Insights on University of Illinois at Urbana Admissions

I'm currently exploring the idea of applying to the University of Illinois at Urbana. Could someone who knows about their admissions process talk me through it? Are there any tips you'd recommend to strengthen my application?

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) uses a holistic review process which means they review all aspects of your application including your academic record, essays, and activities.

In terms of academics, you will be assessed primarily based on your transcript. UIUC puts a lot of emphasis on the rigor of your high school curriculum, your grades, and class rank if available. If your school doesn't calculate rank, don't worry; they'll probably create an estimated class rank based on the information available to them. The average GPA for admitted students tends to be high, around 3.68 on an unweighted 4.0 scale. Be sure to take challenging courses like AP or honors whenever possible to demonstrate your ability to handle rigorous coursework which is typical of what you will encounter at UIUC. SAT and ACT scores also play a role in the admission decisions here, but they're not everything.

The essays are another essential part of your application in terms of demonstrating your fit for UIUC. Your essays should be well-written and clearly convey your interest in UIUC and the specific major or program you're applying to. UIUC wants to see that you have done your research and understand what you would gain from attending their school. In your essay, steer away from cliche topics and focus on a singular experience–moments of conflict are always an interesting topic. For instance, instead of writing about how your team trained and improved to beat their rivals, talk about a unique way that sports shaped who you are or how a singular challenging moment led you to grow in a significant way.

UIUC pays attention to your extracurricular activities as well. They're looking for students who will contribute to their campus and community, so be sure to highlight key activities and your level of involvement in them. UIUC uses the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars - aim to be involved in Tier 1 and Tier 2 level activities where possible.

For STEM majors, UIUC is particularly interested in seeing relevant activities, internships, or research experiences that demonstrate your commitment and passion for the field. Therefore, if you can showcase that you've engaged with your intended major in some capacity outside of school, that should give your application a boost.

Submission of Letters of Recommendation (LoR) is optional but could strengthen your application. A good LoR would provide more context about your performance in high school or speak to your character or potential.

Lastly, don't underestimate the role of demonstrated interest. While UIUC states that they moderately consider demonstrated interest, showing that you're genuinely interested in attending can certainly help your application.

Remember to be yourself in your application! They're looking for genuine students with passions and ambitions, so make sure that comes through in your essays and activities list. Good luck with your application!