I am applying EA to UIUC. I need some advice:
This year there are 2 prompts: 1 for first choice major and the other for the second choice major.
I really want to get into this university. (Stats: GPA-3.98, ACT-33C, 10 out of 10 recommendation letters, good ECs)
At this point, I am half way thru my first essay.
Should I apply to a second major? I don’t have enough time to write another really well written essay.
First choice major: Mechanical Engineering
Second choice major: Aerospace Engineering?
If I do apply to 2 majors, can I use the same essay, since the majors are almost the same?
First, there is no early action. There is a Nov 1 piority date but all that applies to is that those who apply by then will be the first group considered for honors programs. Admission decisons come in Feb.
Second, understand the process: if you put a first and second choice major, you will be considered for first choice, and if rejected, considered for second choice, and if rejected for that one, considered for Division of General Studies. If you designate nothing for second choice major, you will be considered for first choice and if rejected you are done and not considered for another major or DGS. Thus, if admission to the university is main goal, I would highly advise putting a second choice major. Moreover, they expect to see a separate essay for your second choice major and you should not try to get away with just one, and not having enough time to write a second one is not an acceptable excuse.
Third, forget about recommendaiton letters. UIUC does not want them and disposes of them if submitted.
The problem is that aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering are so similar and I have the same story for both. I have nothing else to do but copy/paste my first major essay to my second major essay.
Is it better to fluff up an essay out of thin air or copy/paste my own essay that I already wrote for that college?
My kid had the same question. This statement from their admissions FAQ was helpful:
“If you feel that your second choice corresponds with your first choice, it’s possible to reuse portions of your first-choice essay. However, we still want to see a true interest and understanding of your second-choice major through your essay.”
Sounds reasonable (especially since both majors are in the same college), as long as you’ve discussed something more specific to each major somewhere in the essays.