Education is a lifelong process, but the opportunity to choose a college or university doesn't come around often. It's an exciting time for you, yet your decision is worth careful examination and reflection. So we want to make sure you have all the information you need to determine whether CUC is right for you.

We're here to assist you.

Please feel free to call us toll-free at 877-282-4422 or email Admission@CUChicago.edu if we can answer any further questions for you.

Meet Your Admission Counselor

It depends on where you live — take a look and see who your admission counselor is.

Planning for College

As you begin your college search you may feel a little overwhelmed. But keep in mind there are lots of good colleges from which to choose. Take a breath and relax. Have fun as you visit and learn about different schools. Follow these key steps to help you find your way to the college that's right for you.

Key steps to take while you are in high school:

  • Take the right classes: Create a four-year outline of what classes you should take during high school to meet college admission requirements. Most colleges require students to have four years of English, three to four years of mathematics, three years of lab science, two years social science and a foreign language.
  • Challenge yourself in your coursework: Take accelerated, honors, or Advanced Placement (AP) classes and do well all four years. These classes will not only challenge you but prepare you for collegiate coursework.
  • Get involved in your school: Commit yourself to extracurricular activities for three to four years during high school. Participate in something you're interested in—music, athletics, theater, student government and/or other student organizations.
  • Explore your career interests: Think about what job you could see yourself in. Talk to your parents, family and/or friends to learn more about their careers and see about shadowing them. You could also intern during the summers to get a feel for different work environments.
  • Find the college that fits you: Visit colleges to find out if they are the right size, if they have a good location, or what type of extracurricular activities they offer. Can you see yourself on campus as a successful student?
  • Learn about paying for college: Your best resource is to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA opens October 1. Financial aid can be given based on need or merit in a variety of grants, scholarships, work-study and student loans. You can also research local, state and national scholarships for additional funding. 

Discover specific steps to take each year

Why College?

  • A high school degree is not enough for most jobs
  • More education equals...
    • More money
    • A better chance you will always have a job
    • Opportunities to meet new people

Getting Ready

  • Plan out your classes: Create a four-year outline of what classes you should take during high school to meet college admission requirements. Find out the specific admission requirements of the colleges that interest you. 
  • Explore your interests: Find out your likes and dislikes—from what you would like to study to extracurricular activities to the college size. College selection is about finding the “best fit” between you and the college.
  • Research: Go online and check out a variety of college websites. If you like what you see, request information to be sent to you.
  • Talk about college: Talk to your parents, other family members, friends, teachers, coaches and guidance counselors to help you find answers to your questions about college.

Why College?

  • A high school degree is not enough for most jobs
  • More education equals...
    • More money
    • A better chance you will always have a job
    • Opportunities to meet new people

Getting Ready

  • Review your class schedule: Are you on-track with your outline of classes for college admission requirements?
  • Explore your interests: Have you joined an extracurricular activity in school or interned in a field you are thinking about studying in at college? The more you know about what you like and don't like will help you find your “best fit” in a college.
  • Research: Continue going online to visit college websites and request information from those you are interested in.
  • Talk about college: Did you talk to your parents, other family members, friends, teachers, coaches and guidance counselors to help you find answers to your questions about college yet?

Why College?

  • A high school degree is not enough for most jobs
  • More education equals
    • More money
    • A better chance you will always have a job
    • Opportunities to meet new people
    • An added satisfying career experience

Getting Ready

  • Talk about college: Attend face-to-face or virtual college fairs and talk with college admission representatives.
  • Explore your interests: Make a checklist of what you want in a college (private or public; large or small; city or suburb; majors; student organizations; etc.).
  • Research: Scholarship opportunities at FastWeb and Scholarship America. 
  • Visit colleges: Schedule campus visits to schools that interest you. The best time to visit a college is during the school year when classes are in session.

Why College?

  • A high school degree is not enough for most jobs
  • More education equals
    • More money
    • A better chance you will always have a job
    • Opportunities to meet new people

Getting Ready

During the Fall Semester: 

  • Talk about college: Attend college fairs and talk with admission counselors from the colleges and universities you're considering.
  • Visit colleges: Continue to visit colleges and attend campus visit programs at the colleges that interest you.
  • Apply for admission: Complete applications for admission. Many schools have a November 1 deadline. Make sure to send in all required documentation to complete your application (e.g., official high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal essays).
  • Apply for scholarships: Work on scholarship applications. Look into local, state and national scholarships. Many colleges offer additional scholarships based on a student's talent. Talk with your admission counselor and find out if there are any scholarships that match your talents or previous accomplishments. Schedule scholarship auditions with schools you are applying to.
  • File the FAFSA: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to file your FAFSA as soon as possible, beginning in December, so that you may be awarded all the aid for which you are eligible. List CUC as your college of choice - our FAFSA code is 001666.

During the Spring Semester: 

  • Apply for scholarships: Keep working on scholarship applications. Schedule scholarship interviews and auditions.
  • Review your financial aid awards: Review your financial aid awards from prospective colleges. Contact the admission or financial aid counselors with any questions.
  • Visit colleges: When you're making your final decision, make another visit to confirm your college choice. Most colleges have an admitted student visit day for students who have already been admitted. These programs are designed to help you make your final college choice decision during your senior year.
  • Make your decision: Decide which college is right for you and submit your enrollment deposit. May 1 is the National Candidate Reply Deadline, the official day when students notify the college they will be attending. Contact all the other colleges that you have applied to and tell them of your final decision.

Application Process

Concordia University Chicago is thrilled to be considered as an option in your collegiate search. Below is an outline of the application process so you can have a better understanding of CUC's practice.

  1. Apply to Concordia University Chicago today—with no application fee!
  2. Request your Official High School Transcripts be sent to Concordia University Chicago (Office of Undergraduate Admission, 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest, IL 60305).
  3. Once your completed application has been received and reviewed, an admission counselor will personally contact you by phone with your admission status.
  4. If your application is put on hold, your admission counselor will ask you to submit the additional items:
    • A personal statement
    • A teacher recommendation
    • 7th semester transcripts
  5. If accepted, congratulations!
  6. If you are eligible for admission, you will receive an acceptance letter and merit scholarship award letter in the mail.
  7. A packet of general information including housing, student life, financial aid, etc., will be mailed following the acceptance letter.

Please note that applications are accepted on a rolling basis prior to each term. High school seniors are encouraged to apply as early as possible during the first semester of their senior year.

Admission Requirements

Concordia-Chicago treats each admission file individually on a case-by-case basis. 

In general, this is what CUC looks for:

  • High school GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • Evidence of academic success in core subject areas, including college preparatory coursework in English, Math, Science and Social Science.
  • Strong extracurricular involvement for 3-4 years during high school

Freshman Applicant Requirements

(All items must be included for application to be considered “complete”)

  • An official high school transcript showing a high school grade point average and classes taken such as:
    • 4 years of English
    • 3 years of Mathematics – including one unit of algebra and one unit of geometry or equivalent
    • 2 years of Science – including at least one year biology, chemistry, physics or equivalent
    • 2 years of Social Science
  • A final, official high school transcript, complete with graduation date, must be submitted before enrollment to meet university, federal and state requirements. The high school must be regionally accredited or approved by the state of residence in which the school is located.
  • Additional documentation from homeschooled applicants may be required.

Please note that the Admission Committee reserves the right to request additional information or documentation deemed helpful in evaluating applicants for admission (e.g. letters of reference, recommendation, personal interview, standardized testing, etc.)