Policies and Procedures

The following general university policies apply to all undergraduate applicants at both the first-year and transfer-student level.

To be eligible for consideration for admission, an applicant must meet certain requirements in terms of high school graduation, high school credits, and competence in English.

High School Graduation

An enrolled undergraduate student must be a graduate of an accredited high school, a school in Illinois recognized by the state superintendent of education, or a school elsewhere with a rating equivalent to full recognition. Graduates of other secondary schools and nongraduates of secondary schools may be admitted under the provisions for a high school equivalency exam.

The Office of Admissions will confirm all students' transcripts arrive from a high school with a CEEB code, as well as the high school seal and/or signature. If a transcript is from a high school that lacks a CEEB code or seal/signature, the admissions office will investigate to confirm that the school is recognized by the state department of education or home school association. The admissions office may request additional documentation at any point in the admission process. If a diploma is determined invalid, a high school equivalency exam may be required for admission consideration.

High School Equivalency Exams

The achievement of satisfactory scores on a high school equivalency exam is acceptable in lieu of graduation from an accredited high school. The test alone won’t fulfill all of our college preparatory subject requirements. The state of Illinois recognizes the General Education Development (GED) exam, HiSET, and Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) in lieu of graduation from an accredited high school. High school equivalency exam scores should be sent by the testing center directly to the Office of Admissions.

Competence in English

All applicants who have studied in a country or U.S. territory where English is not the only official language must demonstrate a command of the English language regardless of citizenship or residency.  Acceptable English proficiency tests include TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, and PTE Academic.  English proficiency test scores are considered valid for two years following the test date and must be valid at the time of application. 

Student-Athlete Admission

Applicants being recruited to participate in varsity sports who are not admitted through the regular admissions process, or whose application becomes complete after the published deadlines, may be considered for admission by the UIC Office of Admissions in conjunction with the academic college being applied to. This agreement was established in 2016 with the approval of the UIC Chancellor. Through the review process, potential student-athletes will be evaluated by a senior admissions officer from the Office of Admissions, as well as the appropriate academic dean or delegate of the dean to determine whether students' objective academic records and demonstrated academic motivation, together with available support services, will combine to give them a reasonable chance for academic success on our campus.

Undergraduate Application Fee Waivers

Applicants for admission must submit a $60 application fee to help defray costs related to the review of applications.  Applicants presenting international coursework are required to submit an additional $100 international evaluation fee at the time of application; this fee is in addition to the $60 application fee.  Fee amounts are subject to change, and  all fees are nonrefundable. 

The $60 application fee will be waived for domestic applicants if one of the criteria listed below is met:

• First Year applicants are eligible for CommonApp fee waivers in addition to the waivers noted below.
• The applicant attends a waiver-approved recruitment event at which time a waiver code will be provided.
• The applicant is currently an employee of the University of Illinois. Fee waivers are given to permanent academic and non-academic employees of the UI who have at least a 50% appointment and whose appointments are in effect at the time the application is filed.
• The applicant is currently a registered undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign or the University of Illinois Springfield.
• The applicant submits the NACAC Application Fee Waiver. 
• The applicant submits proof of eligibility for an ACT or SAT fee waiver.
• The applicant is eligible under the Illinois Veteran Grant Program.

International Transcript Requirements

Transcript records are considered official if they meet one of the following criteria:

• The issuing institution sends them directly to the University of Illinois Chicago.
• They are certified as true copies by an official of the educational institution, an embassy official, or an appropriate government official.

In addition:

• Transcripts submitted via Common App for first-year incoming students should include Years 9 through 12 in the final report.
• First-year incoming students attending international schools need to have transcripts sent directly from each international school they attended.
• Academic records not officially issued in English must be accompanied by an English translation that is certified by an appropriate school official, official translator, or U.S. embassy or consulate official. When not provided officially by the issuing school, translations may be accepted from a formally certified or licensed translation agency, a court appointed translator, or a U.S. consulate or embassy. Independent or non-school translators must provide their name, official title, signature, translation date, contact information, certification stamp or attestation, and a statement that the translation is an accurate and literal rendition of the original document. The original document must be submitted with the translated document. Translators must refrain from converting grade, credit, and other information into what they think could or may be U.S. equivalencies or otherwise interpreting the content of the original document. Our admissions officers make such determinations.  Third-party credential evaluations (ECE, WES, Educational Perspectives, SpanTran, etc.) are not accepted. Notarization of translated documents is not necessary.

Health Requirements

Upon admission, the student will receive information regarding completion of Medical History and Immunization forms and required immunizations. Physicals are not required for admission.  Please visit the Office of the Registrar for more information.

Use of Agents

UIC does not directly partner with third-party agents to represent the university for the purpose of recruiting or enrolling students. Only university employees or approved university partners are authorized to officially represent UIC.  Approved university partners may recruit and enroll students through direct contact with the applicant, the applicant's parents/legal guardians, spouse or school-appointed counselors. The university does not condone high-pressure recruitment strategies nor provide compensation by commissions, bonuses, or other incentive payments based on the number of students referred, recruited, admitted, or enrolled, including recruitment of military service members.

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UIC Exchange

The UIC Exchange program is an agreement between UIC and partner higher education institutions worldwide that allows students to take courses at UIC for one or more semesters toward their academic degree awarded by the home institution.  Students are nominated to participate in the UIC Exchange program by an authorized coordinator at their home institution. Participants of the UIC Exchange program enroll as non-degree students and receive support from the Office of International Services.  Applicants must meet all university admissions requirements.

The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) and 34 CFR 668.43 (c) require disclosures by institutions regarding educational requirements for programs leading to professional licensure or certification regardless of modality. The information on this website is developed to inform students and other stakeholders about the UIC programs that lead to professional licensure or certification. Programs omitted from this list are not intended to lead to a professional licensure or certification. Since the Professional Licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state, disclosures posted on this website can be used to confirm if programs offered by UIC meet the educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification within and outside the state of Illinois.

oir.uic.edu/reports/professional-licensure-disclosures/

UIC will review and update the licensure information annually. Students who plan to pursue licensure for any programs should be aware that state licensure requirements are subject to changes. While a program may originally meet the educational requirements for licensure, changes in requirements could impact the program’s ability to meet any new educational requirements. Students should always check with their state licensure board to confirm licensure requirements.

The commitment of the University of Illinois System to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on individual merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms. The University of Illinois System will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, order of protection status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to admissions, employment, access to and treatment in the programs and activities of the University of Illinois System. Complaint and grievance procedures provide employees and students with the means for the resolution of complaints that allege a violation of this Statement. Members of the public should direct their inquiries or complaints to the appropriate equal opportunity office. Please refer to the University of Illinois System website for the most up-to-date statement on Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct.