Freshman Advising

Advising Guides for Freshmen and Sophomores

adecastro@govst.edu — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:56:10 +0000

Advising Guides for Freshmen and Sophomores adecastro@govst.edu 04/29/2026

Advising Guides for Freshmen and Sophomores

These lower division advising guides are designed to help freshmen and sophomore students plan their course of study through general education and major identification. Please refer to General Education Requirements for Focus Areas. Students with Advanced Placement/IB or other approved transfer and dual credit coursework will receive credit with the appropriate score or grade and should see their advisor before registering so that courses are not repeated. These guides are based on the ��Ƶ 2024-25 academic catalog.

Advising Guides for Freshmen and Sophomores

Accounting, BS - Students should select the Business Focus Area.
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  Accounting - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Accounting - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Accounting - Advising Guide for students taking summer courses
Anthropology and Sociology, BA - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
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  Anthropology and Sociology - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Anthropology and Sociology - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Anthropology and Sociology - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Anthropology and Sociology, 3+3 with Law School - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
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  Anthropology and Sociology - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 NIU Law School
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  Anthropology and Sociology - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 SIU Law School
Art - Studio, BFA - Students should select the Arts & Entertainment Focus Area.
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  Art (Studio) - 4 year Advising Guide
Art - Film, BFA - Students should select the Arts and Entertainment Focus Area.
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  Art (Studio) - 4 year Advising Guide
Biology, BS - Students should select the STEM Focus Area
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  Biology - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Biology - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
Business Administration, BA - Students should select the Business Focus Area.
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  Business Administration - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Business Administration - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Business Administration - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Chemistry, BS - Students should select the STEM Focus Area.
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  Chemistry - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Chemistry - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Chemistry - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Chemistry - Teacher Education, BS - Students should select the STEM Focus Area.
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  Chemistry Teacher Education - 4 year Advising Guide
Communication, BA - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
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  Communication - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Communication - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Communication - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Communication Disorders, BHS - Students should select the STEM Focus Area.
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  Communication Disorders - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Communication Disorders - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Communication Disorders - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Community Health, BHS - Students should select STEM or Social Behavioral Science Focus Area.
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  Community Health - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Community Health - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Community Health - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Computer Science, BS - Students should select the STEM Focus Area.
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  Computer Science - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Computer Science - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Computer Science - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Criminal Justice, BA - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
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  Criminal Justice - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Criminal Justice - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Criminal Justice - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Criminal Justice, 3+3 with Law School - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
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  Criminal Justice - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 NIU Law School
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  Criminal Justice - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 SIU Law School
Early Childhood Education, (Option I & II) BA - Students should select the Education Focus Area.
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  Early Childhood Education - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Early Childhood Education - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
Economics, BA - Students should select the Business Focus Area.
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  Economics - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Economics - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Economics - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Elementary Education - Students should select the Education Focus Area.
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  Elementary Education - 4 year Advising Guide
English, BA - Students should select Humanities Focus Area.
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  English - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  English - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  English - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
English, BA to JD - Students should select Humanities Focus Area.
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  English - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 NIU Law School
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  English - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 SIU Law School
Gender and Sexuality Studies, BA - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
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  Gender and Sexuality Studies - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Gender and Sexuality Studies - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Gender and Sexuality Studies - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Health Administration, BHA - Students should select the Business Focus Area.
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  Health Administration - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Health Administration - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Health Administration - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
History, BA - Students should select the Humanities Focus Area.
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  History - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  History - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  History - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
History, 3+3 with Law School - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
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  History - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 NIU Law School
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  History - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 SIU Law School
Information Technology, BS - Students should select the STEM Focus Area.
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  Information Technology - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Information Technology - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Information Technology - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Mathematics, BA - Students should select the STEM Focus Area.
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  Mathematics - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Mathematics - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Mathematics - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Mathematics - Actuarial Science, BA - Students should select the STEM Focus Area.
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  Mathematics (Actuarial Science) - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Mathematics (Actuarial Science) - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Mathematics (Actuarial Science) - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Mathematics - Teacher Education, BA - Students should select the STEM or Education Focus Area.
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  Mathematics (Teacher Education) - 4 year Advising Guide
Media Studies, BA - Students should select the Arts & Entertainment Focus Area.
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  Media Studies - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Media Studies - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Media Studies - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Political Science, BA - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
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  Political Science - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Political Science - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Political Science - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Political Science, 3+3 with Law School - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
- File
  
  Political Science - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 NIU Law School
- File
  
  Political Science - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 SIU Law School
Psychology, BA - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
- File
  
  Psychology - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
- File
  
  Psychology - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
- File
  
  Psychology - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester
Psychology, BA to JD - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
- File
  
  Psychology - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 NIU Law School
- File
  
  Psychology - Advising Guide for students who are approved for the 3+3 SIU Law School
Social Sciences - Teacher Education, BA - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
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  Social Sciences (Teacher Education) - 4 year Advising Guide
Social Work, BSW - Students should select the Social and Behavioral Sciences Focus Area.
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  Social Work - 4 year Advising Guide
Theatre and Performance Studies, BA - Students should select the Arts & Entertainment Focus Area.
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  Theatre and Performance Studies - Advising Guide for 15 hours a semester
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  Theatre and Performance Studies - Advising Guide for students who start in LEAP
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  Theatre and Performance Studies - Advising Guide for 12 hours a semester

The above guides should be utilized in conjunction with academic advising from an assigned Academic Advisor:

See intended major advisor for General Studies: Undecided/Undeclared (Freshman) here.
See intended major advisor for General Studies: Early Childhood and Elementary Education here.
See intended major advisor for General Studies: Nursing Pathways here.
See intended major advisor for College of Arts and Sciences here.
See intended major advisor for College of Business here
See intended major advisor for College of Education here.
See intended major advisor for College of Health and Human Services here.
See intended major advisor for Undecided/Undeclared Transfer Students here.

Contact Admissions

Office of Admissions

��Ƶ
1 University Parkway, University Park, 60484
708-534-4490
admission@govst.edu

Back to Admissions

SEO Summary

Access advising guides for freshmen and sophomores to plan your general education requirements and choose your major at ��Ƶ.

Admitted Graduate Students

adecastro@govst.edu — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:22:15 +0000

Admitted Graduate Students adecastro@govst.edu 03/25/2026

Congrats! You are Officially a Jaguar!

Have questions?

As an incoming graduate student, you are a vital part of our community. For this reason, we want you to start your time at ��Ƶ on the right track. To begin, please take the time to review the acceptance packet you received when you were admitted and follow these next steps to complete your enrollment:

Set up Your Online Accounts

Start your journey as a Jaguar by activating your myGSU portal. Once you activate it, you will have access to your official ��Ƶ email account, course registration, new student orientation (also called S.O.A.R), financial aid, news, events, and Blackboard–your virtual classroom.

Find your myGSU portal at mygsu.govst.edu and activate it by locating the login information in your letter of acceptance. Access your official ��Ƶ email within your myGSU portal using the same login information.

Find out more

Complete New Student Orientation

Our self-paced on-line orientation is available in your myGSU portal. You will learn about campus resources and support, help with navigating the offices at GSU and debunk student finances.

Learn More

Do the FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.FAFSA.gov to qualify for all types of financial aid. Use ��Ƶ’s school code—009145—to make sure we receive your financial aid information.

After completing your FAFSA, your financial aid status will be available in your myGSU portal approximately one week after your admission. You can also log into your myGSU portal to determine if you have missing information and view your award letter.

The FAFSA opens October 1, and students who complete it early have the best chance of getting Illinois Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) grants.

Expedite the financial aid process by following these steps:

Provide your social security number to the Office of Admissions if you did not include it on your admission application.
Check your ��Ƶ student email often for updates regarding your financial aid status.
Submit documents as soon as possible—they must all be provided before your eligibility is determined.

Have questions? Contact ��Ƶ's Office of Financial Aid at faid@govst.edu.

Do the FAFSA

Find Your Admission Status

Check your acceptance letter to find your admission status: your admission is conditional if you had courses or a degree in progress at the time you applied or were admitted, and you must submit a final official transcript reflecting your final grades earned.

Arrange to have your official college transcript(s) sent to the Office of Admissions in one of the following ways:

Email: School officials may send the official transcript to apotranscripts@govst.edu
Drop off in person: Office of Admissions, D1400
U.S. Mail: Office of Admissions 1 University Parkway, Room C1300, University Park, IL 60484

Documents must be in a sealed, unopened envelope from the originating institution.

Submit Your Immunization Records

Every student at GSU is required to submit immunization records in order to complete the enrollment process and to comply with state of Illinois regulations. Please complete the enclosed immunization form with your health provider and return the form and copies of your health records to the Office of the Registrar through email or fax. Copies of your health records may be available through your health provider or by visiting the Illinois Department of Public Health’s I-CARE registry on their website.

Have questions? Please contact the Office of the Registrar for more details at 708-235-7154 or e-mail immunizations@govst.edu.

Visit IDPH

Check out our Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are a great way for you to fund your education while gaining valuable field experience!

Learn more

Contact Admissions

Office of Admissions
��Ƶ
1 University Parkway, University Park, 60484
708-534-4490
admission@govst.edu

Back to Admissions

Admitted Transfer Students

adecastro@govst.edu — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:16:35 +0000

Admitted Transfer Students adecastro@govst.edu 03/18/2026

Congrats! You are Officially a Jaguar!

Have questions?

As an incoming transfer student, you are a vital part of our community. For this reason, we want you to start your time at ��Ƶ on the right track. To begin, please take the time to review the acceptance packet you received when you were admitted and follow these next steps to complete your enrollment:

Set up Your Online Accounts

Find out more

Complete New Student Orientation

Our self-paced on-line orientation is available in your myGSU portal. You will learn about campus resources and support, help with navigating the offices at GSU and debunk student finances.

Learn More

Do the FAFSA

The FAFSA opens October 1, and students who complete it early have the best chance of getting Illinois Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) grants.

Expedite the financial aid process by following these steps:

Provide your social security number to the Office of Admissions if you did not include it on your admission application.
Check your ��Ƶ student email often for updates regarding your financial aid status.
Submit documents as soon as possible—they must all be provided before your eligibility is determined.

Have questions? Contact ��Ƶ's Office of Financial Aid at faid@govst.edu.

Do the FAFSA

Find Your Admission Status

Arrange to have your official college transcript(s) sent to the Office of Admissions in one of the following ways:

Email: School officials may send the official transcript to apotranscripts@govst.edu
Drop off in person: Office of Admissions, D1400
U.S. Mail: Office of Admissions 1 University Parkway, Room C1300, University Park, IL 60484

Documents must be in a sealed, unopened envelope from the originating institution.

Submit Your Immunization Records

Every student at ��Ƶ is required to submit immunization records in order to complete the enrollment process and to comply with state of Illinois regulations. All records must be submitted through MedProctor.

Visit www.medproctor.com
Click "register" and create an account in MedProctor using your ��Ƶ email address
Complete your MedProctor Profile
Download and print the Immunization Certificate
Take the Immunization Certificate Form to your medical provider for completion
Upload an image of the completed Immunization Certificate form to MedProctor–you may also upload additional documents to verify immunization compliance

Have questions? Please contact the Office of the Registrar for more details at 708-235-7154 or e-mail immunizations@govst.edu.

Find out more

Submit Your Records

Apply for AIM HIGH

Are you completing your associate degree? You may be eligible for GSU’s AIM HIGH scholarship. For complete details, please visit www.govst.edu/aimhigh-transfer.

Find out more

Contact Admissions

Office of Admissions
��Ƶ
1 University Parkway, University Park, 60484
708-534-4490
admission@govst.edu

Back to Admissions

Admitted Freshman Students

adecastro@govst.edu — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:54:59 +0000

Admitted Freshman Students adecastro@govst.edu 03/18/2026

Congrats! You are Officially a Jaguar!

Have questions?

As an incoming freshman, you are a vital part of our community. For this reason, we want you to start your college career on the right track. To begin, please take the time to review the acceptance packet you received when you were admitted and follow these next steps to complete your enrollment:

Set up Your Online Accounts

Find out more

Do the FAFSA

The FAFSA opens October 1, and students who complete it early have the best chance of getting Illinois Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) grants.

Expedite the financial aid process by following these steps:

Provide your social security number to the Office of Admissions if you did not include it on your admission application.
Check your ��Ƶ student email often for updates regarding your financial aid status.
Submit documents as soon as possible—they must all be provided before your eligibility is determined.

Have questions? Contact ��Ƶ's Office of Financial Aid at faid@govst.edu.

Do the FAFSA

Attend an Admitted Student Day

Join us at Admitted Student Day to learn more about your next steps in becoming a ��Ƶ student as you meet your fellow classmates and speak to representatives from the Offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, New Student Programs, and Advising. Click below to RSVP for one of the available dates:

Find out more

Confirm Your Enrollment to Reserve Your Spot

Make your $50 nonrefundable enrollment deposit by logging into your application portal at https://apply.govst.edu/apply/. Don't worry- your deposit with be applied to your first semester of tuition.

Students who submit their $50 enrollment deposit by June 1st for Fall entry (or December 20th for Spring entry) will receive a $200 book scholarship!

Submit Your Deposit

Complete Placement

Undergraduate students are asked to complete placement activities in both math and writing. These placement activities will help determine which course options in math and English will best fit with students’ prior educational experiences and future educational goals. You will discuss your placement activities during your first academic advising appointment.

Find out more

Complete SOAR Orientation

All freshman students are required to attend our S.O.A.R Freshman orientation offered throughout the spring and summer before you begin at ��Ƶ. At S.O.A.R. you will learn all the details about becoming a Jaguar including your ��Ƶ support system, how to navigate through your next steps and register for your first semester classes. RSVP online at: https://apply.govst.edu/portal/roar

Find out more

Submit Your Immunization Records

Visit www.medproctor.com
Click "register" and create an account in MedProctor using your ��Ƶ email address
Complete your MedProctor Profile
Download and print the Immunization Certificate
Take the Immunization Certificate Form to your medical provider for completion
Upload an image of the completed Immunization Certificate form to MedProctor–you may also upload additional documents to verify immunization compliance

Have questions? Please contact the Office of the Registrar for more details at 708-235-7154 or e-mail immunizations@govst.edu.

Find out more

Submit Your Records

Finalize Your Admission - Send Your Official High School Transcripts and Test Scores

Arrange to have your official documents sent to the Office of Admissions in one of the following ways:

Email: School officials may send the official transcript to: apotranscripts@govst.edu or send official transcripts through Parchment transcript services www.parchment.com
Drop off in person: Office of Admissions, D1400
U.S. Mail: Office of Admissions 1 University Parkway, Room C1300 University Park, IL 60484

All documents must be in a sealed, unopened envelope from the originating institution

How to access your ��Ƶ ACT and SAT scores:

Request your ��Ƶ ACT scores at www.actstudent.org/scores using code 1028.
Request your ��Ƶ SAT scores at www.sat.collegeboard.org/scores using code 0807.

Submission Deadlines:

Fall Semester: July 30
Spring Semester: January 2

Advising

Once you complete your online ROAR Orientation, your next step is registering for your first semester at ��Ƶ! Novalla Coleman, your Academic Advisor, will reach out to you to schedule a one-on-one appointment to determine your focus area courses, explore different majors and pathways to professional programs, and discuss your plan for success.

If you have any questions please contact Novalla at 708-534-8393 or ncoleman3@govst.edu.

Don't forget your deposit!

Secure your seat in ��Ƶ’s freshman class by submitting your $50.00 deposit. Students who submit their $50 enrollment deposit before the deadline will receive a $200 book scholarship!

Spring: December 20 | Fall: June 1

Submit Your Deposit

Contact Admissions

Office of Admissions
��Ƶ
1 University Parkway, University Park, 60484
708-534-4490
admission@govst.edu

Back to Admissions