Gies Business students welcoming incoming students on the quad

Undergraduate Admissions

Discover your path to purpose at Gies Business

An education is just the start. From there, all you need is an urge to learn, and you can graduate with the tools you need to become a business leader of tomorrow. Prospective students begin this life-changing process by earning admissions to Gies. 

Also consider our Undergraduate Business Minor and Gies Graduate Programs!

 Request Information View Programs

Prospective first-year students

How to Apply

First-year applications are submitted through University Office of Undergraduate Admissions. On the application, students are asked to list their first choice and second choice majors. Students who wish to pursue a Gies Business major should choose “Business Undeclared” as their first choice major, whether they are interested in general business or a specific major.

First-year students are admitted directly into Gies through the Business Undeclared major and explore all areas of study before declaring their major by the end of their sophomore year.

How We Review

Applications are reviewed holistically. There is no minimum cutoff for GPA or standardized test score. The admissions review committee takes the following criteria into consideration:

  • High school curriculum, course rigor, and grades
  • ACT/SAT scores (if provided) 
  • Writing prompts 
  • Involvement in community, workplace, and/or school activities
  • Achievements and honors 
  • Additional information explaining lower grades or unique personal situations

The University of Undergraduate Admissions provides more details about the application review process.

Deadlines and Timelines

Visit the University Office of Undergraduate Admissions website to review all admission requirements, procedures, and timelines.

Three Gies Undergraduate Students Sitting on Bench Outside Business Instructional Facility

Transfer students

Intercollegiate Transfer (ICT)

Current students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign follow these guidelines to apply for transfer to Gies College of Business.

Off-Campus Transfer (OCT)

Students attending other educational institutions follow these guidelines to apply for transfer to Gies College of Business.
What are the required test scores, GPA, and/or class rank for admission?
Will taking high school business courses positively affect my application?

Elective courses like business classes allow you to explore your interest and provide some variety in your coursework. That being said, taking a business-related course like accounting or business law does not factor into your admission decision. When it comes to an elective course versus an academic core course, we almost always prefer the academic core. For example, if you were deciding between an AP course and a business law course, we would encourage you to choose the course that will be more challenging and could lead to college credit through an AP exam score.

What about involvement in sports or community service compared to a business club or organization?

We want to see that you can balance your time and efforts both inside and outside the classroom. Involvement can include extracurricular activities at your school, part-time jobs, family commitments, community organizations, and more. They are not limited to something business-focused. Explore and invest in areas that are important to you.

Does it matter which Gies Business major I am specifically interested in?

All first-year students are admitted as Business Undeclared, whether or not they have a specific major already in mind. Therefore, a major-specific interest is not a factor in the admission decision.

When should I apply?

We highly recommend applying during the Early Action timeline; it is non-binding, so you are not required to attend if you are admitted.

Should I list a second choice major? Can I pick both my first choice and my second choice in Gies Business majors?

To be considered for direct admit to all Gies Business majors, you should apply to Business Undeclared as your first choice. If you are open to pursuing or starting in another academic area here at Illinois if Gies direct admit is not available to you, you should list a second choice major for additional consideration. Your notice of admission will indicate the major to which you were admitted. If you were admitted to a second choice major outside of Gies Business, you could apply to transfer into Gies at the end of your first year at Illinois through our Intercollegiate Transfer process. 

How am I considered for honors programs and need-based or merit-based awards/scholarships?

Your application for admission also serves as your application for merit-based scholarships and honors programs. You do not need to submit any additional information for an initial honors review. You will be notified via email if you are eligible after admission decisions are released. Final honors decisions and scholarships will be awarded by April.

Who will help me with course registration and advising?

During New Student Registration, you will meet with a Gies academic advisor to discuss your initial academic plans. You also will receive ongoing personalized advising from your advisor to ensure you are aware of available opportunities and on track for graduation.

How can I explore majors and careers?
  • Attend your first Gies course, Business 101, which introduces you to the world of business. Your first two years will also include accountancy, finance, and other business core courses that will help you determine what you like and where you can excel.
  • Join a Registered Student Organization centered around a major or interest area.
  • Use our Career and Professional Development office resources to line up job shadows, attend leadership conferences, and research job positions and companies.
  • Network with alumni and employers at Gies Business Career Fairs and recruitment events.
  • Talk with other Gies students!
Can I pursue more than one major on campus? What about minors?

Double majors in Gies are very common. You might be able to pursue one major in Gies and one in another college/school on campus, depending on the program. Minors are always a possibility, too. Your academic advisor and your peers will be great resources as you explore all your options.

What if I need help with courses?

Your professors and teaching assistants for each class hold office hours and can provide individual help with homework or test preparation. Gies offers free peer tutoring for select core business courses, and tutoring is available across campus for classes such as economics, math, science, and writing. There is a lot of support here, so be sure to seek it out if you need it!

Is it possible to work while in college?

There are many opportunities to find work on or off campus. You could get a job in a research facility, your residence hall, the library, a dining hall, or an administrative office through the student job board.

What technology will I need?

A few considerations:

  • The university offers computer labs all over campus, which is really helpful! If possible, we also strongly recommend having a personal computer and the Microsoft Office Suite so you can take notes in class and work on homework or group projects anywhere. Once you are registered with the university, the software can be downloaded for free through webstore.illinois.edu. The College has no preference on which type of computer you have (PC or Mac).
  • For business and math courses, you will need a calculator; the specifics will be provided in class.
How does the campus keep students safe?

UIUC goes to great lengths to prioritize campus safety. Learn more on the University Admissions web page. 

What health services are available?

McKinley Health Center is a nationally accredited, professional staffed ambulatory care clinic on campus. Physical and mental health services are available by appointment and through a 24-hour nurse consultation line. Gies also has a licensed mental health clinical counselor from the Counseling Center embedded in Gies to work with and support our students through time-limited individual counseling, outreach, and workshops. In the event of an emergency, severe illness, or injury, there are two excellent hospitals nearby: Carle and OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center. Click here for more information.

High school outreach

We are offer high school presentations on our campus, your high school campus, or virtually. We have successfully partnered with high school counselors, teachers, club leaders, and college and career counselors to offer opportunities such as:

  • Information sessions regarding Gies business majors, minors, the application process, admissions criteria, and college life at Gies and UIUC
  • Q&A sessions for students to get their questions answered about opportunities and the application process for Gies and UIUC
  • Live panels with current Gies students and alumni
  • Lessons and workshops on how to create a business plan or write a resume
  • Interactive presentations on how personality types apply to different business majors and career paths

Outreach Request Form

Presentations can be tailored to your students’ unique interests and range in length from minutes, to hours, to full-day programming.