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Excel Program (International Applicants)

English Language Institute

Are you an international student or currently in the U.S. on a visa and want to work on your advanced English skills? Are you just a few points away from the scores needed for 'direct' admission to North Central College? If you answer yes to these questions, the Excel Program could be a great option for you! In this program, you start your degree while refining your academic English skills in your first semester at North Central.

What will I study?

The Excel Program is 12 credits in Listening & Speaking, Writing & Grammar, and Reading & Vocabulary. You can also take another class in a different field of study that counts toward your degree. 

As a student in the Excel Program, you will do research and academic writing so you can understand academic texts, think critically, and write about them without plagiarizing.

You will practice presentation and academic discussion skills so you can participate easily in classes and get better participation and discussion grades.

You will read and analyze academic texts from a variety of disciplines so you can read complex texts faster and understand more academic vocabulary. 

ELI professor pointing at a textbook

Program Benefits

Participants in the Excel Program receive the preparation they need to succeed in their rigorous college coursework. Students can use their financial aid award to offset cost of attendance, participate in Division III athletics and fine arts programs, join clubs, while making friends with fellow multilingual students.

Excel Program students also have the option to take 4 credits of other general education or elective coursework, meaning they stay on track to graduate in four years. 

Scholarship Information

For Excel Program participants, academic merit-based scholarships are awarded during the application review process. Your scholarship is immediately available and applied to your student account while you take Excel Program classes. These scholarships are renewable provided you maintain the required GPA each year and maintain full-time undergraduate status. Additionally, your achievements and special talents in other academic and activity areas, like education and the fine arts, could result in added scholarship opportunities!

audience filled auditorium listening to a speech

What English level do I need to start the program?

English Requirement to Enter Excel Credit-Bearing Coursework Score Range or IEP Level
TOEFL iBT tests taken on or before January 21, 2026 60-78
TOEFL iBT tests taken on or after January 21, 2026 3.5 - 4.0 (no score below 3.5)
IELTS 5.5 - 6.0
Institutional TOEFL 498 - 547
Pearson's English Test (PTE) 50 - 57
Duolingo English Test (DET) 100-119
Michigan English Test (MET) 49 - 57
North Central College Intensive English Program (IEP) Successfully complete the Intermediate Level (semester 2 of IEP)

What if I don't meet these requirements?

Join our Intensive English Program!

Apply to the Excel Program

Students in the Excel Program are directly admitted to undergraduate study at North Central College! For this reason, please complete an application for undergraduate admission. Remember to indicate your interest in the Excel Program when filling out your application!

students walking through campus

Questions?

If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact our director Katherine Pope.

  • Email: eli@noctrl.edu
  • Phone: 630-637-5271
  • Fax: 630-637-5295
  • Skype: kate_pope_ncc
  • Street Address: Abe House, 48 East Jefferson Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540
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