High School Counselor Cycle Updates
This guide provides all of the information you need to know as you work with fall 2026 first-year applicants. Thank you for all you do for your students!
New for 2026 Applicants
- Applications: First-year applicants will apply only through the Common App. The Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) will still be submitted separately through myIllini, and admitted students will use myIllini for their checklist.
- Application Fee: Changed to $75
- Dates & Deadlines: First-year application dates and transfer application dates have changed slightly.
- Transfer Guarantee: Now available to any Illinois high school graduate who meets the grade and credit requirements
- Illinois Commitment: The family income threshold has increased to $75,000
- Campus Visits: Wednesdays are reserved for group visits only to accommodate more schools and organizations
- IlliniFest: Our signature campus showcase event for prospective students and families is scheduled for October 18, 2025
If students have questions as they apply, encourage them to watch our how-to videos or check out our Help With Applying page.
Competitiveness
Because we admit by program, some programs are significantly more competitive. We publish our admit rates by college, as well as for our Computer Science-related programs.
We encourage students to apply for programs in which they plan to enroll if admitted. We will only consider students for programs to which they apply. The Division of Exploratory Studies is intended for students who are open to exploring more than one major, with preference given to students who are open to exploring programs with capacity on campus. Students who are only interested in intercollegiate transfer once on campus into The Grainger College of Engineering or Gies College of Business should be encouraged to enroll at another university.
Due to competitiveness, students are only able to enter our Computer Science, Computer Science + Bioengineering, and Computer Science + Physics programs in The Grainger College of Engineering as new first-year or transfer students. They are not able to apply to change majors into these programs once on campus, although they can still pursue a Computer Science minor or apply to change majors into other Computer Science + X programs.
Majors Unavailable as a Second Choice
Following are the majors not available as a second choice for first-year students:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Astronomy + Data Science
- Business Undeclared
- Chemical Engineering + Data Science
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science (including all Computer Science + X majors)
- Environmental Engineering
- Information Sciences + Data Science
- Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
- Materials Science and Engineering + Data Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Molecular & Cellular Biology + Data Science
- all Music majors except Music BA (which doesn't require an audition)
- Neuroscience
- Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering + Data Science
- Psychology