Admissions FAQ

Take a class or two over the summer and transfer credits to your college or university. Applying to ECC is simple and free. Follow these steps to enroll.

For a student that attends another college or university to take classes at ECC over the summer, they need to:

1. Meet with the advisor at your home college to determine the proper ECC course that will transfer back to your home school.
2. Apply for admission. 
3. Check the course to determine what prerequisites are required for the course you plan to enroll in. Note: Course prerequisites must be satisfied before registration.
4. Send an official or unofficial transcript from high school, current or previous college/university to satisfy any prerequisites. Official transcripts can be sent electronically by email to admissions@elgin.edu. See more information on the Transcript Evaluation web page. 
5. If you are currently enrolled at another college for a prerequisite class for the ECC course you want to take, include a copy of a current class schedule. A grade report or updated transcript confirming successful completion must be submitted to accessecc@elgin.edu at least two (2) weeks before the beginning of the summer term to remain enrolled in the course.
6. Complete the Prerequisite Approval form. Click on the link in item #5. Return information is on the form. Fill out the form and save the file to your computer in PDF format. All fields must be completed for the request to be processed. Attach the completed form and your unofficial transcripts to an email and send them to accessecc@elgin.edu. If faxing, send the approval form and your documentation to 847-931-4899. 
7. A Technical Enrollment Facilitator will contact you when the prerequisite waiver has been processed.
8. Register for classes and make payment arrangements by the due date. Visit Payment Options for details. 

Things you need to know

• Transcript Requirements: Please ensure your unofficial transcripts are in PDF format and include the school's name, your name, course numbers, and final grades. Transcripts copied into a Word document cannot be accepted.

• Prerequisite Enrollment: If you're enrolled in prerequisites at your institution, please provide us with your schedule. It's important to follow up with your final grade as soon as it's available. Grades must be submitted at least one week before the semester begins to avoid being dropped from the course. If there's a delay in receiving your grades, please email us at accessecc@elgin.edu.

• Communication via Email: If you submit your request via email, we'll respond directly to the email address provided. Please ensure you have access to this email.

• Processing Orders: Requests are processed in the order they're received.

• Completion of Form: Please fill out all fields on the form completely before submitting your request for processing.

Once you submit your application to ECC, processing it will take us 24-48 hours. After processing your application, you will receive a welcoming email with your student ID number. You need this number to view your username and set up your AccessECC student portal account and email. You will be asked to submit your transcripts and ACT/SAT scores for an evaluation. Based on the outcome of this evaluation, you might be asked to take placement tests. Once you finish your placement tests, you will go through an Online Orientation. You will meet with an academic advisor to discuss your study plan and finally register for classes.

Learn how to submit your transcripts after applying to ECC.

Submit your high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores to the Admissions Office. You do not have to have a high school diploma to apply, regardless of age. We also accept electronic transcripts through eScripsafe. Please allow two weeks for processing. Notification that your evaluation results are available will be sent to your student.elgin.edu email address. Please remember that it is the student’s responsibility to request official transcripts for all colleges, universities, or the military and contact records at records@elgin.edu or 847-214-7386 to confirm all transcripts have been received before requesting the evaluation.

Submit Transcripts 

Choose a program you intend to pursue to find out how to submit your transcripts.

• Associate Degree
• Vocational Specialist Certificate
• Basic Vocational Specialist Certificate 

You can submit your transcripts and ACT/SAT scores electronically or in person.

• To submit your transcripts in person, bring them to the Admissions office in Building B, room B110, between 8 am and 7 pm from Monday through Friday. We are closed on Fridays in the summer. If you submit a printed copy of your official transcript, ensure it is in a sealed envelope addressed to ECC. Otherwise, all other transcripts will be accepted as unofficial.
• If you would like to submit your transcripts and ACT/SAT scores electronically, you can do that by saving them as .pdf files and emailing them to admissions@elgin.edu.
• Your high school can electronically submit your official transcripts to ECC on your behalf.
• Transferring to ECC from another college? We’re committed to giving you credit for as much of your prior coursework as possible. Please review the Transfer Credit Evaluation information on our website before using the Transcript Evaluation Request Form. 

You can apply to ECC by following four simple steps:

1. Fill out and submit an online application. Within 24 hours, you'll get emails with your ID number from the admissions office.
2. Send your high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores to the Admissions Office. If you've been to another college, send your official transcripts. If you want to transfer credits to ECC, ask them to evaluate these transcripts using a request to evaluate them.
3. Attend the online New Student Orientation
4. Meet with an academic advisor to plan your classes.
5. Register for classes and make payment arrangements by the due date for the semester. Visit Payment Options for details.

Not ready to apply? 

Attend an in-person or virtual admission presentation to learn about our programs and services. Talk with our recruitment coordinators to get more information. Check out the calendar for upcoming dates.

International education? 
If you have a degree or certificate from another country, review how to obtain an evaluation of these credentials. Did you attend high school or college outside the US? Learn more about an international transcript evaluation. 

All new degree-seeking students must demonstrate initial placement levels in English and Math upon entry to the College to register for their first semester. Any student wishing to register for English and/or Math courses must demonstrate specific placement levels to satisfy a particular course prerequisite. Review the testing scores summary to determine if you need to take placement testing. All scores will be posted on the accessECC portal. Need help to log in to see placement test results? Read our instructions

The testing center offers the following placement tests:

• Writing Placement Test - Writing test results may take up to 7 business days.
• Math Placement Test - Math scores will be given to you after the test and are available online within 24-48 hours after you complete your test.
• Reading Placement Test - Reading scores will be given to you after the test and are available online within 24-48 hours after you complete your test.
• Modern Language Placement Test
• High School Equivalency/Pre-Equivalency Placement Test

If you'd like to make an appointment for a placement test, please use our online form to schedule using RegisterBlast.

More on other types of tests for students interested in health care programs or career certifications can be found on the Testing Services website. Questions? Call 847-214-7150

At ECC, you're welcome to apply at any time, though we recommend doing so at least a semester before your intended start date. Applying early provides you with more flexibility in choosing your desired classes. While you can still apply up until the first week of classes, there may be fewer class options available by then.

See the semester start dates on our website.

However, several health professions programs have application deadlines and specific start dates. 

See the application deadlines for health professions.

1. Before applying to ECC, discuss your child's interest with their high school counselor for approval. Home-schooled and secondary students are limited to registering for a maximum of six (6) credit hours per semester in fall and spring, and three (3) credit hours in summer. For more details or to schedule an appointment, call an Admissions Specialist at 847-214-7385.
2. Students interested in enrolling must complete the following steps:
   • ​Read the Dual Enrollment information on our website for complete details.
     • Contact the Admissions Specialist by calling 847-214-7385 to talk about the admission process for high school and home-schooled students.
     • Complete and submit the following documentation prior to the meeting:
       • Permission for Secondary or Home School Admission Form.
       • Apply for Admission to Elgin Community College
       • Placement Testing: Depending on your course plans, demonstrate readiness through ACT, PSAT, SAT scores, or ECC's placement tests. Math placement tests are required for math-related courses. Students scoring below 100 on placement tests may need remedial courses.
       • Students may be waived from placement testing if they have met the following minimum requirements. To receive a waiver, students must submit their ACT/PSAT/SAT score report information to the ECC Admissions Office on campus in Building B, Room B110.
         1. Reading: ACT Reading score of 19 or PSAT/SAT Verbal 480
         2. Writing: ACT English score of 19 or PSAT/SAT English 480
         3. Math: ACT Math score of 22 or PSAT/SAT Math 530
       • Provide a transcript or list of completed coursework for home-schooled students.
       • Both the student and at least one parent/guardian must attend. Ensure all required documentation is submitted before the meeting.
       • Once all criteria are met and if space is available, students can register for courses. Maximum credits are six (6) per semester in fall and spring, and three (3) in summer. Late registrations are not allowed.
       • Registration may take place during the open registration period for the semester requested once all the above requirements have been met by the student and as long as space is available.
       • Once the student has enrolled, that student is responsible for making payments by the published payment deadline. Visit Payment Options for details and due dates.
       • Dual Enrollment students will meet with their academic advisor each semester in order to continue enrollment until they graduate from high school.

The New Student Orientation (NSO) at ECC consists of 3 parts:

1. Watching an online orientation, at the end of which, you will take a quiz and will be prompted to schedule a meeting with an academic advisor.
2. Scheduling a meeting with an academic advisor.
3. Meeting with an advisor, either in person or over Zoom®.

If you have not finished all of the steps mentioned earlier, your NSO in the system will be marked as "Incomplete."

If you are certain that you went through the entire orientation and finished every step, but you still cannot register, contact our AccessECC help desk at 847-214-7570 or via email at AccessECC@elgin.edu.

ECC offers various classes to meet your learning and scheduling requirements. All of these courses have online components. Some also include labs, studios, and clinical requirements offered in blended face-to-face and online formats (Hybrid). Schedule programs with a clinical component into available slots around your schedule at the assigned clinical site(s). Search for online classes using our Student Portal (no log-in required). 

Please use our most current catalog to view a description of all the courses offered, including the estimated cost per course.

Once you have submitted any testing requirements for your program of study, you will be eligible to complete our online new student orientation. You will be sent a link to the email you provided when you applied. If you no longer have the email, log in to your AccessECC Student portal, select a Student tab, and click on New Student Online Orientation in the ECC Apps section. Click the "Start Your Online Orientation" button on the new page. If you receive an error message, contact admissions at admissions@elgin.edu or 847-214-7390.

Welcome to the exciting journey of becoming an international student at Elgin Community College! To kick off your application, create a new profile using your personal email address. We'll promptly send you the login details. After logging in, navigate to the program list and choose "F-1 International Student Admissions." From there, select "International Student Application for Admission." We look forward to receiving your application and assisting you every step of the way!

Complete the online application on our International Students Website. See our International partners around the world for help in your home country to apply for admission to ECC.

For assistance or to schedule a virtual appointment, please email us.

Prospective Students
internationaladmissions@elgin.edu

Current Students
international@elgin.edu

F-1 Fact Sheets by Language

• Chinese - PDF
• English - PDF
• French - PDF
• German - PDF
• Korean - PDF
• Polish - PDF
• Portuguese - PDF
• Spanish Latin America - PDF
• Tagalog - PDF
• Vietnamese - PDF

Visit our website to learn more about the wide range of programs ECC offers.

• Associate Degrees
• Basic Certificate Programs
• Specialist Certificate Programs

Additionally, you can check out our recorded information sessions.

• Watch a recording on YouTube

Contact one of our Recruitment Coordinators for an appointment for more information or sign up to attend a virtual or in-person presentation.

No, in order to be signed up for an orientation session you need to complete all the prior steps for admission. 

1. Apply using our free online application
2. Submit official 8th-semester high school transcripts to the ECC Admissions Office for review at admissions@elgin.edu
3. Submit your ACT or SAT scores to the Admissions Office at admissions@elgin.edu
4. Send your college transcripts for evaluation if you've attended another college
5. Sign-up for Placement Testing - using Register Blast select "Placement Test" as the exam type. 
6. Complete the Online New Student Orientation
7. Apply for FAFSA Financial Aid
8. Submit the scholarship application and we can see what works for your program of study

New ECC students are required to attend a New Student Orientation session. To be signed up for an orientation date, the prospective student needs to:

1. Complete an application for admission. 
2. Satisfy placement requirements in the following ways:
   1. Submit high school transcripts. If you have attended another college or university, please submit your official transcripts and a request to evaluate them if you plan to transfer the credits to ECC. Visit Transfer Credit Evaluation for details. 
   2. Submit SAT, ACT, CLEP, and AP scores, if applicable.
   3. Complete placement testing.
3. Attend an online New Student Orientation to learn about the student portal, meet with an academic advisor, and plan your classes.
4. Register for classes and set up a payment plan. Visit Payment Options for details.

Your bright future starts here at Elgin Community College! Whether you're returning to college, just graduated high school, or looking to add certifications to your resume, ECC is the place for you. With small class sizes, supportive faculty and staff, and affordable tuition, we're dedicated to making your educational journey a success. Our welcoming campus community provides a mix of online and in-person activities, along with top-notch study programs, advising, tutoring, and career development resources.

Applying to ECC is a breeze, with no deadlines or application fees. Once you apply, we'll swiftly process your application and email you your student ID along with the next steps to complete the enrollment process. We're here to guide you every step of the way. Your future is important, and ECC is ready to help you shine!

Apply today

 

At ECC, our New Student Orientation (NSO) aims to familiarize students with the campus and the range of services available. To enhance our services and ensure a positive experience for all students, we kindly request that returning and transfer students who haven't participated in NSO within the past two years take part again. Our online NSO is designed to be flexible and can be completed at your convenience.

Elgin.edu/NSO

Applying is easy, and there’s no deadline or fee. We’re here to help every step of the way. 

Visit our Apply page for details.

Some of our programs have extra admission requirements, find out about these requirements below.

• Basic nurse assistant, nursing
• Clinical dental assisting
• Clinical laboratory technology
• Emergency medical technology-paramedic 
• Histotechnology
• Physical therapist assistant
• Radiography
• Surgical technology
• Truck driving

While we process the application, you can learn about our placement testing options online at http://elgin.edu/testing. 

During the online orientation, students are introduced to the following topics:

• Academic Pathways, placement tests, and expectations to be a successful student.
• Information about Financial Aid and Scholarships.
• Essential online tools.
• Campus resources.
• Scheduling an academic advising appointment 

No, continuing education students do not have to complete an application for admission or acquire transcripts. Our students submit all required information during the continuing education registration process. You can see the class schedules on the Continuing Education website.

It usually takes 24 hours after you completed all the necessary requirements to receive a link to the New Student Online Orientation. If after 24 hours you still haven't received it, please contact the Admissions Office at 847-214-7385 or admissions@elgin.edu.