Frequently Asked Questions for Domestic Applicants

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If you cannot find an answer to your question here, please see the application instructions, contact the Graduate and Professional Admissions, or search the Web site.

What are the minimum requirements for admission?
How do I apply if I've already attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a degree-seeking graduate student?
How do I apply if I've already attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a non-degree graduate student?
Where do I need to send my transcripts?
How do I contact my program of study office?
Do I qualify for an application fee waiver?
How do I find out the status of my application?
Where can I get a print copy of the application?
Where do I send my application and supporting materials?
How many letters of reference do I need and how should they be sent?
How do I apply to more than one program of study?
How do I apply to a Joint Program of Study?
When do classes begin for Spring 2011?
When do classes begin for Summer 2011?
When do classes begin for Fall 2011?

What are the minimum requirements for admission?

Applicants who have been awarded a comparable bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States or from a recognized institution of higher learning abroad. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (A=4.0), or comparable GPA for an international applicant, for the last two years of the undergraduate program is the minimum requirement for admission. Please note that if your undergraduate program was longer than four years, additional credit may be evaluated to determine the admission GPA.
Applicants enrolled in the final year of a comparable bachelor's degree from an accredited college in the United States or a recognized institution of higher learning abroad, and who meet the GPA requirements stated above.
Please note that proposed programs of study may require a higher GPA than the Graduate College's minimum standard.

How do I apply if I've already attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a degree-seeking graduate student?

If you have previously attended the University of Illinois as a degree-seeking graduate student, you must apply using a graduate student petition. See and follow the Instructions for Re-entry to the Graduate College.

How do I apply if I've already attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a non-degree graduate student?

If you have previously attended the University of Illinois as a non-degree graduate student, you will need to submit a new online application and application fee for the degree-seeking program of your interest.

Where do I need to send my transcripts?

Transcripts should be directly uploaded into the online application. More information about sending transcripts is available in the Application Instructions.

How do I contact my program of study office?

Find your program of study through the Directory of Programs.

Do I qualify for an application fee waiver?

Please review the qualifications to see if you can have your fee waived.

How do I find out the status of my application?

To verify that your application has been submitted and the fee has been received, log back into the system with your application pin and password, and view updates posted in the application system.

For all other information (deadlines, missing materials, admission status, timelines for decisions), contact your proposed program of study office. Programs of study contact information (phone, e-mail, website) is available from the Directory of Programs.

Where can I get a print copy of the application?

Paper applications are not accepted for domestic applicants.

Where do I send my application supporting materials?

All supporting materials (transcripts, letters of reference, personal statement, etc) should be uploaded directly to the online application.

How many letters of reference do I need and how should they be sent?

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