Applying as a First Year student
If you’ve got the drive and the high school record to prove it, then we invite you to send us an application.
Come Back Later?
You’re also welcome to join us as a transfer student. You can check out our transfer programs and guides to help you plan your coursework.
Degree Programs
Look at our list of majors and see all the various options.
About UIC
What does it mean to be at one of the nation’s premier urban research universities? Check us out here.
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First Year
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You are a first year applicant if you currently attend high school or have graduated from high school and have never attended a college or university.
First year applicants may apply to any of the following:
- College of Applied Health Sciences
- College of Architecture and Arts
- College of Business Administration
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
First year review process
A holistic approach is used during the first year application review process. The application evaluation includes a review of multiple factors, including, but not limited to, high school coursework and cumulative grade point average, grade trends, grades in required high school courses, course levels such as Honors, AP, IB, etc., class rank, ACT or SAT scores, and personal statement. Additional factors that may be considered are college readiness, writing proficiency, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and preparedness for the major. Admission is competitive, and selection depends on space availability and the overall applicant pool.
Most first year applications go through multiple rounds of review. A majority of decisions on first year applications will be made between the January 15th application deadline and the end of March.
First year admission requirements
- Complete and submit the Common Application Online along with the UIC Supplement. Printed applications will not be accepted.
- Submit the $50 nonrefundable application fee.
- Current high school students must submit an official high school transcript, electronically or through the mail, along with the Common Application School Report.
- Graduated applicants who have never attended another college or university must submit evidence of graduation from an accredited high school or submit passing scores on the General Educational Development (GED) test.
- Complete the American College Test (ACT) or the College Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or Scholastic Assessment Test-I (SAT-I). ACT and SAT test scores may be submitted electronically or printed on official transcripts.
For more information, please see the First Year Admissions Requirements.
ACT Scores and High School Percentile Rank For Entering First Year Class of 2012
| ACT Composite | HSPR | |
|---|---|---|
| Middle 50% | Middle 50% | |
| College of Applied Health Sciences | 22-27 | 71-91 |
| College of Architecture & the Arts | 21-26 | 64-89 |
| College of Business Administration | 22-26 | 66-90 |
| College of Education | 20-25 | 65-90 |
| College of Engineering | 25-30 | 73-93 |
| College of Liberal Arts & Sciences | 22-27 | 72-92 |
