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UIC Office of Admissions.

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More for your money

A degree that’s worth the money

The value of a UIC degree is climbing.

Our Chicago campus is ranked among the best when it comes to giving students a better deal on a quality education and helping them succeed. The proof is in the papers (well, rankings, in this case).

UIC is one of U.S. News and World Report’s best value colleges, a designation that’s calculated using information like a school’s academic quality and cost of attendance.

We’re also No. 7 among the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education ‘Best Value’ rankings for American universities, which is created using student outcomes, resources, engagement and environment. (We’re just behind Harvard University!!)

If that’s not impressive enough, UIC ranks No. 12 among Money Magazine’s ‘Most Transformative Colleges’ too. This list includes schools whose students and alumni achieve more, especially when their academic and economic backgrounds are taken into consideration.

Rankings aren’t everything, of course, but these callouts show that something is driving our momentum—and we plan on keeping it that way.

Visit us online to learn more about UIC and apply.

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Welcome home, UIC 2022!

Photos by Jenny Fontaine from UIC today. 

Music plays. Keys jingle. A new door opens—literally and in other ways, too.

This is Move-In Day for first-year students at UIC (plus the waves of volunteers helping them carry things like mini fridges or comforters to their rooms).

On August 22, people filled the university’s living spaces for freshmen. There were about 1,300 new faces. Countless opportunities lie ahead for each.

Nicholas Magami knows that.

“I decided to live on campus for the full experience,” said the computer science major from Wheeling, Illinois. “I want to meet new people.”

With 3,300 students having been assigned to rooms in residence halls this fall, Magami will have plenty of chances to do that.

Graphic design student Jordyn Hester is interested in the university’s ties to Chicago—something she says she’s ready to explore.

“I like the city atmosphere, and UIC is a good school,” said Hester, whose residence hall has a view of Chicago’s skyline.

“I’m excited to have a new adventure.”

See more pictures of Move-In Day 2018 at UIC today, the university’s news site, or visit the UIC Campus Housing website to learn about UIC Housing.

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UIC in the courtroom

Student-run UIC Mock Trial team acts out trails for legal disputes, competing against other schools.

As a sophomore, Courtney Gardner remembers wanting to become an actress.

“I was a theater major and wanted to do something in relationship to that world,” said Gardner, who is now a senior.

Soon after she got here, she answered a casting call—sort of. It was for a student org.

“They said, ‘We’re looking for actors, too,’” she recalled.

The UIC Mock Trial team was recruiting members at UIC’s annual Involvement Fair. There, they explained that they prepare for and compete in rehearsed civil and criminal disputes annually, battling against other schools as if they were in a real legal trial.

“Acting, just with a different script,” said Gardner.

But this role actually changed her life.

Apart from switching her major to criminology, law and justice at UIC, Gardner is now co-captain of the team with experience as a legal assistant under her belt.

“I developed my leadership skills, public speaking, and I credit our coach, who is a public defender in downtown Chicago, for inspiring my career aspirations,” she said. “I never knew I wanted to be a lawyer. Now, two years after joining, I work at a law firm.”

Although participating in Mock Trial at UIC undoubtedly helps with professional growth, the team’s second captain, Razaul Haque, says it opens doors for even more.

“I am invested in the people that are there,” said the political science major, adding that the group welcomes all students to join, no matter what they decide to study. “It has become a family for me.”

To learn more about UIC Mock Trial, visit their website.

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UIC ranks No. 1 in safety

Picture from UIC News and UIC today. 

UIC is the safest college campus in Illinois, according to a list from ADT Security Services, an award-winning provider of security solutions for homes and businesses.

Called 2018’s Safest College Campuses By State, the list identifies and ranks the nation’s safest schools using data from crime reports and considering other factors like campus size, type, location and crimes that occur.

First among Illinois universities on the list is UIC.

Does that surprise us? Nope. We take campus safety seriously here. In fact, we have many ongoing efforts to keep our students, staff and faculty out of harm’s way:

UIC Police is a police force of more than 80 sworn officers who work to keep the campus and nearby neighborhoods safe with patrols, an after-hours escort service and a number of crime prevention programs. The station also has a safe zone for meeting online buyers and sellers in person. UIC is also patrolled by Chicago and State Police.

Red Car Service transports employees and students within a designated area from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven days a week—including holidays.

UIC ALERT sends SMS and email notifications to community members about things that happen on campus. The emergency system also includes audible alerts, the UIC website and a UIC Hotline [phone]).

Crime and safety alerts are sent to students and employees through email. These notices help students and employees stay informed about serious or continuing threats to campus.

UIC Rave Guardian is a free and accessible mobile safety application that allows ‘guardians’ (i.e. parents) to track a student who feels unsure about the area they’re in or the people that are around them. The app also lets students text UIC Police, provide anonymous tips for crimes and more.

More than 1,300 StarTel blue-light stations throughout east and west campus connect users directly to the police dispatch. A red call button also activates an alarm and flashing lights.

We have more than 1,000 security cameras in all common areas of campus housing, inside classroom buildings, and on and around the quad. Closed circuit security systems monitor other high-risk and sensitive areas with 24-hour surveillance

Campus and Fleet Watch programs let staff and employees who work in radio dispatched roles act as “eyes and ears” for UIC Police.

Residence Hall Security cover all housing entrances. IDs for residents and their guests are always checked and guests must be signed in by a resident.

UIC was also recently recognized as one of the safest colleges in America by the National Council for Home Safety and Security, which generated the ranking based on data gathered from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting and the National Center for Education Statistics.

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Grad school guaranteed

Getting into grad school as a freshman in college.

Tammy studied pharmacy at UIC.

At UIC, motivated freshmen are guaranteed a spot in one of 25 professional degree programs, including medical school.*

When Tammy Nguyen found out about UIC’s Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA) as a senior in high school, she sent out one college application.

Total.

She knew she wanted to be a pharmacist and she knew that UIC has one of the best pharmacy schools in the country. Thanks to her strong grades, test scores and accomplishments, she was admitted to UIC as an undergraduate with a guaranteed spot in the UIC College of Pharmacy.

This is a sweet deal.

*Restrictions apply. See gppa.uic.edu for details.

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A broad perspective

An educational journey at home and overseas.

Gaby didn’t want to leave Pilsen when she graduated from high school.

Not everyone can say that their college university was both their second home and passport to the world. Gaby Reno can. 

“I’m really involved in my community and I do a lot of volunteer work with Latino organizations citywide,” said Reno, who studied French and political science at UIC.

For an advocate like her, UIC’s location was convenient because she could attend national conferences in Chicago without having to skip class. As an active member of the Mexican Students of Aztlan, one cultural organization at UIC, she was also able to learn about and help others. At one point, her group co-sponsored an event about borders and exclusion with the Students for Justice in Palestine, another on-campus org. 

She studied abroad, too. With financial help, she was able to go to places like Dakar, Senegal and Paris, France.

“The amazing thing about interacting with people from so many different backgrounds is how much we have in common.” said Reno. 

This is truly a local and global college experience.

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Serious business

Real-world learning. A roadmap to success. 

Jemel is now a senior consultant in Chicago.

At UIC, Jemel Kyles was a leader-in-training. As a sophomore, the former business student became president of the UIC chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), a student organization dedicated to bridging the opportunity gap for accounting and finance professionals who are also people of color. 

Leading the group was a big responsibility for him at the time, but it also furthered Jemel’s professional development, allowing him to practice what his business professors preached. “The managerial experience…was insane,” he remembered.

Before he graduated, Kyles also interned at Deloitte and Northern Trust, building what he calls a “professional network” in the city. “There’s no place like UIC,” he said.

This is where leaders are born.

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Live — from Chicago’s campus

Student by day, comic by lunchtime.

Matt is a stand-up comedian and a UIC student.  

For Matt Brown, UIC is an environment for growth.

“UIC gave me a reason to come to Chicago and be where the action is,” said Brown, who is from Springfield, Ill. Now, he’s majoring in sociology and minoring in Spanish—all while pursuing another one of his dreams: being a comic.

At the Laugh Factory, one of the city’s most well-known comedy clubs, he’s a regular act. Brown also performs for stand-up groups like Playground Theatre.

How does he do it all? UIC scholarships help. Last semester, a scholarship from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences helped him afford rent for his off-campus apartment. Thanks to that aid, he was able to focus on other things like homework, exams, freelance writing and his stand-up routines.

“Here, the minute you advocate for yourself, there are 15 people ready to hand you resources,” Brown said.

This is the potential to do more.

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Center Stage

Student-focused, student-produced, student everything.

Tyler graduated with a bachelor’s in fine arts in 2012. 

The Chicago Circle Players is UIC’s oldest student organization and a great place to play with swords.

Alumnus Tyler Nielsen will never forget his participation in the production of Virgil’s Aeneid, an action-packed adaptation that included more sword fights (12) than most Star Wars movies. “It was the workout of a lifetime, I met my girlfriend and I made some of my best college friends there,” he said.

More than anything, he remembers the creative spirit at UIC that spans theatre, jazz, dance and the visual arts. “The range of possible experiences…it’s inspiring!” said Nielsen. He was even moved to co-found a theatre group in Chicago after graduating.

The arts community is still thriving at UIC. In fact, the department of Theatre is now being led by Yaen Peyankov, a member of Chicago’s famous Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble.

This is your time to shine.

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Cultivating potential

Campus community helps student get ahead.

Michelle studied medicine at UIC.

Michelle Latting was one of more than 20,000 undergraduate students during her time at UIC, but oftentimes, Letting felt like the whole place was designed exclusively to help her become a surgeon.

How?

There was the President’s Award Program that gave her thousands a year in scholarships for underrepresented students. (UIC Pro-tip: apply early and to the Honors College for maximum consideration for scholarships.) And her advisor helped her select courses to develop different global perspectives in health care, law, business, education and journalism.

Then there were the people—the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the physics professor mentor, the staff members in the Medicina Scholars office—who not only knew Latting by name, but made it their personal responsibility to help her achieve her dreams.

This is a team effort.

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Opportunities in big numbers

How many doors are open for this math major? The limit does not exist.

Samanvi is a sophomore majoring in mathematics.

Samanvi Shetty came to UIC for its math program. She knew it was one of the best. What she didn’t know was that so many other doors would open for her.

“I thought math majors would just go to class,” Samanvi said, “but there are a lot of other things we can do.” As a member of the UIC Math Club, she’s competed with teammates, gone to exhibitions and learned about how grad students and professors use math in their research. Her program’s flexibility has even allowed her to explore more academic tracks like economics. She’s already finished the requirements for a minor.

Shetty has put classroom theories to work, too. Last summer, she completed an internship at the financial branch of a law firm in Dubai.

“Everything, the opportunities, are just multiplied here,” she said. “A big university means bigger things for students. This is a great college.”

This is your time to discover and grow.

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Ditch the plan. Follow your passion.

An unexpected major makes major impacts.

Harish is a UIC graduate and deputy director for New America Chicago.

Harish Patel applied for college intending to become a doctor. “I was trying to figure out how I wanted to add value to the world,” he said. UIC helped him pursue that dream in another way.

Changing his major and career path, Patel started Chicago Votes, coordinated programs for the Jane Addams Hull-House and taught a seminar on Youth Engagement in a Globalized World as a student. Eventually, he became an advocate for farming communities in India, too.

Now, he continues to do work in civic engagement and public policy arenas, getting youth involved in changing Chicago and Illinois. Patel’s commitment has even impressed former President Barack Obama, earning Patel an invitation to speak with Obama on a panel last April.

“Public universities produce amazing people, amazing leaders,” he said. “I don’t believe that I’m unique in my desire to make change here at UIC,” said Patel.  

This is a chance to study what you love—and make it count.

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A move for more

An international student’s story. 

Kirti is now a graduate student at Northwestern University. Photo from Study in the USA. 

Kirti Kewalramani grew up in the bustling city of Bangkok. But when she moved to Chicago, she was still overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the city.

"I thought my biggest accomplishment was just getting to the UIC campus," she said. "Looking back, I realize that it was just the beginning of endless opportunities ahead."

At UIC, she majored in political science and joined the Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, which she became vice president for. Both experiences led her to champion causes that support women’s advancement through higher ed and increase multicutural awareness. She also interned with the Illinois Senate Democratic Victory Fund, an opportunity that she discovered through UIC Careers. 

Those opportunities allowed her to eventually work on the election campaign for Senator Tom Cullerton.

“The journey to Chicago transformed me from a wide-eyed freshman into an experienced political staffer,” Kirti said. “I still have a long way to go, but UIC has opened new opportunities and moved my career in the right direction.”

This is a journey to a bright future. 

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We are UIC

These are our students’ stories. Get ready for your own.

What opportunities does the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) offer? The possibilities are endless. Every day here opens doors, inspires ideas and exposes people to new perspectives.

Where’s the proof? In our profiles. We’ve put together some stories about our students and alumni that we’ll share with you. 

This is what a transformative education looks like. 

This is UIC. 

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Doing Good. Giving back.

One UIC woman who inspires us. 

Mrinalini Chakraborty. Original photo by Alina Tsvor. 

During the early hours of Jan. 21, 2017, the day after Trump’s inauguration, protesters with pink hats and picket signs flooded streets in Washington, D.C., ready to make the world—and the presidential administration—listen.    

Mrinalini Chakraborty, a UIC student, was one of more than one million people in the nation’s capital, marching to defend women and human rights. 

“Your eyes couldn’t see beyond the crowd,” she said.

But Mrinalini wasn’t primarily there to protest. She was an official Women’s March on Washington organizer with two roles. As a national committee member, Mrinalini planned bus rides for participants who traveled to D.C. from other places in the U.S. As an Illinois co-coordinator, she helped put together the Chicago-area Charge. 

By assuming those responsibilities, she put her future on the line.  

Women's March 2017

At the time, Mrinalini, an immigrant from India, was waiting for her green card to be approved. That didn’t stop her from staying true to her beliefs, though. 

She’s still part of the Women’s March, an organization that calls for civic engagement, supports the #enough national student walkout and more. The woman-led movement continues to work with other people, groups and organizations to dismantle systems of oppression.

“It’s important to stand up for something,” said Mrinalini, “something that is bigger than just yourself.” 

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Grad school and professional programs—guaranteed.

One advantage of applying to UIC.

Imagine finishing your college prerequisites or graduating with a bachelor’s degree from UIC.

You might be thinking I’m not even that far along yet, but bear with us. Now imagine that, besides finally having a degree, you know where you’ll be going next—nursing school, med school, law school or a master’s or Ph.D. program—because UIC guaranteed you a spot there when you first started your college journey.

Awesome, right?

That’s the benefit of the Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA) initiative at UIC. It’s a promise. First-Year students apply to UIC (following the GPPA deadlines) and those who qualify pick from more than 20 programs for guaranteed admission into one track. (GPPA students get admitted to our Nursing program, attend the University of Illinois College of Medicine, earn a degree from the IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, complete Ph.D. programs for Engineering at UIC, and more. See the full list here.)

What should you do to get in? Apply. No, seriously. All you have to do is apply to UIC, indicate your interest in the program under the UIC member profile and you’ll be in the running. (Heads up: You might have to submit additional essays and recommendation letters. Some tracks require students to join the UIC Honors College, too. Check program-specific requirements on the GPPA website.)

And FYI, it’s competitive. We do holistic reviews of applications, but GPPA students are usually in the top 15 percent of their class and have an ACT composite score of at least 28 or a minimum SAT score of 1250 (sum of Critical Reading and Mathematics sections).

If you’re interested, apply ASAP. Applying early is always better. The last day to apply for GPPA Medicine is December 1. For all other GPPA programs, apply by January 15.

If you have questions, send us an email at [email protected].

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UIC Application Processes. What they mean and why they matter.

When you’re applying for college, deadlines are everything.

Meeting them can mean the difference between getting admitted or not, and scoring more financial help or paying more for tuition. So how can you get to the top of UIC’s list for admission and scholarships? Know our deadlines and application plans. 

We have two: Early Action (EA) and Regular Decision (RD).

Early Action is our early application process. EA candidates apply by November 1. The perks of opting for this is that we guarantee you’ll know if you’re in by December 1, one month after you submit your app. EA applicants also have a higher chance of scoring scholarships, and when you do hear back, there’s no pressure or obligation to accept. This group gets to sit on UIC’s offer (and compare it with others) until May 1.

RD candidates submit their applications by January 15 and hear back from us about a decision up until March. These candidates only get priority consideration for scholarships if they apply by December 1, though. Otherwise, it’s all up in the air. If they’re admitted, these applicants have until May 1 to decide if they’ll attend UIC.

That’s all there is to it! Let’s recap: Apply for EA by November 1 for a better shot at scholarships and admission, or apply for RD by January 15. For both, you’ll have until May 1 to decide if you’ll join us on campus.

Ready to apply? Click here to get to the UIC Admissions website and start your application. 

Good luck!