Southern Illinois University-Carbondale: 2024 Requirements, Scores & GPAs

This is the go-to guide for getting into Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. We suggest you read until the end... Not only will we layout the exact GPA and test scores you should aim for when applying to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, but we’ll also offer creative ways to help your application stand out from the pack. We breakdown Southern Illinois University-Carbondale statistics better than any article out there and show you how these have changed over time. Also, make sure to check out Southern Illinois University-Carbondale on CampusReel to see what it’s really like here. If you're interesting in transferring to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, the read our transfer guide. You can also use the below calculator to help determine your likelihood of acceptance at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

What GPA do you need to get into Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s average GPA is 3.24. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale does require GPA. This average GPA means Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is very selective. Often times, schools in this range are trying to increase their selectivity and “prestige”. We can’t read the minds of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale application readers, but they likely want to increase the average GPA from 3.24 to 3.4 this year - to play it safe, we recommend striving for the 3.4 GPA.

*BEFORE CONTINUING PLEASE NOTE: GPA and “prestige” DO NOT mean a college is right for you. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale may seem amazing on paper, but you may hate it... That’s why 700,000 students transfer colleges every year - they end up going to the wrong school. It’s crucial to watch the videos on CampusReel and make sure you can envision yourself on Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s campus. These Southern Illinois University-Carbondale admission statistics do not sufficiently tell you what a college or university is like.

What is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s acceptance rate?

Last year Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s acceptance rate was 80.64. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.

As you can see, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a little easier to get into than last year.

Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into Southern Illinois University-Carbondale - it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.

Does Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Require Test Scores?

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale requires that you either take the SAT or ACT. See the table below for how Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s accepted students have performed on both tests. You may be wondering how many test scores should you submit. Generally, don’t freak out about taking the test too often. Industry consensus is that you can submit up to 6 tests as a reasonable limit.

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale SAT Requirements

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s average SAT score is 1005 - this is the sum of the math and reading portions of the SAT (the 1600 scale). Check out the below table for a deeper look into how students performed - it’s also very interesting to look at the average test score over time. The trend over time helps give insight into whether Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is getting more or less competitive.

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s average SAT score is 1005. To be a competitive applicant for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale your SAT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 880, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider Southern Illinois University-Carbondale a “target” school (one that you are likely to get into) you should aim for a score of 1130.

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale ACT Requirements

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s average ACT score is 66. To be a competitive applicant for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale your ACT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 56, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider Southern Illinois University-Carbondale a “target” school (one that you have a good chance of getting into) you should aim for a score of 77.

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Requirements

Now you know where you need to be for getting into Southern Illinois University-Carbondale from a grade and test score perspective. Let’s quickly outline what else you’ll need to provide for your application to get reviewed, and then we’ll move onto the most important section: differentiating your app.

How to get into Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting into Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Everything you read above will help prepare you for what you need to achieve to have a shot at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, but these steps will take you even further in applying that knowledge and differentiating your application.

Main Academic Excellence that is in line with Southern Illinois University-Carbondale admission standards.

1. Score at least a 1005 on the SAT or 66 on the ACT.
2. Maintain a GPA of at least a 3.24.

Join Extracurriculars that Align with Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s Values.

1. Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. If Southern Illinois University-Carbondale values music heavily, for example, then try to participate in an organization related to that topic.
2. Volunteer in your hometown. Carbondale has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale wants applicants that are also good ambassadors for the school - they want students who will give back to the local community and broader Carbondale area in general.
3. Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale needs to see past your test scores and grades - they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores - your experiences should demonstrate that.

Prepare Your Application

1. Write a stellar essay that shows Southern Illinois University-Carbondale something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application. For a detailed guide on writing the best college essay, check this out.
2. Get teacher recs that speak to your character. If you know what you’re majoring in and include that in your Southern Illinois University-Carbondale app, try to have at least 1 recommendation from a teacher in that department.
3. Apply Before the Deadline. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s own system crashes. Don’t risk the added stress this can cause - submit your app a few days early.