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 e-mail admissions@wiu.edu.

High School Juniors

Are you a transfer student? View your personalized checklist.

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

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 or visit www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. WIU sports are NCAA Division I (Football is I-AA)

January

File the FAFSA form after January 1 - file online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or get 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!