calling (217) 581-3511 or emailing records@eiu.edu.
What are the requirements to qualify for transfer merit scholarships?
Automatic merit scholarships are based on a student’s cumulative transfer GPA at the time of enrollment to EIU.
- Tier 1: Eligibility — have a minimum of 15 semester hours transferred from an accredited college or university and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Recipients will receive $2,500 each year of school for up to four semesters, provided they maintain full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 semester hours) and a 3.0 at EIU.
- Tier 2: Eligibility — having a minimum of 15 semester hours transferred from an accredited college or university and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Recipients will receive $1,500 each year of school for up to four semesters, provided they maintain full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 semester hours) and a 2.75 at EIU.
What majors and minors does EIU have?
EIU offers a variety of majors and degree programs for students; check out our majors and minors database. Our interactive database will give you an overview of each major with additional resources, and a link to the department website.
I haven’t decided on a major. Are there resources to help me?
Yes, Career Services can help you explore your personal and academic interests to find the right major for you. Transfers can work with Career Services once admitted to EIU. Resources for the undecided major can be found at www.eiu.edu/careers/undecided.php.
I’m admitted, now I want to update my major.
Great! No worries. You can email admissions@eiu.edu to let us know of your major change.
Does EIU require students to live on campus?
Students with 30 semester hours or more earned after high school graduation are not required to live on campus. Dual credit cannot be counted towards the 30 hours. If you have fewer than 30 hours of credit, you may commute to campus if you meet one of the exceptions, like living with a parent or guardian within a 50-mile radius of campus. To be approved for an exception, you must complete this form.
What are your visit opportunities?
To ensure the safety of our campus community considering the evolving situation with coronavirus (COVID-19), we will be only offering small group, campus tours (10 or fewer total students and guests) to allow for social distancing.
We are committed to mitigating the possible effects of this virus and the health and safety of our Panthers is of utmost concern, so masks are required for all guests visiting our campus.
We also offer a variety of virtual visits for you to attend. You can see all our visit opportunities, both in person and virtual, at https://www.eiu.edu/visit.
I sent my FAFSA, how do I know if EIU received it?
Your financial aid package can be found through your MyEIU account on your Financial Aid tab. You will also receive a physical copy in the mail. Both the electronic and hard copy will have directions to accept the financial aid through your PAWS account. If you would like to go over your financial aid package, email your admissions counselor to set up a virtual meeting or a phone call.
I received a financial aid package, but I have a few questions.
Your admissions counselor will be happy to walk through your financial aid package and answer any questions that you have. If we do not have the answers, we can work with an EIU financial aid representative to get them answered.
Where and when do I apply for scholarships?
Once you are admitted, use your EIU Net ID and password to log in to our scholarship search engine. Complete the general application and the system will search scholarships for which you qualify. Make sure to check out other opportunities as well. It only takes a couple of minutes to apply for most of our scholarships.
Where can I find my EIU Net ID and password?
You can find your EIU Net ID and password in your admit letter sent to you in the mail. You can also find it posted in your MyEIU account underneath the checklist tab. Your EIU Net ID will be a combination of your initials and last name. The password is auto-generated. Please note that once you update your password, it will no longer be listed in your MyEIU account.
What is orientation? Where can I sign up to receive more information?
- Orientation is a program designed to provide you with an overview of campus. You will meet with an academic advisor, register for courses, and complete several other tasks necessary before you start at EIU.
- You can sign up for an orientation date through your MyEIU account. You will be emailed an invitation to the program once sign-up dates have become available (generally in February for Summer and Fall enrollment and September for Spring enrollment). The invitation will have a program reservation link to MyEIU. You will need to complete the reservation form online to secure a program date.
- If none of the available dates work for you, contact New Student and Family Programs to discuss alternative orientation and registration processes.
- All orientation programs will be conducted virtually if it is not possible to conduct them in person due to COVID-19.
