Illinois State University (ISU)

Illinois State University - American State University. Its activities began in 1857. Moreover, the university is regularly included in the top universities in USA.

Sam Jones

Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What advice do you have for potential applicants before applying to US universities?

Choose a university that really suits you - do not try to "adjust" yourself to a prestigious or ranked university. If you are not sure of your capabilities, do not dwell on the first top 10: believe me, many opportunities of less prestigious universities will be able to give you what you need to develop and become a specialist.

ISU has several specialized colleges:

• Applied Sciences, Technologies,
• Business
• Arts, Sciences,
• Engineering
• Pedagogy
• Fine arts
• Nursing.

The university has several research centers that conduct scientific work in the following areas:

• Mathematics, Science, Technology,
• Educational policy,
• Mathematical Biology,
• Regular policy,
• Economy, sustainable development.

ISU research involves qualified researchers, undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Residences for university students are grouped into five complexes located on campus:

• Hewett-Manchester

Residential buildings are adjacent to the university library and the student center. Students are accommodated in two 18-storey buildings, on each floor there are single, double standard and deluxe rooms, bathrooms, laundries, classrooms for self-study and events, outdoor sports grounds are shared by residents.

• Tri-Towers

Three large residential buildings are located within walking distance of the campus, next to the CEFCU arena and Hancock Stadium, they provide accommodation for single and double, standard and deluxe rooms. On the floors of each building there are laundries, self-study classes, recreation areas and many other public areas.

• Watterson Towers

One of the highest university residences in the world, comprising 28 floors with rooms for one, two or more students. Rooms vary in size and equipment, offering residents accommodation with a private bathroom or access to a shared bathroom. The building has dining rooms, laundry facilities, classrooms for study and events.

• Cardinal Court

Cardinal Court accommodates 994 undergraduate students in 227 furnished apartments with bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens. Cardinal Court apartments include many amenities: round-the-clock security of the facility, high-speed WiFi, public areas for recreation and entertainment, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts.

• Fell Avenue and School Street Apartments

The apartments, located on Fell Avenue and School Street, offer accommodation in apartments that include two double bedrooms, a bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen with all necessary appliances, a living room.

If desired, students can request a list of verified landlords in order to find off-campus housing.

Students living in university residences must purchase a meal plan; As students who choose to stay at Cardinal Court have a full kitchen in their apartments, meal plans are optional for them. A meal plan is a pre-planned schedule with a certain number of meals, additional bonuses for the semester. Students can access all cafeterias and dining rooms using their ID card.

ISU has more than 400 areas of extracurricular activities: from sports sections with the opportunity to participate in the Missouri Valley Conference and musical groups to groups of scientific researchers, thematic communities.

The university's athletes take part in 19 team sports, competing among state institutions in the Missouri Valley Conference. Teams under the same name as the Redbirds have won nine team and individual national championships, hundreds of All-American awards, and more than 160 MVC league titles. Amateur sports groups also train on campus, the main goal of which is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some of the popular sections are:

• Badminton
• Baseball
• Equestrian
• Hockey
• Rugby
• Softball
• Cheerleading
• Soccer
• Table tennis
• Volleyball
• Water polo
• Rock climbing
• Golf
• Tennis
• Lacrosse.

Creative groups — members of groups playing musical instruments, orchestra, solo and performing arts classes — participate in many campus events. Throughout the year, musical concerts, theatrical performances, holidays in honor of significant dates, events with invited specialists are organized in large halls.

Thematic clubs are one of the large-scale areas of extracurricular activities, they are groups of students united by common hobbies, interests, goals and views. Some of the most popular are:

• Animation
• Astronomy
• Literature, poetry,
• Learning Braille,
• Civic engagement,
• Christianity
• Creative technologies,
• Cybersecurity,
• Dancing
• English language
• Organization of events,
• Farming
• Fashion design,
• Fishery
• Dietetics, nutrition.

• Best University in the Country for Value for Money by U.S. News & World Report,
• One of the top 30% of graduate return on investment institutions,
• Students complete their studies on time – the retention rate of students remains one of the highest in the country at more than 81%, more than 66% of them successfully complete their diplomas, which is significantly higher than the national average,
• ISU has raised more than $35.4 million in private support, achieving the third-highest in the university's history; Thanks to these donations, students have access to large scholarships and grants,
• A multinational student community with representatives from 47 states, more than 77 countries of the world,
• 85% of classes are taught by professors, not assistants,
• About 97% of teachers have higher qualifications,
• The ratio of teachers to students is 1:19,
• Seven large specialized colleges, each of which represents hundreds of specializations of higher education.

The university is large. The number of students is about 24 thousand. At the same time among the students listed as Native Americans and foreigners. Students may be participants in international exchange programs.

The ISU academic calendar covers the whole year, includes several semesters:

• Autumn: August-December,
• Spring: January-May,
• Summer: May-August.

Between semesters, there are exams, seasonal holidays. Rest is also provided on national and international holidays and weekends: Saturdays and Sundays. The school week lasts from Monday to Friday: every day students will have time not only to attend classes, but also to participate in extracurricular activities.

List of additional costs:

• Registration fee, deposits,
• Accommodation, meal plan,
• Some extracurricular opportunities,
• Personal training materials,
• Individual support outside the curriculum,
• Payment for technology, use of specialized equipment,
• Compulsory insurance,
• Personal expenses.

To enroll in one of the programs, future students need to go through several registration stages:

• Filling out a detailed questionnaire, providing the required documents,
• Payment of the registration fee,
• Passing an interview, possible entrance exams,
• Receiving the results and an official letter of readiness for enrollment,
• Making deposits to book a place in the program, in the residence,
• Arrive on campus to be accommodated in a residential building, attend orientation events, and start your studies.

Each semester, the university accepts about 18,000 new undergraduate and postgraduate students for full-time study.

The Alumni Center has more than 215,000 professionals who have completed their studies at ISU over the years of its existence. Being professionals in various scientific fields, they have built careers in such areas as politics, journalism, sports, education, law, art and others.

Applicants must pass exams and submit documents confirming good performance. More than half of applicants can become students, but different directions have different indicators.

Each year is divided into 2 semesters. At the same time, the tuition fee for bachelors and masters is 15 thousand dollars. Students are entitled to receive scholarships that significantly reduce the initial financial burden.

Distance learning is also available. At the same time, educational services are still of high quality.

Scholarships are awarded by ISU, its specialized schools, partner organizations to outstanding students who are successful in learning, extracurricular activities, they are assigned for one academic year and can be extended if high results are maintained.

Need-based financial support is also available to students.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision