Admissions Information

This is a writing intensive major that culminates in a senior thesis, which is a publishable quality research paper based upon the collection of original data.

To apply for the major:

  • Your cumulative ISU grade point average must be 2.25 or higher. Note that the Middle 50% GPA range for this major is 2.39 - 3.22. The middle 50% GPA represents the average GPA of admitted students for the last three semesters into the major.
  • You must successfully pass the writing assessment (described below).
  • You must have enough time left at ISU in order to complete the following the sequencing requirements for our major core classes.

We recommend that you have at least three semesters of work left to do at Illinois State so there will be enough time to move through our required sequenced classes (100, 274, 277, 281, 286, 380, and 382). Many of the required courses are only offered in certain semesters.

The Admissions Committee reviews applications on a regular basis. If you are accepted provisionally into the major, you will receive a letter or email from the advisor with directions as what to do next. During times of over subscription, we are sometimes unable to admit all students who apply. Applications are reviewed on a first come first serve basis.

Writing Assessment

Prior to acceptance into the major, you will be required to complete a writing assessment. We will offer the writing assessment several times per month. Upon submitting your application, you need to sign up for a writing assessment. Please contact the departmental secretary (438-8668) to schedule the test. The topic of your writing assessment will be:

Think about your hometown or neighborhood and discuss the cultural diversity, or lack thereof, among the people who live there.
Please make sure that you have an updated address on the iCampus system to insure that you receive mailings from our department.

Please address any questions to:

Teri Farr
Undergraduate Advisor
Department of Sociology & Anthropology
438-8669
tjfarr@ilstu.edu