How to Apply to the PhD Program

Application Procedure

To complete an application for graduate study, domestic, degree-seeking applicants must send all materials directly in one complete self-managed package to the UPP Program Admission Office in hard copy with 5 CDs of all materials. The package should include:

  1. Applicants are encouraged to complete the application for Graduate Admissions and pay the $50.00 application fee by using the online application and the application processing fee electronically. Access the online Graduate Application and fee payment. Note that this online application will not be processed until you have submitted all materials directly to the Urban Planning and Policy Program as described above.

  2. If you do not complete the online application and fee payment, you must send a completed hard copy of the Application for the Urban Planning and Policy Program - Graduate Admission, which can be downloaded as a .pdf file, and the application processing fee of $50.00 ($60.00 for international applicants). (Checks only with your social security number on it payable to UIC.)

  3. Official transcripts in sealed envelopes from all institutions where you earned degrees and transcripts from all other colleges and universities attended within the last eight years;

  4. Three letters of recommendations (sealed and signed) from former professors or supervisors;

  5. A personal statement, including the applicant's educational and career goals, and detailing relevant academic experience and part- and full-time employment;

  6. A recent academic paper, essay, or project of which they are the sole author or designer, of at least 1,000 words in length;

  7. Application for Graduate Appointment Form (if you wish to be considered for a research assistantship). You do not have to submit three additional letters of recommendation as indicated in the Instructions for Graduate Appointments packet.

  8. Resume if applying for a Graduate Appointment.

  9. Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT);

  10. International applicants must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score is 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based). For more information about admission prerequisites for international students, click here.

PhD applicants should consider applying for the CUPPA Disginguished Graduate Scholar Award. Download details (22.5KB, doc) about the award, or contact Hazel Brown, Admissions and Records Officer at 312-996-6211 or memi@uic.edu for more information.

Do not send any of these materials to the UIC Graduate College or the Office of Admissions and Records. These materials should be sent, with 5 copies on CD, to:

UPP Office of Admissions (MC 348)
University of Illinois at Chicago
412 S. Peoria Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607-7064

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact:

Hazel Brown
Admissions and Records Officer
312.996.6211
memi@uic.edu