UIUC Class OF 2022 Admissions Thread

we can discuss EA and RD who gets in, etc. questions

I just sent my SAT scores yesterday and I used Rush sending. But UIUC is not subscribed to rush scores, and on there website it says that you need to have a score in by nov 1st to be considered for EA. Will they get my scores on time???

ALso I have seen mixed comments everywhere, does UIUC take Sat 2/subject tests???

On my freshmen application status, it says: “Your status will be updated on December 15, 2017.” Does that mean I submitted on the Early Action period? (My sat scores got received by 11/1/17, which is really close and lucky)

I also sent my sat II scores, but it doesn’t show on Received Items. Do you guys also get that?

@boka I asked the admissions councilor about this and he said “We don’t use it to put others without sat II scores at a disadvantage but it can used to show your potential.” So the admissions would just glance at it.

@boka We were told numerous times that extra materials like reference letters or SAT2 scores would be discarded. If I recall correctly, my son found a way to include mention of his SAT2 scores in the application, though. Of course that wouldn’t be official, but if you got a high score why not? Besides, I doubt they check ANY of the subjective or extra curricular parts of the application anyway.

I would disagree with the opinion that admissions doesn’t consider application content apart from academics and scores; admissions states that decisions are holistic, and many applicants with top stats don’t get into their first choice competitive programs, esp. CoE and Gies CoB. Extracurriculars can demonstrate qualities that differentiate those strong applicants, e.g., interest and experience in intended area of study, leadership, and service for example. Shows admissions why they want a particular applicant instead of the others in the stack of files who have otherwise similar grade and test stats.

@IL2023 I don’t think anyone indicated that admissions doesn’t consider application content apart from academics and scores. Of course they may evaluate everything included in the official application. What they don’t accept are extra materials sent in addition to the application.

So, your essay and extra-curriculars included in the app should be considered. On the other hand, if you have your SAT2 scores, teacher letter, creative writing or other items sent separately (unless specifically requested by a particular college/major), we were told specifically that those will not be considered. I did speculate that they don’t actually check to verify extra curricular activities for every student, but that’s a different topic.

From the admissions FAQ:
“No, we don’t accept letters of recommendation. We’ll remove any unsolicited materials, including letters of recommendation, from your file before reviewing your application. An audition, portfolio, or interview may be required for Fine and Applied Arts applicants. See our application process for more details.”

@illinoisx3, your comment was, “Besides, I doubt they check ANY of the subjective or extra curricular parts of the application anyway.” I think that could be misinterpreted by a student applying or planning to. Actually, those components matter quite a bit, IMO, and it’s important for current HS students to be building those attributes and experiences to bring to their applications. We are in-state, and every in-state student qualified on grades and scores has numerous clones-best advice is to try to deliver the package UIUC is looking for and be the one who is offered admission to the first choice selection. Worked for my student, and was doubtless a factor for other students from our HS. Yes, you are correct, the application and admissions staff make clear that extraneous materials aren’t considered…and for application purposes, the only items submitted are the application and scores, well, and the application fee. Good luck all 2022’s for your first-choice major notifications next month!

I still really doubt they check the authenticity of self reported extra curricular activities, achievements or awards, except perhaps in rare cases when a top merit award is under consideration or something. Whether or not they actually check to verify the accuracy of self reported items in the application (other than grades as transcripts are required later) is a totally separate issue from whether they consider them as far as admissions or scholarships are concerned. Of course they consider them. They also consider the essay, race, sex, residency, nationality, the student’s high school, the student’s coursework vs. the offerings available at their school and everything else on the application along with grades and test scores.

My point was in response to @boka that you can indeed include your SAT2 scores. While they will disregard an official SAT2 report sent to them, you could still mention your score(s) in your achievements on the application. And as I said, I doubt they check achievements to verify an SAT2 score reported in that way. Even so, if your student got an 800 or very high score, especially on a subject test relevant to their major, why not include it? Anyway, if you believe someone might misinterpret my remarks, here’s the official stance:

"Review Process

In order to meet their educational missions, each college at Illinois seeks students who meet and exceed standards for incoming freshmen and have the potential to be leaders in their chosen fields upon graduation. When a student applies to Illinois, his or her application for admission is subject to a rigorous, careful, thoughtful, and complete review by admissions professionals from our office and the college to which he or she has applied.

A variety of factors are considered upon review. When reading an application, the admissions and college professionals review it using a holistic approach by combining the criteria being evaluated. Primary among this criteria is academic performance and rigor. The other sections of the application—including the essays, list of activities, achievements, and honors, and so on—will be given equal, careful, and thoughtful attention. Applicants should understand that every word of the application is considered in making an admissions decision, being sure to present themselves and their stories accurately and completely. Readers consider all evidence provided by the applicant, the context of the personal and academic circumstances, the opportunities available to him or her, and the strength of the applicant pool in each college and to Illinois overall. The weight of each criterion in the admissions decision depends on the combination of qualities presented by the applicant. We have no set formula of weighting criteria. Final decisions are made on the evaluation of a variety of criteria and not by a single point system or formula.

Most applications receive at least 2 readings. Our office checks all preliminary decisions in order to assure a high level of consistency while recognizing that professional judgment is being used to make individual decisions about each applicant. The multiple readings and the review for consistency create a system of quality control that leads to the best possible decisions of professional judgment.

Applicants have the opportunity to apply directly into a college and major. For this reason, an applicant’s strengths and experiences as they relate to his or her intended program of study will be taken into consideration. For example, the College of Engineering will focus on the student’s proficiency in math and science as shown through subscores on the ACT or SAT and grades and rigor in those areas. Applicants to talent-based programs in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, such as Art, Music, Theatre and Dance, must be academically eligible as well as pass a talent review either conducted through an audition or portfolio review. The College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences will make note of experiences or activities that directly correlate with the specific field of study the applicant has chosen. In other words, each of the 10 academic communities reviews applications with the goal of admitting students who demonstrate that they’ll succeed and thrive within their chosen academic program."

Re timing of receipt of scores and application status, if an application was complete by EA deadline, it’s in that EA pipeline, and an application would be complete as long as some score report had been received. A recent UIUC admissions blog stated that if you had a fall test score, which was received after Nov. 1, it will be added to and considered as a part of your completed EA application if it’s been received at the time they get to reviewing your file. That’s decent.

SAT: 1510/1600 superscore (1470 regular)
Best Subscores; 790 math 720 reading
GPA: 3.96 Weighted (Honors = 4.5, AP = 5.0)
Significant classes:
AP Economics (Micro & Macro)
Multivariable Calculus - taking now
AP Physics C - Taking now
AP Calc BC
AP Government - taking now
AP Lang
AP Computer Science - Taking now
APUSH

EC: Math honors society president, two internships, go to an art studio every week, basic clubs,etc.

APPLYING to computer ENGINEERING undergrad

Essays are pretty nice

SAT Math 2: 740

I had a pretty upward trend in grades (Do they see my first quarter or semester of senior year??)
Please be honest with your assessment…

Any idea when will UIUC be posting their EA decisions?? (like the exact date and time)

@rick78 - December 15th. Probably 3:30 PM CST.

@tonypa Thanks

wow… I’m surprised this thread is so inactive considering decisions are in 9 days… hopefully not that many people applied EA, Im just gonna be annoyed if I get deferred… hoping for good news thos (engineering)

Reading last year’s admission thread for EA, there were several Deferred even some with 35 ACT/3.8-4 GPA. Good luck to all!

Does anyone know what time on the 15th we get notified?

@ncangell 3:30 PM CST, i think…

@ncangell Last years got announced at 4pm central