An ordinary freshman year won't do.
Explore Programs of Studies
You're ready and willing to take on challenges and change the world. In your first two years, you'll fulfill general education requirements in full-time, daytime classes. Here, we have seven First Year Focus Areas! Choose from Arts & Entertainment, Business, Discovery, Education, Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences or STEM areas. You’ll find yourself in classes with others pursuing similar personal and academic goals during your first and second years of college. Each focus allows you to customize your First Year Experience to your career path.
Your freshman year at Governors State University is no ordinary first year of college. It is designed to give you a foundation on which to build during your college career and for life after GovState. As part of a challenging academic community, you’ll learn strategies and skills to become a critical thinker. You’ll become confident in your abilities as a student and as a member of a diverse community. You'll explore majors and programs through your sophomore year which provides you with a solid foundation of values-based learning...preparing you for a world that changes almost daily. You deserve the best starting point for your successful university career: GovState welcomes you. To schedule a virtual pre-admission appointment, please do so via this link: https://apply.govst.edu/portal/virtualappointments
The GovState Freshman Experience
The freshman experience at GovState is like no other. Click here to read about our unique and rewarding Freshman program!
Ready to Apply?
- Begin the process by creating an online account.
- Submit your application, fee, and official transcripts.
- Submission of official ACT or SAT scores is optional
- Any optional supplemental materials (AP scores, letters of recommendation, resume, personal statement, etc.) can be uploaded to support your application.
Admission Requirements
- Official high school transcript or GED
- Must have a minimum of 2.0 unweighted high school GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Submission of official ACT or SAT scores is optional. Test scores will only be considered if they are helpful to the student.
- Earned fewer than 24 semester hours of college credit to start GovState as a freshman
Information on university admission policies can be found by visiting the following link https://www.govst.edu/policies
Application Fee
Official Transcripts
All applicants are required to submit official high school transcripts to Governors State University. Students with college credits are also required to submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended.
International applicants are required to have their official transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
School officials may send official documentation in one of two ways:
U.S. Mail:
Governors State University
Admission Processing
1 University Parkway
University Park, IL 60484
Email:
apotranscripts@govst.edu
Remember: Your application is not complete until official transcript(s) from all of your previously attended institutions have been received.
Document Retention
Please note that all documents submitted to Governors State University for admission purposes become the property of the university. Documents will not be released to students nor will they be forwarded to other educational institutions or agencies.
Official ACT or SAT Scores
Submission of official ACT or SAT scores to Governors State University is optional for admission. If you would like to have your test scores considered for admission, request your ACT Score report using GovState's ACT School Code (1028). Request your SAT score report using GovState's SAT School Code (0807). Send official scores via email, admission@govst.edu, or mail to Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, Admissions Office, University Park, IL 60484.
Deadlines
| Spring Semester |
| Preferred Application Deadline | December 1 |
| Enrollment Deposit Due | January 2 |
| Fall Semester |
| Priority Application Deadline | November 15 |
| Preferred Application Deadline | April 1 |
| Enrollment Deposit Due | Extended to June 1 or until space is no longer available in the Freshman class. |
Admission Decision
Once all required admission documents have been received, your application will be processed.
Students who have applied by the early decision deadline of November 1 will be notified by December 1 of their admission decision. Completed applications received after November 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and students should expect an admission decision within 3-5 business days. You will be notified of your decision by way of letter or email from the Office of Admission.
Please be sure to read your letter of admission carefully. It will include important information about next steps at Governors State University.
Contact the Office of Admissions by email at admission@govst.edu or by phone at 708.534.4490 with questions.
GovState and Prairie State College Nursing Pathway Program
This blended degree program offers all the benefits of earning both Associate and Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing without the mystery of having to navigate course or transfer requirements between programs at different schools. Click here for more information.
Honors College
The GovState Honors College curriculum provides high achieving students with challenging, experiential learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. Click here to learn more.