Is it hard to get in?

Admissions are competitive, but you can’t get in if you don’t try! For the college of ACES, the middle 50% of admitted students had an ACT of 25-30 and ranked above 82%-94% of their high school class.

When do I apply?

For undergraduates, the application opens September 1 each year. Application deadlines vary.

Apply through the Admissions Office

But the U of I is such a big school. Won’t I get lost?

The U of I is a huge school with more than 35,000 students, but in our college and our department, every student has a faculty advisor. And every class you take in NRES will have a faculty instructor that will have office hours when you can speak to them personally, in addition to before and after class. In our introductory major classes in NRES, enrollments are typically 50 and specialized classes usually have 14 or fewer students. In addition, we have departmental clubs and department-wide social events.

But I have heard that TAs teach all of the courses.

Every class you take in NRES will have a faculty instructor, and perhaps a Teaching Assistant (TA) who oversees the lab section. Large General Education classes on campus may be taught by a TA.

What if I am transferring from another college off campus?

Transfer students need to have a GPA of >2.5 after completing 30 hours of transferable course work. This work must include a chemistry course with a lab and a math class at or above the college algebra level. More information on transferring to Illinois, including deadlines, is available through the Office of Admissions.

What if I want to change my major to NRES?

If you are on campus already, and want to change your major to NRES, you must meet with the NRES advising coordinator and complete an Intra-College Transfer (ICT) form. To be accepted, you must have completed your freshman year, and you cannot be on probation. You can reach NRES at:

Where can I find scholarships?

NRES offers some departmental scholarships. The UIUC Financial Aid Office provides advice on finding other kinds of scholarships. 

What about student clubs?

We have multiple student clubs in NRES, our College of ACES has more than two dozen, and there are over 1,000 clubs at the University.

What kind of job will I be able to get?

Our graduates are employed in government agencies, private industry, non-profit organizations, academia and in their own companies around the nation and around the world. There are numerous career planning resources available on campus, including The Career Center and the College of ACES Career Services.

Will I get any field experience/research experience/study abroad/internships?

Yes! As an NRES student, you will take at least 2 field courses, and all NRES students also take several courses with field components. In addition, we encourage students to join faculty in undergraduate research projects during the school year and gain internship experience during the summers. Also, the College of ACES is known for the large number of our students who study abroad every year.

What classes will I be required to take?

See the undergraduate major page to see exactly what courses are required.

Is there an honors program?

Yes, the College of ACES has a James Scholars program which gives students the opportunity to take small enrollment, concentrated courses, and requires undergraduate research projects. See all the other benefits at the ACES James Scholar Honors Program page.

What if I want to go to grad school?

Our undergraduate science based program is a perfect preparation for graduate school. Almost one-third of our undergraduates go on to grad school.

Who will help me if I need it?

We will! The NRES Student Services Center is here to answer your questions. NRES Student Services is located in N-509 Turner Hall (1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana), and you can reach us at nres-ssc@illinois.edu or (217) 333-5824.