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How to Write the UIUC Essays 2023-2024

UIUC is one of the best public universities in the USA, so writing strong essays is important to making your application stand out. UIUC has two required short prompts and two optional ones for all applicants, plus an additional prompt for applicants with a second-choice major.

Here’s our expert advice on responding to the UIUC Prompts

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1 (Required): 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. (150 words)

Prompt 2 (Required): Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words)

Prompt 3 (Optional): Explain any challenges (outside of COVID-related) you have faced throughout your academic career,  including the dates or timeline below.  (300 words)

Prompt 4 (Optional): If you have a low grade or a drop in grades that you have not already explained, do so below. (300 words)

All Applicants With Second-Choice Major

You have selected a second-choice major. Please explain your interest in that major or your overall academic or career goals. (150 words)

All Applicants, 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. (150 words).

At first glance, this prompt seems pretty straightforward, and there isn’t much space for extraneous storytelling. 

However, what gives this prompt its difficulty is the necessity of going above and beyond. Not only do you need to identify the experiences that shaped your interest in your selected major, but you need to provide deeper reflections as to why those experiences impacted you in the way they did. 

For that reason, it’s not enough to simply list the experiences that led you to your chosen major. For example, you shouldn’t just say, “I first discovered my passion for film in English class, when I had to write a take home essay about the movie adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray . I furthered my interest in film by making my own home documentary alongside a couple friends. I also started volunteering at a local arthouse cinema to understand a more commercial perspective on film…”

Rather, it’s better to go deeper with a given example and provide insights into what motivates your passions. Instead of simply listing experiences related to film, you might instead say, “My English teacher assigned our class a take-home essay, where we analyzed the movie adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray . Looking at the movie through a closer lens gave me a deeper appreciation for the small decisions directors make and the big impacts they can have…” 

The admissions readers at UIUC want to see that you have the necessary experiences under your belt to thrive in your chosen course of study, and they also want to see that you will be passionate and motivated while doing so! Make sure to show them both your experiences and your deeper insights about those experiences, and you’ll have a strong essay on your hands. 

All Applicants, Prompt 2 

Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from uiuc and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words).

The trick to this prompt is making sure you convey a clear personal or career goal, while also relating your intended course of study to that goal. 

Thus, you should acknowledge the following main points while answering this prompt: 

• What are your future personal or career goals? 
• How will your chosen major help contribute towards those goals? 

Let’s address each of these points separately. 

1. What are your future personal and/or career goals?

The prompt plainly states that your response needs to identify your future personal or career goals. If you have a clear idea of what your goals are, that will make this part easy. In that situation, you would have presumably chosen a course of study that will serve as a stepping stone towards your longer-term ambitions. 

On the other hand, UIUC knows that your interests will change over the next four years, and that nothing is set in stone. If you’re uncertain about your career goals, it’s also okay to identify a few possible career paths that interest you. Another option is to discuss the type of work you wish to do (e.g. helping deliver aid to marginalized communities) as opposed to the specific career title.

Keep in mind that UIUC gives you the option of specifying your personal goals as well, and not just your career goals. Your personal goals should still be related to your major, but don’t have to be as career-focused. For instance, some solid personal goals to mention would be things like becoming a stronger public speaker, learning to program in a certain coding language, doing research on a specific topic, or writing a novel. 

As long as you can make a compelling case as to how your chosen major relates to your future ambitions, you will be in good shape for this essay. 

2. How will your chosen major help contribute towards those goals?

Once you have identified your personal or career goals, you also need to indicate what aspects of your chosen course of study will help you achieve those goals. 

This will mean both speaking about your major in broad terms, as well as identifying some features of UIUC’s course of study that serve you particularly well. This is not a “why UIUC” essay, so showing depth of research is not the top priority, but it will strengthen your response nonetheless. 

While this essay does not require personal reflections in the way that many other college essays do, it is still important for your voice to come through in deeper analyses that show you understand the significance of your major-goal combination at a deeper level. 

To accomplish this, make sure you are always stating why a particular aspect of your intended major serves your goals. For instance, it is not enough to say, “I hope to be a lawyer for the United Nations, so I want to take the course Governing Globalizations.” You might instead write, “Courses such as Governing Globalizations, which explore the historical, moral, socio-economic, and political dimensions of an emerging global society, will provide me with the interdisciplinary background to thrive as an international lawyer.” 

All Applicants, Prompt 3 (Optional)

Explain any challenges (outside of covid-related) you have faced throughout your academic career, including the dates or timeline below. (300 words).

While we encourage applicants to respond to most optional prompts, this prompt and the following one are truly optional. You should only respond to them if you have exceptional circumstances that apply.

This prompt is not the typical Overcoming Challenges essay, where you’re asked to share examples of your resilience through a story. This is truly for major challenges that negatively impacted your academic or extracurricular history, and it should be written in a straightforward format, not narrative form.

Some examples of challenges that may apply include:

• Major illness
• Death in the family
• Job loss in the family
• Anything else that prevented you from achieving at your potential

You don’t need to take up the full word count; only use the space you need. Here’s an example:

During my entire high school career, I had to babysit for my two younger siblings right after school because my family couldn’t afford daycare. As a result, I was unable to do sports or other extracurriculars, however, these many afternoons prepping snacks and coming up with new games to play were valuable in teaching me responsibility and creativity.

All Applicants, Prompt 4 (Optional)

If you have a low grade or a drop in grades that you have not already explained, do so below. (300 words).

The same advice for the previous prompt applies here too, however, this is specific to grades. Again, don’t use this space for that one class you got a B. This is for grades that are truly out of the norm from your academic record or abilities.

Make sure you also don’t blame others for your lower grade (i.e. “the teacher was bad”). If there were factors outside of your control, explain the situation as diplomatically as possible.

In September 2021, I was diagnosed with ADHD and started taking medication for it. Prior to that, during freshman year, I was not able to do my best academically because I was unable to focus. After starting ADHD medication, I was able to follow along in class and complete all my assignments, and my grades rose significantly as a result.

You have selected a second-choice major. Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals. (150 words)

This prompt is similar to the previous one about your first-choice major, so you should approach it in largely the same manner. The only nuance is that you don’t necessarily have to relate your second-choice major to any personal or career goals, if you don’t want to (though it’s always helpful to!). 

It’s still important to ground this essay in meaningful experiences with this field. Since the essay asks about your interest in this major, it can be easy to simply write all the reasons you love the major without actually sharing more about who you are. You want to avoid that! For example, anyone could write an essay about why environmental science is so great and important, but only you can discuss how the river in your hometown was polluted by a garment factory, or how fulfilling it was to teach kids at the elementary school how to compost. 

After explaining your interest, make sure to share how this second-choice major relates to your future goals. Since it’s a second-choice major, you may not have as concrete of an answer, and that’s okay, but UIUC still wants to know how you might make an impact with this major should you study it. For the hypothetical student interested in environmental science, they may want to work in environmental policy to prevent pollution, or become a teacher so that the younger generation learns to love and care for the earth.

Where to Get Your University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Essays Edited 

Do you want feedback on your UIUC essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free  Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

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.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

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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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.

Essay Questions for Transfer Applicants

You'll answer one to two essays as part of your application, depending on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program , and if you've selected a second choice . Essays should be 300 to 400 words each.

If You're Applying to a Major :

Explain your interest in the major you selected. Describe how you have recently developed this interest, inside and/or outside of the classroom, and how this major relates to your professional goals.

If You're Applying to Our Undeclared Program :

Explain your academic interests and strengths or your future career goals. You may include any majors or areas of study you are currently considering.

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

You have selected a second-choice major. Please explain your interest in this major.

Tips for Writing Your Essay

Be memorable..

The essay portion of the application is important because it gives us further insight into who you are and who you want to be. Make us remember you!

Be prepared.

Take time to think about and brainstorm your message. Create an outline, write a good first draft, and edit multiple times.

Be yourself.

We want to know more about you, so be honest and let us into your world. Instead of making broad statements about what you want to do, provide specific examples from your current institution or extracurricular activities. And don’t be afraid to add your personal style and voice to your writing!

You only have a couple of paragraphs to tell us that you’re not only qualified to attend UIUC, but you're also ready for the challenge and will make the most of your experience. Choose your words wisely.

Be focused.

It's not necessary for you to repeat information that’s already elsewhere in your application. Stay focused on explaining how those credentials and qualifications will lead to a successful future here.

Be professional.

Submitting a sloppy-looking essay with spelling errors and glaring mistakes sends us the message that you’re not serious about UIUC. Proofread your essays and ask your counselor, a friend, or a parent to take a second look.

Want more info?

Tackling the UIUC Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC) is a renowned institution known for its rigorous academic environment and vibrant student life. To stand out from the competition and make your way to UIUC, it's crucial to nail your supplemental essays. Let's dig deeper into how to approach these prompts.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Supplemental 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. (400 words)

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. (400 words)

Approach to Each Prompt

Explain your interest in the major you selected This prompt is essentially a 'Why This Major' essay. UIUC wants to understand why you have chosen your particular field of study. The admissions committee is looking for a genuine interest and understanding of your chosen major. Discuss specific courses, professors, or research initiatives at UIUC that excite you. Also, try to tie in how this major will help you accomplish your future career goals.

From an early age, I've been fascinated by the harmony in nature's design, the intricate systems that flawlessly work together to sustain life. It's this interest that guided me towards choosing Biological Sciences as my major at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC).

My journey of exploration began in my sophomore year of high school when I joined the biology club. Through activities like studying local biodiversity, attending seminars, and even conducting a mini research project on local bird species, I began to realize the potential of biology as a tool for understanding our world. It was here that I developed a particular interest in ecology and conservation.

To further my understanding, I interned last summer at a local conservation center. Here, I had the opportunity to work alongside researchers studying the impacts of urbanization on local flora and fauna. This experience was both enlightening and inspiring, cementing my resolve to pursue biology.

As for the future, my dream is to become a conservation scientist. I aspire to work on preserving biodiversity and finding sustainable solutions to human-nature conflicts. I believe that a major in Biological Sciences at UIUC, with its focus on experiential learning and research, would be a perfect stepping stone towards achieving this dream.

Courses such as 'Principles of Ecology' and 'Conservation Biology', along with opportunities to engage in research through the School of Integrative Biology, excite me. I am particularly intrigued by the research work of Professor Smith on urban ecology, and I hope to contribute to this work as an undergraduate researcher at UIUC.

Explain your academic interests if applying to the Division of General Studies This essay is for applicants who are undecided about their major. Even if you are undecided, UIUC wants to know about your academic strengths, interests, and potential career goals. The key here is to show flexibility and curiosity.

As a curious and flexible learner, my academic interests are broad and interdisciplinary. Although I am applying to the Division of General Studies at UIUC, my academic strengths lie in the intersection of humanities and social sciences.

Throughout high school, I have been drawn towards history and literature, fascinated by the insights they provide into human behavior, societies, and cultures. Simultaneously, I am intrigued by psychology and its potential for understanding individual behavior.

While I am yet to narrow down on a specific career path, I am considering a future that allows me to leverage these interests, possibly in journalism, social work, or diplomacy. Regardless of the path I choose, I am confident that the comprehensive education provided by the Division of General Studies at UIUC will equip me with the broad-based knowledge and skills needed to excel.

At UIUC, I am excited about courses such as 'Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Environment' and 'Cultural Differences and Social Change' that reflect my varied interests. Through these courses and more, I look forward to delving deeper into my interests, refining my skills, and charting a career path that aligns with my passions and strengths.

Top Tips for Your Essays

Be Specific : Show that you’ve done your research. What unique opportunities does UIUC offer that align with your interests?

Show Development : You should not only express your interest but also illustrate your understanding and commitment to your chosen major.

Demonstrate Passion : The admissions committee wants to see enthusiasm in your writing. Make sure your passion for your chosen major shines through.

Connect to Future Goals : How will your chosen major or studies at UIUC help you in your future career?

The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign offers a vibrant and supportive community, rigorous academics, and a multitude of resources for its students. By effectively addressing the supplemental essays, you can illustrate your fit for the school and take one step closer to becoming an Illini!

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How to Ace the Tulane University Supplemental Essays: 2023-2024

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 5

You Have: 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2-3 essays of 150 words each

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

The admissions committee at the University Illinois Urbana Champaign wants to know about your academic interests and career goals. The prompts change slightly depending on whether you’re hoping to attend with a declared major or not. Regardless, you should be prepared to write concisely and authentically about your plans and goals!

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. (150 words).

For this essay, d escribe an experience you’ve had that relates to your first-choice major. Admissions is literally asking you to speak about this experience in detail, so don’t hold back. 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, “Hmm, 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 admissions wants to know why this one in particular has caught your eye.

Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words)

After explaining why your major is the right choice for you, look ahead five or ten years and imagine how it will catapult you into a fulfilling career—one that you may not have access to otherwise. Maybe when you were younger, you fell in love with stargazing and memorizing constellations and knew you wanted to be involved in a space-related field when you grew up—UIUC’s Astronomy program will help you get there! Build a bridge between your past and your future for admissions so they can see your commitment and demonstrated interest in this field.

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. (150 words).

There’s only one trick to generating a straightforward explanation of your academic interests: be honest. Since you probably don’t know what you want to major in or are in the process of paring down your list, don’t waste time trying to think of what admissions “wants” you to say! Choosing anything other than your true interests would be a misrepresentation of who you are and a disservice to you and the admissions office. To narrow your focus, try to tell a story with your choices. How can you use your life experiences to reveal something about what you value and what excites you intellectually? 

Try to illustrate a general inclination (e.g., journalism, English, and media/cinema studies go hand-in-hand). Or if you really feel like you could go any direction, try to show a balance, picking majors across fields that link to each other in a way that makes sense (e.g., mathematics, linguistics, and music composition all use special notations). Do whatever you can do to give admissions the full picture of who you are.

What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals. (150 words)

Even if you’re undecided, it’s important to remember that UIUC seeks to invite movers and shakers to campus, students with big dreams and plans to make them happen. You don’t have to use this prompt to outline your 30-page plan for eliminating world hunger—in fact, with only 150 words to work with, we definitely advise against it! Think about the areas that pique your interest and where your curiosity originated. Was it a philosophy class you took junior year? Or, perhaps what spurred your interest wasn’t a class at all. Maybe you knew you wanted to be at the forefront of the fight against climate change and global warming after watching a poignant documentary with your family that hit close to home. How do you plan to contribute to this effort and how will your time at UIUC set you up for carbon neutral success? (Maybe their Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences major is a good place to start?) Whatever way you decide to answer this prompt, be sure to show admissions that you have an actionable, long-term goal in mind.

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

You have selected a second-choice major. please explain your interest in that major or your overall academic or career goals. (150 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 have even found common ground where they overlap (think philosophy and economics or agriculture and business). You’re allowed (encouraged, even!) to have many interests, and admissions wants to know where your strengths lie. 

Why does this secondary area of education appeal to you? What applications can you see blossoming from studying in this field? We recommend doing another dive into UIUC’s 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. Once you’ve succinctly demonstrated your interest, look to the future and explain how UIUC’s offerings will help you achieve your end-goals when it comes to your selected second-choice area of study.

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UIUC Supplemental Essays 2023-24

If you’re interested in attending UIUC, writing effective UIUC essays is an important step toward gaining admission. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), located in eastern Illinois , stands out as one of the premier public universities in the nation. Consequently, UIUC Admissions assesses thousands of applications and UIUC supplemental essays annually to identify strong candidates.

With UIUC’s acceptance rate hovering around 45%, many students are curious about the key to gaining admission. While a strong academic record is important in any application, the UIUC supplemental essays are crucial to your application journey. Your essays offer admissions officials a glimpse into your academic interests and how they align with UIUC offerings. Therefore, your UIUC essays can be the deciding factor in the success of your application.

Our guide to the UIUC supplemental essays will walk you through strategies to use while writing your UIUC essays. We will explore the UIUC application requirements and analyze UIUC essay prompts, including the UIUC why major essay and why UIUC essay. In each section, you’ll find valuable insights to help you craft outstanding UIUC essays. With this guide, you’ll be ready to craft compelling UIUC essays that are certain to impress University of Illinois Admissions.

First, we’ll go over some UIUC Admissions quick facts. Then, we’ll take a look at the prompts for each of the UIUC supplemental essays and how to answer them. If you’re ready to learn all about the UIUC essays, let’s get started!

UIUC Admissions: Quick Facts

University of illinois at urbana-champaign quick facts.

• UIUC Acceptance Rate: 45% – while UIUC’s acceptance rate is higher than other top universities, U.S. News still considers UIUC moderately selective. 
• UIUC Application Platforms: UIUC accepts the Common Application & myIllni Application
• Students will respond to one essay prompt from the list of 2023-2024 Common Application Essay Prompts . Prompts are the same whether you apply through myIllini or the Common App. 
• Students will respond to specific UIUC essay prompts depending on their choice of major. Your UIUC essays may include a UIUC why major essay and why UIUC essay.
• Early Action: November 1st
• Regular Decision: January 5th 

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does University of Illinois Urbana Champaign require an essay?

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) requires applicants to submit UIUC supplemental essays as part of the application process. To start, all applicants must complete one personal statement essay, ranging from 250 to 650 words. This University of Illinois essay allows candidates to showcase their unique perspectives, experiences, and aspirations. The good news is that the UIUC essay prompts for this essay mirror the Common Application essay prompts. So, if you are applying to other schools via the Common App, you don’t need to write a new essay for UIUC. 

In addition to your personal statement, applicants must also submit 2 to 3 additional UIUC supplemental essays. The number of essays you write and the UIUC essay prompts you’ll respond to will depend on your chosen major(s). These major-specific UIUC supplemental essays allow applicants to delve deeper into their academic interests. In these essays, students can demonstrate an understanding of their chosen field of study and how their passions align with UIUC.

Ultimately, UIUC supplemental essays play a crucial role in providing the University of Illinois admissions committee with a comprehensive understanding of each applicant. Supplemental essays are UIUC’s main tool for seeing beyond what is reflected in a student’s academic achievements and standardized test scores. Once we go over the UIUC essay prompts, you’ll see just how important and valuable these essays can be to your application.

In the next sections, we will dive deeper into the major specific prompts. We’ll show you how to respond to these UIUC essay prompts to ensure your UIUC essays strengthen your application.

UIUC Major-Specific Prompts

For those applying to a specific major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), you can expect two major-specific UIUC essay prompts. These UIUC essays can be thought of as a UIUC why major essay and why UIUC essay. Together, these prompts are designed to gain deeper insights into your academic and personal aspirations. 

Major-specific University of Illinois Essay 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. (150 words).

To craft your first UIUC why major essay, you must recount a recent, significant experience related to your first-choice major. Whether it’s an extracurricular activity, a memorable class, or any other relevant context, the connection to your intended major should be clear. Take the opportunity to provide a detailed narrative that showcases your hands-on involvement and its impact on your academic journey.

Major-specific University of Illinois Essay Prompt #2

Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from uiuc and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words).

Your second UIUC why major essay can also be thought of as a why UIUC essay. In your essay, you’ll want to articulate your personal and/or career goals following graduation from UIUC. However, you’ll also need to explain how completing your first-choice major at UIUC aligns with and contributes to these aspirations. This prompt requires thoughtful reflection on your long-term vision, drawing clear connections between your academic pursuits at UIUC and your personal and professional journey. 

Strong college candidates will have clear goals and a track record of commitment to their education. By addressing these UIUC essays with sincerity and depth, you can present a compelling case for your suitability and enthusiasm for your chosen major.

UIUC Undeclared Major Program Essay Prompts

Students applying to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) as an undeclared major can also anticipate two UIUC essay prompts. These UIUC supplemental essays are specifically tailored for students who are still undecided. These UIUC supplemental essays are similar to the major-specific essays in that you’ll still be discussing your academic interests and future goals.

Undeclared Major University of Illinois Essay Prompt #1

What are your academic interests please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at illinois and why. (150 words).

This essay invites you to share varied academic interests, requesting that you include specific majors you are considering at Illinois. Be sure to select specific major programs, rather than more general areas of study, and elaborate on the reasons behind your choices. This University of Illinois essay lets you showcase your curiosity and thought process in exploring potential academic paths. So, even if you’re undecided, you can still show the admissions committee what topics pique your curiosity.

Undeclared Major University of Illinois Essay Prompt #2

What are your future career or academic goals you may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals. (150 words).

For this essay, you must articulate your future aspirations for college and beyond. You are also encouraged to look back on previous experiences and include details about high school courses that have inspired you. This University of Illinois essay prompt allows you to reflect on not just what you want to accomplish but also why . In your essay, aim to create a narrative that demonstrates the alignment between your educational background and future endeavors. 

Even if you aren’t sure what you want to study, that doesn’t mean you can’t wow admissions with your essays. By responding thoughtfully to these UIUC essays, you can present a well-rounded picture of your academic interests and future ambitions. 

UIUC Second-Choice Major Essay Prompt

For those who have chosen a second-choice major, including undeclared, UIUC provides a specific essay prompt to delve into your motivations and aspirations. Although this University of Illinois essay is technically optional, UIUC strongly recommends students select a second-choice major and complete this essay.

Second-Choice Major University of Illinois Essay Prompt

Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals. (150 words).

This University of Illinois essay allows applicants to convey the reasons behind selecting a secondary major or to elucidate their broader academic and professional objectives. In responding to this UIUC essay prompt, consider sharing the factors that fuel your interest in the chosen second major and how it aligns with your overall academic and career trajectory. Whether you have a clear career path or are exploring various academic avenues, use this essay to showcase your thoughtful consideration of your academic journey and your second-choice major’s role in shaping your educational and professional aspirations. Crafting a compelling response to this prompt will strengthen your application by giving the admissions committee valuable insights into your motivations and future plans at UIUC.

How to write UIUC Essays?

You will notice that UIUC essays are uniquely tailored to outline your personal experiences within your interests. This reflects UIUC’s commitment to truly understanding who you are as a student and how your academic environment can contribute to your desired development.

With limited space, your essays need to be focused and concise, and writing them may require a touch of creativity. Approaching the UIUC essays requires careful consideration and authenticity to effectively communicate how UIUC aligns with your academic interests. Therefore, use the following steps to help craft your UIUC supplemental essays:

Self-reflection is Key

Self-reflection is a crucial first step in preparing your UIUC supplemental essays. Take the time to delve into who you are, what matters to you, and why you are an exceptional fit for UIUC. Focus on your individuality and consider what aspects of your personality and experiences have been vital to your growth. This preliminary exploration is pivotal to choosing strong topics for each of the UIUC essay prompts.

Choose the Common App Prompt That Fits You

While the major-specific UIUC essays will depend on your selected major, you do have the opportunity to choose your personal statement prompt. When deciding between the UIUC essay prompts, choose the one that aligns best with your experiences and interests. For instance, if overcoming a challenge has significantly shaped your perspective, consider the UIUC essay prompts related to resilience. Similarly, if you’ve achieved a noteworthy accomplishment, opt for the UIUC essay prompts inviting reflection on success. Your goal when choosing between the UIUC essay prompts is to pick one that effectively showcases your best qualities. (Especially those that make you a valuable addition to UIUC’s academic community.)

Be Creative, Be Different, Stand Out

Given the intimate nature of UIUC supplemental essays, don’t be afraid to be creative! Craft your narrative with innovation, experimenting with storytelling elements such as chronology and story arcs. Use dialogue and imagery to enhance the personal touch of your UIUC essays, providing admissions with a vivid portrayal of your unique qualities. Instead of merely stating preferences, vividly illustrate your interests. For instance, rather than stating a love for reading, you might vividly depict the hours spent engrossed in books.

By adhering to these steps, you will undoubtedly capture the attention of the admissions team. Remember, there is no singular formula for writing UIUC essays. Infuse your personality and distinctive experiences into your UIUC supplemental essays (and answer the prompts!) and you’ll be on the right track. Beyond these guidelines, you can find more detailed writing advice in this article on “ How to Write Better Essays .” 

Does UIUC care about essays?

Yes, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) certainly cares about your UIUC supplemental essays. UIUC takes pride in its thorough admissions process . While academic excellence is essential, UIUC recognizes that true potential encompasses more than just grades. This holistic approach is exemplified by the significance attributed to things like your background, interests, and previous accomplishments and challenges. These things are hard to tell from numbers alone, which is what makes your UIUC supplemental essays so important.

The emphasis on UIUC supplemental essays reflects the university’s strategic decision to identify individuals who resonate with its values of academic excellence, innovation, and a commitment to societal impact. The UIUC essays offer applicants a platform to share their personal stories, experiences, and aspirations, enabling the admissions committee to better understand each candidate’s unique qualities and perspectives.

Therefore, crafting impactful UIUC supplemental essays is one of the most important steps in the application process. UIUC essays are not just a showcase of writing skills but a window into your character, revealing your commitment to contributing to UIUC’s academic and innovative community.

What is the UIUC known for?

UIUC is renowned for its exceptional academic programs, cutting-edge research initiatives, and a vibrant campus community. UIUC consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States and is recognized for its outstanding engineering, computer science, and business programs. So, let’s dive deeper into some of UIUC’s best qualities:

Top-Tier Engineering Programs

UIUC is consistently recognized for its outstanding engineering programs, particularly electrical engineering and computer science. (U.S. News has UIUC ranking #5 in Best Undergraduate Engineering and Computer Science Programs). The Grainger College of Engineering has a distinguished reputation for producing graduates who excel in the technological and industrial sectors.

Cutting-Edge Research Facilities

UIUC is a research -intensive institution with state-of-the-art facilities. For example, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology is a hub for interdisciplinary research, fostering collaborations among scientists, engineers, and scholars to address complex global challenges.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The university strongly commits to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The Research Park at UIUC provides a supportive ecosystem for startups and industry partnerships, allowing students and researchers to translate their ideas into real-world applications.

Academic Excellence in Business

UIUC’s Gies College of Business consistently ranks among the best in the nation. (U.S. News’ UIUC ranking highlights Gies as one of the Top 10 public undergraduate business programs in the country.) The Gies College of Business offers cutting-edge programs, including the highly regarded MBA. It is known for its emphasis on experiential learning and preparing students for leadership roles in the business world.

Diverse and Inclusive Campus

UIUC takes pride in its diverse and inclusive campus community. With students from around the globe and a wide range of cultural organizations within its 800 clubs and student organizations , the university provides a dynamic environment that encourages cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

It’s no secret that UIUC is a top-tier institution. Known for academic excellence, research impact, and diversity, UIUC prepares its graduates for success in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

More supplemental essay resources from CollegeAdvisor

As you begin crafting your application for UIUC, consider exploring additional resources from CollegeAdvisor to enhance your preparation. These valuable tools are designed to provide expert guidance throughout the application process, ensuring you present your strongest and most authentic version of yourself. CollegeAdvisor’s resources go beyond the conventional and offer tailored advice for navigating specific aspects of the application journey.

Here are a few resources to check out before you start your application to UIUC:

• How to Get into UIUC Guide : This guide is a treasure trove of information, offering a detailed roadmap for securing admission to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It provides strategic insights into UIUC’s admissions process, tips for writing compelling UIUC essays, and advice on showcasing your unique qualities to stand out in the competitive applicant pool.
• College Essay Topics : Crafting impactful essays is a crucial aspect of the application process. This College Essay Topics resource assists you in exploring creative and meaningful ideas for your essays. It provides inspiration and guidance to help you tell your story in a way that resonates with admissions committees.
• How to Start a Personal Statement : Your very first sentence will set the tone for your entire essay. This resource offers practical tips on how to start a personal statement effectively, helping you capture the reader’s attention from the outset. Learn how to craft a compelling opening that reflects your voice and establishes a strong foundation for your narrative.

Exploring these resources will undoubtedly enhance your understanding of the application process. That way, you can feel empowered to create compelling materials, increasing your chances of success at UIUC and other esteemed universities.

UIUC Supplemental Essays – Final Thoughts

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ( UIUC ) presents a unique and dynamic opportunity for prospective students. With UIUC ranking #30 in the nation by Forbes, UIUC stands as one of the nation’s premier public universities in the Midwest . UIUC’s rigorous admissions process underscores its commitment to identifying candidates who both excel academically and align with its values.

The UIUC application process goes beyond standardized test scores, reflecting the university’s commitment to understanding the values and aspirations of each applicant. As such, the UIUC supplemental essays are incredibly important. UIUC essays require self-reflection, creativity, and a genuine connection to UIUC’s academic environment.

Before you go, here are some final takeaways from our guide to the UIUC supplemental essays. 

Navigating the UIUC essay prompts

• The major-specific UIUC essay prompts offer applicants a chance to showcase hands-on involvement and articulate how their chosen major aligns with their personal and career goals.
• Undeclared major applicants can express their academic interests and future aspirations through the tailored UIUC essay prompts, providing a glimpse into their exploration of potential academic paths.
• The UIUC second-choice major essay prompts allow applicants to delve into the motivations behind their secondary major or articulate broader academic and professional objectives, adding depth to their application.

Tips for writing your UIUC essays

• Resources from CollegeAdvisor, such as the “How to Get into UIUC Guide,” “College Essay Topics,” and “How to Start a Personal Statement,” provide strategic insights and practical tips to enhance your application journey, especially your UIUC essays.
• UIUC supplemental essays are essential for conveying your unique qualities and commitment to UIUC’s academic and innovative community. Approach the UIUC essays with authenticity, creativity, and a genuine connection to the university’s values, ensuring your application stands out in the competitive University of Illinois admissions process.

With these strategies, you can create UIUC essays that meet the requirements, stand out, and make a lasting impression on the UIUC admissions committee. We wish you the best of luck with your application and writing your UIUC supplemental essays. And good luck on your application journey!

This article was written by senior advisor, Ashley Hollins . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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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!

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