Counseling Interview Day

FEBRUARY 27th, 2026

Counseling Students

Counseling Interview Day/Preadmission Orientation provides an opportunity for candidates to the Counseling program to be interviewed by faculty members for admission to the program, as well as learn more about the program. Invited candidates will have an opportunity to spend time with faculty and students, ask questions during faculty and student panels, and learn more about the program. To be invited to attend the interview, candidates must :

  1. apply to the Graduate School
  2. apply to the Master's of Science degree in Counseling Program, and
  3. submit two letters of recommendation

An email with information will be sent to candidates invited to interview. If you have any further questions, please see our FAQ or contact the office at che@eiu.edu or 217-581-2400.

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Tentative Schedule

8:30-9:00 AM     Check in at the Doudna Fine Arts Center

8:30-9:00 AM     Check in at the Doudna Fine Arts Center

9:00 AM              Welcome

9:15 AM              Faculty Panel

10:00 AM            Group Interview OR Orientation, Student Panel, and a tour of the EIU campus

11:30 AM             Lunch with Current Counseling students and Graduate Assistant Job Fair

12:45 PM            Group Interview OR Orientation, Student Panel and a tour of the EIU campus

2:30 PM              Meet and Greet with School Counseling Team (optional)/Departure***

3:30 PM              Departure

*** Are you interested with meeting with faculty from the other program? Let us know so,we can be prepared for you.

Sign up to meet school counseling faculty 2:30-3:30 pm

Parking  

Day parking passes may be purchased online https://eiuparking.t2hosted.com/Account/Portal or let us know if you would like us to purchase one on your behalf. Day passes must be displayed prominently on your dash board and allows you to park anywhere on campus except for handicapped parking. Here is a link to a campus map for your convenience. http://www.eiu.edu/map/.

Location  

Counseling Interview Day will be held in the Doudna Fine Arts Center at: 

1860 7th Street
Charleston IL, 61920

Campus map
Lodging   

Accommodations in Charleston

Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University-Lawson Hall Conference Floor (2nd Floor)

The rooms available are traditional residence hall rooms with a bed, desk/chair, dresser, Ethernet, and cable TV. Guests have access to a shared laundry room and kitchenette (no cooking equipment provided). Restrooms are semi-private and located off the main hallways. Each men’s and women’s corridor has four restroom pods, each with a toilet, shower, and sink. Guest security includes keyed access to the room, conference floor, and assigned corridor. After-hours building access requires a key, and staff conduct nightly security rounds. All rooms are $25 per night. Guests can pay by cash or check.

2151 4th Street, Charleston

Space is limited, so make reservations or schedule tours by contacting the Conference Services Office at 217-581-7482 or by e-mailing Matt Boyer at mboyer@eiu.edu. 

UHotel
920 W Lincoln, Charleston
217-348-8161

Days Inn
810 W Lincoln Avenue, Charleston
217-345-7689

Bethany House, Bed & Breakfast
13975 E CR 720 N, Charleston
217-345-5005
877-348-1233 (toll free)

Accommodations in Mattoon (10 miles away)

Comfort Suites
Rte 16 & I-57, Mattoon
217-235-6745

Ramada Inn
300 Broadway, Mattoon
217-235-0313

Baymont Inn & Suites
Rte 16 East, Mattoon
217-234-2355 or 1-800-228-2800

Super 8 Motel
Rte 16 East, Mattoon
217-235-8888 or 1-800-800-8000

Hampton Inn
Rte 16 East, Mattoon
217-234-4267 or 1-800-Hampton

FAQ

What do I need to bring to the interview?
It is not necessary that you bring anything to the interview day. However, if you are interested in graduate assistantship opportunities, you may want to bring copies of your resume if you plan on meeting with supervisors.
Where should I park when I come for the interview?
When coming for the interview, make sure to arrive early in order to find a parking spot. Please go to the Parking Services on Grant & 7th and obtain a visitor's parking pass. They will then direct you to the visitor parking lot. If this lot is full, go back to Parking Services and they can direct you to other locations to park. 
What should I wear to the interview?

The day will include a formal group interview, a faculty panel, and the opportunity to go on campus and meet with departments to talk about graduate assistantships. Applicants are encouraged to dress in business casual attire. Please be sure to check the weather forecast ahead of time so you can dress appropriately and stay comfortable throughout the day. 

My letter of recommendation got lost in the mail. Should I still come to the interview?
Many times, letters of recommendation will get lost in the mail or may be sent to the wrong department. Make sure to follow up with your letters of recommendation to make sure they made it to our department. If you do not think your letter will make it in time, please call or email the office to let us know so we can make arrangements.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the office.