Graduate

It's never too early to start planning.

Early preparation is the key to a smooth application and admission process.

Do your research.

You probably already know which program you intend to apply for, but we encourage you to take some time to look through the program’s website. Look into the college's achievements, their research, and any other resources they provide prospective students. Note the key contacts, such as the program coordinator, and contact information for your intended program. 

Keep track of all deadlines that apply to you.

• Don’t wait until the last minute to apply!
• Many programs have earlier deadlines, such as for PhD applications.
• In many cases materials may still be accepted after published application deadlines, but some programs have strict materials submission deadlines. Refer to the program's website to see if they have published materials submission deadlines.

Check your requirements.

Familiarize yourself with the Admissions requirements (application fee or waiver, academic credentials, English proficiency requirements).

And refer to the program’s website for Program-specific requirements (which may include items such as the GRE test, Personal Statements, Letters of Recommendation, etc.).

Prepare your documents for online submission.

• The general graduate application process is paperless. Please do not mail any materials or credentials to the university unless expressly notified to do so.
  • Our office will request official credentials from admitted students only. Hard-copy application materials received by our office will be discarded.
• Documents may be in PDF or Word (.doc, .docx.) format.
• "Portfolio" PDFs and secured PDFs which require a password to open are not compatible with our system. PDFs should not be set with an expiration date.
• Refer to the credential requirements for Domestic and International applicants for notes on acceptable transcripts and other necessary documentation.

Have your official test scores sent in advance.

Our ETS Institutional Code for TOEFL and GRE is 1851.

Think about funding.

See what funding options are available to you. The Graduate College has compiled a wide range of great information about funding opportunities and financial resources on their website. Your intended program's website may also provide a list of funding opportunities specific to the program. Here are a few other resources:

• College of Education
• College of Nursing
• Social Work - MSW
• Veterans

You've already applied and submitted requested materials. What's next? How are applications reviewed?

Check your application status regularly.

You can check your status online. This is where you’ll find your checklist noting items that have been received and those that are still being requested.

Additional items may be added to your checklist if received items are incorrect or additional documentation is needed. Note that applications will switch from a complete to incomplete status if submitted documents are found to be insufficient and additional items are added.

Departmental Review

After all Admissions requirements are satisfied, application records are referred to the program for their review, though programs may have already begun their review by that time. Admissions and program staff are able to access application materials after they are submitted. Applications are typically reviewed in the order they are received.

The time that it takes for an application to go through the review process varies by program. After the program has completed their review of an application, they communicate their admission recommendations and denials to Admissions and we update the official record after a final quick review. Some programs communicate their decisions to Admissions continually throughout the cycle while others do so in bursts. Ultimately, it depends on the timeline and approach each program takes for their review.

Graduate College Review

In certain cases where minimum requirements are not met or additional approval is needed, applications recommended for admission by Graduate College programs may need to undergo an additional review by the Graduate College. The Graduate College may decide to uphold the program's admission recommendation or, in certain cases, deny the application.

This would not apply to professional level programs and graduate level programs that do not fall under the Graduate College.

Are you interested in taking courses for personal, professional or academic enrichment without enrolling in a degree program? 

Are  you a newly graduated student needing to finish up some pre-requisites before applying for a degree program? A professional thinking about switching fields? Do you just want to enroll in a few courses to learn a new language? Non-degree study may be right for you.

Graduate non-degree study is open to individuals who have already obtained at least a baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent), or will have obtained the degree prior to the start of the admission term.

UIC has two categories of non-degree study:

• General, Unassigned Non-degree
  • The application and admission is managed entirely by the Office of Admissions.
  • Students would not be able to enroll in restricted courses without obtaining permission from the course instructor or department.
• Departmental, Major-specific Non-degree
  • We recommend that you contact the department first to see if they offer non-degree study and whether it would be appropriate in your case.
  • The application will need to be considered for admission by the department.
  • The department may have additional requirements.
  • May allow registration in restricted courses (confirm with the department).

Application

• Submitted online application
• $70 application fee (non-refundable) or applicable waiver

Requirements

Most graduate non-degree applications only require the online submission of a proof of degree.

• Proof of degree should be a PDF copy of a either a degree certificate/diploma or a transcript on which the award of a degree is indicated.
  • If the degree is still in progress and will be completed prior to the admission term, a transcript should be submitted. Proof of degree will then be requested after admission.
  • Note that copies of web-academic histories obtained from student portals are not acceptable.
  • International degrees issued in a non-English language should be accompanied by a certified translation.
    • Additional credentials may be requested, if necessary, to confirm degree equivalency.

Departmental non-degree applications may require additional documentation. Contact the department for additional information concerning their requirements.

If all prior coursework was done abroad, English proficiency requirements may apply.

• Graduate Non-degree students may register for courses at all levels, however, some courses are restricted to students within a specific program or department.
  • Contact the course instructor or department for approval. Approval decisions lie at the discretion of the instructor or department.
• Non-degree students are eligible to begin registering during the Open Registration period, after the priority registration periods for degree-seeking students.
• Course availability cannot be guaranteed.
• Students who do not enroll for their term of admission will need to apply for admission again for a later term. Non-degree admission cannot be deferred.
• Tuition is assessed at the Graduate Base Rate. Differentials may apply for departmental non-degree students if the major associated with the departmental non-degree program assesses a differential.
• Admission as a non-degree student does not entitle a student to admission in a degree program at a later date. Non-degree students must apply for consideration of admission to a degree program.
  • No more than 12 credit hours earned as a Graduate Non-degree student can be transferred into a degree program at UIC.
• Non-degree students do not qualify for financial aid.
• Non-degree students are not assigned an academic advisor.
  • Departmental non-degree students may inquire within the department for advising options.

Do not send official transcripts to our office during the application process unless expressly requested. Official transcripts will be requested only from admitted students. Official transcripts received for records without a final decision may not be reflected in the application checklist until the end of the cycle.

Review the options below regarding online submission of acceptable transcripts for the purposes of application review: 

• Option 1: You will need to request an official, sealed transcript from your prior college or university. It should be sent to your home, and must be opened, scanned and saved to your computer or other storage device as a PDF, then uploaded to the application checklist when requested.
• Option 2: If offered by your prior college or university, obtain an official PDF transcript through the school’s Registrar’s Office. This PDF can then be uploaded to the application checklist.
  • PDFs in a Portfolio format and password-protected PDFs are not compatible with our system. 
  • Some institutions may issue electronic transcripts with an expiration date. Please avoid uploading transcripts that are set to expire since credentials need to be viewed and reviewed throughout the application process (and available in the permanent record).  An additional transcript will be requested if previously uploaded transcripts are found to be expired and inaccessible. 
    • If you obtain a transcript that is set to expire, you may need to print and rescan it into PDF format in order to be able to provide a permanently available credential.

Transcripts should include all courses, credits, grades, and term information. Please also include the transcript key or legend, typically displayed on the back of the transcript.

Online academic histories or advising/degree audit documents that can be obtained through student web portals are not acceptable.

The University of Illinois Chicago reserves the right to request official credentials at any time during the application process if deemed necessary, and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between unofficial and official credentials are found.