Undergraduate Admissions

Early Action First Year
November 1, 2023

First Year
February 15, 2024

Honors College First Year (Priority)
November 1, 2023

Honors College First Year (Final)
February 1, 2024

Transfer Students
May 16, 2024

Honors College Transfer Students
June 1, 2024

Readmission, Second Bachelor’s Degree and Non-Degree applicants share the same deadlines as transfer applicants.

Students who are interested in applying to the Honors College must first apply to UIC as an undergraduate.

Admission to the School of Design is highly competitive. Our admission standards exceed the minimum average ACT/SAT and HSPR (high school percentile rank) for the campus. The middle 50% of our First-year class enter with an ACT Composite score of 21–26. Applications are evaluated and selected based on a holistic review of a student’s Common Application, transcripts, GPA, ACT/SAT score, HSPR, recommendation letters, and personal statement. Due to the high demand for limited spaces in our design programs, it is recommended that applicants submit their applications as early as possible. All admission decisions are final.

Admission and placement into the School of Design is highly competitive. Students seeking transfer should contact an academic advisor to determine the program that best suits their interests.

Transfer applications are evaluated and selected based on a holistic review of a student’s Common Application, transcripts, GPA, recommendation letters, and personal statement. No more than 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of credit may be accepted as transfer work from a community or junior college. All admission decisions are final.

Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies (BA) is a transfer degree program that offers a hands-on introduction to a range of design practices. It is possible to complete the BA Design Studies in three years.

Bachelor of Design (BDes) is a four-year degree program that provides an intensive pre-professional education centered on a design discipline. Please note that the BDes is a four-year program regardless of transfer status and students are admitted in the fall term only. If you are interested in the Bachelor of Design, which leads to a concentration in Graphic Design or Industrial Design, and are planning to enroll in a community college with eventual transfer to UIC, we ask that you re-evaluate this approach. The BDes Program begins in the first year of undergraduate study. It is possible to receive credit for some academic courses upon transfer but credits from design courses from other institutions do not transfer.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Design (BS) is a collaboration between the UIC School of Design and the UIC Department of Computer Science (CS). Based in the College of Engineering, this joint degree program provides intensive technical study in computer programming alongside sequential studio-based instruction in visual design. The BS in CS + Design begins with the first year of undergraduate study. Credits from design courses from other institutions do not transfer.

Admission and placement into the School of Design is highly competitive as evident by the talented pool of applicants we receive from around the globe. Application and processing for students interested in attending any university is lengthy and should always be completed as early as possible. School of Design programs require international applicants to present a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80, with sub-scores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (International).

The UIC School of Design is proud of our tradition of inclusion-welcoming students from every ethnic and racial group, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical condition, and age. UIC has been recognized as one of the most diverse colleges in the US. We believe that diversity supports and enriches the lives of our students and the campus community at large.

The commitment of the University of Illinois to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on individual merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms. The University of Illinois will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to admissions, employment, access to and treatment in university programs and activities.

For more information, please visit the UIC Undergraduate Policy Council.

Contact our college recruitment team at 312-413-9427 or cadainfo@uic.edu. 

We look forward to reviewing your application. Please allow 48 hours for reply. 
Readmission, Second Bachelor’s Degree and Non-Degree applicants share the same deadlines as transfer applicants.

Students who are interested in applying to the Honors College must first apply to UIC as an undergraduate.