Admission Requirements

I am a High School Graduate or GED Recipient

To be admitted to Rend Lake College, the prospective student needs to:

1. Complete and submit a Rend Lake College New Student Enrollment Form.
2. Submit official high school transcript with graduation posted or GED certificate.* 
3. Submit test scores, or scores from an alternate assessment as determined by Rend Lake College, or make arrangements for placement assessment with the Academic Advisement Center.
4. Make an appointment with the Academic Advisement Center for educational planning.

*New students 18 years of age and older who do not have a high school diploma or GED will be admitted as a pre-college student until high school equivalency is obtained.

I am a Transfer Student from an Accredited College

To be admitted to Rend Lake College, the prospective student needs to:

1. Complete and submit a Rend Lake College New Student Enrollment Form.
2. Submit test scores, or scores from an alternate assessment as determined by Rend Lake College, or make arrangements for placement assessment with the Academic Advisement Center.
3. Submit official high school transcript with graduation posted or GED certificate.
4. Submit official transcripts to the Office of Student Records from all colleges previously attended.
5. Make an appointment with the Academic Advisement Center for educational planning.

I am a Student Currently Enrolled in High School

To be admitted to Rend Lake College, the prospective student needs to:

1. Complete and submit a Rend Lake College New Student Enrollment Form..
2. Submit test scores, or scores from an alternate assessment as determined by Rend Lake College, or make arrangements for placement assessment with the Academic Advisement Center.
3. Secure permission of high school official to attend Rend Lake College and submit a completed authorization form to the Office of Student Records. 
4. Make an appointment with the Academic Advisement Center for educational planning.

I am a Non-High School Graduate 18 Years of Age or Older

To be admitted to Rend Lake College, the prospective student needs to:

1. Complete and submit a Rend Lake College New Student Enrollment Form.
2. Submit official GED certificate. (NOTE: New students 18 years of age and older who do not have a high school diploma or GED will be admitted as a pre-college student until high school equivalency is obtained.)
3. Submit test scores, or scores from an alternate assessment as determined by Rend Lake College, or make arrangements for placement assessment with the Academic Advisement Center. 
4. Make an appointment with the Academic Advisement Center for educational planning.

I am a Home-Schooled Student or High School-Age Student Not Attending High School

A home-schooled student is defined as an applicant who has officially severed his or her relationship with the district secondary education provider but is completing or has completed a home-study program believed to be the equivalent of a high school diploma or GED certification. This program must include, but is not limited to, reading, language arts, mathematics, social science and science. Students must be juniors or seniors and/or 16 years of age or older to attend Rend Lake College.

To be admitted to Rend Lake College, the prospective student needs to:

1. Complete and submit a Rend Lake College New Student Enrollment Form.
2. Provide yearly documentation stating the student has never had or has officially severed his or her connection with the school system.
3. Provide any transcripts available to document credit or completion of secondary education. 
4. Submit placement test, ACT or SAT scores, or scores from an alternate assessment as determined by Rend Lake College, or make arrangements for placement assessment with the Academic Advisement Center. 
5. Make an appointment with the Academic Advisement Center for educational planning.

I am an International Student

Prospective international students who wish to attend Rend Lake College must enroll in an associate degree program; must provide proof of secondary education completion; must provide proof of financial support for tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses for two academic years at the current estimated cost rate; and have a minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam.

Prospective students should first contact a Primary Designated School Official / Designated School Official at [email protected] signifying interest in obtaining an associate degree at Rend Lake College. The PDSO / DSO will send the Intent Agreement to the prospective student.

The following forms must be received by the DSO in order to issue an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Student Status) to an international student for the purpose of obtaining an F-1 visa:

• Intent Agreement
• Rend Lake College New Student Enrollment Form
• Proof of completion of secondary education in English translation
• International student financial statement
• Financial documentation for financial statement in English translation
• Any other official documentation indicating visa and passport status

International students must have a minimum score of 500 on the paper-based TOEFL, 173 on the computer-based TOEFL, or 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL, and must meet all degree program requirements. International students must provide documentation that the student has met TOEFL guidelines or provide certification that English is the student’s first language.

Students Entering Baccalaureate-Transfer Curricula

Students enrolling in transfer degree programs at RLC must meet minimum admission requirements as directed by Illinois Public Act 86-0954. Specific requirements are based on the student’s high school record. Students must complete at least 15
units of high school coursework from the following five categories: 

• 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature)
• 3 years of social science (emphasizing history and government)
• 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry or fundamentals of computer programming)
• 3 years of science (laboratory sciences)
• 2 years of electives in foreign language, music, vocational education or art

Institutions may admit prospective students if the institution determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of coursework taken, including vocational education courses, that the student demonstrates knowledge
and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in their high school courses required for admission. 

An enrollment requirement may be satisfied through assessment testing and / or completion of specified remedial / developmental or college-level courses. Students meeting the prerequisite and assessment requirements for transfer-level courses will satisfy admissions requirements. Students must meet the assessment requirements regardless of whether or not they meet the high school course-specific requirements. Students will be assessed in English, mathematics and reading to assist with placement in courses appropriate to their academic abilities. Students who have successfully completed 24 semester hours of transfer-level coursework at an accredited college or university will be considered having the equivalent of the required high school coursework shown above.

For more information regarding admission requirements to Rend Lake College, prospective students are encouraged to contact Student Records personnel at (618) 437-5321, Ext. 1230.

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)

Rend Lake College is a member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, a consortium of over 1,700 colleges and universities that provide college-level educational opportunities for servicemembers and their families. As a Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges member, Rend Lake College:  

• Recognizes the GED high school equivalency certificate/ diploma;
• Recognizes learning gained from specialized training and experience in the military services;
• Establishes competency by nationally recognized means, such as standardized tests;
• Maintains a flexible transfer of credits policy for the mobile, active-duty servicemember;
• Publicizes alternative admissions procedures available to servicemembers and waives formal admission procedures for those seeking enrollment in course work for transfer to another institution;
• Conducts a timely evaluation of the educational records and relevant experiences of servicemembers,
• Completes a student agreement or degree completion plan for all degree-seeking servicemembers.