School of Business

Direct Entry into the School of Business

Freshman Select is a unique program for high achievers launched by the SIUE School of Business in 2012. The program offers early admission to candidates with an ACT score of 27 or higher, and gives these high-potential freshmen early access to the School of Business faculty and resources, professional networking opportunities, and social events they would otherwise not benefit from until their junior year.

“For me, Freshman Select was the deciding factor in choosing SIUE. It made the decision a lot easier knowing I had direct admission to the School of Business," said Luke Jansen, Effinghman, Ill. “I also knew I would be making a lot of great connections through the School of Business, which helps professionally with networking and finding a job after college.”

The intent is to help Freshman Select fellows build a connection with the School and decide to major in business. Freshman Select gives the SIUE School of Business a competitive advantage in attracting high-achieving students.

In addition to exposing freshmen to business classes, Freshman Select facilitates the transition into the School of Business and the business profession through fun social events, networking opportunities with alumni and donors, and seminars on useful topics. Students learn how to make the most of a mentoring relationship and how to master business etiquette and communications skills.

“We hope that by helping Freshman Select students make friends with similar interests and get to know the School of Business faculty in formal and informal settings, they will choose to stay with us and major in business,” said Dr. Linda Lovata, professor of accounting. “We want Freshman Select to become the tipping point for high-potential students who are considering SIUE versus other institutions.”

Freshman Select Program

Incoming freshmen with an interest in becoming the next generation of business professionals have the opportunity to be admitted directly into the School of Business. Majors include Accountancy and Business Administration (with specializations in computer information systems, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, general business administration, human resource management, international business, management and marketing). For direct entry consideration, students should select one of these areas or “still deciding in business” as their intended major on the admission application. The admission application and supporting documents (i.e. application fee, high school transcript, and ACT/SAT test scores) must be submitted by December 1. Students are eligible for consideration with a 1260 SAT ERW + M (ACT > 27) and a minimum cumulative 3.25 high school grade point average (on a 4-point scale). 

Benefits: Selected students gain automatic acceptance into the School of Business, participate in events and activities available only to direct entry students, and receive program planning assistance by School of Business advisors beginning in the freshman year.

Freshman Select Events

• The Dean’s Society Dinner, which is attended by alumni and friends of the Business School.
• Exclusive seminars and presentations offered specifically for Freshmen Select students on a broad range of business topics.
• Activities with more-senior business students to gain insight on succeeding in the School of Business.
• Access to School of Business Advisory Board members and donors at professional and social networking events.