New Student Registration
Your journey begins here
New Student Registration is your time to officially become a student in The Grainger College of Engineering! After you accept your offer of admission and after mid-March, begin the below steps to sign up for a date and prepare for your first semester at the university.
Getting Started: Before New Student Registration
Check your email frequently for updates, reminders, and announcements!
To sign up for New Student Registration, login to your Admitted Student Checklist in myIllini and select from the available dates. If you have conflicts with all of the available date options, submit a conflict request form in myIllini. Date options are limited and you are strongly encouraged to select the earliest available date as soon as possible! Transfer student New Student Registration dates may take place in early June or one June 18, 2026. First-year student New Student Registration dates may take place from early June through early July.
Where is New Student Registration?
If you live within a 500 mile radius of campus, you are expected to travel to campus to attend New Student Registration in-person. Your day will begin at 9:00am and conclude by 5:00pm Central Time. If you live within a 500 mile radius of campus but cannot join in-person, submit a conflict request form in myIllini.
If you live outside of a 500 mile radius of campus, you may complete New Student Registration online. Your day may begin as early as 6:00am or as late as 12:00pm in your local time zone. You will receive a personalized agenda with exact meeting times 4 days in advance of your selected date through email.
Complete the New Student Worksheet and take Placement Tests
You must complete the New Student Worksheet and all required placement tests at least 2 weeks before your selected New Student Registration date! The New Student Worksheet and placement tests are accessible through myIllini. To view what placement tests you are required to take, visit the Placement Testing website.
Submit college-Level coursework
First-year students that have taken college-level coursework from other institution(s) and wish to transfer credit to the University of Illinois must have their official transcript(s) sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. More information is available at the Office of the Registrar's website.
Transfer students with courses that need to be reviewed for potential transfer credit will be contacted by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to submit copies of their syllabi and any other course materials.
Grainger First-Year Experience highly recommends that you attend either of our weekly workshops to prepare for your upcoming New Student Registration day! No RSVP is required.
Understanding AP/IB/A-level Scores Workshop: Learn about types of credit you may earn based on AP, IB, and A-Level scores. This workshop is offered on Wednesdays at 9:00am Central Time over Zoom.
Exploring Gen Eds Workshop: Learn about general education (gen ed) requirements and tips for choosing a gen ed course. This workshop is offered on Thursdays at 9:0am Central Time over Zoom.
What to bring for your New Student Registration day
If you are completing New Student Registration in-person, please review the agenda and information about arrival on the Office of Undergraduate Admission's website. You will receive a detailed agenda after you arrive to campus and check-in. You will need an official photo ID, comfortable walking shoes, and a reusable water bottle. You may optionally wish to bring a portable phone charger. All locations integrated in your agenda are ADA accessible.
If you are completing New Student Registration online, check your Illinois email account for your detailed agenda 4 days before your New Student Registration day. You will need access to a fully charged computer/laptop (webcam recommended), stable internet, and quiet private space.
If you require accommodations to participate, please contact Grainger First-Year Experience at engineering-gfx@illinois.edu.
During New Student Registration
You'll connect with fellow incoming students and current engineering student(s) from high schools and institutions from around the country and the world! This is your chance to start meeting new people before the fall semester begins. Current students are also here to help you throughout the day and answer questions you may have about being a student, transitioning to the university, opportunities ahead, and more.
Meet 1-on-1 with an Academic Advisor
Academic Advisors are here to provide helpful advice, tips, and support as you explore resources and opportunities to succeed academically, professionally, and personally through triumphs and challenges to come. They are excited to meet you! As part of your agenda, you will meet 1-on-1 with an Academic Advisor to discuss any questions you may have, your New Student Worksheet, placement tests, predicted or earned college-level credit, and fall course selection. After your advising meeting, you'll receive a New Student Registration Agreement to your Illinois and personal email account that summarizes your advising meeting.
You'll follow along your New Student Registration Agreement and the Grainger First-Year Experience How to Register website as you register for classes. Current students will be available as you register for classes to help you get started, navigate the system and any errors, share any advice about your weekly schedule, and double check your schedule before your registration time block ends.
If you are completing New Student Registration in-person, you will have an assigned time block in the afternoon to register for classes in a computer lab. You can expect your day to end as late as 5:00pm Central Time.
If you are completing New Student Registration online, you will have an assigned time block over a couple days to register for classes when it makes sense in your local time zone.
After your registration time block ends, a hold will be put on your account that prevents you from making further changes to your schedule. You will receive more information over the summer about when the hold will be lifted from you account so you can make any changes to your schedule. Transfer students do not have this hold put on their account. Please reach out to your Academic Advisor if you ever have any questions about fall course selection or anything else in the meantime!
After New Student Registration
Check your email every day leading up to the fall semester and throughout your time at the university!
Attend a workshop to prepare for your first year
Your First Year with Grainger: This is your guide on what to pack, fun welcome events to save in your calendar, a sneak peek of your ENG 100 orientation class, and tips to stay connected! This workshop is hosted by a current engineering student and is offered on Mondays at 9:00am Central Time over Zoom.
Prepare for any fall course schedule changes
You may wish to make changes to your fall course schedule due to AP, IB, or A-level exam scores, finding a new gen ed of interest, or switching sections of a class to restructure your day. If you are considering making any changes to you fall schedule, especially STEM courses, contact your Academic Advisor to discuss further and gain insight about how the changes may impact your schedule and future semesters. You will receive an email from Grainger First-Year Experience in late August with more information about how to change your fall schedule and current students that will be available to help.
Welcome Week from Monday, August 17 - Sunday, August 23: explore all the campus Welcome Week events! Highlights we especially recommend include:
Launch! on Friday, August 21 from 1:45 - 4:00pm on Bardeen Quad: Join the fun, games, and prizes during your official welcome to The Grainger College of Engineering! Engineering students will be directed to the event immediately following the campus New Student Convocation and Welcome celebration that are a part of Welcome Week.
Transfer Student Open House on Friday, August 21 from 10:00am - 2:00pm at Engineering Hall: information coming soon!
Transfer Student Orientation: information coming soon!
Hear from the Student Staff!
“I was able to help students navigate through errors while registering for classes. Making sure you hit all the requirements while using an unfamiliar registration portal can be overwhelming. Once I explained how the system worked and what to look for when picking classes, I'm glad it made the students' lives easier!”
Grace Cho, 2024 in-person and 2025 online staff
“New Student Registration wasn't just about helping students create a schedule for me; it was helping them be ready for the first semester in any way I could.”
Andrea Martinez, 2025 in-person staff
"I noticed a lot of students wanted help learning how organize and optimize their schedules for their first semester. I also spent time with them introducing new terms, what it's like to manage a social and academic calendar, and even helping international students understand the Illinois climate."
Katie Fulton, 2024 and 2025 online staff
Questions?
Visit our FAQ for Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any further questions, contact Grainger First-Year Experience (GFX)
at engineering-gfx@illinois.edu.