Transfer Application Tips and Checklist
You’re probably wondering what we consider while reviewing an application. We place special emphasis upon your courses taken in college, grades, and application essays; but we also pay attention to non-academic aspects of your life, such as extracurricular activities, work and volunteer experience, and honors and awards received. Test scores and class rank from high school may be considered for students who will be transferring with less than 60 graded college credit hours. We try to look at the complete picture of who you are and how you will contribute to the talented, bright, and diverse student body at Illinois.
As an applicant, it is your responsibility to know the application requirements and to submit the necessary materials.
Two Ways to Apply
- Apply online.
We encourage online applications because it saves time and paper. When you apply online you create an ID and PIN, which enables you to check your application status after submitting your application.
- Submit a paper application to:
Office of Admissions & Records
University of Illinois
901 W. Illinois St.
Urbana, IL 61801
Checklist
Before you begin. Take time to review the application and prepare the content you plan to provide. After writing and organizing your information, including essays and activities, it should take approximately 30 minutes to complete the application.
- Essays. Two essays of no more than 300 words each are required in the application. The essay portion is an important factor in our evaluation so you should allow enough time and prepare an outline of what you want to say. We want to read about you, what interests you and why. After the essays are completed, you should ask a teacher or counselor to proofread and provide feedback. Remember, they should not write for you, but help catch misspellings and give suggestions.
- Activities, Work Experience, Community Service, and Honors/Awards. List the most important and meaningful experiences you’ve had and honors earned during college for each question.
- Pick a major. Browse our list of majors and concentrations. Research the particular program you’re interested in and try to describe your interest or experience in that subject when writing the application essays. On the application, you may only apply to one program; however, you will automatically be considered for other related majors if you are not selected for admission to your first choice. If you’re interested in secondary education, law, medicine, or nursing, you should indicate this as your interest on the appropriate question within the application. Not all programs accept applications for the spring term. Before applying for Spring 2009 admission, review the open and closed list to determine which programs are accepting applications.
- Need-Based Aid. For consideration of need-based aid, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed. Students applying for Spring ‘09 admission need to complete the 2008-2009 FAFSA and those applying for Fall ‘09 admission must complete the 2009-2010 FAFSA. You can find the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov, or at college or university financial aid offices. The Federal School Code for Illinois is 001775.
Read all instructions before starting. We don’t want you to overlook a vital portion of a question.
- Give accurate information. Try to give a true picture of who you are, where your interests lie, and what your academic goals include. We will learn a lot about you if you take the time to tell us who you are: aspirations, successes, and challenges you’re facing.
- Proofread. Admission is competitive, and mistakes and omissions can hurt your chances.
- Double-check your e-mail address. We send important information via e-mail. Please submit an address that will be checked frequently and notify the Office of Admissions if you change it.
- Application Fee. Please submit a nonrefundable $40 application fee ($50 for international applicants), payable to the University of Illinois, or a completed fee waiver from your financial aid office. If you are a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago or the University of Illinois at Springfield, you do not need to submit an application fee.
- Send in your completed application. Make sure it’s signed, dated, and all accompanying materials are included.
- Submit your transcripts. We need official transcripts from each postsecondary institution you previously attended, in addition to an official transcript from your final high school. Please request that official transcripts be sent from your secondary and postsecondary institution directly to the Office of Admissions when you apply. Your high school transcript is required to confirm graduation. If you received a GED certificate, you need to submit the GED results.
- Submit your test scores. It’s required that you send us a standardized test score if you have less than 30 graded transferable semester hours of college coursework at the time of application: ACT (code 1154) or SAT 1 (code 1836) scores are accepted. The writing component of the ACT is required if you graduated high school in 2008 or later. It is highly recommended to submit test scores if you have 30-59 graded credit hours.
- Check the status of your application. Once you receive acknowledgement of receipt from us, you may check the status of your application. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@illinois.edu or 217.333.0302.
Actors, Artists, Dancers, and Musicians
We may need additional information from you.
Note: Please submit an Undergraduate Application for Admission prior to completing the program-specific requirements.
- Art and design applicants must submit a portfolio. Instructions and forms are available at www.art.uiuc.edu or call 217.333.6632.
- Dance applicants must complete an audition. Information on completing this requirement is available at www.dance.uiuc.edu or call 217.333.1010.
- Music applicants must complete an audition and/or interview. For specific requirements, to schedule the audition/interview, and complete the supplemental music application visit www.music.uiuc.edu or contact the Music Admissions Office at 217.244.7899.
- Theatre applicants must complete an interview and an audition or portfolio review. Information on completing these requirements is available at www.theatre.uiuc.edu or call 217.333.2371.
International Transfer Applicants
Review additional interntationl requirements online.
Aviation (Pilots)
An FAA medical examination is required before beginning of class. Color vision must be normal, and vision must be 20/20 or correctable to 20/20.
Teachers
Applicants to all education curricula are required to pass the Illinois Certification Testing System Basic Skills test. Scores must be reported to the Council on Teacher Education (www.ed.uiuc.edu/cte) by the time of application. For more information, visit www.icts.nesinc.com. Students entering pre-teacher education (sophomore transfers only) do not need to have taken the Basic Skills test at the time of application.