Requirements for Current Gies Scholars

Tracking Requirement Completion

You can view which requirements you have already completed by logging in at https://giesgroups.illinois.edu, navigating to "My Checklists" on the left sidebar on the homepage, and clicking on the Gies Scholar Requirements Checklist for this academic year.

Requirements for the re-designed Gies Scholar Program starting Fall 2025 will be available in Spring 2025 prior to the application process.

2024-2025 Requirements

To maintain status as a Gies Scholar, the following requirements should be completed each academic year.

  • Sophomore (Class of 2027) Requirements

    3.0 GPA Requirement
    Must achieve a 3.0 Illinois GPA each semester.

    Gies Scholar Course
    Successfully complete the fall Gies Scholar course:
    BUS 215: Sophomore Seminar
    Required for all Gies Scholar sophomores. The course structure is divided into learning modules focusing on different areas of business and professional development.

    Honors Event Participation
    Attend at least 2 Conversations with Leaders and 1 Gies Scholar Professional Development Event. More information and exceptions in section below.

    Involvement
    Each year, all Gies Scholars must actively participate in at least one Gies College of Business organization recognized by the Council of Presidents OR another approved activity. A reflection will be submitted through the annual activity report form. More information below.

    Resume
    Upload your current resume to the annual activity report form by the end of the academic year. Your resume should include activities and involvement completed during the 2023-2024 year and should have been reviewed by Gies Career and Professional Development.

    Annual Activity Report
    Submit your annual activity report online by April 30, 2025. The report will include any substitutions for events, the involvement reflection essay, and your resume.

  • Junior (Class of 2026) Requirements

    3.0 GPA Requirement
    Must achieve a 3.0 Illinois GPA each semester.

    Gies Scholar Course
    Successfully complete the fall Gies Scholar course:
    BUS 315: Junior Seminar
    Focuses on expanding students' knowledge about higher education and the academy through the depth and breadth of University of Illinois faculty expertise. Each week, an invited faculty member will give a brief presentation on their research or area of expertise and lead an interactive discussion session with the students.

    Honors Event Participation
    Attend at least 2 Conversations with Leaders and 1 Gies Scholar Professional Development Event. More information and exceptions in section below.

    Involvement
    Each year, all Gies Scholars must actively participate in at least one Gies College of Business organization recognized by the Council of Presidents OR another approved activity. A reflection will be submitted through the annual activity report form. More information below.

    Resume
    Upload your current resume to the annual activity report form by the end of the academic year. Your resume should include activities and involvement completed during the 2023-2024 year and should have been reviewed by Gies Career and Professional Development.

    Annual Activity Report
    Submit your annual activity report online by April 30, 2025. The report will include any substitutions for events, the involvement reflection essay, and your resume.

  • Senior (Class of 2025) Requirements

    3.0 GPA Requirement
    Must achieve a 3.0 Illinois GPA each semester.

    Gies Scholar Course
    Successfully complete the fall Gies Scholar course:
    BUS 415: Senior Seminar
    A capstone leadership course for the Senior Gies Scholar class. It is meant to provide tangible leadership lessons through a variety of medium, including: (1) speeches and discussions by successful professionals in the business world and academia; (2) review and discussion amongst the class members on specifically-identified leadership topics; and (3) self-reflection on these topics and an assessment of how the student will plan to incorporate the learnings into their own leadership style.

    Honors Event Participation
    Attend at least 2 Conversations with Leaders and 1 Gies Scholar Professional Development Event. More information and exceptions in section below.

    Annual Activity Report
    Submit your annual activity report online by April 30, 2025. The report will include any substitutions for events, the involvement reflection essay, and your resume.

Involvement: Sophomores & Juniors

Each year, Gies Scholars must actively participate in at least one Gies College of Business organization recognized by the Council of Presidents OR participate in another opportunity that requires time, dedication, and leadership skill development, such as part-time work. The Gies Business Honors Team will work with you on an appropriate option to complete this requirement. At the end of the academic year, you will submit a short reflection through the annual activity report form on Gies Groups to document your involvement.

Reflection questions: What organization were you involved with? What are the goals of the organization? How did you contribute? What skills did you learn? How do you plan to continue to be involved in the future?

Honors Event Participation

Types of Events
  • Conversations with Leaders – Learn about the career paths of outstanding business leaders, many of them Gies alumni, with the opportunity to ask questions in a small group setting.
  • Gies Scholar Professional Development Events – These events are sponsored by the Gies Scholar Program and include interactive discussions with college leadership and faculty, panels led by Gies Scholar upperclassmen, and major/career skill development workshops.
Event Participation

Participate in at least the following events each year:

  • 2 Conversations with Leaders
  • 1 Gies Scholar Professional Development Event
List of Events

A list of these events will be emailed out at the beginning of each semester and you will RSVP for them in advance on Gies Groups. Additional opportunities may be added throughout the semester and will be publicized via email.

Substitutions

Professional development events hosted by the James Scholar Program will also count toward the Gies Scholar Professional Development Event requirement.

If you're not able to attend the minimum number of Conversations with Leaders due to time conflicts, University or college-sponsored lectures (e.g., Leighton Lecture, Hallene Lecture, etc.) can be substituted for Conversations with Leaders. On the annual activity report, you will need to provide the name of the lecture, date, and location as well as evidence of your attendance.  Email bushonors@illinois.edu about approval for any other event substitutions.