University of Illinois

Applying to DGS as a Freshman

Hello prospective student! The Division of General Studies serves undergraduate students interested in exploring academic options, pursuing pre-professional curricula, or finding a major that fits well with their career goals. Combining advising and mentoring, our academic advisors are uniquely qualified to guide students as they make informed academic decisions and craft their future goals.

Because our undeclared program is unique from many other campuses, we encourage you to explore more of our website, starting with About the Division of General Studies and the 2008 College Profile.

Admission Criteria

Our freshmen admission decisions are based on a thorough review of your application package, paying close attention to the following:

  • ACT scores or SAT I (we do not use SAT II).
  • High school percentile ranking ( or, if your school doesn't rank, we'll calculate an estimated rank).
  • Completing more challenging curriculum (AP, honors, accelerated, etc.) offered at your high school.
  • Grade patterns and trends across the four years of high school.
  • Co-curricular, work, and volunteer involvements.
  • Your application essays help us understand how you would benefit from our explorative mission.
  • Your essays may include subjects or fields that interest you, academic programs you are considering, career or pre-professional goals, or relevant experiences that have influenced your academic and career interests.

Declaring a Major

DGS does not grant degrees but prepares students to move into one of the many majors on campus. Our students have opportunities to move into the open majors at the University of Illinois once they have met the required intercollege transfer or declaration criteria. Please note that a few majors are either closed or restricted to DGS students.

Programs that are not available for intercollege transfer include:

  • Bioengineering

Programs that are temporarily closed or very difficult to declare include:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Architectural Studies

What Should You Know About DGS?

College Profile Check out our 2009 College Profile for more information about the DGS experience.

Learn more about DGS and our students by visiting the About the Division of General Studies section of our website.

Additional questions about DGS? Please contact us at 217.333.4710.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions

For more information about the application process to the University of Illinois, visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.