Undergraduate International FAQ

• Where to Send Academic Credentials
• Determining Who is an International Student
• Before Starting an Application
• Glossary of Terms Related to Academic Credentials
• Acceptable Formats for Academic Credentials
• Filling Out an Application
• Evidence of English Competency
• Evidence of Financial Support
• After Submitting an Application
• Checking the Application Status
• Cancelled Applications
• Admit Decisions

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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Determining Who is an International Student

The university considers any student who currently holds a visa of any type or is seeking a visa to be international. Even if you do not require a student (F or J) visa to attend UIC, you are viewed as an international applicant. Most policies which apply to those seeking student visas will apply to holders of other types of visas.

Citizenship Types

U.S. Citizen:

The United States is the country in which the person is born (and has not renounced or lost citizenship) or naturalized and to which that person owes allegiance and by which he or she is entitled to be protected.

U.S. Permanent Resident:

Any person not a citizen of the United States who is residing in the U.S. under legally recognized and lawfully recorded permanent residence as an immigrant. These persons may also be known as Permanent Resident Alien, Lawful Permanent Resident, Resident Alien Permit Holder, and Green Card Holder.

Green card holders should submit an Alien Registration Number and a copy of your PR card with the application.

International Student:

For the university's purposes, this is anyone who currently holds a visa of any type or who is in need of an I-20 (F1 Visa) or DS-2019 (J1 Visa).

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:

Procedure allowing certain aliens already in the United States to apply for immigrant status. Aliens admitted to the United States in a nonimmigrant, refugee, or parolee category may have their status changed to that of lawful permanent resident if they are eligible to receive an immigrant visa and one is immediately available. In such cases, the alien is counted as an immigrant as of the date of adjustment, even though the alien may have been in the United States for an extended period of time.

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.

Asylee:

An alien in the United States or at a port of entry who is found to be unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality, or to seek the protection of that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution. Persecution or the fear thereof must be based on the alien’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Refugee:

Any person who is outside his or her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return to that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution. Persecution or the fear thereof must be based on the alien’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Humanitarian Parole:

A parolee is an alien, appearing to be inadmissible to the inspecting officer, allowed into the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or when that alien’s entry is determined to be for significant public benefit. Parole does not constitute a formal admission to the United States and confers temporary status only.

Non-citizen - Illinois Schooled

You fit into this category if you can answer yes to all of the following:
Did/will you graduate from an Illinois high school or attain a GED in Illinois?
Did/will you attend school in Illinois for at least 3 years during K-12?
Did/will you live with your parents while you attended school in Illinois?

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.

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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).
• 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.

Is financial aid available for international students?

International students are not eligible for Federal Student Financial Aid Programs. To be eligible for financial assistance, a student must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

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Glossary of Terms Related to Academic Credentials

Transcript

We understand that from the viewpoint of many countries, the word "transcript" is an American term. When the Office of Admissions and Records asks you for transcripts, we are actually asking for a copy of your academic record which includes courses taken, course descriptions, credits earned or hours completed, and posted grades.

The following academic records are always acceptable as "transcripts":

• Bosnia & Herzegovina—Index or Upsinica
• Croatia—Indeks or Uvjerjenje
• Germany—Scheinen or Student Reported Summary which has been certified by the university
• Poland—Indeks
• India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka—Marksheets (*see below)
• Countries following the Bologna Agreement—Diploma supplement.

Marksheet

Some institutions provide a separate sheet for each year or semester which details the classes taken and marks achieved by a student.

The following are some criteria which the Office of Admissions and Records requires when evaluating marksheets:

• They should be issued on a yearly or semesterly basis
• Marks secured, minimum passing marks, and maximum marks should be shown
• They should be unconsolidated. Consolidated marks will not be accepted under any circumstance.
• Marksheets should be issued by the university, not college. While some colleges will issue transcripts bearing marks, the Office of Admissions and Records prefers university issued marksheets. College transcripts may be accepted if they are unconsolidated, and show marks obtained, minimum marks, and maximum marks. College transcripts will be used at the discretion of the admissions counselor during review.
• Marksheets should be attested by the university Registrar or Controller of Exams. See the sections on Official vs. Unofficial documents and Attestation for more details.
• Marksheets should clearly list the course name. If all that is shown is Paper I, II, and III or Exams I, II, III for a certain subject, the Office of Admissions and Records will ask for a syllabus or course descriptions.
• Always provide the back of the marksheets if any information regarding courses or grading policies is listed on it.

Proof of Degree

The Office of Admissions and Records requires proof of all degrees that a student has earned. This should be an attested copy of your diploma or degree certificate. It should state the type of degree you were awarded, the fact that it was granted to you, and the date of conferment.

Keep the following in mind when submitting proof of degree:

• Exam and Pass Certificates are not acceptable. Certificates stating that you passed the final or degree examination will not be used in place of a degree. Certificates stating that you successfully passed a degree or a final semester will also not be used.
• Provisional degrees will be accepted if the final degree has not yet been issued. The Office of Admissions and Records will take a provisional degree certificate or provisional degree statement as long as it is explicitly stating that you have qualified for the degree and that it will be conferred at a future date or convocation. Provisional degrees should be submitted in the same format as other official documents. If a provisional degree is accepted and found to be official, the Office of Admissions and Records will not require the submission of the final degree at a later date.
• Proof of degree must always be issued by the university.

Diploma Supplement

The Diploma Supplement was developed by many European institutions to provide students with a document that will be attached to a higher education diploma and improve international recognition of academic and professional qualifications (diplomas, degrees, certificates etc).

The supplement provides a description of the nature, level, context, and status of the studies a student pursued and successfully completed.

Syllabus/Course Descriptions

Students may be required to submit a syllabus or course descriptions if the transcript does not provide enough detail. These items will usually provide a key for understanding the courses you have taken and will provide the highlights of that course’s curriculum. The Office of Admissions and Records does not require all students seeking graduate admission to provide these items. However, they may be requested of you at a later date if necessary.

Attestation/Attested Documents

The Office of Admissions and Records does not require you to submit your original documents to the university. We understand that many universities only issue one set of final, original documents to students. Students should plan to submit attested copies of all original documents to UIC. You will need to make copies of your transcripts, marksheets, or degrees and have each individual page stamped by the Registrar or Controller of Examinations at your university. They will need to seal the attested documents in envelopes and place the same attesting stamp over the flap. We consider all properly attested and sealed documents to be official.

Official vs. Unofficial

Official documents are those which have been issued by the university and bear an original attestation. In the United States, sealed transcripts issued directly from the Registrar’s office are considered as official. The university may issue transcripts directly to UIC or to the student. As long as the seal is not broken, the transcripts will be considered official. We will not accept transcripts printed off the web.

From foreign institutions, copies of original documents which have been attested by the Registrar or Controller of Examinations and sealed by the same individual will be considered as official. Each document should be individually attested. There is no guarantee that documents attested by another official will be accepted.

For institutions where there are several colleges affiliated to a larger university, the Office of Admissions and Records prefers all documents to be both issued and attested by the university.

If you can only obtain college documents the following rules apply:

• The college is only allowed to attest documents issued by the college.
• We will not accept university issued documents that have been attested by the college.
• The Registrar or Controller of Examinations of the college should perform the attestation, not the Principal or Dean.
• We will never accept a degree or provisional degree that has been issued by the college. Similarly, we will not accept a degree that has been attested by the college.

Documents may be considered unofficial for the following reasons:

1. Attestation is not consistent. If each document is stamped by a different individual, or if any page is not stamped, the Office of Admissions and Records may not accept them as official.
2. Attestation is not performed by the correct university official. Documents should be attested by the university Registrar (assistant, associate or deputy), Controller of Examinations, or attestation officer. Documents attested by other individuals or college officials may not be accepted.
3. Documents were issued by the college. College issued documents may be taken for processing, but will not be guaranteed as official.
4. Documents were submitted in plain or open envelopes. Envelopes must be sealed at the time they are presented to the Office of Admissions and Records and must bear the stamp or signature of the attesting individual over the flap.
5. Attestation has been done by Education USA or a similar third party organization.

   *Attestations done by the Universities Information Bureau at the University of Mumbai will also be accepted for marksheets and degrees issued by the University of Mumbai.

Certified translations

The Office of Admissions requires literal, certified translations for all documents issued in a language other than English. Translations should be on a translator’s letterhead and should be literal (not an interpretation). We accept translations from ATA certified translators, court-appointed translators, or from the consulate. You may find an ATA translator at their web site: www.atanet.org. Plain translations, notarized translations, and translations done by someone other than a certified translator are not acceptable. Evaluations performed by agencies such as WES and ECE will not be used in place of certified translations.

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Acceptable Formats for Academic Credentials

My documents are in a language other than English. What is an acceptable method for having them translated?

The Office of Admissions requires literal, certified translations for all documents issued in a language other than English. Translations should be on a translator's letterhead and should be literal (not an interpretation). We accept translations from ATA certified translators, court-appointed translators, or from the consulate. You may find an ATA translator at their web site: www.atanet.org. Plain translations, notarized translations, and translations done by someone other than a certified translator are not acceptable. Evaluations performed by agencies such as WES and ECE will not be used in place of certified translations.

What does "official" transcripts/degree mean?

Official documents are those which have been issued by the university and bear an original attestation. In the United States, sealed transcripts issued directly from the Registrar's office are considered official. The university may issue transcripts directly to UIC or to the student. As long as the seal is not broken, the transcripts will be considered official. We will not accept transcripts printed off the web.

From foreign institutions, copies of original documents which have been attested by the Registrar or Controller of Examinations and sealed by the same individual will be considered as official. Each document should be attested. There is no guarantee that documents attested by another official will be accepted.

I sent official documents from an international institution. Why am I being asked for them again?

Sometimes the Office of Admissions and Records will use documents to process your application and make a decision, but these same documents will not be sufficient for completing your permanent record. Documents may be considered unofficial for the following reasons:

1. Attestation is not consistent. If each document is stamped by a different individual, or if any page is not stamped, the Office of Admissions and Records may not accept them as official.
2. Attestation is not performed by the correct university official. Documents should be attested by the university Registrar (assistant, associate or deputy), Controller of Examinations, or attestation officer. Documents attested by other individuals or college officials may not be accepted.
3. Documents were issued by the college. Ideally the university will issue all documents. College issued documents may be taken for processing, but will not be guaranteed as official.
4. Documents were submitted in plain or open envelopes. Envelopes must be sealed at the time they are presented to the Office of Admissions and Records and must bear the stamp or signature of the attesting individual over the flap.

My university only gives out one set of original transcripts/marksheets and degree. I cannot get "official" documents. What do I do?

The Office of Admissions and Records does not require you to submit your original documents to the university. We understand that many universities only issue one set of final, original documents to students. Students should plan to submit attested copies of all original documents to UIC. You will need to make copies of your transcripts, marksheets, or degrees and have them stamped by the Registrar or Controller of Examinations at your university. They will need to seal the attested documents in envelopes and place the same attesting stamp over the flap.

My university is refusing to give me the documentation required by UIC. What can I do?

If your university refuses to issue the required documents, you will need to request a letter from the Registrar or Controller of Exams explaining their policy. This letter should be submitted to UIC in a sealed envelope bearing the stamp of the same individual who is issuing the statement over the flap. **This will only be accepted by the Office of Admissions and Records in extreme circumstances. If you attended a university that the Office of Admissions and Records commonly works with and knows that documents are available to students, you will be required to submit the academic credentials.

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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?

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. Evidence that you have been attending a U.S. institution for at least 2 years of full-time study.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. Evidence that you have been attending a U.S. institution for at least 2 years of full-time study.
2. 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.
3. 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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Evidence of Financial Support

Evidence of financial support for the first year of study must be submitted before an I-20 (F1 Visa) or DS-2019 (J1 Visa) will be processed.

Applicants MUST submit the following:

• An original bank statement signed by a bank official. The issuance date of the bank statement must be no more than six months from the start of the semester. Proof of sufficient funds for tuition and fees, books and supplies and living expenses for the first year must be shown. The funds must be in a savings, money market or certificate of deposit account and displayed in U.S. dollars. The type of account must be clearly indicated on the bank statement. A maturity date must be provided on all certificates of deposit and other time deposits. Maturity dates must be no later than the first day of the semester. Checking (current) accounts are not acceptable.
• The UIC Declaration and Certification of Finances (pdf) Form. It must be signed by both the student and the sponsor. If a student has more than one sponsor, all sponsors must sign it.

NOTE: The UIC Declaration and Certification of Finances form must ALWAYS be submitted for students who are seeking an I-20 (F1 Visa) or DS-2019 (J1 Visa). Other affidavits of support may be submitted in addition to the UIC Declaration, but will not be accepted in its place.

When should evidence of financial support be submitted?

UIC does not require students to submit evidence of financial support at the time of application. If you have received a letter recommending you for admission from your department or an official notification asking for financial documents from the Office of Admissions and Records, you will need to provide a bank statement and a signed UIC Declaration and Certification of Finances form. If you have received a departmental award that covers the full amount of tuition, fees, and living expenses then you may be exempt from submitting separate evidence. Evidence from personal funds will be required of all students who have not received departmental support or whose award is insufficient.

You may wish to submit your financial documentation with your application and other materials. If you do so, your documents will be reviewed at the time of receipt. If you are recommended for admission, your financial documents will have to undergo a 2nd review at that time as well. Your documents may no longer be valid at the time of this 2nd review. Financial papers are time sensitive items. The Office of Admissions and Records will not be able to use them if they are more than 6 months old from the start of the term.

Qualities of a correct bank statement

• All documents must be original. Copies and faxes cannot be used.
• Bank documents may be no more than 6 months old from the start of the semester.
• Bank statements must be signed by a bank official and funds must be in a savings, money market, or certificate of deposit account. Checking or current accounts are not acceptable.
• The type of account is clearly indicated.
• Maturity dates must be provided for certificate of deposits and other time deposits. These deposits must mature on or before the 1st day of your 1st semester of study.
• Documents should be issued in English showing total funds in U.S. dollars.
• Sufficient funding must be shown to cover the total costs listed on the Declaration and Certification of Finances form.

You may use the Currency Converter to perform foreign exchange rate calculations.

Do I have to use the UIC Declaration and Certification of Finances or can I submit a different affidavit of support?

The UIC Declaration and Certification of Finances (pdf) form must ALWAYS be submitted for students who are seeking an I-20 or DS-2019. Other affidavits of support may be submitted in addition to the UIC Declaration, but will not be accepted in its place.

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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.

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