Apply!

Apply! Hey everybody, I hope you all are enjoying those last few weeks of summer vacation and are ready to apply to Illinois! If you have not done so, make sure you mark your calendars because our application will be opening September 1 this year. I am sure you all have plenty of questions regarding our application process, so I am here to help! First, let’s start with the basics. How do I apply? There are two ways to apply to Illinois: myIllini which is our homegrown application or the Coalition application. However, we do not have a preference for either application. Aside from serving as our application, myIllini is also a tremendous resource because it allows you to connect with your specific admissions counselor, schedule a visit to campus, and see when Illinois will be in your area. To create your very own myIllini account click here. You can also submit your application through Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success commonly referred to as Coalition. Coalition allows students to access online tools for free to simplify the application process to a handful of public and private universities. What are the requirements? When you apply to Illinois there are two things we need from you, The first is your online application and the second is an application fee or fee waiver if you qualify for one. The application fee this year for domestic students is $50 and $75 for international students.   If you think you qualify for a fee waiver make sure you talk with your school counselor and have them submit one for you. To learn more about our requirements visit our website here. When is the deadline? This year our application will open on September 1, and it will close on January 5. If you are looking to apply Early Action, your application will be due on November 1. Early Action at Illinois is non-binding; it simply gives you the best chance for admission, especially for our more competitive programs. Additionally, students who apply by the Early Action period also have priority consideration for merit-based scholarships and honors programs, so there’s no downside of applying Early Action. If you would like more information about our dates and deadlines, make sure to visit our website here. Now let’s get into a little more details. How do I fill out my self-reported academic record (SRAR)? When you apply to Illinois you will not be required to submit a transcript, however; you will have to fill out a Self-Reported Academic Record better known as an SRAR. On your SRAR you will report all the courses you took up to 11th grade along with the grades you earned in those courses. On your SRAR you will also be reporting your senior year schedule. I recommend having a copy of your high school transcript when you fill out your SRAR to accurately report your grades and avoid making any errors. How do I self-report my ACT/SAT scores?  This year you will have the opportunity to self-report your ACT/SAT scores and will not have to pay to have those scores sent to our office. When you self-report your scores make sure that you are reporting your highest composite and highest sub-scores.   At Illinois we will not super score; however, we will only take a look at your highest composite and highest sub-scores that you report. Similar to the SRAR I recommend that you have a copy of your score report to avoid making errors. Finally, let’s talk about how we review. How does Illinois review applications? At Illinois, we use a very holistic process to review applications. At this point, you may be a little confused and asking what a holistic review process is. In short, we review your grades/course rigor, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and essay. If you are interested in learning more about our review process, our website does an excellent job of breaking down the review process. I hope this information is helpful and you all feel ready to apply to Illinois! If you have any questions, make sure to leave a comment on this blog. Also, remember that you can always contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at admissions@illinois.edu or by calling us at 217-333-0302 and asking to speak with an admissions counselor. Jhonatan Admissions Counselor I was born and raised on the southwest side of Chicago and attended high school at UIC College Prep. My love and passion for the arts led me to the University of Illinois, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Industrial Design.