Individuals wishing to apply for any of the programs should submit all of the following items. Please note that the graduate record exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) is required of all applicants; the only exception are those applying for non-degree status (see section below).

All supporting documents should be mailed to the address below: 
Graduate Admissions
Dept. of Economics (M/C 144)
601 S. Morgan St. Rm #725
Chicago, IL 60607-7121
 

1. Online Application
2. Application fee (see the application form for current amount)
3. Original transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended: Foreign students are required to submit both an original language version and an English translation. Transcripts should be sent by the issuing institution directly to the Admissions Office. 
4. GRE / GMAT Test scores: These scores should be reported to the university by the Educational Testing Service. UIC's reporting code is 1851. In addition, we will not receive the score unless you designate one of the following program codes: 1801 (economics), 1903 (public policy studies) or 4301 (business economics). The GMAT is required for the joint MA/MBA program. The department will accept either the GRE or GMAT for applicants to the other programs,  although the GRE is preferred for the MA and Ph.D. programs. 
5. TOEFL exam:   The TOEFL is required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. The exam may be waived if the student has at least two years of study at a U.S. university. 
6. Financial statement: Required for all foreign applicants as part of the visa process. The Financial Statement will have no effect on the admission or financial aid decision. If an applicant has no funds to report, simply report this on the form, sign and return. If financial aid is awarded by the Department of Economics, this will be reported to the Admissions Office for the purpose of issuing the I-20 Visa form, and added to the reported amounts in the financial statement.

7. Three Letters of Recommendation: Recommenders may use either UIC's recommendation form or letterhead stationary from their institution. Recommenders may be from either outside or inside academia, but should have knowledge of the applicant's potential for graduate study. 
8. 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. 
9. Writing sample : Foreign 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.
10. Application for a Graduate Appointment Students applying for financial aid should complete the "Application for  a Graduate Appointment", including the personal statement and send it to the Economics Department. 

Additional standardized test scores, such as the GRE subject test or Test of Spoken English (TSE), are helpful but are not required. Since mail service to foreign countries is often slow, it is recommended that foreign applicants provide an email address, telephone number or fax number at which they may be contacted. 

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Spring Admission

The Economics Department will consider applicants for either the Fall or Spring semesters. However, in most cases, it is best to begin the program in the Fall since the core course sequences begin at that time. In addition, many of the non-core economics courses have either Econ 501 or 511 as prerequisites, which are offered only in the Fall semester. Hence, course selection is much more limited for students entering in the spring semester. Finally, it is usually more difficult to provide financial aid for students entering in the Spring semester. 

Admission Deadlines

•Your application, application fee, academic credentials and any additional material required by your program of application must be received by the deadline stated.

•Deadlines may change without notice and many programs will close before the stated deadline because of the large volume of applications they receive. It is to your advantage to apply well before the deadline.

•Applications and materials received after the deadlines will not be considered. International students have earlier deadlines than domestic students.

•GRE scores may be submitted after these dates but are necessary before a student can be admitted into the program.

•Please notice the Department has an earlier deadline for those students seeking financial aid.

The deadline for Fall semester applications is February 15 for international applicants, May 15 for  domestic graduate degree-seeking applicants & readmission applicants, and July 15 for non-degree applicants. For both International & Domestic applicants seeking aid the deadlines are January 15 for Fellowships and February 15 for all other fiancial aid.
 

The deadline for Spring semester applications is July 15 for international applicants, November 1 for  domestic graduate degree-seeking applicants & readmission applicants, and November 15 for non-degree applicants. For both International & Domestic applicants seeking aid, the deadlines are November 1 for Fellowships and all other fiancial aid.
 

The deadline for Summer semester applications is December 15 for international applicants, March 15 for  domestic graduate degree-seeking applicants & readmission applicants, and April 15 for non-degree applicants. For both International & Domestic applicants seeking aid, the deadlines are March 15 for Fellowships and all other fiancial aid.

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Admission to the Joint MA/MBA Program

Applicants to the Joint MA/MBA program must be accepted by both the Economics Department and the MBA Program. An application for both the MBA and Economics programs must be submitted. To attain the MBA program application please go to their website: http://www.uic.edu/cba/mba/ or by mail at:

                MBA Office Suite 220 M/C 077
                815 W Van Buren St.
                University of Illinois at Chicago
                Chicago IL 60607-3525
                Telephone (312) 996- 4573 or 877-MBA-UIC1  

Joint program applicants must submit applications to both programs. It is also possible to apply for the joint program after being accepted into the MA program, as long as this is done within the first semester of study at UIC. 

Non-degree Admission

Applicants wishing only to take graduate level courses may apply for non-degree status. The only documentation required is an application, application fee and proof of undergraduate degree. Non-degree applicants may later apply for a degree program and, if accepted, transfer up to 8 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. 

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