Undergraduate Domestic FAQ
- Where to Send Academic Credentials
- Before Starting an Application
- Filling Out an Application
- Evidence of English Competency
- After Submitting an Application
- Checking the Application Status
- Cancelled Applications
- Admit Decisions
- Residency Requirements
Where to Send Academic Credentials
All academic credentials should be sent to the following address:
Preferred:
Office of Admissions and Records (MC 018)
University of Illinois at Chicago
Box 5220
Chicago, IL 60680-5220
For carriers requiring a street address:
Office of Admissions and Records (MC 018)
University of Illinois at Chicago
1200 W Harrison St, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60607-3349
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Before Starting an Application
Can I order the UIC Undergraduate Catalog?
Due to the demand and high cost of mailing, we are unable to mail out catalogs. However, the Undergraduate Catalog is conveniently available online.
How do I apply?
The quickest and most efficient way is to apply online. Complete the application and send the required materials to our office. If you want to fill out a paper application you can Download Undergraduate Freshman Application (pdf) or Download Undergraduate Transfer Application (pdf).
What are the Admission requirements?
Admission to UIC is weighed by a combination of GPA, class rank and ACT/SAT-I scores. Additional admission requirements vary depending on your applicant category: Freshman, Transfer, International, Readmit, Non-degree, Second Bachelor's Degree or Graduate Student. Please visit the Undergraduate Application Requirements section for more information.
I currently reside in the United States, but I am not a citizen. Which citizenship category should I choose? How do I know if I am categorized as an international applicant?
Regardless of your current residence, you are considered to be an international applicant if you currently hold any type of visa. Here is a brief description of some of the commonly misunderstood citizenship categories.
- U.S. Citizen—Born or naturalized
- U.S. Permanent Resident—Green card holder. You should submit an Alien Registration Number and a copy of your PR card with the application.
- International. If you are on a valid visa, you should submit a copy with your application. If you require an I-20 or DS-2019 to study, you will need to submit evidence of financial support.
- Adjustment in Status—This category is for applicants who are in the process of becoming a permanent resident. You should submit any documentation that can provide details of your status such as receipts or petitions from USCIS.
- Non-citizen (Other)—This should only be used if none of the other categories apply to you. Once again, valid visa holders or those seeking a visa should not use this category.
If you are an international applicant, see the International FAQ for more specific directions.
I'm a legal permanent resident. Do I follow domestic or international guidelines?
Legal permanent residents are oftentimes caught between processing policies for domestic and international students. Since students in this category are not in need of an I-20 or DS-2019, the Office of Admissions and Records accepts applications up to the domestic deadline. The Office of Admissions and Records still encourages students who completed studies overseas to apply early since the review and processing time may be longer when international credentials are involved.
Permanent residents should expect the following:
- Required submission of all academic credentials expected of international students (complete transcripts, marksheets, proof of degree, English translations. See the International FAQ for more specific directions).
- Plan to take the TOEFL. You may not qualify for a TOEFL waiver based on your residence in the U.S. See the section on "How can I receive a TOEFL waiver" for more instructions.
- Submit your permanent resident card and your Alien Registration Number. This will ensure that you are classified correctly for residency purposes.
- You will not need to submit evidence of financial support.
I'm an adult student with no college credit, do I have to take the ACT/SAT-I?
Beginning freshmen, regardless of age, are admitted to UIC based on their high school rank, high school grade point average, and ACT/SAT-I scores. If you have not attended a college or university previously, then you will need to submit an official high school transcript along with ACT or SAT-I scores to the the Office of Admissions and Records.
How much is tuition?
Tuition and fees vary from year-to-year. For the most recent estimates, please visit Undergraduate Tuition and Fees.
How can I apply for Financial Aid?
You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. The Office of Financial Aid provides students with information of their process.
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Filling Out an Application
I have used different versions of my name. What should I do to ensure that all of my documents are matched with my application?
You should always use your full, legal name on all documents that you are submitting to UIC. Please include any alternate names in the space provided on the application. When possible, include your University Identification Number (UIN) on all documents. If you listed a different name on any transcripts or test scores, please provide these name to the Office of Admissions and Records.
What is a United States Social Security Number (SSN) and when do I need to provide it?
A Social Security Number is a government issued identification number generally used for tracking working individuals for taxation purposes. UIC does not require students to provide an SSN at the time of application. Students seeking financial aid or employment at the university will be required to obtain an SSN and submit it to the appropriate office. International students who do not have an SSN should not provide other national ID numbers in attempt to fully complete the application. Please see the Social Security Administration web site for more complete details.
I am trying to apply online. Why isn't my program in the drop-down menu?
- Double check the deadline for your program. Some programs have earlier deadlines. If the deadline has passed, the program will no longer be available on the online application. Late applications are not accepted by the Office of Admissions and Records.
- Be sure that your program accepts applications for the term you have selected. Many programs admit to only the Fall term. If you are applying for the Spring term, please verify that your program considers students for admission to that term.
- Make sure you are in the correct application. After creating/entering your log-in ID and password, you are brought to a drop-down box that asks you to select an application type. Non-degree programs are not available under the general Undergraduate heading. Similarly, degree-seeking programs will not be found under the Undergraduate Non-degree selection.
If your program is not listed in the drop down box, please do not choose another program in order to complete the application. The Office of Admissions and Records will not manually change your program code at a later time.
I am trying to apply online, but I cannot find my college or university in the drop-down. What should I do?
Most U.S. institutions and many international ones can be found by going through a series of drop-down menus. We encourage you to carefully search the drop-downs before manually entering the name of the school in the box provided. Using the drop-downs will ensure that your web application is processed correctly. Here are some hints for using the drop-downs effectively:
- Try looking for an abbreviation (e.g. Univ of IL Urbana-Champaign)
- Check for different orderings of the institution’s name as they may be alphabetized differently (i.e. U Mumbai vs. Mumbai University)
- If you are from an institution that has several colleges that are affiliated to a larger university, always search for the university's name. Avoid using or manually enter the name of the college.
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Evidence of English Competency
TOEFL Exemptions
TOEFL exemptions are not determined by the prevalence of spoken English in your country or the medium of instruction at your university. You may qualify for a TOEFL waiver if you can provide the following:
- Evidence that you have been attending a U.S. institution for at least 2 years of full-time study.
- A letter from an employer in the U.S., UK, Australia, or Canada (excluding Quebec) stating that you are proficient in the use of English and that you have been employed at the establishment for at least 1 year. The letter must be typed on the company's letterhead. The Office of Admissions and Records will evaluate all letters on a case-by-case basis.
- Education or employment for the duration of time listed above in a country where English is the only, official language, i.e. UK, Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec).
Minimums
The Graduate College minimum requirements for TOEFL scores are as follows:
- Paper-based exam—550
- Computer-based exam—213
- Internet-based Test (IBT)
- Writing—21
- Speaking—20
- Listening—17
- Reading—19
- Total score—80
Other English Competency tests
Other English competency exams may be available to students and may be accepted by other institutions. UIC accepts scores for TOEFL only. We do not accept TSE, TWE, Cambridge examinations, TOEIC, IELTS, or other similar tests in place of TOEFL. Some departments may give consideration to students who have completed these exams (specifically TSE and TWE) in addition to the TOEFL. Please contact your department on details regarding their policies.
English is commonly spoken in my country. Do I need to take TOEFL?
Yes. TOEFL exemptions are not determined by the prevalence of spoken English in your country. If a TOEFL score is being requested of you then students from your country do not qualify for an automatic waiver.
All classes at my university were taught in English. Do I need to take TOEFL?
Yes. TOEFL exemptions are not determined by the medium of instruction.
How can I receive a TOEFL waiver?
You may qualify for a TOEFL waiver if you can provide the following:
- Evidence that you have been attending a U.S. institution for at least 2 years of full-time study.
- A letter from a U.S. employer stating that you are proficient in the use of English and that you have been employed at the establishment for at least 1 year.
- Education or employment for the duration of time listed above in a country where English is the only, official language. i.e. UK, Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec).
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After Submitting an Application
Will you contact me when my documents arrive at UIC? When will I know that my file is complete and if a decision has been made?
Due to high volume of applications and credentials, the Office of Admissions and Records cannot contact you when documents arrive. During peak times (between the months of November and May), it may take up to 4 weeks for your documents to be received, coded, posted to the system, and matched with your file for review. Once an admissions counselor has received your file for review, it may be determined that further documentation is required.
The easiest way to track your application is by checking its status online.You may Log into Your Online Application using the ID and password you created during the online application process and choose Edit/View your Application. If you submitted a paper application, an ID and password will be sent to the address you provided. Any documents that we are currently requesting will be posted under the Requirements section. Updates made to your account will be reflected immediately.
Once a decision has been made on your application, it will be viewable online next to "Decisions" and an official letter of admission will be mailed to you. A decision of "Pending - Manual Review Req" means that your file has been sent to your department and is awaiting a decision. The Office of Admissions and Records cannot give you any further information on a pending application.
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Checking the Application Status
How can I check the status of my application?
The easiest way to track your application is by checking its status on-line. You may Log into Your Online Application using the ID and password you created during the on-line application process and choose Edit/View your Application. If you submitted a paper application, an ID and password will be sent to the address you provided. Any documents that we are currently requesting will be posted under the Requirements section. Updates made to your account will be reflected immediately.
What does 94 "Pending – Manual Review Req" mean?
A decision of "Pending - Manual Review Req" means that your file has been sent to your department and is awaiting a decision. The Office of Admissions and Records cannot give you any further information on a deferred application. You may contact your program for details about the departmental review process.
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Cancelled Applications
Why was my application cancelled?
Cancellations may be made by the Office of Admissions and Records or by your academic program. Your application may have been cancelled for the following reasons:
- You failed to submit all required academic materials to the Office of Admissions and Records
- You failed to submit the supplementary materials required by the department. The department has the authority to cancel your application based on missing credentials.
- You received a recommendation for admission, but you failed to submit evidence of financial support.
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Admit Decisions
How can I accept or decline my admission offer?
Once accepted, all newly admitted undergraduate students must complete and return the "Intent to Enroll" (ITE) form which is included with your admission letter. The ITE form is due by the established deadlines, in order for the newly admitted student to reserve and accept the offer of admission to UIC. ITE is required for all beginning undergraduate - Freshman, Transfer and Re-admit students. ITE forms can be mailed, submitted online or faxed to the Office of Admissions.
How can I schedule Placement Tests?
Once accepted, follow the description found in your Basic Information for New Students booklet. All beginning freshmen and some transfer students entering UIC are required to take one or more placement tests prior to the beginning of their first semester of study. In some cases, you may be exempt from the exams based on your completed course work. Please visit the Office of Testing Services web site for more information.
What is a TCN and how do I obtain it?
A TCN is a 9-digit Temporary Control Number that is issued to students who do not have or did not report a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN). Your TCN can be found at the top of your admit letter. If you provided an SSN, no TCN will be issued to you.
How do I register for classes?
Your official letter of admission will contain both your University ID Number (UIN) and Temporary Control Number (TCN, if applicable). Your ID number (along with your SSN or university provided TCN) should allow you to Establish an Enterprise ID and password which will then allow you to Register Online. You will not be allowed to register until a time ticket has been issued to you. Most new students are able to register during Open Registration times.
When is the Orientation?
The Orientation Office will mail admitted students an invitation for the New Student Orientation Program. Students should schedule Placement Tests before scheduling an orientation date. Transfer students should send final transcripts to Admissions. If you are ready to schedule a date, contact Orientation at (312) 996-3271.
How can I apply for campus housing?
Your housing application will be considered once you have been admitted. Find more information, including a downloadable application for housing on the Campus Housing web site.
I'm being charged out-of-state tuition, but I'm an Illinois resident. How can I get this corrected?
New students are notified of their residency status in their admission letter. If you have been classified incorrectly or you feel your residency status has changed since your date of admission, you will need to file a Residency Petition with the Office of Admissions and Records. For more information about residency and residency petition, please view Information about In-state and Out-of-state Residency. Please carefully review all instructions when filing a petition because deadlines do apply.
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Residency Requirements
Requirements for Illinois residency can be found online. Students wishing to have their residency classification re-reviewed may complete a Residency Petition.
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