<p>Hello all.
I am interested in transfering to UIUC's Institute of Aviation and now that they are accepting applications for transfer students, I have a few questions.</p>
<p>First, the essays say they should be "about 300 words." I am curious as to how vague "about" is. Is it +/- 5 words? 10 words? 50? (EDIT: I found from another post that not to excede 350... is that a safe assumption?)</p>
<p>Also, how does admissions for transfer students work? I have completed an Associates in Science (which includes the entire IAI cur.) with a 3.56 GPA from the College of DuPage. This means I have 72 credit hours completed. I have been told that some universities immediately accept you if you have an associates degree and the minimum GPA (UofI I think is 3.0). Does that apply to UofI as well? What is the competition like for transfer students in my situation?</p>
<p>Also, any one here from or applying to the institute of aviation? I currently have my PPL and am working on my IFR certification to be ready for the summer.</p>
<p>I can't speak for the college of aviation, but for all the other colleges i know of, that GPA guideline (in your case a 3.0) is subject to change depending on the talent of the applicant pool. Hint: It's gonna be higher than 3.0. I think you should feel relatively comfortable with a 3.56 as far as the GPA factor goes, that's probably middle 50%. Get it higher if possible, if not, nothing to lose sleep over, it gives you a good shot. </p>
<p>On the essays....shoot for 300. If you find yourself not being able to end smoothly within +/- 5 words of 300, then go another 5-10 if you must. But you don't want to show them you can't follow rules right off the bat by handing in a 350-400 page essay. If they wanted the limit to be 350, they'd have set it there. </p>
<p>Admissions is competitive on the whole for transfer students, just as it is for fresh. According to collegeboard, the university admits roughly half their transfer applicants. I'm not sure what UofI's policy is on admitting people with their associates...I guess what I mean is, I've never read anything saying they automatically admit people with their associates and a certain GPA...and I read a LOT of stuff last year when I applied. In 2004, DuPage sent 45 transfer students to the university, the most out of any community college, except parkland college which is minutes from campus and has a very strong relationship with the university. BUT, that doesn't mean you're in. Aviation only took 16 transfers in 2004 ( i wish i had more recent stats, but they take a similar number every year)</p>
<p>Have a look at this, it's where I got a lot of that information. It also has a GPA chart that shows how many students were taken into the college of Aviation from each GPA bracket...I think you'll find things looking in your favor.</p>
<p>There are no automatic transfer admissions based on having an associates degree or anything else. Any minimum GPA's provided for transfer are just that -- the minimum needed to be considered. Having the minimum does not assure admission and often what is actually needed is significantly higher. Much depends on seats available for a program, number of transfer applicants, and quality of the pool of transfer applicants, e.g., if they have 30 seats available for a program and 90 of those who apply have an above 3.5 GPA, others who apply below that GPA will have little chance even if they meet the minimum GPA.</p>
<p>As to essays, try to keep within the range. Going a little over, even possibly to 350 is likely fine. What they want is for you to edit (and re-edit, and re-edit) your essay so it it is well written, quickly covers major points, and is not verbose, full of useless adverbs and adjectives, and repetitive. The greatest misconception that applicants have is: "My essay is a hundred words over the limit and there is no way I can edit it down to close to the limit." In over 99% of such cases, it can be done.</p>
<p>Okay, it took quite some doing but i was able to get both essays down to 330 each (yes, exactly both). I am hoping that those additional 30 really wont count againts me since it really is "About 300."</p>
<p>I thought i remember reading or hearing somewher during my high school years that if you go to a certain junior colleges and complete an associates in art or science degree (with the IAI part too), you are automatically admitted into the university (although not nessicarily the program you want). Possibly I miss heard that or didnt hear all of it. Oh well.</p>
<p>I guess I shouldnt worry too much because the head person of the Institute of Aviation I have talked with several times this semester. When he asked about my stats, I told him my GPA and that I already have a Private Pilot's License, he said that he doesnt think I should have a problem getting in and if I do, he will work something out for me to get in.</p>