Application Instructions

All applicants are strongly encouraged to read through all sections of the Application Instructions before beginning and completing their graduate application. The application instructions contain critical information about the application and admission requirements at Illinois.

I. Before You Begin

Minimum Academic Requirements for Graduate Admission

The Graduate College sets minimum requirements for full status graduate admission to the University of Illinois. Your proposed program of study may have additional or higher minimum requirements for admission into their academic programs. It is important to review their website for program admission requirement information.

The Graduate College minimum requirements for full status admission are below:

  • Applicants must have earned at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college in the United States or a comparable degree from a recognized institution of higher learning abroad.
  • An admission grade point average (GPA)* of 3.0 (A=4.0), or a comparable GPA for an international applicant, is a minimum requirement for admission.
  • Applicants enrolled in the final year of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college in the United States or a or comparable degree program from a recognized institution of higher learning abroad, and who meet the GPA requirements stated above, will be admitted conditionally pending receipt of final academic credentials showing the undergraduate degree as conferred.
  • International applicants must meet minimum requirements based on their country of origin.

*The admission GPA is calculated based on the last two years of undergraduate study. If your undergraduate study is longer than 4 years, additional semesters may be used to calculate the admission GPA.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENT EXCEPTIONS

A student who does not meet one or more of the admission requirements:

  • may qualify for limited status admission with support from the academic program and approval from the Graduate College.
  • may qualify for full status admission based on a master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college in the United States or a comparable graduate degree from a recognized institution of higher learning abroad with a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 (A=4.0), or comparable GPA for an international applicant.
  • may qualify for full status admission after completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours as a non-degree or graduate certificate student at the graduate level within the proposed academic major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received a cumulative GPA that meets the department minimum for good standing.
  • may qualify for full status admission with support from the academic program and approval from the Graduate College if they have completed 10+ years of professional work experience in the field corresponding to the proposed academic major.

English Proficiency Requirements for Graduate Admission

domestic APPLICANTS

Proof of English proficiency is not required for admission for domestic applicants. Some domestic applicants may be required to demonstrate proof of spoken English if applying for a teaching assistantship. Please review the English proficiency requirements for teaching assistants.

international APPLICANTS

All international degree-seeking applicants are required to submit the results of an accepted test as evidence of English proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption. Official scores are required to be submitted directly from the testing agency. All scores must be dated within two years of the beginning of the proposed admission term. Acceptable tests and corresponding minimum scores are available below. A student who does not meet the English proficiency requirement for admission may be admitted on limited status and be required to take the English as a Second Language Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrolling at Illinois.

Accepted Tests
Limited Status Admission Minimum
 Full Status Admission Minimum

TOEFL iBT
TOEFL iBT Home Edition

 79 103
IELTS Academic Exam 6.5 7.5
Duolingo 115 135

Additional Score Information

  • The English as a Second Language Placement Test (EPT) will be required prior to enrolling at Illinois for all students who score below the full status minimums listed in the chart above. On the basis of the EPT results, applicants are generally required to enroll in non-credit "English as a Second Language" courses and take a reduced academic load beginning the first semester at the University. 
  • Students applying to online programs must satisfy the full status admissions requirement.
  • Individual academic programs may require a higher score, or additional evidence of spoken English language proficiency; please review your proposed program of study's website for program requirements for admission.
  • Accepted scores and minimums listed above are for admission purposes only. If applying to hold a Teaching Assistantship, please review the English proficiency requirements for teaching assistants.

Test Information and Instructions for Requesting Official Scores

  • TOEFL iBT: The traditional TOEFL iBT and the TOEFL iBT Home Edition tests are accepted for admission. Please review the TOEFL iBT Test Information page for more information about these tests. Applicants should send their official scores to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign using our institution code number 1836.
  • IELTS: The IELTS Academic Test (in person and online) is accepted for admission. Please review the IELTS Test Information page for more information about this test. Scores should be sent electronically via your testing center to the following account name: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Graduate.
  • DUOLINGO ENGLISH TEST: The Duolingo English Test is accepted for admission. Please review the Duolingo Applicants page for more information about this test. Examination results for tests taken between February 1, 2020 and August 1, 2024 will be accepted. Scores should be sent electronically to the following account name: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Graduate Admissions. The Duolingo English Test cannot be used to satisfy the English proficiency requirement for teaching assistants. Students who submit a Duolingo score for admission will need to either take the TOEFL/IELTS at a later date or take the English Proficiency Interview (EPI) upon arrival to campus if planning to hold a teaching assistantship.
  • TOEFL SCORES FORMERLY ACCEPTED: We formerly accepted the TOEFL revised paper-delivered test (rPDT) and the TOEFL ITP Plus for China test for admission. TOEFL has discontinued these two tests and they are no longer available. However, scores may be accepted for admission for up to 2 years from the test date. Since both tests do not include a speaking portion, students using these tests for admissions purposes are not eligible for full status admission and will be required to take the English as a Second Language Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrolling at Illinois (and any subsequent ESL coursework). The minimum score for admission with the TOEFL rPDT is 60, and the minimum TOEFL ITP Plus is 550. In addition, these scores cannot be used to satisfy the English profiency requirement for teaching assistants. Students who submit these scores for admission will need to either take the TOEFL iBT or IELTS at a later date, or take the English Proficiency Interview (EPI), upon arrival to campus if planning to hold a teaching assistantship.
     
  • TOEFL SCORES NOT ACCEPTED: We do not accept the TOEFL Essentials test, nor TOEFL myBest scores. 
     

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT EXEMPTIONS

Applicants who meet one of the following criteria are exempt from the English proficiency requirement for admission:

  • Received a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution (or an institution within an approved country) within five years of the proposed admission term.
  • Completion of at least two years of post-secondary study in the U.S. (or an approved country) within five years of the proposed term of initial enrollment.
  • Completion of at least two years of professional work experience in the U.S. (or an approved country) within five years of the proposed term of initial enrollment.
     

APPROVED COUNTRIES WITH ENGLISH AS THE PRIMARY LANGUAGE

Illinois Graduate Admissions recognizes the following countries as having English as the primary language: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Kitts, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, and Zimbabwe.

 

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY FOR TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Please note that all English proficiency requirements and exemptions listed above are for admission purposes only. Admissions minimums are not equivalent to minimums required for holding a teaching assistantship; and not all exemptions apply for those holding a teaching assistantship. For more information, please see the English Proficiency Requirement for Graduate Teaching Assistants.

Proposed Programs of Study

Selecting your Program of Study

A complete list of our graduate programs is available in the Illinois Graduate Programs of Study. Each program listing will provide an overview of the program, along with admissions and degree completion requirements.

The Directory of Graduate Programs provides website and contact information for each available program. Your proposed program of study is best able to advise you throughout your application process.

Application deadlines vary by degree program and not all programs admit to all terms. Visit your proposed program of study's web site to determine the application deadline. If you apply after the posted deadline, full consideration is not guaranteed, and no application fee refunds will be granted.

Individual graduate programs may ask customized questions on the application, including your proposed field of specialization or any potential faculty members you would want to work with. We encourage you to review faculty profiles and information about fields of specialization on your proposed program's web site. We also encourage you to reach out to programs directly to learn more about the program overall and its faculty.

If you have already been awarded a graduate degree, please review our duplicate degree policy.

Online and Site-Based Programs

Many graduate programs are offered completely online or in a format of online with some campus visits required. Some programs are offered at site-based locations throughout Illinois. Click here for a list of online and site-based programs.

Note: I-20s will not be issued to international students admitted to online programs. International students may only enroll in online programs at the University of Illinois if they maintain a non-student visa status that allows for study, or if the student plans to remain in his/her home country for the duration of the online program.

APPLYING TO MULTIPLE PROGRAMS

Applicants who wish to be considered for admission to multiple programs of study should submit multiple applications, application fees, and appropriate supporting materials to each program of study office. You will only need to create one online application account and can add multiple applications to this account. Students may be enrolled in only one program of study at a time, unless enrolled in an approved joint program of study.

Please note that your application may be considered for multiple programs if your application is not selected for admission by your original proposed program. However, many departments require an additional application to be submitted before reviewing for additional programs.

JOINT PROGRAMS OF STUDY

If applying to a joint degree program for admission, you will be required to submit two online graduate applications. Each application has program-specific application questions and upload requirements, so an individual application is required. In the online application, you will be able to select a Primary Program and a Secondary Program. You'll need to submit one application with Program A as your Primary Program, and another application Program B as your Primary Program.

You application will be viewed by both academic programs, and you only need to pay one application fee. When submitting your second application, please indicate "Joint Program 2nd Application" in the Allied Agency field in the Application Fee Waiver section on the Program page.

For a complete list of joint programs available to applicants, please visit our Academic Catalog.

If applying to a joint degree program with the College of Law's JD program for admission, you will be required to submit one graduate online application and another separate application for the College of Law through www.law.illinois.edu or www.lsac.org. For instructions regarding College of Law acceptance for this joint program, please visit the College of Law website for more information.

Financial Assistance

Check with your proposed program of study office for any specific application deadlines to be considered for financial assistance in addition to admission. Your proposed program of study web site can also provide you with additional information about how to indicate your request for financial assistance in your online application.

Below are the primary types of financial assistance available to graduate students at Illinois:

  • Fellowships: Information on fellowships is available from the Fellowship Office at the Graduate College.
     
  • Assistantships: Assistants enrolled in most graduate programs receive a waiver of full tuition and the service fee, provided the appointment is for not less than one-quarter time and not more than two-thirds time, and if the assistant is on appointment for at least three-quarters (91 days) of the term. Details about tuition waivers are available from the Guide to the Tuition Waiver Policy. Note that non-native speakers of English applying for a teaching assistantship should review the specific English Proficiency requirements for teaching assistants.
     
  • Tuition and Service Fee Waivers: These awards waive payment of tuition and partial fees. For deadlines and applications, please contact your program of study office. For University-funded fellowships, assistantships, and tuition waivers, there are no restrictions on citizenship, age, sex, ethnic or national origin, marital status, or disability. Certain non-University-funded fellowships and assistantships may have restrictions. Before you apply for such an award, consult the office of your proposed program of study for both the types of financial aid available and the financial aid deadline.
     
  • Loans (for Domestic Applicants only): For information about loans, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Note that self-supporting and cost recovery programs may not offer these financial aid options. See a list of these programs. This list may not be complete; it is important to check with your department to find out which financial aid options are available.

Defining Applicants as International or Domestic

DOMESTIC APPLICANTS

Domestic applicants are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States, or have been granted Asylee, Refugee or Paroled in the Public Interest status by the United States government. Domestic applicants are required to submit a the domestic application fee. Lawful Permanent Residents are also required to upload a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) directly to the online application. If you have submitted an application, but have not yet been approved for United States Permanent Residency, please see the instructions for International applicants in the next section.

International Applicants

International applicants are citizens or permanent residents of a country to which they intend to return other than the United States. International applicants may be in the United States on an educational, worker or visitor visa, or be residing in their home country. International applicants are required to submit the international application fee by credit card. International applicants who are requesting F-1 or J-1 visa eligibility documents are also required to provide evidence of financial support.

Please note: International applicants who have filed an application for United States Permanent Residency, but have not yet been granted approval, are considered International applicants and are required to submit the international application fee, but are not required to provide financial documentation. 

Visa Information

International applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application for admission ten months prior to their intended semester of entry.

The Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20 will be issued to admitted applicants who request and are eligible for an F-1 visa. As part of the eligibility requirement, a student must provide evidence of financial resources and a copy of their passport.

F-1 students may not hold appointments that total more than 20 hours per week when school is in session, and full-time during vacation period provided the student intends to register in the following semester. Twelve months of optional practical training in a study program may be authorized. Dependents of F-1 students cannot be employed.

A DS-2019 Form will be issued to admitted applicants who request and are eligible for a J-1 visa. As part of the eligibility requirement, a student must provide evidence of financial resources and a copy of their passport.

Applicants sponsored by their governments, international foundations, or agencies, who receive at least 50 percent of their funding from any source other than personal or family funds, or who are part of a university exchange are eligible to receive this form. Entry into the U.S. is only for the total period of the study program as specified on the DS-2019. J-1 students may work on or off-campus only with written approval from their sponsor. Students may participate in up to 18 months of academic training and up to 36 months of post-doctoral training. Changing visa category is very difficult and may not be allowed. J-1 visa holders may be subject to a 2-year home country residence requirement. Dependents on J-2 visas may seek employment.

A student may not enroll or pursue studies while on a B1/B2.

A student may choose to enroll and pursue studies while on an H-1 visa or they may choose to change status to a student visa. However, please note that an H-1 visa holder cannot hold a graduate assistantship appointment. If you choose to remain on a non-student visa during your studies at Illinois, you will need to upload a copy of your U.S. visa in your online application.

Information regarding the SEVIS I-901 Fee may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website.

Evidence of Financial Resources

funding requirements:

All international applicants requesting visa eligibility documents (I-20 or DS-2019) are required to demonstrate that they have adequate financial resources to cover the cost of their education while in the United States. Financial documentation is required as part of the application process in order for visa eligibility documents (I-20 or DS-2019) to the U.S. to be issued. International applicants should upload the following documentation directly to the online application. Note that this documentation may be submitted after you submit your graduate application. 

funding sources:

If the student will provide funding from personal funds, a Bank Statement with sufficient funding for at least one year’s total cost* is required. Please refer to the PDF of the Declaration and Certification of Finances form for specific expense amounts.

If a family or other personal sponsor will provide funding, a Bank Statement with sufficient funding for at least one year’s total cost* is required. One of the following additional documents is also required: Declaration and Certification of Finances form verifying sponsorship for full length and cost of the program OR signed Letter of Sponsorship detailing amounts and length of sponsorship.

If an employer, government or organization will provide funding, a signed Letter of Sponsorship detailing amounts and length of sponsorship is required.

FUNDING documentation - bank statements:

You must obtain a bank statement from your bank (web printouts are acceptable for online banking) showing the bank's letterhead or logo, and bank stamp or bank signature.

The statement must show sufficient funding for one year’s costs* (or amount of sponsorship for one year), must be dated within one year of submission, and must show funding in liquid accounts, such as savings, checking, money market accounts, or CDs.

Non-liquid funding such as stocks, bonds, auto/land deeds are not acceptable forms of financial support.

Solvency and opinion statements are not acceptable forms of financial support.

FUNDING DOCUMENTATION - declaration and certification of finance forms:

The sponsor must sign and print his/her name and relationship to the student, and the form must be dated within one year of submission. Signing this document verifies sponsorship for the full length and cost of the program.

The form is available in PDF format here.

FUNDING DOCUMENTATION - letters of sponsorship:

You must obtain an official letter of sponsorship from the sponsor that includes a signature or stamp showing the authenticity of the letter. The letter must detail amounts and length of sponsorship and be dated within one year of submission.

uploading funding documentation:

  • You are required to upload a copy of your all proof of funding documentation if requesting an I-20 or DS-2019. English translations should be included if the documentation is not in English.
  • Non-legible scans will not be accepted.
  • Please do not mail or fax in a copy of this documentation which you have uploaded to your online application. Instead, use only the upload feature of our online application at this point. This saves you the time, effort, and expense of mailing financial documents to us during the initial processing and review of your application. It also avoids any delays resulting from the non-receipt of financial documents and assures you that your documents have been successfully submitted, since you can view them yourself online.
  • Please obtain an electronic version of your proof of financial documentation (bank statements, declaration forms, letters of sponsorship) or scan a copy of the document you may already have and that is current, at the lowest resolution that results in a legible document (we recommend using under 200 dpi whenever possible.
  • You may upload an institutional web-based bank statement if the financial institution has put your name on the statement.
  • You must ensure that your name, the financial institution name, and other identifying marks are not missed during the scanning process and that your scanned copy is clearly legible and can print on letter size paper - 8.5 by 11 in (21.5 by 30 cm).
  • Please be certain that your document is saved as a PDF file or Word document. Scanning in “gray scale” or black and white may produce the best results.
  • If the scanned file is too large you may want to make a photocopy first (experiment with different settings until you find one that results in the smallest file size) then scan the photocopy. 

The University of Illinois reserves the right to require official proof of funding documentation at any time during the SEVIS review process.

*Note that J-1 students will be required to show proof of funding (via bank statement) for the entire cost of the program (or the portion for which funds are being covered by personal or other individual sponsor funding).

II. Applying to the Graduate College

Personal Information

You will be required to provide the following personal information:

  • Full Legal Name
  • Permanent and Mailing Addresses*
  • Email Address
  • Birth Date
  • Gender
  • Native Language
  • Country of Citizenship
  • U.S. Permanent Resident Status 

Based on citizenship status, some applicants will also be given the opportunity to provide additional personal background information such as their social security number and race and ethnicity information. This information is voluntary and not required.

*International applicants requesting an I-20 or DS-2019 must provide a permanent address in their country of citizenship.

Residency Information - Domestic Applicants

You will be required to provide the following personal information:

  • Birth Place
  • Legal State of Residence Information

  • Lawful Permanent Residents will be expected to upload a copy of their green card

Applicants will also be given the opportunity to provide additional personal information, such as highest level of education completed by any parents/guardians, and any U.S military experience. This information is voluntary and will not affect your admission decision.

Asylee, Paroled in Public Interest, and Refugee applicants will be asked to indicate a visa eligibility document that you need; please select None and find your appropriate status option. If you have been granted one of these statuses, you will need to upload documentation of this status. You will then be classified as a domestic student and be prompted to answer questions regarding your legal state of residence.

Residency Information - International Applicants

The Residency Information application section allows you to request visa eligibility documents and provide information regarding your citizenship and visa status. In addition, you will be required to provide your birth city and birth country, and country of legal permanent residence. Applicants will also be given the opportunity to provide additional personal information, such as the highest level of education completed by any of your parents/guardians. This information is voluntary and will not affect your admission decision.

Requesting an i-20 or ds-2019

You will need to indicate if you need an initial, change of level, transfer, or change of status visa eligibility document.

Initial documents are appropriate for students arriving in the US from outside the country for purposes of attending Illinois.

Change of Level documents are appropriate for current Illinois students changing from an undergraduate program to a graduate program.

Transfer documents are for students currently attending or are on practical training at another institution in the US and will not have had longer than a 5 month break between enrollment/training. You will be prompted to provide your current SEVIS number and the name of the institution that issued your current I-20 or DS-2019.

Change of Status documents are appropriate for students currently in the US on a non-student visa wishing to change status to an F-1 student visa. You will be prompted to provide your current visa type and asked whether or not you will be leaving the country before your program begins and enter with an initial I-20, or if you plan to stay in the US and file your change of status within the US.

You will be asked if you need any dependent I-20s/DS-2019s.

  • If yes, you will be prompted to upload a copy of each dependent's passport. Please note this can be provided at a later time if it is not available at the time of application.
  • For each dependent, you will need to provide their full legal name, gender, relationship to you (spouse or child), birth city and country, as well as country of citizenship and country of legal permanent residence.

You will be asked to upload a copy of your passport and proof of funding documentation.

  • Passports and proof of funding documentation are required for all students requesting an I-20 or DS-2019. Please review our Evidence of Financial Resources page for more detailed instructions on proof of funding requirements.
  • If you do not have a passport or proof of funding documentation available, you may provide this at a later time. However, these documents will be required before we can issue an I-20 or DS-2019.

online program applicants

If you are applying to an online program and will not enter the US, you can indicate this and we need no further visa status information. However, if you will be in the US for your program, you will need to show proof of non-student visa status. Please see the information for current visa holders below.

remaining on a non-student visa

If you are currently in the US on a non-student visa (such as an H-1 work visa) and are planning to remain on this visa for the duration of your studies at Illinois, you will need to indicate your current visa type.

In addition, you will need to upload a copy of your current visa.

Sponsored J-1 students

If another organization, such as IIE Fulbright or LASPAU, will be issuing your DS-2019, you will need to provide us with the name of this organization and upload a copy of your award letter.

asylee, paroled in public interest, refugee status

If you have been granted one of these statuses, you will need to upload documentation of this status. You will then be classified as a domestic student and be prompted to answer questions regarding your legal state of residence in the US in the Residency Information section of this page.

Program Information

The Proposed Program Information application section allows you to pick the program and term you are applying for, as well as answer program-specific questions.

PREVIOUS UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AFFILIATION:

If you have previously been an applicant, student, or employee of the University of Illinois, please be prepared to provide your previously issued University ID Number (UIN).

PROposed program of study:

You will be asked to pick your Proposed Program (department), Degree, Field of Specialization (if applicable), and Desired Term of Enrollment.

Once an application deadline has passed for a specific term, that term will no longer display. Check with your proposed program of study office for application deadlines.

You may be asked to indicate any faculty members you are interested in working with during your studies at Illinois. Some programs will have additional program-specific questions on this page. Please note that some departments may consider your application for multiple programs if your application is not selected for admission by your original proposed program.

Academic History

The Academic History application section requires you to provide detailed information about all post-secondary institutions you have attended. For each institution, you will need to provide the following information:

  • Institution Name and Address Information
  • Degree Received or Expected
  • Attendance and Degree Dates
  • Academic Major
  • Grade Point Average

If you received multiple degrees from an institution, you will need to list this institution multiple times. For example, if you received a bachelor's and master's degree from an institution, you will need to list this institution twice in order to provide information about both earned degrees.

Please note that you will be required to upload your transcripts for each institution you have attended.

Please review our Uploading Credentials page for more detailed instructions on academic credential upload requirements.

All credentials uploaded to the online application are considered unofficial. You will be asked to submit official credentials (transcripts, academic records, diplomas, certificates of degrees, etc.) only if you are admitted. These must be submitted during your first term of enrollment at the University of Illinois.

Applicants with International Credentials:

  • English translations must also be uploaded if the credentials are not in English (we prefer English translations to be issued by your university, but we will also accept translations issued by a certified public translator, a governmental agency, or from an ATA (American Translators Association) translator).
  • If your degree has been awarded and your degree information is not listed on your transcript, you will also need to upload a copy of your diploma or certificate of degree.
  • Important: For applicants with international credentials, all documents must come from the institution. We DO NOT accept documents from credential evaluation service organizations such as WES or ECE.

Uploading Credentials

Below are some tips for uploading any material in your online application:

  • Resolution: Please obtain an electronic version or scan a copy of the credentials at the lowest resolution that results in a legible document (we recommend using under 200 dpi whenever possible). Scanning in "gray scale" or black and white may produce the best results.
  • File Type: Please be certain that your document is saved as a PDF file or Word document.  
  • Legibility: To ensure that your name and other identifying marks are not missed during the scanning process, make sure your scanned copy is clearly legible and can print on letter size paper - 8.5 by 11 in (21.5 by 30 cm).
  • Multiple upload buttons will be available if needed. Once you upload one document, you will be prompted to upload another document if applicable.
  • Viewing Uploaded Documents: Once you have uploaded the document into the online application, you will be able to click the "view document" button to verify whether the uploaded document is legible. If it is not legible, then try again. (NOTE: The system automatically converts your uploaded document into a standard PDF file.)
  • All Required Documents Must Be Uploaded: Even if you have previously mailed in paper documents, you must still upload an electronic version.
  • Identifying Information: The uploaded document must include your name and the institution name.
  • Transcript Legends: Include a copy of the transcript legend or university key (back page in most cases) for each institution.
  • United States Institutions: Transcripts are required to be uploaded.
  • International Institutions (if you have been awarded a degree): English and native language transcripts and certificates of degree are required to be uploaded.
  • International Institutions (if you have not yet been awarded a degree): English and native language transcripts are required to be uploaded.
  • Official Academic Credentials: All credentials uploaded to the online application are considered unofficial. You will only be asked to submit official or attested credentials (transcripts, academic records, diplomas, certificates of degrees, etc) in a sealed envelope, with a certification stamp across the seal if you are admitted. These must be submitted during your first term of enrollment at the University of Illinois.

The University of Illinois reserves the right to require official credentials at any time during the admissions process and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between unofficial and official credentials are found.

Test Scores

The Test Scores application section is where you should list the scores of any relevant tests you have taken, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). These tests are not required for admission to the Graduate College, but they may be required for admission to your proposed program of study; therefore, it is important to contact your proposed program of study office for specific requirements.

International applicants should use this section to also list the scores of any relevant English Proficiency tests taken. Please refer to our English Proficiency Requirements for Graduate Admission for additional information about accepted test scores.

Important: The scores reported in this section are considered unofficial; you must request the official score to be sent to the University from the organization administering the test – our institution code number is 1836. You may also be asked to select a department code; please select the code that best matches your proposed program of study, but please note that it does not matter which department code you choose, as scores sent to the University will be accessible by all programs.

 

Resume and Application Statements

Resume / Curriculum Vitae

Most graduate programs require a resume or curriculum vitae.
 

Academic Statements

All applicants will be expected to upload an academic statement. The length of these statements is chosen by your proposed program of study and range from 500 to 1000 words maximum.

Most research-focused programs require students to answer the following prompts in this statement:

  • How has your academic background, including any training, research, or other educational experiences, prepared you for graduate study?
  • What are your intellectual interests, and what scholarly questions are you interested in exploring in graduate study?
  • Are there any specific faculty members whose research interests align with your own with whom you would like to work?
  • How will our program help you achieve your academic and professional goals?

Most professional-focused programs require students to answer the following prompts in this statement:

  • How has your academic and professional background, including any professional training, prepared you for graduate study?
  • How will our program help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals?
  • What are your academic interests, and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in this specific program?

Personal Statements

All applicants are presented with a series of short-answer personal statement essay questions. Each essay has a 250 word maximum. Questions 1-2 are required from all applicants, while questions 3-4 are optional (your response is voluntary and not answering these questions will not affect your admissions decision). 
 

Question #1: Please describe pivotal experiences, opportunities, and/or challenges (including any financial or access barriers) that have influenced your educational and professional development.

Question #2: At Illinois, we value a student’s ability to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where our graduate students can learn and collaborate productively and positively. Please provide an example of how you contributed to or engaged with a community of students or colleagues with different perspectives, abilities, and experiences to achieve a positive outcome, and reflect on what you learned from this experience.

Question #3: If you believe that your academic record does not demonstrate your true capabilities, please explain why. You may also discuss any gaps in your academic and professional experience.

Question #4: If there is something that you would like to share with the admissions committee that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application, please do so here. If needed, you may also use this space to expand upon the topics discussed in the above essays.

AI Guidance

Applicants are expected to write authentic responses to these prompts. While AI and search engine services can provide guidance and suggestions, admissions committees are looking for your unique experiences and perspectives. Responses generated exclusively by AI should not be submitted.
 

Additional Materials

Some programs require additional materials such as a writing sample, research statement, or specific program essay. These requirements will be outlined in the online application, but you should visit your proposed program of study's web site to help you prepare these documents.

Recommendation Letters

Most graduate programs require three letters of reference. Check with your proposed program of study office regarding the number required. Your recommenders will be required to submit letters of reference using the online recommendation system.

  • The application will require this information prior to allowing you to submit your online application. However, you do not need to wait for your recommenders to submit their letters before you submit your online application. You can and should submit your online application prior to your recommenders submitting their letters.
  • If you have submitted an application to another program or term previously, you are able to import these recommendations to this application. If you are asking these references to provide a new letter, do not import these reference records as they will not receive a new request to submit a new letter.

Recommender Selection:

  • Recommendations should be provided from employers, supervisors, professors, or others who are able to comment on your professional and educational goals and potential (no friends or relatives please).
  • Recommendation letters should specifically address your ability to succeed in your proposed academic program and discuss any experience that may have prepared you to succeed in the program.

adding a recommender after you submit your application:

excluding A RECOMMENDER AFTER YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION:

  • Log back into your application.
  • Click on the name of the recommender that needs to be excluded.
  • When the individual recommender window opens, click the grey “Exclude” button at the bottom of the window.
  • When the warning message pops up, click “Ok.”
  • This will remove the reference from consideration. 
  • If you later want to reinstate a previously excluded reference, you will need to access the References page again, then click the excluded recommender’s name. At the bottom of the window, they’ll be able to click the grey “Reinstate” button at the bottom to reinstate the reference to show on the administrative side. The reinstate button only appears after a particular reference has been excluded.
  • If you chose to NOT waive your rights to view your letter of recommendation and later want to change this decision, the only way to do so is to exclude the original recommender record and then add a new recommender record with all the same information for the recommender, but change your waiver section response.
 

Application Fee

Once you have submitted your application, you will be required to pay your application fee by credit card. The fee must be paid prior to your program's deadline or your application will be unsubmitted. The fee is non-refundable and your application cannot be reviewed until the application fee has been processed.

The application fee amount is determined by your citizenship and/or visa status.

  • Domestic applicants are required to submit a $70.00 application fee.
  • International applicants are required to submit a $90.00 application fee.

Application Fee Waivers

The below listed domestic applicants are eligible for an application fee waiver or exemption and can indicate so on the online application. International applicants are not eligible for an application fee waiver unless coming under a valid exchange agreement that has an approved application fee waiver.
  • University of Illinois Employees: This includes Civil Service Staff, Academic Professionals, and Faculty only. Academic Hourly and Student Employee positions do not qualify for an application fee waiver.
     
  • Illinois Promise (I-Promise) Scholars: I-Promise Scholars are eligible for application fee waivers when applying to a graduate program. Please indicate your I-Promise Scholar designation in this section of the online application.
     
  • Big Ten Academic Alliance FreeApp Applicants: FreeApp is a program designed to increase access to graduate education for students who possess qualities and experiences that enhance the diversity of the intellectual, cultural, and social environments at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities. As long as you have submitted your FreeApp application and indicated interest in Illinois prior to submitting your online application to Illinois, we will approve your fee waiver. The Big Ten Academic Alliance sends us a list of all applicants who complete the FreeApp application and indicate interest in Illinois, so no additional documentation is needed. For more information on this program and the eligibility requirements, and to submit your FreeApp application, please visit http://www.grad.illinois.edu/freeapp.
     
  • SROP Participants: If you have participated in an SROP (Summer Research Opportunities Program) at the University of Illinois or another institution in the United States, you may qualify for an application fee waiver. You will be prompted to upload documentation of your SROP participation on this page. This documentation is required prior to submitting your application.
     
  • McNair Scholars: If you are a current McNair Scholar, please ask your current institution to provide you with a letter of proof of your McNair status that you can upload to your online application. This documentation will be required before you can submit your application. For more information about the McNair Scholar program, please visit https://www.omsa.illinois.edu/trio/mcnair/.  
     
  • United States Military Service: If you have previously or are currently serving in the United States Military, you are eligible for an application fee waiver. You will be prompted to upload documentation of your service on this page. This documentation is required prior to submitting your application.
     
  • Allied Agencies Applicants: If you are affiliated with one of our allied agencies, you may indicate your allied agency in this section. You will be prompted to upload documentation of your affiliation with this allied agency on this page. This documentation is required prior to submitting your application. Your fee waiver request will be reviewed for approval after submission of your application.

VII. Additional Information for Graduate College Applicants

Admission Review and Decisions

In order to be admitted to the Graduate College at Illinois, applicants must meet admission requirements of both their proposed programs of study and the Graduate College.

Your application will first be reviewed by your proposed program of study. If they approve your application for admission to their program, they will then recommend your application for admission to the Graduate College. If approved, you will receive an electronic notice of your official admission decision. You will be able to view and download your admission letter from your application status page.

Housing

Housing information is available at www.grad.illinois.edu/prospective/housing.

Immunization Requirements

Illinois state law requires all new students to provide proof of immunity to certain contagious diseases before enrollment. All admitted students will receive instructions regarding the required Immunization Forms, which must be completed and submitted upon arrival on campus. If the required forms are not submitted, you will not be eligible to register for future terms.

All international students will be screened for tuberculosis at the time of enrollment in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health.

For additional information about these requirements, and for a full list of immunizations required, please visit the McKinley Health Center website.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is a means to partially cover the costs of health care whenever one needs medical attention in the U.S. All students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are required to carry health insurance coverage. For more information about the University health insurance plan, please see www.grad.illinois.edu/current/health.

Additionally, all students on J-1 status and their J-2 dependents are required by law to carry adequate health insurance for the full duration of the J-1 program. Students and their families may participate in the University insurance plan or in a private plan that provides at least comparable coverage. International students can find additional information regarding health insurance at the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

 

Campus Safety

The University of Illinois is committed to maintaining a safe campus environment. Current campus crime statistics are available from the Division of Public Safety.

 

Individuals with Disabilities

Campus facilities at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are among the most accessible in the nation for disabled persons, and applications from persons with disabilities are always welcomed. For alternative formats of these or other application documents, please contact our office at 217-244-4637 or the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) at 1207 South Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820, phone: (217) 333-1970 (V/TDD). DRES coordinates services for all U of I students with disabilities.

Criminal History

Criminal History Disclosure Requirement

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all members of the University community. As part of this commitment, the University requires applicants who are under current indictment or have been convicted of a crime (other than a routine traffic offense or in a juvenile proceeding) to disclose this information as a mandatory step in the application process. A previous conviction or current indictment does not automatically bar admission to the University, but does require review.

Complete information must be sent via email to conflictresolution@illinois.edu as soon as possible upon application submission. This is a separate step that you must complete after submitting your application. Admission decisions may be delayed if applicants do not send this disclosure upon application submission, and failure to submit this information directly to the Office of Conflict Resolution may result in a denial decision.

Applicants are responsible for verifying receipt by the University and for maintaining a copy of the receipt certifying submission. Information to be submitted includes a brief explanation, location (city, state, country) of conviction or current indictment, dates, and court disposition, in English. This statement must include a grant of permission to the University for complete access to criminal records, if any. For further information on this requirement, call (217) 333-3680.

Non-Discrimination Notice

The commitment of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Illinois) to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms. The University does not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, disability, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, arrest record status, unfavorable discharge from the military, or status as a protected veteran and complies with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. 

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:
Director of the Office for Access & Equity
616 East Green Street, Suite 214
Champaign, IL 61820
accessandequity@illinois.edu
(217) 333-0885

Please refer to the University of Illinois System website for the most up-to-date statement on Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct.