university of illinois urbana champaign essay prompts

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Undergraduate Admissions

Deadline Update: We want to ensure anyone applying for federal financial aid has enough time to make an informed decision regarding their college choice! For this reason, we're extending our enrollment decision deadline to May 15.

Writing Prompts for First-Year Applicants

Following are our writing prompts for first-year students applying for fall 2024 admission. Writing prompts for fall 2024 will be announced in August.

Major-Specific Prompts

You'll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program , and if you've selected a second choice . Each response should be approximately 150 words . If you're applying through Common App, you'll find our major-specific writing prompts in the "Writing" tab of our supplemental questions after adding us as one of your colleges.

If You're Applying to a Major :

• Explain, in detail, an experience you've had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you've taken, or through something else.
• Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.

If You're Applying to Our Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies:

• What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you're considering at Illinois and why.
• What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.

If You've Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared ):

• Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

Essay Prompts

You'll also answer one essay prompt as part of your application. Prompts are the same whether you apply through myIllini or the Common App. Select and answer the prompt of your choice from the full list found on the Common App website . Your essay response can be anywhere from 250 to 650 words total.

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UIUC Supplemental Essays 2023-24 – Prompts and Advice

September 13, 2023

The University of Illinois — Urbana Champaign is one of the top public universities in the entire United States. Top-ranked computer science, engineering, and business programs, in particular, attract an endless stream of high-caliber applicants from around the globe. Great grades and test scores will put aspiring members of the Fighting Illini on strong footing. However, you are also required to address 2-3 UIUC supplemental essay prompts.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into UIUC? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Let’s dive right in and begin examining the 2023-24 UIUC supplemental essays. Two important notes:

• You will be addressing 2-3 of these essays, depending on which category you fall into.
• Each response is a max of 150 words.

UIUC Supplemental Essays: If You’re Applying to a Major:

1) explain, in detail, an experience you’ve had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. this can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else..

UIUC is not necessarily asking you to write about the in-class or extracurricular experience which led to you earning the most prestigious awards or holding the highest position of leadership. The university is going to see all of your accomplishments in the Honors and Activities sections of the Common App. As such, you want to ask yourself two main questions:

1) Which experience best illustrates my passion and commitment to my first choice major?

2) Which experience is closest to my heart and most representative of my unique passions?

Pick the option that will allow you to deliver additional detail that may be memorable to the admissions reader. Start this process by asking yourself, “What is the most interesting and consequential moment that I have experienced in a classroom setting or in my extracurricular activities?” If you can identify one clear-cut moment, that is likely the activity worth sharing with the UIUC admissions staff.

2) Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.

This prompt shares some of the same elements of a traditional “Why Us?” essay, but UIUC is particularly interested in hearing about why the curriculum in your desired academic department is attractive to you—not so much about your love for the football team or the beautiful campus. Below are some quick tips for writing an essay that will help your admissions cause:

• Cite specific academic programs , professors ,  research opportunities , internship/externship programs ,  study abroad programs ,  student-run organizations , etc.
• State why your chosen program is the perfect fit for you  and why you are the perfect fit for it.
• Offer insight into your future personal/academic/career goals. It’s okay if you’re not 100% sure what you want to do at age 25 (most teens are not). Feel free to speculate based on your current mindset and interests.

In summary, you’ll want to dedicate time to researching more about your prospective college/department and what makes it truly world-class. The more specific you can get here, the better your UIUC essays will be!

UIUC Supplemental Essays: If You’re Applying to Our Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies:

1) what are your academic interests please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at illinois and why..

Your strengths will likely be evident from other data points (AP scores, classroom grades, SAT/ACT results, etc.). Therefore we recommend focusing the bulk of your response on your specific academic interests that relate to your major of choice.

Whether it’s a general love for math/science or literature or a specific interest in aerospace engineering or 19th century French novels, use this opportunity to share what makes you tick, the ideas that keep you up at night, and what subject inspires you to dream big. What topic makes you read books and online content until your eyes bleed? Share the manner in which you relentlessly pursue knowledge. Whether it’s falling down a Wikipedia rabbit hole about the nature of time or consuming thousands of hours of podcasts on game theory, this is a chance to illustrate the ways in which you are an obsessive learner with an endless thirst for information. The admissions reader should emerge from reading this essay with the sense that you are a sincerely curious young person with a strong intellectual drive.

Finally, be sure to connect these interests to 2-3 majors at Illinois and support your reasoning with school-specific offerings and resources, like academic departments , courses , research initiatives , etc.

2) What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.

Note that this question is a bit different than the one asked of students with a firm first-choice major. We recommend providing a straightforward answer here. If you are Undeclared, you may not have a firm idea of your academic goals, but you can use your current academic interests (the ones explored in the question above) as well as past academic experiences to guide your answer. Similarly, your career intentions may be relatively unformed. Use this space to share academic/career areas that may be of interest. Don’t sweat it if your plans are still in a nascent stage. This is normal for a 17 or 18-year-old, and UIUC will understand.

UIUC Supplemental Essays: If You’ve Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared):

Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals..

See answer #1 for those selecting a major. You are essentially repeating this process for a different field. However, you probably don’t want to have two completely unrelated majors/career goals. For example, if your first choice was business and your second choice was economics, it’s easy to explain the relationship. If the fields are more disparate (e.g. Dance & Chemical Engineering, be sure to provide a thorough explanation.

How important are the essays at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign?

UIUC only labels two factors as being “very important” to the admissions process. Those factors are: the rigor of your high school coursework and your GPA. The essays are “important” to the application review. In fact, the essays are rated as being of equal importance to test scores, extracurricular activities, and talent/ability.

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If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your UIUC supplemental essays, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

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College Info , College Essays

Thinking of attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign? Then you've come to the right place. For this highly-ranked public school, you'll need to submit a personal statement with your application. But what should you include in your UIUC essay to make you stand out?

Read on to learn what the current UIUC essay prompt is and how to write a great UIUC essay. We also show you a real UIUC essay example to give you an idea of what a great statement looks like.

Feature Image: Adam Jones /Flickr

What Is the UIUC Essay?

All applicants must answer two to three UIUC prompts and one Common Application prompt as part of their application for admission.

Your UIUC prompt will change based on whether you 1) are applying to a major, 2) are applying to UIUC's Undeclared Program, or 3) have selected a second-choice major (including Undeclared). Each response should be about 150 words. 

Here are this year's UIUC prompts:

If you're applying to a major:

• Explain, in detail, an experience you've had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else.

Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.

If you're applying to UIUC's Undeclared Program:

• What are your academic interests and strengths? You may also include any majors you are considering.
• What are your future academic or career goals?

If you've selected a second-choice major (including Undeclared): 

• Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

Students are also required to select one Common application essay prompt from a range of choices and write a response. 

You can view the full list of Coalition application essay prompts here and all of the Common Application essay prompts here. 

How to Write the UIUC Essay: Topics and Tips

The University of Illinois essay is an important part of your application since it's the only personal essay you'll write for the school. This makes it the only area on the UIUC application in which you can show off your personality, academic passion, and storytelling skills.

The overall point of this statement is for UIUC to learn more about you as a person and what qualities you'll bring to the school if you enroll.

In addition, UIUC has a YouTube series on admissions counseling that includes some useful videos with tips on how you can write an effective UIUC essay:

Now that you have a general sense of what UIUC will be looking for in your application essay, let’s break down each UIUC application essay prompt one by one. 

Myllini Major-Specific Prompt #1

Explain, in detail, an experience you've had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you've taken, or through something else.

Here's your chance to show your passion for your first-choice major! You have a lot of leeway here: maybe you took a class that lit a fire inside you, maybe you joined a club related to the subject, or maybe you participated in a related activity. Be careful, though. You only have 150 words, and UIUC is asking for an experience related to your major, not why you selected it in the first place. This is a time for you to show that you're already taking steps toward engaging with your chosen major!

Choose a story that is meaningful to you, and remember to be as detailed as you can within the constraints. Show the UIUC admissions counselors that you care about your chosen major, and you're already engaging with it.

Myllini Major-Specific Prompt #2

Unlike the first essay, which asks you about your past experience, this is where you get to dream big and show UIUC what you want to do with your degree. Remember to write this as if you've already been accepted to UIUC—they want to know how you'll represent them in the world! You only have 150 words, but you can do a lot in that space. If, for example, you want to be an aerospace engineer, you should check out UIUC's Aerospace Engineering website and connect their specific courses, professors, and extracurriculars to your post-degree goals. Maybe you want to work for NASA, and the UIUC robotics team will aid you in successfully applying. Be as specific as you can! And show UIUC that they are the best school for you to achieve your goals.

Myllini Undeclared Prompt #1

What are your academic interests and strengths? You may also include any majors you are considering. Much like the Major-Specific Prompt #1, this prompt asks you to share what you're passionate about, and where you excel academically. Be specific! Rather than saying "I've always been good at English and I like it," go into detail: perhaps you won an essay contest, or your op-ed was featured in the school paper. Maybe writing poetry is the best way you can connect your outer and inner worlds. If you have a few majors in mind, definitely mention them here! It's always good to show that you have a specific plan for your college career , even if you're not 100% sure what you want to major in yet. 

Myllini Undeclared Prompt #2

What are your future academic or career goals? This question mirrors Major-Specific Prompt #2, and asks you to talk about your ideal future. Maybe you know you want to get a graduate degree in sociology, or you're certain that you want to spend a few years with the Peace Corps before working with the U.S. Department of State. The key here is to remember that undeclared doesn't mean unplanned. Many students have specific career goals, but they see multiple paths to achieve them. This is your chance to show the future self you want to be, and how UIUC will get you to your goal.

Myllini Second-Choice Major Prompt #1

Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals. You'll only need to answer this question if you've applied to a second-choice major! This prompt should look pretty familiar: you can choose to answer either the Major-Specific Prompt #1 or the Major-Specific Prompt #2. The trick here is to show that your second-choice major is deliberate and useful for your future goals. You're not just picking a second-choice major because you really, really want to get into UIUC in any way, shape, or form. If you have a secondary interest that's almost as strong as your first-choice major, consider answering the first prompt. If you have a very strong career goal that multiple majors could feed into, consider answering the second.

Whichever choice you make, remember to clearly state why UIUC is the best schoo l for your major or career path!

A Real UIUC Essay Example + Analysis

To help give you a better idea of what your own UIUC essay could look like, here is one real UIUC essay example we found online, written by an admitted student.

Keep in mind that this essay was written for an old prompt that's no longer on the MyIllini application. However, this essay is still a great example of how college counselors want to see students talk about their interests and passions. 

Here is the prompt:

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? (250 to 650 words)

And here is the essay:

The chicken, or the egg? The hours I’ve spent pondering this question are countless. People frequently debate the seemingly simple idea of which came first. To me, it is more than just a question, but an example of how human beings think. The question of “Which came first?” captivates me because it is a question without an answer. It has been asked for centuries and no progress has been made, but it still continues to be brought up. I think this is because humans prefer clear-cut answers. Like in any kind of competition, ending with a tie between teams or individuals isn’t a satisfying conclusion. People would rather the competition continue for extra time than admit there’s no real winner, or in this case, no real answer. So even though it’s obvious there will be no agreement, the debate over chickens and eggs continues. When people label something a “chicken-egg” situation, it means there is no way to establish the order of cause and effect, again leaving a feeling of uncertainty. But human nature is to seek an answer. The chicken-egg question shows humanity’s inability to accept unfinished business, and this fascinates me most. People want closure in all aspects of life, and big questions like this are no exception. I think the question “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” is so interesting because people will always try to answer it knowing they will never find a solution. It shows that humans desire understanding above all else. When I want to learn more about this concept, I turn to my grandfather. He doesn’t have a degree in philosophy or psychology, yet he’s a reliable source on almost any subject given his extensive years spent at the University of Life. With so many experiences under his belt, he understands unanswerable questions much better than I do. “The only truth is uncertainty,” he tells me when I once again dive deep into the possibility of eggs without chickens or chickens without eggs. In his words, the most beautiful parts of life are the questions we can’t answer but spend out whole life trying to. My own desire for answers keeps me thinking about this question for hours on end. I think there’s good points to grandpa’s perspective, but as an eighteen-year-old entering college, I don’t know if I can accept that the only answer is no answer just yet. Until I can, I’ll gather my own evidence and continue to spend my days wondering whether Aristotle was eating chicken and waffles or omelettes for breakfast.

What Makes This UIUC Essay Work?

• It’s got a great hook. The applicant starts the essay with a familiar philosophical question: “The chicken, or the egg?”. This pulls the admissions committee into the essay by making them ponder the question too. The applicant then analyzes the question and provides their own unique interpretation of what it’s really getting at. As the applicant says at the end of the first paragraph, “To me, it’s more than just a question, but an example of how human beings think.” By stating their unique take on the chicken vs egg dilemma, the applicant shows the admissions committee that they can interpret complex ideas and analyze tough questions. These are qualities that UIUC wants their incoming class of students to have!
• It’s clear, focused, and easy to follow: A topic like this one could easily go off the rails, but the applicant keeps the essay focused by responding to exactly what the prompt is asking in the correct order. The first paragraph states the idea that the applicant finds engaging. The next two paragraphs explain why the applicant finds this idea “captivating” and connects their engagement with the idea to deeper meanings about human nature, which also demonstrates why this topic causes the applicant to “lose all track of time.” The fourth paragraph states who the applicant turns to when they want to learn more about this question, and explains what they have gained from exploring this question with their grandpa. The applicant wraps up the essay with a conclusion that describes how their approach to the chicken vs egg question relates to the kind of student they will be at UIUC. The clear structure, clean prose, and adept analysis all make this essay easy to understand and exciting to read

How Could This UIUC Essay Be Even Better?

• It could be more specific about why the idea is captivating: Although this UIUC essay is well written and tightly focused, it isn't super specific about why the applicant personally relates to the question about the chicken and the egg. The applicant does a great job explaining what they feel this debate reveals about human nature, but doesn’t say much about why that debate is meaningful to them.
• It could have a stronger conclusion : Although the applicant makes a great attempt at tying their essay response into why they will be a great fit for UIUC, the conclusion could do a bit more to show how this is the case. Reframing the last paragraph so it explains how the applicant’s approach to uncertainty makes them the perfect UIUC candidate could make this essay even stronger.

3 Essential Tips for Writing a Great UIUC Essay

To wrap up, here are four essential tips to keep in mind as you write your U of I application essay.

#1: Don't Just List Your Accomplishments

At first glance, some of the UIUC essay prompts may seem like an invitation to list all of your amazing accomplishments. But none of these prompts actually want you to do that! Instead, you need to use expertly crafted stories to convey everything you have to offer as an applicant to UIUC.

The point of the UIUC essay is to give the admissions committee more detailed and personal commentary on why you've chosen their school and why you would be a great addition to their student community. Leave the list of accomplishments for your resume. Telling a genuine story is the best way to show how your life experiences have shaped you into the perfect candidate for admission to UIUC.

#2: Highlight Your Passion

While the essay prompts all have a different focus, the main goal of each one is to draw out what you’re passionate about and why. With each prompt, what you're really trying to do is demonstrate your passion to the UIUC admissions committee.

In other words, what motivates you to learn? What drives you more than anything else? And why are you so enthusiastic about bringing your ideas, experiences, and character to UIUC?

By highlighting your passions and interests, you're also showing the UIUC admissions committee who you are and what's important to you, both academically and more broadly.

To really make your passion stand out in your University of Illinois essay, take the following steps:

• Be as specific as possible —give us real names and use visceral descriptions to make us feel as though we're there experiencing and feeling everything with you
• Be honest —the admissions committee wants to get to know the real you, and it can only do this if you're writing in an authentic voice that's true to who you are

#3: Polish and Proofread

My final tip is to give yourself plenty of time to polish and proofread your UIUC essay.

In your rough draft, keep an eye out for obvious typos and technical mistakes, such as errors in punctuation, grammar, and spelling. Also, look for any areas that are awkward, incomplete, out of place, or unclear.

Once you've edited your essay on your own, give it to someone else to read, such as a parent, teacher, or tutor. Ask them to make technical corrections as needed and to offer you advice on what you might be able to improve in terms of story, cogency, and overall effectiveness.

What's Next?

Applying to other colleges in the midwest? Check out our expert guides to how to write the UChicago essays , the Notre Dame essays , and the Michigan State essay .

If you're using the Common App to submit your college applications, you'll need to figure out which essay prompt is the best one for you .

Learn more about how to get into the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by visiting our UIUC admission requirements page .

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Essay Prompts

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

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The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is mainly located in Champaign, Illinois. Technically, UIUC is located in the “twin cities” of Champaign and Urbana, so you may not always be in Champaign if you decide to attend! Founded in 1867, UIUC is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system. The UIUC supplemental essays are split up based on whether you are applying to a specific major or their undeclared program. Therefore, it is important to have an idea of what you want to study before you begin filling out the UIUC application. 

Also see: How to write an essay about yourself

Before answering the UIUC supplemental essay questions

The UIUC supplemental essay questions are divided based on whether applicants are applying to a specific major, undeclared program or have a second-choice major. 

Therefore, it is important to do your research on UIUC and the academic programs available. Figure out what drives you and what you picture yourself doing in the future. If your future is not clear, do not worry! You still have plenty of time to explore and figure out what you are interested in by becoming an undeclared major. 

You will have to answer two-three short-answer questions depending on whether you’re applying to a major or undeclared program and if you have selected a second choice major.

Each short answer response should not exceed 150 words. This is not a lot of space for creative freedom, so be sure to be clear and concise. Do not drag on! Make sure you simply just answer the question and put your personality on the page. 

Don’t miss: Tips for a successful college application

If you’re applying to a major

If you are applying to a major , there are two UIUC supplemental essays you will need to complete (150 words each).

First essay

“Explain, in detail, an experience you’ve had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else.”

To begin answering this prompt, you should first describe what exactly your first-choice major is. You can give some background into how you discovered your passion for this subject. For example, maybe you want to study biology because you were obsessed with a particular lab you completed in high school. 

After giving a brief description of your major, talk about some meaningful experiences you have had that have added to your desire to study this topic. For example, you can choose to write about a particular “aha” experience in your biology class or a mandatory book for English class that changed your perspective on life. You can also choose to write about an outside the classroom experience such as a club or volunteer work you have done. You can even talk about a figure in your life that has inspired you. The limits are endless! 

Ensure that whatever experiences you choose to write about that they connect back to your first-choice major. 

Second essay

“Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.” 

The second supplemental essay question for applicants who have selected a first-choice major is pretty straightforward. What do you envision yourself doing after college? What is the career you are working towards with this major? 

This question will allow admissions officers to see that you are working towards something bigger than yourself. They want to see that you have a plan ready for your future. 

So, describe exactly what you intend to do with your degree from UIUC. Be sure to mention why this particular path is the right one for you. 

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If you’re applying to uiuc’s undeclared program.

If you’re applying to the undeclared program, there are two UIUC supplemental essays you will have to write (150 words each). 

“What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at Illinois and why.” 

Having your future aspirations figured out is not something that is required to attend university. Therefore, do not stress if you are not exactly sure what you want to major in at UIUC. 

Luckily, their undeclared program is a popular option for incoming freshmen. In this program, you are able to explore different majors while still remaining on track for graduation. 

Therefore, this prompt wants to get you thinking about where your academic strengths and interests lie. Are you a book lover and cannot wait to go to English class every day? Do you love learning new languages? Is calculus your jam? Wherever your strengths and interests lie, be sure to write about all of them. Include some background information on why you love these particular subjects. Maybe your mom read to you every night when you were younger, and your love of reading continues to this day. Or, maybe you always were the banker while playing Monopoly so math is now your favorite subject 

Just remember not to exceed 150 words in your response! 

Also see: An insider’s view of what goes on inside a college admissions office

“What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.” 

As mentioned above, you do not need to have your life figured out! Therefore, your answer to this question does not need to be extremely specific. Rather, it can be quite broad. 

For example, if you do not know what you want to do, but you enjoy reading and working as a camp counselor for first graders over the summer, you can talk about your love for this and how it may open a door to teaching in your future career. You can even be more broad and say that you picture yourself helping others in your future career because that is what makes you feel good. 

UIUC does not want you to have your future figured out and does not expect you to! They just want to see that their undeclared applicants are thinking about their futures and potential career paths. 

If you’ve selected a second-choice major (including undeclared) 

If you’re applying to a second-choice major you will need to answer one supplemental essay question (150 words). 

“Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.” 

A second-choice major is essentially a “backup” major. It means if you are not admitted to your first-choice major, you will then be considered for your second-choice major. 

Essentially, like the other UIUC supplemental essays, this question wants to get to the bottom of the “why?” Why do you want to study this as your second choice? Why is this option not your first choice? 

Be sure to include how studying this major will still help you reach your career goals despite not being your first choice major. Why does this secondary area of study appeal to you? 

Next steps after applying to UIUC 

Once you have completed your UIUC supplemental essays – congratulations! Be sure to read over your responses or ask a trusted friend to read them over for you. Remember, you want to submit a flawless essay, not one filled with silly mistakes that make you seem careless.

Make sure you do not repeat any information throughout your responses, despite the questions being similar. Be sure to reveal new information throughout your application so admissions officers get a well-rounded idea of “you.” 

Now that you have beautiful and flawless UIUC supplemental essay answers written, it is officially time to submit your application! 

Once your application is submitted, be sure to check your UIUC portal and email for updates on your application status.

In addition, show demonstrated interest in UIUC by following them on social media or scheduling an in-person tour. This will give you an opportunity to get to know UIUC a little better, and give UIUC the chance to get to know you as well. 

Best of luck in the rest of your college admissions journey! 

Additional resources

If UIUC is the first school you have applied to or the last or somewhere in the middle, we know you need some help along the way! Luckily, we have an abundance of resources at your fingertips. 

Not sure if UIUC should be the only school you apply to? Check out our guide on how many schools to apply to . Make sure to read up after about how to find safety, reach, and match schools . 

If financing and affordability is a main concern when it comes to a higher education, make sure that you apply for all the scholarships you qualify for! 

Start your scholarship search

• Vetted scholarships custom-matched to your profile
• Access exclusive scholarships only available to Scholarships360 members

Other colleges to consider

• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
• Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)
• Pennsylvania State University (Throughout PA)

Frequently asked questions about the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Essay Prompts

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Applying to College at UIUC: A Complete Guide

Applying to college is key, and you want to get it right. It can also be a complicated maze full of twists and turns (including different requirements and deadlines for every school on your list!). We’re here to guide you through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign first-year application process and out the other side.

Looking to transfer to UIUC? Check out our transfer guide instead!

UIUC Dates & Deadlines

As you’re applying to colleges, the number of dates floating around your head can be overwhelming. Although you don’t want to miss an important deadline, you deserve to save your brain space for more important knowledge (like all eight variations of that password you’ve been using since you were 10!).

So without further ado, grab your planner and add  these dates to it. They’re the ones you need to know when it comes to UIUC.

The UIUC Application Process

You can’t apply to a college without submitting an application, and there’s a lot to unpack in ours! Let’s dig in.

Choosing Your App Type

When you’re ready to begin your UIUC application , you have two options: You can apply through the Common App or myIllini . Common App is a shared application that allows you to apply to multiple schools at once, while myIllini is our university application. We don’t care which one you choose, so just pick the one that makes the most sense to you.

Things You’ll Need

Before you start your application, make sure you have the following things on hand:

• A copy of your high school transcript 
• Any test score results you choose to report
• A credit card to pay your application fee (if you don’t have a fee waiver)

We also suggest a quiet place devoid of distractions to help you maintain your focus while filling out applications. A pair of headphones and a good playlist can go a long way as well.

Application Pro Tip

Things you won’t need? Letters of recommendation or the like, since we don’t accept them. You also don’t need to send official transcripts or official test score results our way; we only ask for the official versions of these if you enroll at UIUC.

Stuff Our App Includes

The majority of our application will be fairly easy to fill out, but it can take some time (so make sure you don’t wait until the night before the deadline to start!). You’ll begin by adding some personal information, like your name and address, where you go to school and your graduation date, and so on. We won’t get into all that here, but let’s touch on some of the more substantial parts.

1. Courses & Grades

We ask you to self-report your high school courses and grades, which means you’ll enter them directly into our application. Be sure to refer to that copy of your transcript we mentioned above so that what you provide is accurate. Note that if you apply through the Common App, you’ll add this information in our self-reported academic record (SRAR) a few days after submitting your application.

2. Test Scores (if provided)

UIUC is test-optional, meaning you’re not required to submit ACT and/or SAT test results when you apply. If you do choose to provide yours, you’ll self-report them just like you do your courses and grades.

We encourage you to report your scores if you feel they accurately represent your ability. Carefully consider your decision, since you won’t be able to change it later on. You can learn more about our test-optional policy within our first-year applicant FAQ .

Before you apply, you can learn more about the majors we offer through our  program explorer . In our application, we’ll ask you to select both a first- and second-choice major (in case you aren’t admitted to your first choice). If you still aren’t sure what you’d like to major in by the time you’re applying to college, we also have an undeclared option.

4. Major-Specific Prompts

You’ll answer two to three major-specific prompts in our application, depending on what you’re applying to. Your answers will help us determine if your interests and goals are a good fit for your selected program, so be specific. You’ll also want to be direct, since you only have 150 to work with for each prompt.

You’ll also write an essay. The good news? You have lots of prompts to choose from, and they’re available even before our application opens. This means you can knock your essay out early! Our two best pieces of advice when writing are to 1) answer the prompt, and 2) have a teacher, family member, or counselor proofread it.

6. Activities, Honors, & Distinctions

Finally, we’ll ask you to provide a certain number of activities, honors, and distinctions. Take some time to think about the things you’ve been involved in and the things you’ve accomplished. Whatever is most important to you belongs on this list!

If you have any questions as you’re working,  review our FAQ . You can also talk to your high school counselor, who can give you more guidance on how to answer certain questions.

Additional Requirements

Sometimes, students need to do more than just submit our application. For example, if you’re applying into a talent-based major like art, dance, music, or theatre, you’ll need to complete an audition or submit a portfolio. Or, based on whether you choose to report the ACT/SAT and where you’ve completed your most recent schooling, we may strongly recommend or even require the TOEFL or IELTS .

You can learn more about any additional requirements  on our website . If you’re ever uncertain, just ask!

Your Application Status

After you submit your application, it’s important that you check your myIllini status page to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. Seriously, there’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve applied only to discover later on that your application was never actually complete.

You can view your status page and confirm everything is good to go by clicking on your application in myIllini. If you’ve chosen to apply through the Common App, we’ll create a myIllini account for you that you’ll use moving forward in the process; it will become available to you a few days after submitting your application.

Applying for Financial Aid

Although financial aid is a crucial part of the college application process, you actually have to apply for it separately. How? By submitting the Free Application for Student Financial Aid, or  FAFSA . To learn more about that process as well as other ways to cut your cost of attendance, read our  Guide to Paying for College . Note, though, that financial aid funding is only available to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.

We hope this guide will serve you well throughout the UIUC application process. If you get lost in the maze at any time, don’t hesitate to contact us . We’re here to help!

UIUC Admissions

We're here for you as you prepare for college. Whether you're looking for guidance on the college search process or have questions about Illinois, we hope our blogs will help!

82 comments

For grad admissions?

Hi Waseem, Unfortunately, this is about the undergraduate admission process only. You can learn more about the graduate admissions process through our Graduate College: https://grad.illinois.edu . Thanks for reaching out!

I want to apply as an International Student at the University

Hello! This process applies to international applicants as well. Here are a few more details specifically for international students: https://admissions.illinois.edu/Apply/international . If you have questions, you can also email us ad [email protected] or call us at +1 217-333-0302. Thanks for reaching out!

Hey, I am planning to apply to Illinois and was wondering how to fill in the scores for the AP tests I took. I am a US citizen but I have done my schooling in India so I am not sure how exactly should I report these scores.

Thanks for reaching out! AP scores are not considered as a part of your application. You will self-report if you’ve taken any AP courses on the application under the courses section, but any AP exams taken separately are not considered. If you’re admitted to Illinois and choose to enroll, we may be able to award credit for your AP scores: https://admissions.illinois.edu/Apply/Freshman/college-credit-AP .

If you have more questions as you apply, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 217-333-0302, email us at [email protected] , or check out our FAQ: https://admissions.illinois.edu/FAQ/applicant-freshman . We hope this helps and look forward to seeing your application soon!

How do I apply for early action using the coalition app? The only option available is Fall 2020 First Year, due Jan 5, 2020

Hi Advay. Good question! In order to be considered an early action applicant, you will need to submit your application for admission along with the application fee/fee waiver by our early action deadline . There is not a button that you need to select in order to indicate you are wanting to be reviewed as an early action applicant. We go by the date the items are submitted to our office. If you have any further questions, please let us know. You can email us at [email protected] or call us at 217-333-0302.

Hi I am presently in my Twelfth grade in India and possess US Permanent Resident status. Will i be able to avail of financial aid ? ( Family has still not moved to US and do not file tax in US)

Hi Naman, All need-based financial aid is awarded to students based off the information submitted via the FAFSA. If you are not able to submit the FAFSA, then unfortunately no, you would not able to receive need-based financial aid. However, you would still be eligible to be considered for all merit-based scholarships. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 217-333-0302 or email us at [email protected] . We’re here to help.

For the Illinois commitment program, is that done through the FASFA?

Hi Lily! Yes, in order to qualify for Illinois Commitment, you’ll just need to submit the FAFSA; there is no separate application form. Once we receive your FAFSA information, though, we may request and require additional documents to confirm your eligibility. You can learn more about Illinois Commitment on our Financial Aid website: https://osfa.illinois.edu/types-of-aid/other-aid/illinois-commitment/ . Thanks for reaching out!

Hi, Can you please write about how to fill the year 9-11 part, because i don’t know how to fill it out since i am from Cameroon and it is quiet different from ours. I will really appreciate. I am counting on you… Thanks in advance

Thanks for reaching out! Our international admissions counselors are the best resource when it comes to entering your 9-11 courses and grades. You can email them at [email protected] , and a counselor will get back to you ASAP to ask follow-up questions and walk you through your specific situation.

Is it only for first year students only? What about transfer students?

Hi Desire, thanks for reaching out! We have a complete guide for transfer students on our blog as well. You can find it here: https://blog.admissions.illinois.edu/?p=33777 . More details for transfers can also be found on our admissions website, too: https://admissions.illinois.edu/Apply/Transfer/process . We hope this helps. Any other questions, don’t hesitate to email us or call us at 217-333-0302. We’re here to help!

When are the new admissions starting? Also wanted to know whether the lectures will be online or in physical classroom?

Hi Daisy, Thanks for reaching out! Our application deadline for freshmen is January 5, and students will receive decisions in mid-February: https://admissions.illinois.edu/Apply/Freshman/dates . Like fall 2020, our spring 2021 semester will include a blend of in-person and remote instruction. No announcements have been made for fall 2021 yet. You can learn more here: https://covid19.illinois.edu/guides/students/ . We hope this helps! Any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected] or 217-333-0302.

How do I apply to UIUC through the common app for Fall 2022? I don’t see it in the College List, even after the rollover on August 1.

Hi Aditi, thanks for reaching out! Because we’re new to the Common App and our application doesn’t open until September 1, we won’t show up on the site until that date. So you’ll want to check back again then! In the meantime, you can learn more about our application process and writing prompts on our website. Any other questions, don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected] or call us at 217-333-0302. We’re here to help!

I plan to apply through Common App. Do I still need to create myIllini account?

Hi Katherine, Thanks for reaching out! No, you do not need to create a myIllini account when you apply. After you apply through Common App, we’ll create a myIllini account for you, and you’ll receive an email a few days after submitting your application with instructions on how to access it. You’ll use this account to check your application status. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to email us or call us at 217-333-0302.

I a native of Madar, Siraha, Nepal. I wish to apply for undergraduate in computer science. How can I get a application fee waiver?

Thanks for reaching out, Aayush. Unfortunately, we do not accept fee waivers for international students, and international students are not eligible for need-based financial aid. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to email us or call us at +1 217-333-0302.

Any idea why UIUC won’t simply pull in academic data from SSAR instead of having to go into the myIllini app and type all these out one at a time?

Hi Venkatram, Unfortunately, UIUC does not have access to academic data entered in that system since we don’t have a contract with SSAR. If you have any questions when working in myIllini, please don’t hesitate to review our FAQ , email us , or call us at 217-333-0302.

Does this also apply to transfer students?

Hi Dylan, thanks for reaching out! We actually have a separate blog specifically for transfer applicants: https://blog.admissions.illinois.edu/?p=33777 . If you have questions after reading, don’t hesitate to email us or give us a call at 217-333-0302.

I am planning to take a test to meet the English Proficiency in the month of March 2022. Will it have any influence on the decision, as English Proficiency is listed as a missing item in the application status?

Hi Ajay, Thanks for reaching out. To be considered for fall 2022 admission, first-year students must have their app complete by January 15. At this point, we would recommend the Duolingo English Test, as you can sign up and take it within 48 hours from anywhere and get results quickly. We hope this helps. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected] or call us at +1 217-333-0302.

The more I go through your website, blogs, videos, etc. the more it makes me hope I get a chance to attend UIUC. Thank you for the encouraging and fun methods of providing information.

Are English language proficiency tests a must for a student who has studied an international curriculum (iGCSE, IBDP) in India with English as the sole medium of instruction right from kindergarten to IBDP, has good scores in the English language IB exams and is submitting SAT scores?

Thanks for reaching out, Mohammed, and for the kind words!

Since it sounds like you are reporting SAT scores, submitting an English language proficiency test is not required to complete your application. However, we still strongly encourage you to do so to demonstrate your English proficiency. For more details, you can take a look at the “Do I need to prove English proficiency?” question within our applicant FAQ and the test scores section of our how to apply webpage .

We hope this helps! If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to email us or call us at +1 217-333-0302.

I am an International student, Is it mandatory to send scores for all 4 years of high school (9-12) or just 2 years ( 10 & 12).

Hi Raj, thanks for reaching out! You need to provide official academic records for all years of school you reported in the application for years 9 to 12, including official copies of all school certificates and external exam results. You can learn more on our admitted international FAQ page . If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact our office .

Hi, I have completed my 9th, 10th and the first semester of 11th grade in India and then shifted to the US. I will be providing my SAT score to UIUC but I wasn’t sure if the Toefl requirement will be applicable to me in this case. Could you please help me out in this?

Is there any financial aid for international students? If there’s, how can you apply for it?

I’m searching for masters application process for international students can you provide some links?

Hello, I’m an international student taking the IB course in South Korea. Even though I’m not a US citizen, I’ve been studying in an international school for six years, and I was wondering if students like me still have to take the English proficiency test.

What about info on US citizens living and studying abroad

Do international students like myself who hope to join this school have to do any English proficiency test like the TOFEL or ILETS to have a better chance at getting in? Thanks!

Thanks for reaching out, Aravind! You can learn more about our masters application process through our Graduate College: https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply .

Hi Fillah, Thanks for reaching out. All students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships when they apply to UIUC. Unfortunately, need-based financial aid isn’t available to international undergraduates, although a few limited scholarships and loans exist through our International Student and Scholar Services: https://isss.illinois.edu/resources/finaid.html . If you have additional questions about financial aid, you can contact our Office of Student Financial Aid at 217-333-0100. We hope this helps!

Hi Farouk, You can learn about our English Proficiency requirements on our first-year application process page and our applicant FAQ. If you have additional questions regarding your specific situation, don’t hesitate to contact us directly . We’re here to help!

Hi Youngjune, You can learn about our English Proficiency requirements on our first-year application process page and our applicant FAQ. If you have additional questions regarding your specific situation, don’t hesitate to contact us directly . We’re here to help!

Hi Deepal, You can learn about our English Proficiency requirements on our first-year application process page and our applicant FAQ. If you have additional questions regarding your specific situation, don’t hesitate to contact us directly . We’re here to help!

Good question, Shreyash! Your residency is determined by your citizenship status; if you’re a U.S. resident, you’ll be considered as such. You’ll be reviewed based on the educational curriculum you’ve taken. If you have more questions about your specific situation, don’t hesitate to contact us directly . We’re here to help!

How could I improve my essays to well suit UIUC

Hello, Does UIUC calculate GPA using the high school profile or their own way? Thank you.

Hi Rudra! We have quite a few blogs all about writing application essays: How to Write a College Application Essay , UIUC Essay Example , and UIUC Major-Specific Examples . We hope these help as you begin to work on yours!

Thanks for reaching out! When evaluating a student’s high school performance, the actual GPA isn’t as much of a factor as the grades you earned in each of the classes you took, along with the strength of those classes and if you took more advanced coursework throughout your four years of high school. You can learn more about how we review on our website . We hope this helps! If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us directly .

For MS in Computer science is the GRE mandatory?

Hi Karan, and thanks for reaching out. We’re the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at UIUC. For information related to graduate programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Graduate College: https://grad.illinois.edu/ .

I’m 16 years old but I will be turning 17 before next fall and that’s when I would like to start. Can I still apply at 16 and not be rejected because of age?

Thanks for reaching out, Veronica! Yes, you can apply; we don’t have a minimum age that students need to be in order to do so. You can review requirements and more on our website: https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/requirements .

Hello! I am based in California, studying in CA for last 8 years and currently on H4 visa. I have few questions 1. For fees purposes, i will be treated as out-of-state (domestic) OR international student? 2. Student stays at college housing for all 4 years OR its optional 3. Should we consider courses attended at community college (summer/evening) for GPA calculation 4. Do you have acceptance criteria (student profile) based on school and majors 5. what is Out-of-state acceptance for collage of engineering?

Hi, I was wondering whether UIUC needs an SSR (Secondary School Report). On the Common App, it does not exactly say. Also, if we apply using myIllini, would be need an SSR then?

Thanks for reaching out. No, we do not need or accept an SSR for either Common App or myIllini applicants. We hope this helps!

Thanks for reaching out! Below are the answers to your questions. We hope they help! 1. Fees are based on residency status. As you would require a visa to attend, you would be considered an international applicant. 2. First-time attending students are required to live in university-approved housing . For continuing students, it is optional. 3. No, you shouldn’t consider courses attended at community college for GPA calculation. 4. You can view our student profile broken down by academic community on our website: https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/profile . 5. We do not provide admit rates broken down by residency. However, we do provide admit rates broken down by academic community: https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/freshman/admit-rate .

Hi, Regarding EA and RD, I am planning to major in management/finance and I’m not sure whether EA or Rd would be the right one for me. I have a kind of low GPA but I also have many other extracurriculars and supplements and a pretty decent SAT score so I wanted to know if applying EA or RD would be best for me? One counselor told me to apply EA, and another told me to apply RD, so I was confused and wanted to ask the admission officers themselves. Please let me know and thanks!

Thanks for reaching out! We recommend applying by our early action deadline , since this may give you the best chance for being admitted to our more selective programs. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us directly . We’re here to help!

Hello: I have explained Covid impact on my academics in the “Additional question” on Common app. Can I explain the same in the questions around “academic challenge” or “low grade or a drop in grades explanation”? Will UIUC admissions read the new common app “Additional question”?

Hello and thanks for reaching out. We will read what you include in the Additional Information section in the Common App portion. You do not need to copy the same information over into the Academic Challenges section in our application questions. We hope this helps! If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us directly .

I attend a dual credit high school in Texas. My 9th and 10th grade years were at my traditional high school in my community, but I attended an early college school for 11th and 12th. All of my classes for last year and this year are dual credit, but when I list my high school’s name, dual credit is not an option. If I create a third entry with the college institution’s name, I can list the courses by name and as dual credit. Would that mess up the self-reporting?

Hi Jordyn, if you’ll receive a post-secondary transcript for the courses taken at an early college school, you should enter that school as a college and list the courses under that institution. However, if you will not receive a post-secondary transcript, enter the courses under your high school record and list them as Advanced. If you are applying through Common App, you can explain the situation in the Additional Information section. If you are applying through myIllini, you can explain in the Other Academic Information section. We hope this helps! If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us directly .

Hi, I understand that letters of recommendation won’t be considered. Our school sends counselor recommendation letters for us, which tell about the student’s personal life in general and detail extenuating circumstances. Will these letters not be considered as well?

Hi Aarish, thanks for reaching out! We do accept letters of explanation from counselors that provide information regarding extenuating circumstances; however, they aren’t necessary since we ask students to disclose that information in the application. We hope this helps! If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us directly .

On my transcript I have Gym and Health each year. However, Gym is 3 quarters and health is 1 quarter. However, I don’t have the option to select 3 quarters for Gym on SRAR. Can you please tell me what I should do?

Hi Arav, thanks for reaching out. You should actually have the option to select 3 quarters for Gym and 1 for Health. Can you take a second look? If you’re still having troubles, review our FAQ or contact our office directly .

If I apply undeclared, can I still transfer into Grainger if I decide to do engineering?

If i summit an application, would I be automatically considered for institutional scholarships ?

Hi, I am an international student based in India and endeavoring to apply to the undergraduate program @ Fall 2024. Will I be eligible for Merit scholarship?

Best, Mihir

For the essay prompt “Explain, in detail, an experience you’ve had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else.”, do I need to elaborate about a single experience related to my major or should I talk about all the experiences that I feel show my passion for my major?

Also, for my first major I am planning to do computer science, and for my second choice I am thinking of computer engineering. The experiences related to my first choice major and the reasons for me applying to computer science also apply to computer engineering as well. Do I still need to write the second major essay?

Thank you so much, Rohit

Thanks for reaching out, Mihir; we’re excited you’re interested in UIUC! All students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships when they apply to our university. Although need-based financial aid isn’t available to international undergraduates, a few limited scholarships and loans do exist through our International Student and Scholar Services . If you have additional questions, check out our Office of Student Financial Aid website or contact them directly at 217-333-0100.

Hi Betrand, yes, when you apply to UIUC, you’re automatically considered for our merit-based scholarships. Many of these are for first-year and transfer students in any college based on academic excellence, though awards are also given out based on major. You can learn more about scholarship opportunities on our website: https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/invest/scholarships .

Sorry for the delayed reply, Vikas. Yes, possibly. The transfer process into Grainger is competitive, and you’d need to complete certain prerequisite courses and meet a minimum GPA. You can learn more on our Inter-Collegiate Transfer (ICT) website. Please note that you can’t transfer into our Computer Science major through ICT. We hope this helps, and thanks for reaching out!

Thanks for reaching out, Rohit, and apologies for the delayed response. Regarding the prompt, even if you’ve had multiple experiences over a long period of time, we’re looking for a more in-depth, detailed description of one of those experiences that helped draw you to that area of study. In addition, yes, you do still need to write an answer for the second prompt. It’s okay if there is some overlap, especially when it comes to your experiences. Please note that Computer Engineering isn’t available as a second choice on our application; you can learn more about other majors that aren’t available as a second choice in our applicant FAQ . We hope this helps!

Hello, are we allowed to use “Mathematics and Computer Science” as a second choice major? Thank you.

I am applying for Fall 2024 admission. Are the 2 questions about the academic challenges optional? ; Explain any challenges (outside of COVID-related) you have faced throughout your academic career,  including the dates or timeline below. ;If you have a low grade or a drop in grades that you have not already explained, do so below. I am applying through the common app, Are these questions required?

Hi Rohit, thanks for reaching out. Not all majors are available as a second choice due to space constraints, including Mathematics and Computer Science. To see the full list of other majors not allowed as a second choice, visit our Second-Choice Major FAQ .

Thanks for reaching out, Hyunsoo! No, the academic challenges questions are not required; they are completely optional. We hope this helps!

Would it be possible to attend with a GED?

Hi Josh, yes, it is! High school equivalency exam results can be submitted in lieu of a final high school transcript. We must receive official GED test results from the testing agency. Thanks for reaching out, and we hope this helps!

You may also like

UIUC Transfer Guide: How to Apply, Step by Step

Apply Like a Pro to UIUC: Examples of Major-Specific College Application Questions

UIUC College Essay Example Prompts

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How to Get Into University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC) Guide

How to Get Into UIUC Guide–General Information

The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC) is Illinois’s largest and most well-known public university. It was founded in 1867 and is home to 33,500 undergraduate students and 17,800 graduate students.

What we’ll cover in this How to Get Into UIUC Guide:

• University of Illinois GPA requirements
• Average UIUC SAT scores
• University of Illinois Acceptance Rate
• Details on UIUC Early Action
• UIUC Application Deadline
• How to approach the UIUC Supplemental Essays
• UIUC Interview

When thinking about how to get into UIUC, make sure every aspect of your application—including your GPA, UIUC SAT scores, UIUC supplemental essays, and all Common Application materials—is top-notch. You do not need to conduct a UIUC interview. You should also start planning how to get into UIUC well before the UIUC application deadline.

Figuring out how to get into UIUC takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes UIUC graduates. Want to maximize your UIUC admissions odds?  Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272. 

How to get into UIUC

As mentioned, the question of how to get into UIUC involves many factors. Although there is no formal UIUC interview, the application process does include written components, test scores, activity lists, and a review of your high school academic record. Beating the UIUC acceptance rate requires excellence across all of these metrics. 

One important factor to consider is when to apply. Many students choose to apply to UIUC Early Action in order to increase their chances of admission. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of applying through UIUC Early Action (or “priority admission”). 

Although there is no official UIUC Early Action deadline, they do offer priority admission to students who submit their applications by November 1st. This priority admission is very similar to a UIUC Early Action deadline, as it gives students first priority for places in the most selective programs at UIUC. Those students also get first consideration for merit awards and scholarships.

How hard is it to get into University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

According to US News and World Report, the University of Illinois’s acceptance rate is 63%, making it a more selective school. The University of Illinois acceptance rate for Illinois residents is almost 10 points higher than the rate for non-residents (70% vs 60%). So, your chances of getting in are lower if you are not an Illinois resident. 

UIUC has an overall ranking of 47 among US universities. Among public universities, UIUC ranks 15th. UIUC also has top ten programs in Accounting, (#3), Computer Science (#5), and Engineering (#6). These programs have acceptance rates that are slightly lower than the average University of Illinois acceptance rate. So, the University of Illinois GPA requirements are stricter for how to get into UIUC in these programs.

What is the average GPA for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

When thinking about how to get into UIUC, GPA is an important factor. The University of Illinois GPA requirements vary between UIUC’s many colleges . However, the middle 50% of students overall have a GPA between 3.50-3.94. The most selective colleges in UIUC are the Gies College of Business (3.61-3.95) and the Grainger College of Engineering (3.75-4.00). 

The average UIUC SAT scores range from 1300-1500 without the writing section. The average ACT scores range from 28-34. However, if your GPA is lower than 3.5, don’t worry; you can still get accepted. We’ll go over strategies for how to get into UIUC throughout this guide.

Although the University of Illinois’s acceptance rate does not seem low, UIUC is still a competitive school. This is especially true in Business and Engineering, where the University of Illinois GPA requirements are stricter. No matter which field you want to pursue, you must craft a strong application. 

Start early so you have time to plan before the UIUC application deadline. And even though you cannot apply to a UIUC Early Action program, you can still apply with priority admission.

What does the UIUC application look like?

The UIUC application consists of the Common Application or Coalition Application plus the UIUC supplement, which includes the UIUC supplemental essays. Students can also apply through the school’s Myillini portal . No matter which platform you choose for how to get into UIUC, you must submit a high school transcript and a summary of your extracurriculars. 

Applicants must submit:

• The Common Application , Coalition Application, or Myillini Application
• The UIUC supplement and UIUC supplemental essays
• Your high school courses and the grades you achieved in those courses
• Your application fee or fee waiver
• A final high school transcript, if admitted

Submitting UIUC SAT scores or ACT scores is optional, but high UIUC SAT scores can strengthen your chance for admission. If you took either test and scored well, we recommend that you submit your scores. 

Most applicants do not need to conduct a UIUC interview or submit letters of recommendation as part of how to get into UIUC. However, some programs, including theater and music, do ask students to complete a UIUC interview.

What extracurriculars does UIUC like?

One of the most vital parts of how to get into UIUC is a strong activities list. Here, you tell the admissions team what you do outside the classroom. Given the University of Illinois acceptance rate, a strong extracurricular resume can help your application stand out. 

When it comes to your extracurriculars, the two most important factors are leadership and consistency. Colleges like UIUC want to see that students have held leadership positions and have stayed involved in their activities over several years. So, choose extracurriculars that you care about and can commit to. Don’t just join clubs because you think they will look good on your college applications.

UIUC also looks at how your extracurriculars align with the field of study you want to pursue. So, think about how you can use your activities to dive deeper into your academic interests. For instance, a potential engineering major might join a robotics club, or a potential English major might become editor-in-chief of their high school literary magazine. Whatever you like to do, try to connect it to your extracurricular activities.

Beyond the University of Illinois GPA requirements and the UIUC SAT scores, your activities list lets you show the admissions team who you are and what matters to you. If you’re a sophomore or junior, explore what your school or community has to offer. If you’re a senior, see about taking a leadership role in a group you’ve been with for a while and start making a list of your key activities.

What is the acceptance rate for the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign?

The overall University of Illinois acceptance rate is 63% , meaning that almost two-thirds of applicants get in. However, this number is slightly lower (60%) for applicants outside of Illinois and slightly higher (69%) for Illinois residents. In 2020, 43,473 students applied and 27,520 were accepted. 

While most applicants get in, you should still put your best foot forward in your UIUC application. This includes submitting UIUC SAT scores and writing strong UIUC supplemental essays. The University of Illinois acceptance rate does not mean you’ll get in. Plus, the more work you do before the UIUC application deadline, the better your chances will be. 

There is no option to apply to UIUC Early Action. However, if you apply by November 1st, you can be eligible for priority admission. Meeting this UIUC application deadline increases your chance of admission, especially for the school’s most selective programs.

Want to learn more about acceptance rates? Check out our expert  guide .

Do UIUC applicants get interviews?

According to the UIUC admissions website , not all students are offered a UIUC interview. Because UIUC has so many applicants, there are not enough staff members to support a UIUC interview process. So, regardless of whether you apply through regular or priority admission (the alternative to UIUC Early Action), you will most likely not complete an interview. 

However, if you are planning to apply for a major in fine arts, music, or theater, you will need to complete a UIUC interview.

How to write the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign essays

In addition to the Common Application or Coalition Application essay prompt, you must also submit several UIUC supplemental essays before the UIUC application deadline. There are two UIUC supplemental essays, and the prompts differ based on whether you apply to a specific major. 

If you apply to a specific major, the UIUC supplemental essays will ask you to reflect on your experiences that have led you to pursue this major. The key here is to be selective. You only have 150 words, so you should only discuss 1-2 major experiences rather than trying to mention everything you have done. Try to choose experiences that showcase your growth.

UIUC will also ask you to reflect on how your major relates to your career goals. This is your chance to show UIUC how you will use your time there they provide by referencing programs, courses, and other features UIUC offers. Be as specific as possible to show your investment in UIUC.

No major, no problem

If you’re wondering how to get into UIUC without a chosen major, don’t worry. The UIUC supplemental essays for undeclared students are similar—the language is just more general. These questions address your identity and interests, letting you show how UIUC fits your goals. The UIUC supplemental essays also allow you to showcase your personality and show off your writing skills. 

Make sure you give yourself time to write and revise all of your UIUC supplemental essays. Even if you meet the University of Illinois GPA requirements, strong writing is a great way to show your strengths. Stellar essays are key to any prime “how to get into UIUC” strategy.

How does the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign review applications?

The UIUC website contains details about how the admissions team reviews applications. You can use this information to learn more about how to get into UIUC. 

After the UIUC application deadline, the first thing that UIUC looks for is the rigor of your courses. Put another way, they want to see whether you took the hardest courses offered at your high school. 

While there are no University of Illinois GPA requirements, UIUC does look at your GPA. So, having high grades in hard classes is the best way to strengthen your “how to get into UIUC” strategy. Remember that the average UIUC applicant has a GPA from 3.50-3.94. You can use this metric in place of any University of Illinois GPA requirements. 

UIUC also wants to see that you’ve engaged deeply with extracurriculars that match your interests. So, make sure to include activities on your list that relate to your chosen major. The UIUC supplemental essays are also a great place to show this interest.

Holistic review

UIUC holistically reviews applications submitted by the UIUC application deadline. They consider an applicant’s background and the opportunities available to them in high school. According to the website, “[UIUC’s] admissions review process focuses on how an individual student maximizes the educational offerings available to them and how that student has demonstrated academic achievement within their unique context.” So, if your high school does not offer AP classes but you took the hardest classes available, don’t worry. You will not be penalized by any University of Illinois GPA requirements.

Finally, UIUC is test-optional, meaning that applicants do not need to report their UIUC SAT scores. However, we advise you to take either the SAT or ACT if you can. A strong score will strengthen your application, especially given the University of Illinois acceptance rate. Because there is no UIUC interview, your UIUC SAT scores can help set you apart.

Will UIUC look at my social media accounts?

Because of the sheer number of applications that UIUC receives every year, it is unlikely that UIUC will look at your social media pages. In fact, social media presence is listed among the factors NOT considered in the application review process. This means that your social media presence will neither help nor hinder your application.

However, this is not a license to post anything you want onto your social media profiles. Employers and internship coordinators may still check your profiles, and anything inappropriate can jeopardize your ability to access opportunities. So, even though it will not impact your UIUC application itself, posting responsibly on social media is vital. 

Is UIUC a good school for me?

In addition to asking “how do I get into UIUC,” you should also consider whether UIUC is a good fit for you. Despite the University of Illinois acceptance rate and the school’s popularity, UIUC is not the best school for everyone. 

UIUC is located in Urbana, a city of approximately 50,000 people. So, you should expect more of a college town setting. The city caters mostly to students, with less activity in the summer months. 

If you prefer a smaller school or one that is closer to a large city, UIUC may not be the best fit for you. The most important thing to do is research the school and see if it matches your needs. The school you choose should set you up for a successful future. 

Wondering whether UIUC is right for you? One good place to start is by checking the list of majors to see if UIUC offers programs in your chosen field. Then, visit the webpage for your future major to see what courses are available.

Additional tips to get into University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Start early.

It is best to start planning well ahead of the UIUC application deadline. Plus, even though there is not an option to apply to UIUC Early Action, you are eligible for priority admission if you apply by November 1st. Getting your materials turned in well before the UIUC application deadline can help secure your spot.

Be authentic

UIUC uses the application and UIUC supplemental essays to get to know you. Let your passions shine through. Colleges look for enthusiastic and driven learners, so highlight your honors and interests.

Consider letting a parent, teacher, or advisor look over your application and offer suggestions about how to get into UIUC. However, don’t let them write your responses for you; make sure your unique voice shines through.

This guide was written by Alex Baggott-Rowe , Davidson ’16. If you want to know how to get into UIUC or how to get stronger UIUC SAT scores, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes UIUC graduates. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272. 

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Prompt's How-to Guide for the UIUC Essay

The uiuc essay prompt, and how to nail it (2020-2021)..

Are you excited about going on to college? Does the prospect of only having to study the things you love — or that you think will get you to your chosen career — make you giddy?

Great! Then writing your short essay for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is going to be easy — it’s just asking about what you plan to do at UIUC and why.

Still, if you’d like a little guidance for nailing this, take a look at our complete guide to the UIUC’s short essay — drawn from our long experience at Prompt helping applicants get accepted. (Note: this blog post will be updated soon - but while the UIUC prompt has changed slightly this year, our approach is still on-point.)

And if you’d also like personalized guidance from people who’ve done this thousands of times, get started with us here .

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign short essay prompts for 2020-2021

• Explain your interest in the major you selected and describe how you have recently explored or developed this interest inside and/or outside the classroom. You may also explain how this major relates to your future career goals. If you're applying to the Division of General Studies , explain your academic interests and strengths or your future career goals. You may include any majors or areas of study you're currently considering. Limit your response to 300 to 400 words.
• If you select a second-choice major other than the Division of General Studies on your application, write a second essay explaining your interest in this major, too. Again, limit your response to 300 to 400 words.

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Oral Qualifying Exam - Biomaterials

STUDY REFERENCES

• Biomaterials. The intersection of Biology and Materials Science, J.S. Temenoff and A.G. Mikos, 2008, Pearson Prentice Hall.
• Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine 2nd Edition, Ratner (ed), Academic Press, 2000.
• Molecular Biology of the Cell, by B. Alberts, et al., 4th edition, 2002. An authoritative textbook for introductory cell biology and molecular biology. Familiarity with the content in chapters 1-3 is highly recommended.

Other suggested reference books:

• Essential Cell Biology: An Introduction to the Molecular Biology of the Cell, Alberts et. al. (eds.), Garland Publishing, 1998.
• Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology, Marieb, Addison Wesley Longman, 2000
• Intermolecular and Surface Forces, by J. Israelachvili, 1986, Academic Press. A classic textbook on aspects of complex fluids and colloid science relevant to biology
• Basic cell biology, cell adhesion and the extracellular matrix (suggested reading: Chapter 3 of Reference Book-2; Chapter 1-3 and Chapters 18-19 of Reference Book-3)
• Chemical, Physical and Mechanical properties of biomaterials. (suggested reading: Chapter 1-4 of Reference Book-1; Part-I of Reference Book-2)
• Biomaterials degradation (suggested reading: Chapter 5 of Reference Book-1; Chapter 6 of Reference Book-2)
• Biomaterials Synthesis: bioceramics, biometals and biopolymers (Suggested reading: Part-I of Reference Book-2; Chapter-5 of Reference Book-1)
• Surface properties of materials and characterization methods (suggested reading: Chapter 7 of Reference Book-1)
• Protein and cell interactions with biomaterials (suggested reading: Chapter 8 and 9 of Reference Book-1) Biological testing of biomaterials (suggested reading: Chapter 5 of Reference Book-2)
• Applications of biomaterials (suggested reading: Section 2.5, 2.6, Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 of Reference Book-2); in particular biomaterials for orthopedic, dental, drug and gene delivery, sensing and diagnosis and tissue engineering applications.

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Santos honored by Illinois State Comptroller

Professor and Dean Eunice E. Santos was named a 2024 Women's History Month Honoree by the Illinois Office of Comptroller. She was recognized at a ceremony hosted by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza on March 21 in Springfield. At the Women's History Month celebration, Santos and three other women trailblazers were honored for their achievements and contributions to the community.

In presenting the award, the Comptroller said of Santos, "Under her leadership, the iSchool has seen unprecedented growth in student enrollment attracted by new and innovative degree programs and an expansion of diverse and pioneering scholarship and research opportunities."

Santos is an accomplished scholar and researcher whose expertise includes computational social science with an appreciation for the social and human aspects of the information sciences. Her recent research focuses on using computationally intensive methods to understand the behavior of social networks and communities.

She has received numerous awards, including a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, Spira Award for Excellence in Teaching, IEEE-CS Technical Achievement Award, Robinson Faculty Award, and IEEE Big Data Security Woman of Achievement Award. She is among the Chicago leaders who have been named to Crain's Tech 50, recognized in both 2016 and 2018. Santos is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

In receiving the honor, Santos emphasized the role of higher education to create opportunities for students and the fundamental role of the iSchool to develop thought leaders who can critically address future societal issues.

Santos serves on the board of directors of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Computing Research Association. She earned her PhD in computer science from the University of California, Berkeley.

View the award ceremony .

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CS 463 - Computer Security II

See full schedule from Course Explorer

Official Description

Course director.

Varies by semester.

Learning Goals

• Identify and address privacy issues in social networks ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Apply machine learning to security and address adversarial machine learning ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Use crypto constructs (homomorphic encryption, multi-party computation, etc.) ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Identify and address issues with de-identification ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Use hardware designed to support trusted computing ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Reason about information flow, computational security for encryption ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Recognize threats and design mitigations for security in key sectors (healthcare, power grid, transportation, etc.) ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Understand architecture and recognize threats for smartphone security
• Recognize issues with web privacy (especially cookies and advertising) ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Analyze human factors ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Recognize and mitigate insider threats ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Understand architecture and recognize threats for security in the Internet of Things (IoT) ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Recognize drivers and tactics in cyber warfare, and other topics of emerging interest in security and privacy ( 1 )( 2 )( 6 )
• Privacy issues in social networks
• Machine learning applications in security and adversarial machine learning
• Crypto constructs (homomorphic encryption, multi-party computation, etc.)
• De-identification
• Hardware for trusted computing
• Information flow, computational security for encryption
• Security in key sectors (healthcare, power grid, transportation, etc.)
• Smartphone security, web privacy
• Human factors
• Insider threats
• Internet of Things (IoT) security
• Cyber warfare, and other topics of emerging interest in security and privacy

Required, Elective, or Selected Elective

Selected Elective.

Last updated

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2019-20 Supplemental Essay Guide

Regular Decision: 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2019-20 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2 essays of 300-400 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

Explain your interest in the major you selected and describe how you have recently explored or developed this interest inside and/or outside the classroom. You may also explain how this major relates to your future career goals. (If you’re applying to the Division of General Studies, explain your academic interests and strengths or your future career goals.) You may include any majors or areas of study you’re currently considering. Limit your response to 300 to 400 words.

For this essay, let’s go beyond, “I like to read, so majoring in English will be a great fit for me.” We get it, you’re bookish. But how might courses and professors (get specific!) at UI-Urbana-Champaign shape you and teach you something new? For instance, you may have read Romeo and Juliet in high school, but what about Shakespeare’s sonnets or the historical context of his work in Elizabethan England? In college, you will reach new depths of knowledge you may not have even known existed. After explaining why your major piques your interest, describe the experiences you’ve had with it already. Did you work on a science experiment that taught you about the basics of organic chemistry? Maybe you watched those crazy robotics videos online and thought, “Hmmm, I should understand how those work so I can protect my future family when A.I. takes over in 2050.” (I mean, honestly, have they not watched Black Mirror ?!) Throughout high school, you’ve been exposed to so many different subjects, and UI-Urbana-Champaign wants to know why this one in particular has caught your eye. Finally, look ahead five or ten years and imagine how this degree will catapult you into a fulfilling career that you may not have access to otherwise. 

If you select a second-choice major other than the Division of General Studies on your application, write a second essay explaining your interest in this major, too. Again, limit your response to 300 to 400 words.

For this essay, admissions understands that you haven’t got it all figured out yet. And that’s okay! A lot of very successful people have leapt in and out of various disciplines, or even found common ground where they overlap (think philosophy and economics or agriculture and business). You’re allowed (no, encouraged) to have many interests, and admissions wants to know where your strengths lie. Why does this area appeal to you? What applications can you see blossoming from studying in this field? We recommend doing another dive into their course offerings to show that this isn’t just an afterthought; additionally, feel free to share any previous experiences (in or out of the classroom) that have led you to this choice. 

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NCPRE-based Confronting Challenges in Academic Units Consortium surveys professional development for academic leaders, calls for action

"Despite the need for focused, role-specific leadership development at the department level to nourish vibrant units, efforts to provide it continue to be scattered and ad hoc." (page 3)

The Confronting Challenges in Academic Units Consortium presents a new resource,  Academic Leadership Development  ( available here ). This white paper surveys professional development programs for those new to leadership positions in academia. Increased participation in quality programs addressing the topics outlined in the white paper would strengthen colleges and universities as well as benefitting their participants.

The white paper provides a roadmap for institutions considering how to support, extend, and promote departmental leadership development. It discusses essential topics and resources including:

• Using administrative data effectively for decision-making
• Managing conflict and coping with difficult conversations
• Navigating changed relationships with former (and future) peers and colleagues
• Identifying, approaching and maintaining relationships with unit supporters

The Consortium was formed by experienced university leaders convened by the  National Center for Professional & Research Ethics  (NCPRE), located in the Coordinated Science Laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The Consortium works with academic units that have lost their way or are having issues getting the job done, whether from governance problems, internal factions or schisms, dwindling interest from students, an internal climate problem with bullying or harassment, or other serious challenges to effective functioning.

The benefits to professional development in the context of a challenged unit can be far reaching. The initial benefit is a return to having a productive, cohesive unit with a positive atmosphere.  A unit head that develops these skills becomes a more effective leader from there, at any level, and has the opportunity to mentor and support others. Professional development opportunities like those outlined in the white paper are used and useful where they exist, but most academic leaders take up their new positions with little or no exposure to them.

“Providing support for academic leaders to prevent problems and have access to strategies for addressing them when they do arise is the heart of the Consortium’s mission,” says Sarah Mangelsdorf, Chair of the CCAU Executive Committee and Provost at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Through its programs and resources, the Consortium provides the tools for leaders to map out and then implement ways to improve for academic units facing challenges in effectively carrying out their missions.  The Consortium holds annual invitational conferences in Chicago to provide dedicated time and space with expert support for assessing and mapping paths to renewed unit vibrancy .

"Key to restoring unit functioning and vibrancy is confident, skilled leadership—and that takes thoughtful development programs as well as specific resources and tools,” says Ruth Watkins, Outgoing Chair of the CCAU Executive Committee and President, University of Utah.

“The CCAU provides support for unit heads thinking about how to resolve problems in their departments, deans who preside over struggling departments, and provosts who see multiple issues across campus,” says C. K. Gunsalus, Director, NCPRE.

For more information on the Consortium, its next conference, or the white paper, please visit the  CCAU website .

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This story was published October 8, 2018.

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How to Write the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Essays 2016-2017

Check out the uiuc application essays for 2017-2018.

Surrounded by sprawling cornfields and home of the Fighting Illini, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (or UIUC for short) is one of the nation’s foremost public research universities . Although it is a state school, approximately 26% of incoming freshman are non-Illinois residents, a testament to the desirability of a UIUC education.

While especially well known for their highly ranked undergraduate business and engineering programs, the school is regularly ranked as one of the top 50 universities in the world by multiple sources.

In addition to being a founding member of the Big Ten Conference (making it a great choice for avid sports fans and intellectuals alike), the University of Illinois has the second largest campus library system behind Harvard University, a hefty endowment of $3.3 billion, and an undergraduate population of almost 32,900 students. In terms of standardized testing, ACT score averages range from 27-33 campus wide, while SAT scores (without writing) fall between 1340 and 1480.

UIUC Application Essay Prompts

Explain your interest in the major you selected and describe how you have recently explored or developed this interest inside and/or outside the classroom. You may also explain how this major relates to your future career goals. If you’re applying to the Division of General Studies, explain your academic interests and strengths or your future career goals. You may include any majors or areas of study you’re currently considering. (300-400 words)

Before even setting pen to paper, consider the fact that this essay is the only piece of writing the University of Illinois will receive with your application. To be honest, this is both a blessing and a curse. While on one hand you won’t have to worry about repeating certain themes or life lessons, on the other, you have far fewer words to express your compatibility with the school and desire to attend. In other terms, you have fewer opportunities to wow the admissions officers!

With that being said, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Let’s start with something you don’t want to do: recycle large chunks of your Common App essay. While this may sound like a huge time-saver, trust us when we say that your reader will be able to tell if your essay was originally intended for a different prompt.

The key word though in that recommendation is “large.” It is perfectly alright to use a similar story or change wording in places to make the essay applicable, but merely rewriting the introduction and conclusion of your Common App essay won’t suffice.

A nother thing you don’t want to do when writing this essay is relist academic achievements or extracurriculars already in your application as an example of how you have “developed interest” in your intended major. For example, say your intended major is in math, and you were an avid member of your school’s Math Olympiad Team.

This qualification and any related awards should be near the top of your extracurricular list , and creating a laundry list of these same achievements in your essay will add little insight about your personality or character into your application.

A better method of describing your involvement with the major of your choice (as opposed to listing) is to pick a unique, humorous, or telling story you experienced during one of these related activities and elaborate on how you realized your passion for or developed an intense desire to learn from it.

Because you are only afforded 300-400 words, we recommend using this template to guide your writing process:

• Using descriptive language: “As buckets of rain pounded on my windshield, claps of thunder rocked the small sedan I was proud to call my own — at least, up until that point. Trapped on the side of a highway with a flat tire, miles from home, I regretted the fact that I had never learned how to change a tire… But, in having an argument with my tire iron, physics principles that once seemed merely theoretical in my mind found a purpose.”
• Connecting physics principles with the leverage needed to properly use a tire iron may be a bit of a stretch, so while the passage included above may be a rather corny example, beginning your essay with a humorous or interesting story is going to stick in an admissions officer’s mind far longer than a generic alternative.
• Body Paragraphs (150-200 words) – At this point, you should have established your intended major, and the bulk of your body paragraph(s) should deal with proving how you pursued this interest either in school or otherwise. Again, don’t list! Pick one or two of your most influential extracurricular activities and show how they have given meaning to your life. Or, if you have conducted a unique experiment or project in class, now is the time to describe it. Remember, quality over quantity. 
• The second is to describe your related career goals. Since this is included in the prompt, if you have adequate room to elaborate a bit on these, we would recommend going in this direction. However, if you’re still unsure of your precise career goals at this time, that’s totally okay too. In that case, feel free to write in more general terms about your interests.

Division of General Studies

While this prompt is essentially the same, we wanted to quickly remark on how many academic interests you should include, as the number really shouldn’t exceed two or three. Remember: quality and depth over quantity.

Additionally, be cautious when writing about your strengths, as it can be difficult to straddle the fine line between bragging and referencing your accomplishments . One way to combat this concern is to first reference a minor shortcoming or failure (related to your academics interest, of course), and then describe how you overcame that to discover your strengths.

There is no doubt that college admissions is a stressful time in any student’s life, so we hope this guide has calmed some of your anxiety for the writing process. Remember that admissions officers are not just looking for the next Shakespeare; they want to see applicants who have taken the time to self-reflect and differentiate themselves from their peers. What makes you stand out? What can you bring to campus that no one else can?

After drafting your UIUC essay, don’t be afraid to ask teachers, parents, friends, or mentors in your life for second opinions and guidance. And as a final reminder, don’t forget to appreciate the admissions process (just a little bit) because after all, it determines where you will spend the four most exciting, transformative years of your life.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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