Do I get a higher acceptance rate if I apply UIUC in Early Action than when I apply in Regular Decision?
I was first planning to apply as an Early Action, but I feel like I’m not ready enough to submit my essay yet.
If there is not much difference, I think I would take more time looking and fixing my essay and apply in regular decision.
You could see a lot of different opinions on this. Personally I think if you are going for business, CS or engineering, you should go EA, because those are very competitive majors at UIUC.
This from a UIUC admissions counselor:
“Applying Early Action is the best choice for multiple reasons: First, your application will be reviewed early. This year, we’ll give Early Action applicants a status update on December 15th, meaning you’ll likely receive an admissions decision before regular applicants. Early Action applicants will also receive priority in the review process for honors programs and merit awards, which are facilitated by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Lastly, applying Early Action may give you the best chance for being admitted if you’re applying to a competitive program with space limitations.”
https://blog.admissions.illinois.edu/?p=25774 (note that page is from last year but the quoted paragraph still applies; what is now different from that page is that you can self-report test scores in your application; in fact getting an application in on time is fairly easy now since you can self-report grades and test scores as part of the application and thus you do not have to do anything separate from the application, like ordering a transcript or offical test scores sent).
Does CS program has space limitations?
Yes, all CS majors are extremely competitive. In CS-Engineering the admissions rate is ~15% or less depending on the numbers you find. I would not be surprised to see there are over 5000 applicants this fall for just over 200 spots available. Even excellent applications should either list a second choice major or have a safety school if you are applying to CS-Engineering or CS+X.
@illinoisx3 do you think second major is necessary if I’m applying as a CS major? I haven’t really thought about my second major and therefore do not have anything to write in my 2nd major essay. I have 3-4 safety schools also.
Would you consider attending UIUC as anything but a CS major? That’s the question you have to consider. It might be better to attend a different school rather than give up your major. Then again, I’ve read that something like 40% of those who start in CS don’t finish, so at least in UIUC you’d have plenty of options. It is difficult to transfer into CS if you aren’t a direct admit, so do have some backup plans.
If UIUC is one of your top schools even in a 2nd major, then yes.
If your desire is to attend UIUC if, and only if, admitted for CS, then you need not list a second major. if you list only one major and are rejected for that, you are done and will not attend UIUC . If you put a second choice (which cannot be any CS major), you will be considered for that second choice if rejected from first, and if also rejected for second choice, you will be considered for admission to the Division of General Studies. So if being admitted is important regardless of whether you get CS, then you must provide a second choice major.
The BIG Day is here at 4 pm CT, Early Action results are out! How to change from DGS to Liberal Arts and Sciences as second choice? Hows the placement rate for LAS Comp Science + XXXX students?
Transferring is virtually impossible. If your heart is set on doing a computer science or computer science + major and you didn’t get your first choice, go to a different university that admitted you for them. We sat in on presentations by the admissions staff for specifically computer science and that’s what they told us point blank. You aren’t going to transfer in. There isn’t room.
I don’t think one can change the major selections once an application has been submitted-if it can be done, it’s surely a very narrow exception. In any event you have to select a major within LAS, you just don’t select the college.
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^You can change your major choices after applying by submitting a Program Change Form (can be found through your MyIllini account). There is usually a deadline for submitting the form in earlier part of January. You need to submit it before any an admission decision is made on you. You can submit one after being admitted, e.g., if admitted early action, you can submit one, but that is an essentially an act of suicide. In that situation, submitting the form automatically results in giving up the admission already given, and then you will be admitted if and only if you are approved for your new major choice when regular admission decisions are issued.
Other than using that form which has the January end date, you cannot change the major you are admitted to until at the earliest after first semester freshman year and for many majors (e.g., all in engineering) until at the earliest end of first year.
Accepted!