How to Apply to Mathematics at Knox College: A Three-Term Calendar, BA or BS, a Research Project for Every Major and a Mathematics-Specific Scholarship, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Knox College (Galesburg, Illinois) is a small liberal arts college on a three-term calendar. Undergraduate mathematics is offered by the Department of Mathematics, and you apply to the College as a whole. Here is what you need to know, based on the College’s website, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Computer science is not covered here, and neither are data science, economics or other majors.

1. Degrees and directions in mathematics

• Degrees and minors: the mathematics page lists a B.A., a B.S. and a minor in mathematics, plus a separate minor in statistics.
• The BA (12 credits): core courses MATH 146, 175, 185 and 205, plus MATH 216 or 217; two theory courses (from MATH 321, 322, 331, 333 and 341); two applications courses (from MATH 225, 227, 230 and STAT 200); two implementation courses (from CS 142, STAT 223, 312 and 323); and a research experience.
• The BS (15 credits): the same core, three courses in each of the theory, applications and implementation components, and the research experience.
• Research experience: every major completes a research project leading to a public presentation and a written report, which may be fulfilled through MATH 361, 399 or 400 and must be certified by the department chair; the chair may also certify that up to one credit earned through research can replace one course in the theory, applications or implementation components. The mathematics page adds that some students pursue a year-long honors project (the College Honors Program, MATH 400); the pages read do not give the conditions for entering it.
• Minor: 5 credits, the core courses above (MATH 216 or 217; the department may substitute an additional theory or applications course, excluding STAT 200, for MATH 216 or 217).
• Suggested coursework by path (requirements page): for graduate study in mathematics, MATH 215, 230, 313, 331, 333, 341 and 342; for applied mathematics, MATH 215, 230, 321, 322, 331 and 333; for statistics, MATH 145, 146, 185, 205, 235, 321, 322, 231 and 331; for the actuarial profession, ECON 110 and 120 with MATH 145, 146, 185, 205, 227, 235, 321 and 322; for secondary teaching, MATH 175, 216, 217, 218, 321 and 322.
• Courses: the courses page lists, among others, MATH 145 Calculus I, 146 Calculus II (taught laboratory-style), 175 Discrete Mathematics, 185 Linear Algebra, 205 Calculus III, 217 Number Theory, 227 Introduction to Quantitative Finance, 233 Complex Analysis and 341 Abstract Algebra. The department shares a GPU cluster with data science and computer science, and the website says combining mathematics with another area of study is the rule rather than the exception.
• Calendar: the website says that on the three-term calendar students take three classes at a time and cover in ten weeks what semester schools cover in fourteen.

2. Admission route: apply to the College, choose a major after entry

• When applying: the pages read do not say whether you must name mathematics on the application or whether it is reviewed by major, and there is no separate admission line for mathematics. The Apply page says you will never be just a class rank, GPA or test score. This is not published in those pages; please confirm with the Office of Admissions (admissions@knox.edu).
• Declaring the major: the pages read do not say when to declare mathematics or what grade or capacity conditions apply; ask the Registrar (registrar@knox.edu, 309-341-7205) or the department. After entry each student has an advisor to plan courses.
• Moving in from another major: no separate condition is published in the pages read.

3. Prerequisites and credit

• High school coursework: the Apply page says successful applicants will have completed at least 4 years of English, 3-4 of mathematics, 3-4 of science, 3-4 of social studies and 2-4 of a foreign language, and encourages honors, AP and IB courses where available. The mathematics pages read state no specific high school calculus prerequisite and describe no mathematics placement test; this is not published there, so check the catalogue or ask the department.
• Calculus sequence: the courses page describes MATH 145 Calculus I as a brief survey of differential and integral calculus from an applied perspective and MATH 146 Calculus II as covering applications and techniques of integration, Taylor series and differential equations; the mathematics major’s core includes MATH 146 and 205. The courses page does not give course prerequisites.
• AP, IB and college courses: the Apply page says such credit is not required for admission but may be submitted for advanced course standing and/or credit on enrolment, with the rules in the course catalogue. The website only links PDF catalogues, which were not read, so the credit given for AP Calculus or IB mathematics towards MATH 145/146 is not stated in the pages read.
• Competitions: the website does not say how mathematics competitions are viewed in admission.
• Mathematics scholarship examination: see the Rothwell Stephens Scholarship in section 5.

4. Rounds, materials and testing

• Rounds (Apply page; no year shown, so check that the dates apply to fall 2027 entry): Early Action 1 apply by 1 November, decision by 15 December; Early Action 2 apply by 1 December, decision by 15 January; Regular Decision apply by 15 January, decision by 15 March; after 15 January applications are considered on a rolling basis as space allows; the enrolment reply date is 1 May for every round.
• How to apply and fee: the Knox College Application, the Common Application or the Coalition Application; the Apply page says that however you apply there is no application fee.
• First-year materials: the School Report and transcript from your counsellor; one teacher evaluation from an academic subject (English, mathematics, social studies, science or language; the page does not require a mathematics teacher); a Mid Year Report with fall grades. Optional: test scores, arts portfolios and an interview with an admission counsellor (strongly recommended).
• Testing: ACT or SAT scores are optional for most applicants; home-schooled students and students from schools that do not give grades must submit them. Knox superscores. SAT code 1372, ACT code 1052.
• What the review looks at: course difficulty and type (with a preference for honors, AP and IB), consistently high grades, the quality of extracurriculars, and demonstrated interest as one factor among many. There is no minimum GPA; the middle 50% of admitted students have a high school GPA of 3.5-3.7, and the middle 50% of those who submit scores range 22-32 on the ACT and 1195-1368 on the SAT.

5. US domestic applicants: costs and aid

• Costs (2026-27): the cost page lists tuition of $61,998, room and board of $11,862 and fees of $897, a total of $74,757 for full-time undergraduates; the estimated cost of attendance, including books ($1,200), transportation, personal expenses and other items, is $78,217 for on-campus students, $74,668 off campus and $65,773 for commuters. The page shows one tuition rate, with no in-state and out-of-state difference. The rates for 2027-28 are not published in the pages read; check when released. Bills are sent three times a year.
• Academic scholarships: admitted first-year students are automatically considered with no separate application, and the website gives several figures: the Scholarships page says $46,000-$52,000 a year; the Apply page says up to $50,000 a year; the cost page says up to $52K a year; and the Prairie Promise page says academic and talent scholarships up to $58,000 a year. Special talent scholarships (creative writing, dance, music, theatre, visual arts; up to $4,000 a year) are awarded on auditions or portfolios.
• Mathematics-specific: the Rothwell Stephens Scholarship in Mathematics: $5,000 a year for an incoming first-year student interested in a mathematics degree who has an outstanding score on the scholarship examination developed by the Knox Mathematics Department. Requirements: apply for admission by 15 January and take the Stephens Scholarship Examination by 15 January, preferably during a campus visit; if you cannot come, you may take it under the supervision of your high school mathematics teacher and mail in the request form; notification by 15 March. The scholarship renews annually while you remain in good standing and interested in pursuing a mathematics degree.
• Need-based aid: US citizens file the FAFSA (opens 1 October; 1 December is the priority date, 1 March the preferred date for offers before 1 May; offers begin on 1 February). The College says 100% of students receive aid. In the junior or senior year, students receive a $2,000 Power of Experience Grant for internships, study abroad, service, creative work or research.
• Illinois residents: Prairie Promise: for admitted first-year or transfer students from families with income of $100,000 or less who are Illinois residents (or members of a Native nation with historical ties to Illinois), 100% of tuition is covered by gift aid. There is also a MAP Grant page for Illinois students (not read).
• Home-state priority or guaranteed admission: not mentioned in the pages read.

6. International applicants

• Who applies as an international student: applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents and will need a visa. The website says more than 27% of students come from outside the United States, representing 56 countries. Apply with the Common Application, the Coalition Application or the Knox College Application; there is no application fee.
• English: the international applicants page says Knox has no ESL programme and lists as the only accepted tests, any one of: IELTS 6.5 overall; TOEFL iBT 80 overall (4.5 for tests taken after January 2026); Duolingo 115; scores are valid for two years. The test-scores page also lists the Global Test of English Communication (GTEC) at 1200. The two pages differ, so confirm with admissions.
• Exemptions: two consecutive years of full-time high school or university study in the US or a country where English is the only official language (from official transcripts); four years of secondary school at an American-accredited institution abroad with English as the medium; AP English Language and Composition 4 or higher; IB English Language and Literature 5 or higher; A/AS Level English C or above (predicted scores not accepted). The medium of instruction at a previous school does not by itself waive the requirement.
• Materials: an official secondary school transcript (self-reported transcripts are not accepted; the counsellor requests it through the Common Application or emails admission@knox.edu); one teacher evaluation from an academic subject; English proof; GCE, IGCSE or other national or external exam results; transcripts from any college attended; and financial documents: Knox is need-aware, so all applicants complete the Knox Affidavit of Support (the page links Winter 2027 and Fall 2027 versions) and submit a bank statement, issued within the last three months, from every party helping to sponsor the education. Some applicants may be asked for an international admissions interview; interviews are strongly recommended and virtual interviews from InitialView and Xtraview are accepted.
• International costs (2026-27): the international costs page estimates tuition $61,998, standard fees $897, books and supplies $1,200, on-campus living $11,862, transportation $500, extra housing during breaks $280, additional food $200, an international pre-orientation fee $200, an optional intensive English programme $1,800 and international insurance $750, a total of $79,687; additional fees to consider (English test, DS-160 $300, SEVIS $350, deposit $300, airfare $500-$2,000) run $1,939-$3,585. The College suggests planning for annual increases of 4% to 6% and currency fluctuations. Financial aid is not reevaluated each year, so you apply only once.
• International scholarships: the transfer page says international students also get a $4,000 Campus Employment Award if eligible and if they work on campus. The pages read do not separately describe how first-year international applicants are considered for academic scholarships; see the collapsed “Financial Aid & Visa Information” section of the international page or ask admissions.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the pages read do not say whether the Gaokao is considered; this is not published there, so contact the admissions office (admission@knox.edu).
• Transcripts and school-leaving materials: no China-specific requirements are published in the pages read; the general international requirements are in section 6 (official transcripts, no self-reported transcripts, national or external exam results, affidavit of support and bank statements).
• English: applicants from China can use any of the options in section 6.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs: see sections 5 and 6.
• Department scholarships and research: the department’s own scholarship is the Rothwell Stephens Scholarship (section 5); every major completes a research project; the mathematics page also links a “Research & Creative Work” page (not read).
• Outcomes: the mathematics page says alumni work in fields ranging from AI and software development to actuarial science and research, and lists examples of alumni employers (such as Google, BlackRock and WTW). The FAQ says some students go on to teach mathematics at high school and college levels, while most find positions doing analysis, modeling and engineering. The page prints no College-specific employment rate.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts: applicants who have graduated from high school and have completed at least a semester of coursework at a two-year or four-year college.
• How to apply and materials: the Common Application, the Coalition Application or the Knox College Application, with no application fee; transcripts from each college attended, sent directly; an optional college instructor evaluation (English, mathematics, social studies, science or language); a secondary school transcript for those with fewer than 15 college credits; an interview is strongly recommended. International transfer applicants also need English proof, the Affidavit of Support and bank statements. The pages read give dates only for the transfer scholarship: apply by 1 April for fall entry or 1 November for winter entry.
• Credit transfer: the transfer page says Knox courses are typically one credit each because of the 3-3 calendar; credits generally transfer at 0.3 credits per semester hour and 0.2 per quarter hour; 36 credits are needed to graduate; the maximum from a community college is 18 credits, and from other institutions no more than 19 credits overall; the Registrar reviews each record individually (see the transfer credit policy). The pages read do not give mathematics-specific transfer requirements (GPA, calculus or linear algebra sequence).
• Transfer scholarships: academic transfer scholarships of $46,000-$50,000 a year (the transfer scholarships page says up to $50,000), based on academic achievement in liberal arts courses; Phi Theta Kappa members receive an additional $5,000 a year; transfer students can also apply for talent scholarships, receive federal work study, and Illinois transfer students qualify for the Prairie Promise.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• EA1 1 November; EA2 1 December; Regular 15 January; no application fee; one academic-subject teacher recommendation; testing optional; reply date 1 May
• FAFSA (1 December priority); for the Rothwell Stephens Scholarship ($5,000 a year) apply and take the department’s examination by 15 January

International applicants (including China):

• TOEFL 80 (4.5 on the new scale), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115 (or an exemption); official transcript; one recommendation
• Affidavit of Support with bank statements from the last three months; whether the Gaokao is considered is not published

After entry:

• BA 12 credits or BS 15 credits; core MATH 146, 175, 185 and 205; complete the research project and present it publicly

Transfer students:

• At least one semester of college work; 36 credits to graduate; at most 18 credits from a community college; transfer scholarship dates 1 April (fall) and 1 November (winter)

Sources: Knox College, Mathematics; Mathematics: requirements; Mathematics: courses; Apply and dates; First-year applicants; International applicants; Transfer applicants; Test scores and English; Cost and financial aid; Costs for international students; Prairie Promise; Scholarships; Rothwell Stephens Scholarship in Mathematics; Transfer scholarships. The dates on the Apply page show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry; see the College’s website for the latest.