University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Personal statement required (250-650 words), plus two supplements, plus more depending on your college or program:

1. Required · About 150 words

   Explain, in detail, an experience you’ve had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else.

   First of two bullets under the heading "First-Choice Major Essays". BOTH first-choice bullets are required; this is not a choose-one. Answered in the Writing section of the Illinois questions on the Common App. Contains curly apostrophes (U+2019) in "you've", reproduced verbatim.

   Short answer. We review full-length essays only.

2. Required · About 150 words

   Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from Illinois and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.

   Second of two bullets under "First-Choice Major Essays". Required alongside the first.

   Short answer. We review full-length essays only.

3. Required if applying Undeclared (replaces the two first-choice major essays) · About 150 words

   What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.

   Under the sub-heading "If you're applying Undeclared...", introduced by "Complete these prompts instead of the standard first-choice major essay prompts." Undeclared applicants answer this and the next one INSTEAD OF the two first-choice major essays, not in addition to them.

   Short answer. We review full-length essays only.

4. Required if applying Undeclared (replaces the two first-choice major essays) · About 150 words

   What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at Illinois and why.

   Second Undeclared-track prompt. Contains a curly apostrophe (U+2019) in "you're", reproduced verbatim.

   Short answer. We review full-length essays only.

5. Required if you list a second-choice major (optional otherwise, because listing a second-choice major is optional) · About 150 words

   Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

   Under the heading "Second-Choice Major Essay", introduced by "When you apply with a second-choice major, you'll answer this additional prompt." This is what makes the Illinois supplement 2 essays or 3 essays depending on the applicant.

   Short answer. We review full-length essays only.