University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Admissions: What It Takes

UIUC (acceptance ~45 % overall; 20–30 % for Engineering/CS) uses holistic review. No published cutoffs, but competitive profiles share these traits.

Academic Baseline (Middle 50 %, Admitted Freshmen 2023)

By College (Selective Majors)

• Grainger Engineering / CS: 3.9+ GPA, 1500+ SAT, 34+ ACT, calc/physics/chem AP.
• Gies Business: 3.8+, 1450+, strong leadership essays.
• ACES (Ag/Consumer/Env): 3.6+, 1350+.
• LAS / FAA / Media / Education: 3.7+, 1380+.

Non-Academic Factors

• Essays: 2 required (major-specific + community). Show initiative, reflection.
• Activities: Depth > breadth. Leadership, research, work, caregiving, arts.
• Recommendations: 1 counselor + 1 teacher (STEM teacher for STEM majors).
• Demonstrated Interest: Campus visit, virtual session, email to admissions rep — tracked.

International Applicants

• TOEFL iBT ≥ 103, IELTS ≥ 7.5, Duolingo ≥ 125.
• Transcript evaluation (SpanTran, WES).

Strategy

• Apply Early Action (Nov 1) — non-binding, higher admit rate.
• Select alternate major (same college) — safety valve.
• Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) — accurate, matches transcript.