Applying to the College of Media

Students who will be entering the University of Illinois for the first time should apply through the Office of Admissions and Records (high school students, off-campus transfer students) or the Graduate College (graduate students only).

The following information applies to on-campus students wishing to transfer into the College.

Each application should include a personal essay of up to 500 words that demonstrates the applicant's communications abilities and details the applicant's interest in and demonstrated commitment to a career for which the College of Media major they seek would be appropriate.

Admission is competitive. While there is no specific requirement regarding grades, a cumulative university GPA of at least 3.25 is advantageous. For students who have completed few courses at the University of Illinois, a higher GPA may be advisable. Students with the best essays and the best academic or professional qualifications, including any pertinent extracurricular activities or internships, will receive highest priority. One way to demonstrate interest is to have earned a grade of B or better in introductory courses such as ADV 300 and JOUR 200 or in Discovery courses taught by the College.

Applicants must be in good academic standing and must have completed approximately one-fourth (if sophomores) or one-half (if juniors) or more of the total credit hours required to satisfy the University's General Education requirements. They also must have made substantial progress toward completing any departmental requirements for courses outside the College of Media. For example, applicants for Advertising ideally will have completed ECON 102 and 103, STAT 100 and two of these three courses: SOC 100, ANTH 103 and PSYC 100.

Students may apply to any major in the College: Advertising, Broadcast Journalism, Media Studies or News-Editorial Journalism. Freshmen and sophomores have the additional option of applying to the Communications General Curriculum program, from which they may sample courses in one or more of the College's majors. They must select a specific major before becoming a junior. Students choosing Communications General Curriculum are advised to indicate which of the majors they are most likely to choose.

Students who would require more than nine total semesters of College enrollment to complete their degree are not eligible. Students must complete their College of Media degrees within seven semesters of joining the College as sophomores or within five semesters of joining the College as juniors. A minimum of three semesters within the College is required for students admitted as juniors. A minimum of five semesters within the College is required for students admitted as sophomores. The College of Media does not admit students for the purpose of obtaining second bachelor’s degrees or dual majors involving a major outside the College.

Students wishing to apply to one of the majors in the College of Media from another college at the University must complete the ICT Application form (below). Current Advertising, Journalism, Media Studies and Communications General Curriculum majors with fewer than 90 hours need to complete the Change of Major form (below) to request a new major within the College. Applications for change of major are considered alongside and in competition with applications for admission to the College. Students in Communications General Curriculum who will complete their 60th hour in the current semester are required to apply for a specific major.

Applications are available during the first week of fall or spring semesters.