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Northern Illinois University

Deacon Davis CHANCE Program

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for admission to NIU through the CHANCE Program?

  1. A Northern Illinois University application for undergraduate admission.
  2. An official high school transcript with current class rank or official GED score sheet.
  3. Official ACT scores. The ACT registration packet is available at your high school guidance office. The NIU ACT code is 1102.
  4. A personal statement. This is your opportunity to tell the CHANCE staff about yourself. Beyond your high school transcript and ACT scores, you have a lot you can share that you think is imporant for the staff to know. What are your goals and career interests and what has encouraged you to consider these goals and career interests? What successes have you experienced? What are your academic strengths and weaknesses? If you have any low grades or attendance problems, please explain them. Why have you chosen NIU and the CHANCE program?
  5. Documentation of disability. If you are a student currently receiving accommodations, submit documentation from a qualified professional verifying your diagnosed disability. For immediate review please submit your Individual Education Plan (IEP), although alone the IEP may not be sufficient documentation.
  6. Documentation of intent to apply for permanent residency in the United States. If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, or you do not possess a green card, visa or other legal documentation, you can apply to NIU and pay in-state tuition per Illinois House Bill 60, In-State Tuition for Undocumented Aliens, if you meet certain residency requirements. NIU requires that students file an NIU Affidavit stating that they meet the requirements and that they will apply for legal residency as soon as they are eligible to do so.

Where do I send my application?

CHANCE Program
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, Illinois 60115-2854

You can complete your application online and fax your personal statement to: FAX (815) 753-1929.
Note: We do not accept applications, transcripts, nor ACT scores by fax.

What is the application deadline?

March 1 of every year is the priority deadline for admission applications. However, we continuously review completed applications and most of our decisions are made before April 1. The CHANCE Program can admit only 500 students each fall and we receive over 2000 applications.

What happens to my application once I submit all documents?

We begin reviewing completed applications in October. Once your admission file is complete, it will take no longer than four weeks to be processed.
After reviewing the admission file our staff will determine those applicants CHANCE can best serve. Selected applicants and their parents will be invited for an interview session. Interviews are held weekly, either on the NIU campus or in Chicago beginning in November.

What should I expect from the CHANCE Interview Day?

A presentation about NIU, the CHANCE Program, housing, and financial aid. Students and parents meet with a financial aid counselor. Students have a personal interview with a CHANCE staff member and take a basic Math & Algebra test. This test is one of the factors used to make a final decision on admission to NIU. Click here to see a sample of the Math and Algebra test.

What defines a Target School?

To be defined as a target school, a high school must meet BOTH of the following two criteria:
1) The average ACT score for the high school must be below 19.
2) At least one-third of the student population must qualify as low-income status.

Documentation of these criteria must come from the high school administration. The target school listing for the 2007-2008 academic year is based on 2006 statistics submitted by the high schools.

How do I contact the CHANCE office directly?

The CHANCE Program office is located in Williston Hall East in the main NIU campus in DeKalb, IL.

Office hours are: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - Noon and 1:00- 4:30 p.m.
Direct phone: 815-753-0201
Fax: 815-753-1929
Toll Free: 800-892-3050 ext:3