Graduate and Professional Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions for Domestic Applicants

If you cannot find an answer to your question here, please see the application instructions, contact the Graduate and Professional Admissions and Academic Support Unit, 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 2009?
When do classes begin for Summer 2009?
When do classes begin for Fall 2009?

What are the minimum requirements for admission?

Minimum requirements for admission to the University can be found in the application instructions, but individual department requirements may be more stringent.

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 petition. See and follow the Instructions for Re-entry.

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, follow the Instructions for Non-degree Students .

Where do I need to send my transcripts?

Transcripts should be sent to the program of study that you are applying to. 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. Graduate and Professional Admissions will not be able to answer questions regarding application status. 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?

Print copies of the application can only be requested in unusual cases. Please contact Graduate and Professional Admissions at GradAdmissions@illinois.edu to request a print copy.

Where do I send my application and supporting materials?

All supporting materials should be sent to the department or departments to which you have applied. Programs of study contact information (phone, e-mail, website) is available from the Directory of Programs.

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 and instructions for submitting letters of reference. You may ask your references to submit letters of reference using the online recommendation system, or they may use the hard copy of the reference form. If a hard copy reference form is used, the recommender should send the completed form directly to the coordinator of your proposed program.