KickStart Orientation is a UIS staple in preparing new Prairie Stars for a transition from home to campus. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's orientation transitioned to an all-online format, and according Lisa McGuire, director of New Student Orientation and Parent Relations, it has been successful.
Want to speak with someone about becoming a UIS student? Our admission counselors are eager to help answer all of your questions.
Our admission counselors travel all over throughout the year. Check to see when they will be in your area.
Download the UIS Orientation Guidebook
The following credentials will be considered:
To help us learn a little more about you, applicants are required to complete a personal statement/essay on the application. The essay on the Common Application fulfills this requirement. Any submissions should not be more than one typewritten or handwritten page.
The third part of Guiding Stars Orientation for all first-year students (commuter students and students living on-campus) will be to attend New Student Welcome. Recent assessment of the Orientation program has found that students that participate in all sessions have higher grade point averages and are more likely to return to UIS in their second year than students that miss/skip sessions.
Transfer Students (bringing in 24+ credit hours) who have decided on a major are assigned to a College or Faculty Advisor within your major. Use the web-based AdviseU app to find your advisor's name and make an appointment with them from their calendar of availability within the app .
Graduate Students should contact their program for their program advisor and contact information.
Students wishing to appeal their admission decision must submit a letter of appeal to the attention of the Director of Admission, detailing the reason they believe the decision should be overturned and providing any supporting documents. The Director will review the file to determine whether or not an error was made during the evaluation of credentials.