Illinois Wesleyan to offer direct admission to some local students

Posted on September 13, 2024

*Starting Sept. 16, qualifying seniors will be guaranteed a spot at IWU which will streamline the admissions process while keeping students local. (Facebook/Illinois Wesleyan University)*

BLOOMINGTON – Eligible students in Bloomington-Normal will soon have fewer worries around college admissions.

Illinois Wesleyan University announced that it will be offering direct admission to eligible students at Bloomington High School, Normal Community High School, Normal Community West High School, University High School and Central Catholic High School.

Starting Sept. 16, qualifying seniors will be guaranteed a spot at IWU which will streamline the admissions process while keeping students local.

“We recognize the exceptional education that takes place at Bloomington-Normal high schools and we are pleased to build on those efforts to support our community,” said Illinois Wesleyan President Sheahon Zenger. “We’re thrilled with the academic strength of students admitted through this program right in our own backyard.”

Students who are accepted will receive information through their school. The direct admission will eliminate the need to complete traditional application paperwork.

A pilot program for direct admissions began at Bloomington High School in 2023. The university reported that the program doubled the amount of students from the school attending the university.

“We are really excited that BHS students and other students from our community will have this opportunity to be directly admitted to Illinois Wesleyan,” Bloomington High School Principal Tim Moore said. “I applaud IWU for making an effort to not only recruit local students but for making the process for qualified students to be admitted seamless.”

The university stated it is the first university in the area to set up direct admission partnerships with local schools.

More information on the university is available on its website.

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