Beginning in the admissions period for Fall 2013, the Office of Admissions will be using a new system for graduate applications that requires that all admissions materials be submitted online. The materials required for this process are detailed below, and specific information on the online application system can be found on the Office of Admissions website. If there are any applicants still interested in applying for admission for Spring 2013, our old system still applies – please contact Erin Yucus at 312-413-0468 or eyucus2@uic.edu for information and assistance.

If you have any inquiries about the Department of Economics program requirements, application materials or the application process, please email us at uicecon@web.econ.uic.edu.

How to Apply: In order to begin the application process, you must first complete the online application through the Office of Admissions website. Once you have completed the online application, the Office of Admissions will determine which materials will be required for the rest of your application. You will receive an email 3 – 5 days after completing the online application prompting you to sign in to the system again and upload the rest of your application materials as .pdf files.

Please see the Office of Admissions website for specific information on the online application system, and exact requirements for transcripts/degree certificates/diplomas and the English-language proficiency exam. If you have any questions or problems with the online application system itself, please contact the Office of Admissions and Records.

The following materials will be required as noted for both MA and PhD applicants:

1. Online Application  Required.
2. Application fee ($60) Required.
3. Transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended: Required. Only photocopies or scans of your transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas are needed for application consideration. These copies should be uploaded to the online application system. International applicants are required to submit both an original language version and an English translation. Once you are admitted to UIC, you must then provide originals of all your transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas for your official records. These can be submitted through your first semester of study.
4. TOEFL/IELTS exam:   The TOEFL or IELTS exam is only required for international applicants whose native language is not English. These scores should be reported to the University by the testing service. A photocopy/scan of your exam report should be uploaded to the online application system. The English-proficiency exam requirement may be waived if the student has at least two years of full-time study or a completed degree at a U.S. university, or two years of full-time study or a completed degree at a university where English is the official language, i.e. U.K., Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec).
5. GRE Test scores: Required for all applicants. These scores should be reported to the university by the Educational Testing Service. UIC's reporting code is 1851. These scores will be delivered to UIC and added to your application file. The GMAT is required by the LGSB for the joint MA/MBA program, in which case the GRE is not necessary.
6. Three Letters of Recommendation: Required for all applicants. Letters should be on letterhead stationary from the recommender’s institution. Form and content is at the discretion of the recommender. Recommenders may be from either outside or inside academia, but should have knowledge of the applicant's potential for graduate study. The online application system will request the name and email address of each recommender, and send them an email requesting that they upload their letters directly to the system.  
7. Personal Statement: Required for all applicants. Applicants should submit a one-page statement summarizing their reasons for pursuing graduate study in Economics and their plans and objectives.
8. Resume/Curriculum Vitae: Required for all applicants.
9. Writing Sample: Required for all international applicants. International applicants are required to submit a writing sample, such as a paper written during school. If the paper is written in a language other than English, it is acceptable to submit a one- or two-page English summary. Domestic applicants can also submit a writing sample if they so choose, but this is entirely optional and will only be required for international applicants.
10. List of In Progress/Planned Coursework: Requested of applicants currently completing a degree or those planning to take other coursework before entering the program. List all courses currently in progress/planned, including plans to complete any program prerequisites not already satisfied. Please upload this in one of the “Optional Miscellaneous Academic Document” sections.
11. Application for a Graduate Appointment: Required only for applicants seeking financial aid/assistantship. Students applying for assistantships/aid should complete the "Application for Graduate Appointment", including the personal statement, and upload the completed form to the online application system. Please upload this document in the the "Miscellaneous Academic Document" upload field.
    
    

Please see the Office of Admissions website for specific information on the online application system, and exact requirements for transcripts/degree certificates/diplomas and the English-language proficiency exam. If you have any questions or problems with the online application system itself, please contact the Office of Admissions and Records.

When uploading materials to the online application system, we have provided one extra section titled “Miscellaneous Academic Doc.” Should you decide to submit any extra supporting documents for consideration alongside your other application materials, please submit them as one file in this section. Do not upload extra materials under the sections for required materials (for example, uploading an extra writing sample under “Personal Statement”.)

If your application remains incomplete for a period of time, you will be sent a notification email requesting the missing materials. Should the Department of Economics or its Graduate Admissions Committee determine that additional materials are needed, an upload section will be added to the online application system and a notification email generated, or the Department of Economics will contact the applicant directly.

An application file is submitted to our Graduate Admissions Committee for consideration soon after all materials have been uploaded/submitted and the materials have been verified as correct. An admissions decision can take anywhere from two to six weeks once the application file has been submitted to the Committee. An admission decision letter from the Department of Economics will be sent to the mailing address provided in the online application as soon as a decision is made. Once we have made our decision as a Department, your admission will then need to be approved by the Office of Admissions. The Office of Admissions will issue your official letter of acceptance from the University once they approve your admission. 

Should your address, email, or other contact information change after you have completed the application process, please notify us by email at uicecon@web.econ.uic.edu as soon as possible.

International Applicants: Any questions regarding visa applications or other concerns should be directed to the Office of International Services. If you are admitted to the program, OIS will contact you regarding the I-20 and supporting documents as soon as they have received your official letter of admission from the Office of Admissions. They will require a Declaration of Finances form and an original proof of finances document. Please find the forms and contact information on their website.

Admission Deadlines: The Department of Economics admits students only for the Fall semester of each year (no Spring or Summer semester admissions). The application deadline for Fall admission is January 1st for applicants who desire financial aid from the department. For international students, the deadline for applications is also January 1st. For domestic students not seeking financial aid, the deadline for applications is March 1st.

Non-degree Admission: Applicants wishing only to take graduate level courses and not pursue a full degree may apply for non-degree status. The only documentation required is an application, application fee and proof of undergraduate degree (transcript and degree certificate/diploma). Non-degree applicants may later apply for a degree program and, if accepted, transfer up to 12 hours of credit earned as a non-degree student to their degree. Non-degree status is available only to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. 

(updated 10/26/2012)

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