Undergraduate Admissions

Tips for Answering the Reach Questionnaire

Once your official transcripts have been received, your application may be eligible for review through the Reach Program. You will be sent a questionnaire asking you to respond to each of the following prompts:

    1. Describe your goals after college graduation and how Western Illinois University can help you accomplish them.
      • What academic program would you like to study and why would you like to pursue it at WIU?
      • Describe any other opportunities you plan to get involved with at WIU such as student organizations, sports, volunteer work, internships, study abroad, research, etc.
      • What are a few of your career and personal goals after you graduate from WIU?
      • How will the academic program you study and other opportunities you get involved with at WIU help you achieve your career and personal goals?
    2. Describe a difficult challenge or situation you've faced in your life.
      • How did you react and what did you learn?
      • What steps did you take to overcome or work through it?
      • Were you or others treated unfairly?
      • Who did you turn to for support?
      • How has this prepared you to face difficult challenges or situations in the future?
    3. Think about the community you live in and how have you been involved in it throughout your life (groups, events, work, volunteer). 
      • Describe what you currently do or have done in your community. 
      • Describe what you do or did in that group (for example your role, position, involvement, number of years). 
      • What kind of knowledge and skills did you gain or improve by participating in these groups?
      • How did you have an impact on others within your community? 
    4. Think about the activities you have participated in at school throughout your life (sports, clubs, events, volunteer). 
      • Describe what you currently do or have done at your high school.
      • Describe what you do or did in that activity (for example your role, position, involvement, number of years). 
      • What kind of knowledge and skills did you gain or improve by participating in these activities?
      • How did you have an impact on others within your high school?

This questionnaire must be completed even if you included a personal essay and/or letters of recommendation with your admission application as it has specific topics we would like you to address. You may type up your answers in a Word document and copy/paste them into the online questionnaire if you prefer. We encourage students to take time to think about the prompts, reflect upon their responses, and put together a thorough submission for the committee which answers each of the four prompts. Your responses to each of the four prompts should be at least 3-5 sentences, use complete sentences, and have detailed information.

Information that specifically addresses your long-term goals, ability to take on challenges and seek out supports, leadership experience, community and school involvement, understanding of your strengths and limitations, determination, and knowledge gained outside the classroom will allow our staff to better understand how you may fit into the WIU academic community of learners. We want you to have the best opportunity for admission, so please take your time and submit detailed answers to each of the prompts!

Our staff will review your responses and make a final admission decision. Your responses to these prompts will be a major factor in our admission decision. Students will be notified via mail about their admission decision within approximately 3 weeks of completing the Reach Questionnaire.