Before You Apply

Start planning now

It’s never too early to start planning.

Early preparation is the key to a smooth (and successful!) application and admission process. Give yourself the best chance of acceptance by doing your research and putting your best application forward.

Know your deadlines

Regular decision applications are due January 15. Early action applications are due November 1 in the year prior to enrollment.

Check your requirements

Freshmen

You’re considered a freshman if you’re applying while you’re still in high school or you’ve graduated from high school but haven’t attended college yet. You must meet the general UIC entrance requirements.

Transfer students

You’re considered a transfer student if you’ve earned 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) or more at another college.

  • At least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) but no more than 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) from a two-year college or university.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • UIC transfer requirements

International Students

If English isn’t your native language, you might also need to take an English proficiency test. Check out the International Requirements to see if this applies to you. We require a TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper-based examination, or 213 on the computer-based test.

Think about funding

UIC has financial aid support for you no matter what type of student you are—first-year, transfer or continuing. Last year, nearly two-thirds of all UIC students received grants or scholarships.

Even before you apply, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and include UIC’s school code: 001776. This is the first step in the financial aid process for most every student. A lot of scholarships and grants have deadlines earlier than the admission deadline. Get a head start and make sure you don’t miss out on an opportunity.