Welcome Counselors

A partnership in college access

We welcome students from high school, transferring from community colleges and other universities, and those returning to complete their undergraduate degrees. These resources provide support for those serving students interested in UIC. 

High school counselors

For those working with high school students, you will find resources on the First Year admissions process, how to connect with us for visits, and more. First Year applicants who have never attended college (except for dual credit) use The Common Application. We also participate in Slate.org. Our Counselor Update and application guides are also available below. 

Community college counselors

Transfer students make up 40% of the UIC undergraduate student population. We are proud to be the top destination for transfer students in Illinois. We recognize the importance of providing community college staff with the information and resources to help you support your students through the transfer application process. Transfer students apply using the UIC application. We've compiled targeted resources from our UIC community and created a concise Community College Counselor Guide to assist with community college advice.

NEW! UIC Aspire Program

For undergraduate students from Illinois enrolling in Fall 2025 and beyond, we are proud to announce the UIC Aspire program - students from households with income below $75,000 per year may qualify for $0 in tuition and fees. 

View our publications

These publications are produced by the Office of Admissions and are updated yearly.

You can also check the admissions updates tab at the bottom of this page for the latest information. 

Virtual visits for you and your students

Counselors from high schools, colleges and community based organizations may request a virtual presentation from our admissions team, or attend frequent events themselves to learn more about UIC. 

Request a visit for students at your school or for your organization Attend a virtual program with content for counselors and those working with students.
Request a group visiT ATTEND A COUNSELOR EVENT

PRIMARY AUDIENCE
High school and college students

PRIMARY AUDIENCE
High school and college counselors

UIC Admissions reports for Illinois high school counselors

School specific admission status reports can be shared with appropriate high school and community college staff.  
 
 

UIC codes: 

  • ACT college code: 1155
  • SAT college code: 1851
  • FAFSA code: 001776
  • TOEFL code: 1851
  • Advance Placement code: 1851

Show your students what UIC is all about 

As a major public research university with over 30,000 students, 15 top-ranking colleges and a prime location in one of the country's most vibrant cities, UIC offers something for every student.

Resources on the admission process

Counselor FAQs

What are the school forms and how can I access them?

Each recommender role has a different type of form to complete, except for Advisors, who do not submit forms. Counselors, Teachers, and Other Recommenders all have the opportunity to upload a letter of recommendation and share how they know the applicant.

To begin working on a student’s forms, click on their name in the Student section.

Counselors and Teachers also have additional information to complete and share.

Is the School Report required?

Yes, the School Report form is a required component of the Common Application. However, UIC does not require you to submit a full, personalized recommendation letter for each of your students and will not make an application incomplete if the School Report is not received.

Do I need to write a letter of recommendation for every student?

No, you may select either opt out or decline rather than writing an individual recommendation for every student. Applicants will not be penalized if their counselor is unable or chooses not to supply a recommendation. Counselor recommendations, just like personal statements, are often beneficial during our review process but they can never hurt an applicant's chances of admission.

Are general letters of recommendation acceptable?

Yes, UIC and all other Common Application schools are willing to accept general recommendation letters that may have been written or submitted to other institutions. The review committee will not hold it against an applicant if their recommendation addresses another institution or does not specifically address the applicant’s interest in UIC.

Will not submitting a recommendation have a negative impact on an application?

No, UIC has not required letters of recommendation in the past and will not require them as we switch to the Common Application. Students will not be penalized in any way if recommendation letters are not submitted. Letters of recommendation will continue to be used as a positive consideration but if not submitted, will not negatively affect a student's chances of being admitted.

 

However, if a student is applying to the Honors College or GPPA, letters of recommendation are required.

How can transcripts be submitted?

Electronic submission is preferred. Electronically submit transcripts by attaching them to the Common Application School Report or through a separate submission service such as Docufide or E-Script.

How can a fee waiver be requested?

UIC will accept either the NACAC or College Board fee waiver request forms for First-Year applications. Both forms must be signed and submitted by the high school counselor. The NACAC form can be submitted electronically through the Common Application School Forms as long as the applicant supplied their counselor’s email address when assigning the School Forms.

How can I check the status of an application for one of my students?

The School Forms system shows basic status information for each of your students, including the type of application and date of submission. 

 

Counselors are also invited to use the application status portal, or contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@uic.edu to discuss missing credentials, issues with the application or to check the status of an application. We encourage applicants to call our office themselves to discuss specific decisions or to edit personal information from the application.

How do students submit test scores?

Students can submit test scores through the College Board or ACT website. We can also accept test scores submitted directly by counselors from the student's transcript. Students can also upload an unofficial copy of their score through the applicant portal. To review our test optional policy, please refer to the test optional FAQs at go.uic.edu/test-optional.