Freshman Admission Criteria
High school graduates or applicants who will graduate from a recognized or accredited secondary school prior to enrollment at NIU will be considered for admission if they meet the following criteria:
- Class Rank and ACT/SAT Scores: Applicants who rank in the upper half of their graduating class, or who have a grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale,must have an ACT composite score of at least 19 or an SAT score of 870-900 (recentered).
OR
Applicants who do not rank in the upper half of their class but who rank in the upper two-thirds of their graduating class, or who have a grade point average of at least a 2.50 on a 4.00 scale, must have an ACT composite score of at least 23 or an SAT score of 1030-1050 (recentered).
- High School Course Requirements: All applicants must have successfully completed 15 units of the following high school courses (one unit equals one year).
English: Four units (three of which must be courses emphasizing written and oral communication and literature).
Mathematics: Three to four units of college preparatory mathematics, including one year of geometry and one year of advanced algebra and/or trigonometry.
Science: Three units (two of which must be courses in the physical or biological sciences). One unit must be a laboratory science.
Social Studies: Three units (one of which must be U.S. history or a combination of U.S. history and government).
Foreign Language, Art, Music, or Vocational Education: Two units (one of which must be course work in foreign language, art, or music).
Additional Course Work: Up to three units of the required 15 units may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, sciences and electives and completing those three units in any of the five categories of courses.
Students whose 15 units in college preparatory courses include two years of a foreign language, advanced mathematics, composition, literature, and at least one unit chemistry or physics will be more likely to (a) qualify for Advanced Placement or proficiency credit and (b) complete their programs of study within the traditional four-year time frame.
Note: Courses specified as NIU-recognized have been examined for content according to the guidelines established by NIU faculty to ensure that students have an appropriate background necessary for a college education.
Applicants who are not high school graduates or who will not graduate from an accredited or recognized secondary school prior to enrollment at NIU must:
- Have attained high school equivalency through General Educational Development (GED) tests.
- Have an ACT composite score of at least 23 or an SAT score of 1030-1050 (recentered).
Personal Statement
A personal statement is strongly recommended only for students who do not satisfy the priority consideration parameters. The statement should focus on areas such as leadership experiences, expected contributions to the NIU community, and any personal experiences in overcoming adversity.
