Admission to the James Scholar Program

There are several ways to become a James Scholar in Gies College of Business.

Incoming Freshmen

High-achieving prospective freshmen admitted to Gies will be invited to complete the honors application, which includes essay questions and a video interview. Students are reviewed on criteria including academic achievement, involvement, leadership, and desire to help others. The top applicants will become Gies College of Business James Scholars.

Rising Sophomores

At the conclusion of the spring semester, the top 5% of first-year students who were not admitted to the university as James Scholars, including students entering Gies via intercollegiate transfer, will be identified based upon cumulative Illinois GPA. (Note, students must have completed at least 12 graded credit hours in each semester of their freshmen year). Over the summer, these students will be invited to apply to the James Scholar Program by completing a short application. Juniors and Seniors are not eligible for entry into the James Scholar Program.

Inter-College Transfers

Students who transfer to Gies College of Business and are certified James Scholar in their originating college will maintain their James Scholar status.

Off-Campus Transfers

Students who transfer to Gies College of Business from another institution will be extended an invitation to the James Scholar program upon certifying membership of an honors program at their originating institution.