Planning & Orientation

Throughout your transition to Illinois State, you'll find many programs and services to ensure a smooth transfer.

Attend a Transfer Day Program

Each semester, admitted transfer students participate in a Transfer Day Program. It’s a special opportunity to meet your advisor, register for classes, get your Redbird ID card, and see the campus, all during the semester before you attend. You’ll also get lots of information on the programs and services offered on campus to help you succeed.

We host several Transfer Day Programs each semester. Watch your mailbox for an invitation. When you get it, call the department to which you were admitted or University College Academic Advisement to schedule an appointment with your advisor.

Meet your academic advisor

Your academic advisor will help you create your academic plan. See your advisor for help understanding:

University or department policies,
Major and minor requirements, and
Academic resources.

If you were accepted into your major, you will be advised by someone in that department. If you are accepted as an undeclared student or if you are transferring with fewer than 24 credit hours, you will be advised by University College Academic Advisement.

Your Major

Some majors at Illinois State are highly competitive and some only admit a small number of students each semester. You may not qualify for a certain major if you did not complete the prerequisite coursework. Depending on your major choice and qualifications, you may need a backup plan.

If you were admitted as an undeclared student, it is a temporary status. Before you complete a total of 75 semester hours, including your transfer credits, you must declare a major. Visit Find Your Major to explore your options. Your academic advisor in University College will help you in selecting courses for your anticipated major. If you have questions about selecting or changing your major, call the Office of Admissions at (309) 438-2181 or toll free at (800) 366-2478.

Take your Math placement exam

Transfer students are not automatically required to take math placement testing. However, before you register for a math class at Illinois State, you must take either the COMPASS math placement exam or complete a prerequisite course with a grade of C or better. Your academic advisor will help you determine whether or not you need to take the test. The COMPASS exam is offered through University College Testing Services at Illinois State and several other locations throughout the state.

Review your Statement of Transfer Credit

Your Statement of Transfer Credit will explain which courses you will get credit for at Illinois State and what requirements (if any) they meet.

University Terms

You’ll hear many new terms when you come to Illinois State.

Welcome2ISU: Your personalized web portal for admissions, financial aid, housing, and other information before you come to campus.

My.IllinoisState.edu: After you arrive on campus, My.IllinoisState.edu becomes your information portal. You’ll use it to register for classes, confirm attendance, check your grades, and more.

University Identification Number (UID): A number assigned to you at the time you apply to Illinois State. It’s used in place of your social security number to identify you at the University.

University Logon Identification (ULID): The account you’ll use to access your email, the University network, and other electronic resources.

Course Articulation: How your courses from other colleges transfer to Illinois State.

Undeclared status: A temporary status for students who have either not chosen a major or who were not admitted into their preferred major.