Understanding UIC SAT Score Requirements and Admissions
Gaining admission to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) requires careful consideration of various factors. While UIC has adopted a standardized-test-optional admissions model, understanding the scores of past incoming classes can be a helpful guide. This article delves into the UIC SAT score requirements, GPA expectations, and other crucial elements of the admissions process.
UIC Admissions: A Holistic Approach
UIC utilizes a holistic approach when reviewing each application, understanding that selecting students requires a careful and individualized review of each applicant’s credentials. Consideration is given to high school GPA and the strength of the high school schedule, ACT scores, and personal statements. UIC admissions counselors review your application for academic preparedness and potential contribution to the UIC community.
Acceptance Rate and Selectivity
The acceptance rate at the University of Illinois at Chicago is 77.4%, indicating that the university is lightly selective. This means that a significant portion of applicants are admitted. Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average.
GPA Requirements
The average GPA at the University of Illinois at Chicago is 3.55. This means that successful applicants typically have a mix of A's and B's, with very few C's. The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. requires you to be around average in your high school class. You'll need a mix of A's and B's, and very few C's. If you have a lower GPA, you can compensate with harder courses like AP or IB classes. If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.55, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate.
GPA Distribution of Admitted Students
- 3.75+: 28%
- 3.50-3.74: 25%
- 3.25-3.49: 21%
- 3.00-3.24: 16%
- 2.50-2.99: 10%
- 2.00-2.49: Less than 1%
- Below 2.00: Not available
SAT/ACT Scores: Test-Optional Policy
UIC has moved to a standardized-test-optional admissions model. Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to University of Illinois at Chicago will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. However, general information about past incoming classes’ scores, if helpful as a guide, is as follows.
Read also: Decoding Yale Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. The 25th percentile SAT score is 1140, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1330. In other words, a 1140 places you below average, while a 1330 will move you up to above average.
- 25th Percentile: 1140
- 75th Percentile: 1330
Superscoring
University of Illinois at Chicago considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. University of Illinois at Chicago will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and University of Illinois at Chicago forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1140, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on.
ACT Score Ranges
The average ACT score at University of Illinois at Chicago is 28. The 25th percentile ACT score is 25, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 31.
- 25th Percentile: 25
- 75th Percentile: 31
Engineering and Computer Science ACT Subscores
The middle 50 percent of admitted students had an ACT composite score between 25 and 29, with a math subscore of 26 to 31.
ACT Policy
Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 25 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take.
Read also: SAT Requirements for LSU
Application Requirements
Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. To apply, international applicants must submit a mandatory, nonrefundable total of $170 in application fees. This total reflects the standard $70 application fee, and a $100 international evaluation fee. This fee is in addition to the standard application fee of $70 and is paid upon submission of the UIC Application.
Required Documents for International Applicants
- Transcripts, marksheets and other academic credentials must be official and submitted from all post-secondary schools attended.
- All documents submitted to UIC become the property of the University.
- Please do not submit your original or only set of academic credentials.
- Syllabus of international coursework - showing subjects with course descriptions.
English Proficiency
Below are the only tests accepted as evidence of English proficiency at UIC along with the minimum scores* indicated for each. If you are unable to take any of the following tests, the UIC Tutorium in Intensive English (TIE) offers an assessment that we will accept. *Note that colleges may set higher minimums for consideration of admission to certain programs. or other country where English is the only official language. or other country where English is the only official language. IGCSE and O level English. English proficiency requirements are not waived based upon the medium of instruction at a previously attended institution.
Application Deadlines and Pathways
UIC has two main pathways for first-year admission. Each pathway to admission has its own advantage.
- Early Action: A nonbinding application process. Applicants get a faster decision and priority consideration for scholarships - no strings attached. Candidates receive an admissions decision by Dec. The application deadline for Early Action is Nov.
- Regular Decision: This is the most common application process offered at colleges and universities. The application deadline for Regular Decision is Feb. 3.
How to Apply
Complete the Common Application online, including the specific questions and essays for UIC under the "My Colleges" tab. Optional: Send ACT or SAT scores (See our test optional FAQ). Please note, if you choose to submit a score ("Test Inclusive"), you must provide a score report. We do not accept self-reported scores. We will accept scores if listed on the high school transcript, or an unofficial test report with identifying information (name, test date). *Fee waivers are only accepted for domestic applications.
Colleges within UIC
You will apply to one of the following colleges: College of Applied Health SciencesCollege of Architecture, Design and the ArtsCollege of Business AdministrationCollege of EducationCollege of EngineeringCollege of Liberal Arts and Sciences. To look at majors and minors within each school to help with your decision, see here. For the Honors College, there is an additional application you can fill out from the Common App, which you can learn more about here. Scholarship consideration is automatic.
Read also: Decoding Princeton Admissions
Additional Factors in Admission
Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances.
Academic Credentials
The Academic Credentials section will indicate the types of credentials that would be needed for either First Year or Transfer applicants.
Transfer Students
Transfer students must have completed at least 24 credit hours of transferable coursework at the time of enrollment. Ideally, transfers will have completed as many of the following as possible: calculus I, II, and III; differential equations; English composition I and II; general physics I (mechanics) and II (electricity and magnetism); and general chemistry I.
Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA)
Admission to every GPPA program is competitive, and there are a limited number of spaces available per year. The most successful GPPA applicants are those who know their future profession and want a guaranteed educational path to that profession. A holistic approach is used when reviewing each application because we feel that selecting students requires a careful and individualized review of each applicant’s credentials.
Financial Aid
About three-quarters of UIC students receive some form of financial aid. This comes in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and employment.
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