Freshman Priority Application FAQ

Thanks for the post! Can you clarify one point for me. If I apply online, does my ACT also have to be received by November 1st ?

Is there any advantage to applying online vs. via paper, in terms of admittance ?

T,

For priority consideration, your application and all supporting materials (including test scores) must be received by the priority deadline. We have no preference between the online and paper applications, although the vast majority of students will apply online.

-Charles

Ok then, for priority filing, if one submits the application online, which is due by November 1st, then the supporting documents need to be postmarked by November 2nd ( ACT scores, transcripts)? Is that correct?

I just want to be sure if applying online that ALL documents don’t have to be received by the same Nov. 1st date, but that its just the application itself.

What is meant by the signature page?

The reason I am asking is that under “Freshman Admission Requirements”, sub heading, Standardized Test Scores, the U of I admissions web site states,,,”An ACT or SAT score must be received no later than November 1, 2009, in order to complete your application for Priority Admission. Test scores from the September 12, 2009, ACT …”, while elsewhere in admissions website, the date “postmarked by November 2nd” is given for ACT scores,,,,

By reading the blogs, it is my understanding that if transcripts and scores were ordered prior to the November 1st priority deadline but not yet received by admissions by that date, I will be considered as meeting the deadline. Is this correct?

Transcripts and scores were ordered and hopefully sent to you prior to the application…but I have no way of knowing since there is a lag between ordering and the actually sending of the materials if all has been received on time. Nothing shows as received in my file even though all has been ordered and my app sent. Its all up to ACT and my school and we are not told when all was sent out. I did order a second set of ACT scores just this week for consideration…I have no idea if anything has been received by you outside of the electronically sent app…thank you for the receipt…at least I know you do have that!

About how long does it usually take for a person to find out if they are accepted or not?

Thanks for the post, it really answered a lot of my questions!
I have one more though, I took the SAT with writing and I sent in those scores can U of I convert those scores to meet their ACT requirements? Or do I need to take the ACT too?

I want to ensure that I have applied the early action on my college application. How can I check?

Also, how can I ensure all the documentation is in good order for the application. I only see the submission of each documentation. How do I know if your office is still expecting any documentation?

Hi, I was wondering if it was alright to send my transcript before completing my application online. Will the admissions office create a profile for me if they receive my transcript first or will they throw it out?

Just a question. I am an international student studying in Singapore and I hadn’t take my High school exams yet so i do not have high school transcript. In the application, the high school transcript was left blank. Will I still be considered for Early Admission?

Greetings! I started an on-line application, but I completed a paper application along with all the required materials for the priority deadline. Is there anyway I can delete my incomplete on-line application since I have sent it in via papr? How will I be able to check my status on-line December 11th if my online application is incomplete?

Does the priority deadline close at 12:00AM on November 1st or 12:00 AM on November 2nd for online apps? That is to say if an application were to be submitted online at 6PM on November 1st, would it qualify as priority?

Thanks,
V

my transcript and act scores were sent in a month ago and my application was just submitted but i cannot find a way to check if the university had received all my information. When i go to application status, it takes me to a page that only summarizes my personal information. How do i find out?

I submitted everything for my application by sept 1st, but i was unhappy with my ACT score so i did retake the test last saturday (10/24th). My scores will be sent to U of I, of course this may take 3 weeks, which will be after nov 1st. Will the university still consider my score if it is higher than the first one that i submitted or is it too late?? Which one will they use?

I’m so sad that I’ve missed the priority deadline… I’m a international perspective sdudent and my toefl is on Nov. 1st…

Will the priority application just prior in result announcing time or also be more likely to be admitted?

College board sent U of I scores in June, we don’t need to resend it for this application season, right?

If I submitted mine ten minutes late will it still be accepted?

Hello,
I had a question. Next to my HS transcript section in the Application Status page, the name mentioned is only for one of my schools. The other school, my current school, is not mentioned. Could it be because the inital applicaiton didn’t have the school code for my current school and only my old school? (I had manually fill in the information about my current school)

Wow, it says it should only take one week for your transcript etc… to be match with your material. I sent out my transcript about 2-3 weeks ago and according to my checklist nothing has been received.

Hi,
I am a student in India. I sent an online application. I have the list of the requirements on which it asks for TOEFL score, although I got more than 560 on the SAT Critical reading. Also, does my school send the transcripts to the University via post?

I wanted to post a comment after reading the lastest blog post about application deadlines. I wanted to make students aware that even though some scholarships and grants have deadlines, there is no deadline for filling out your Fafsa.

T,
You are correct.
-Charles

Cara,
By submitting the online application you have electronically signed your application. There is no separate signature page you need to submit.
-Charles

T,
Test scores submitted directly from the testing agency come electronically and thus have no postmark. Official copies of test scores submitted as part of the high school transcript can be postmarked. Please note this is the last year we will take test scores off of high school transcripts. Starting next year all scores must be sent directly from the testing agency.
-Charles

Susan,
Please see my above response to T regarding the postmark question of test scores. All scores that were sent directly from the testing agency and meet our priority deadline should be in our system by now. Please check your application status to see if your test scores sent from the testing agency were received. As long as transcripts were postmarked by November 2, they will meet the priority deadline even thought it will likely take our office at least one week to match them to your application after both are received.
-Charles

Jarrett,
Students meeting the priority application deadline will receive an admissions decision on December 11, at 5pm U.S. Central Standard time.
-Charles

Bridget,
We require ACT or SAT scores; you do not need to take both. Your SAT scores will be used in your application review.
-Charles

Owen,
When you check your application status it will show if your documents have been received. After all documents have been received we will validate your application and change your admissions type to priority admission and your application status to complete. If in the unlikely case during validation we determine we need any additional materials not initially listed on your checklist, you will be contacted via email.
-Charles

Michael,
You can send transcripts before your application, but all materials must meet the deadline for you to meet the priority deadline.
-Charles

Bo,
Students from Singapore must submit the following:
- O-level certificate (if taken)
- High school or junior college transcript, only if O-levels were not taken
- A-level certificate (if taken)
- Polytechnic transcript

Please visit http://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/requirements_international.html for a full listing of additional requirements for international students.
-Charles

Christina,
You should not to submit your online application, but you do not need to delete it. Students who applied with paper applications will be sent log-in information to check their application status online.
-Charles

V,
Online applications must have been submitted by 11:59pm U.S. central standard time on November 1.
-Charles

Ian,
It will typically take 24-48 hours for your submitted online application to load into our system. After that you should be able to check your application status.
-Charles

Alyssa,
An ACT or SAT score must be received no later than November 1, 2009, in order to complete your application for Priority Admission. Test scores from the September 12, 2009, ACT and the October 10, 2009, SAT will arrive in time to complete your application for Priority Admission if you list the University of Illinois to receive the score when you register to take the test. Scores from later test dates will not arrive in time to complete your application for Priority Admission. But once your application is complete for Priority Admission we will use the highest test score available at the time of review, including scores from the October 24, 2009, ACT, if you selected Illinois to receive the scores when you registered for the October 24 ACT.
-Charles

Ray,
We will still be accepting students into all of our undergraduate programs during the regular application period, which has a final deadline of January 2. Students applying during this period will receive an admissions decision in February.
-Charles

Roy,
You are correct. If we already have your scores on file, they will be matched to your application when you apply.
-Charles

Janice,
If your application was submitted online after November 1 then you missed the priority deadline and will be considered during the regular application period.
-Charles

Arnab,
You are likely right. This is something that will be corrected in the validation process, and your current school should be added.
-Charles

Christopher,
It is at least one week from when both your transcript and application are received in our office. Thus if you applied recently, it will be one week from when your application was received. Also remember there is usually a bit of lag time between when you request transcripts and when they physically arrive in our office. If you think your transcripts and application both arrived in our office over two weeks ago please email admissions@illinois.edu and we can look into it.
-Charles

I finished the application before the Priority Application period, howcome the Admission Type column shows Regular Admission?

I applied with paper application, but how am I going to receive my login -information to check my application status?
I sent my application on November 2 and I haven’t got the login information yet

I applied on the 31st of October and my admission status read that I was under priority and that I did submit my application on time. I checked again recently and apparently I submitted my application on November 4th…what happened?

Arijit,
Items such as the bank statement, financial certification, and TOEFL scores will automatically appear on the checklist for all international applicants. Once a member of the admissions processing staff has validated your application and verified an SAT Critical Reading score of 560 or higher, the TOEFL will be removed from your checklist. It can take at least two weeks for the validation process to take place.

Your school should send official transcripts to us by mail.
-Charles

Mel,
You are correct. Students who are applying for fall admission and are eligible for financial aid (US citizens and permenant residents) can file the FAFSA starting in January 2010. More information can be found at http://www.osfa.illinois.edu/.
-Charles

Steven,
Your question is answered in the third FAQ in my blog.
-Charles

Blair,
After your paper application is processed, you will be sent log-in information so you can check your application status online. Since you just sent the application recently, it will likely take 1-2 weeks to get your log-in information.
-Charles

Sonia,
Please see my second FAQ on the blog. Your essays will show the date the application was loaded into the system, but the application fee date will show when the application was submitted.
-Charles

Charles, I applied to the College of Business with high expectation for my SAT October score. It turned out that the score was very bad. I understand the business school is very competitive. Do you offer me a second chance, say, offer me to a different school, such as LAS, if I am not up to the business school’s standards? Or should I request to change the major now? I’ve requested to have my TOEFL and my May SAT sent on Oct. 29. However, the status of my application is still the poor Oct score. I am a little anxious. Thank you!

My school has sent the transcripts, etc. along with the financial declaration form by fedex to the office of admissions on the 1st of Nov. This has been delivered on the 3rd of Nov. I have checked my application status as of the 10th of Nov, and it shows that the above-mentioned items are not received. Can you tell me how do we proceed from here?

Charles,
You said on Nov.4th: “But once your application is complete for Priority Admission we will use the highest test score available at the time of review, including scores from the October 24, 2009, ACT, if you selected Illinois to receive the scores when you registered for the October 24 ACT.”. Is this also can apply to my October SAT score that I just ordered to send to you on Nov. 10th (I didn’t select Illinois to receive the scores when I registered for the SAT)? I think my October SAT score and October ACT score (I selected Illinois to receive the scores when I registered ACT) will be sent to you at the same time.

What if you are taking the ACT over,can you have the new scores sent still?

My son filed his application Oct. 19. The status shows that his ACT/SAT scores were received in April 2009 and June 2009 (he took the ACT in April and took the SAT second time in June 2009). He also took the ACT a second time in Sept. 2009 and had the scores sent to UI, but this date (i.e. Sept. 2009) does not show up on this status page. I know the scores would have arrived to UI in plenty of time for priority application review. Is there a chance the new ACT scores are not in his file, or does UI not update this information on the status page if the minimal SAT/ACT requirements are met?

Dear Charles,
Regarding the admission type, it is shown as ‘regular admission’ although all requirements were recorded as received by Oct 31.
(Only TOEFL score is recorded as received on Nov. 11 - the TOEFL score was not necessary as the SAT critical reading score is over 560)
Can it be considered as ‘priority admission’?
Thank you for your attention.

ps : application status is recorded as ‘complete ready for review’

Cathy,
If you are not able to be admitted to your first choice program, you will automatically be considered for similar programs or the Division of General Studies. We can only display one test date when you check your online application status. If you are concerned we did not receive your updated test scores you can contact our office.
-Charles

Divij,
As my blog indicates it will likely take at least 2 weeks to match your materials to your application. If you are an international student, it will likely take longer at about 3 weeks to update your status.
-Charles

Alex,
If you application was already complete for priority admission, your file will automatically be updated with the new test scores. If these scores arrive during review, then we will be able to consider these scores. If your application was not yet complete, scores sent after the deadline will not change your status to priority and you will be considered during the regular filing period.
-Charles

Tiffany,
If you are retaking the ACT or SAT in December these scores will not arrive in time for priority consideration. However they would be used if you applied during the regular application period or your application is deferred from priority to the regular application period.
-Charles

Laura,
We can only display one test date on the application status page, and this is the first date from which we received scores. We should have his September scores on file, but you can contact our office to make sure.
-Charles

Dear
I am a Freshman Priority Applicant. I submitted my application on Oct 27.
1) My bank statement and financial certification were sent on October 28 by DLH and T Flannifen received them.
2)However, when checking my application status (Nov.10), all documents were received except the bank statement and financial certification, so I sent bank statement and financial certification again on Nov. 10 by DHL and A Powell received them Nov.11.
3) For the second mailing date, is it a problem for priority filling? If it is problem. could you please consider first mail (Oct.28) only for priority filling?
4)I asked ETS to send the TOEFL score to you in October, but you received it Nov.11. How do I know TOEFL score’s postmark date? Is the postmark of TOEFL score mailing important too?

Hi Charles,

Since I applied under the EA, and I sent my TOEFL score on Oct.26 but since it took time to process the score, the score was received on Nov.11, I will still be considered under the EA regulation right?

Hello,
I sent my transcript even before I submitted my application. My application status first indicated that my transcript was received on Nov.1, 2009, but when I checked it again today, it now says that it was received on Nov.9, 2009. But I actually sent my transcript in October and it was postmarked before Nov.2, 2009. I am worried now. Am I no longer considered as priority admission? I’ve submitted all my documents before Nov.1 though ……

I have my act score on my transcipt, which was sent before November 1. However, I also sent scores from ACT because I know that later on, I will need to do so anyway. These scores were received on November 10. Will this still count as early action?

I applied for Division of General Studies. If I get in, how soon can I change program to BUS or LAS?
I put my October SAT score on my application form for priority admission, but if the score from college board won’t arrive in time for review, will you still consider it? When is the reviewing period?

Leo,
Your application likely has not yet been validated. It will take a minimum of two weeks from when your application was complete for your admissions type to chage to priority from regular admission during the vaildation process.
-Charles

Nak Yong,
We likely have not had enough time to validate your application and financial statements. For international applicants it will take as much as 3 weeks to process documents once materials are received, and financial documentation is the last thing that is validated since academic materials have priority at this time of year. We appreciate your patience as we process your application. If everything is received when we validate your application for priority admission, you will be considered during the priority filing period.
-Charles

Christine,
If everything is received when we validate your application for priority admission, you will be considered during the priority filing period.
-Charles

Hyechung,
The date noted in the application checklist is not the postmark, it is the date the transcripts was received in our office. If all documents were submitted by the deadline, your application type will change to priority admission.
-Charles

Jennifer,
If scores were on your transcript, and that transcript was received by the deadline, then you will meet the priority application deadline.
-Charles

Alex,
If you would like to apply to a declared program, you can submit an application change request form which can be found at http://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/check_status.html. You will typically need to stay in the program to which you’ve been admitted for your first year of study.

As I previously responded, if your application was already complete for priority admission, your file will automatically be updated with the new test scores. If these scores arrive during review, then we will be able to consider these scores. If your application was not yet complete, scores sent after the deadline will not change your status to priority and you will be considered during the regular filing period.

We are reviewing applications now until decisions post. So for example, if new test scores arrived today and your application was already complete for priority admission, then we would be able to review your new test scores. We should already have all scores on file for tests taken prior to November 1.

If you want to know if we have your new scores on file please email admissions@illinois.edu with your name and UIN. Thanks!
-Charles

Hello,
I am an International applicant and I had finished my application by the early action deadline and even got conformation from the courier service about my transcript reaching UIUC by November 2nd; however, my online application still says it is Regular application. Does it take more than two weeks for UIUC to match transcripts and other documents for International students? Should I contact an admissions representative?

hello charles. i have a question regarding the result for the priority application. i wondered if we can know the result as soon is done reviewing the materials or we will have to wait until dec. 11 to know the result. thanks

Dear Charles,
As you’ve mentioned, the admission type has been updated to ‘priority admission’.
I’m simply impressed by the fairness of Illinois’s admission procedure.
Regardless of the result, thank you so much for the sincere support!

Arnab,
It does take a bit longer to process documents for international students. If you met the deadline your application status should be updated soon.
-Charles

Michelle,
All students meeting the priority application deadline will be able to view thier admissions decision on December 11.
-Charles

Hello Charles,

I sent my transcript on Oct.27th (International). According to my UPS record, it arrived at UIUC on Oct.28th.
But my status doesn’t show that it has arrived. Moreover, it has not changed from Regular to Priority. I am now very worried.

Hello Charles,

My brother is currently studying ECE at the university. I have applied for the priority application(ece). My SAT scores are respectable and my academic record is good. Will I get any sort of an advantage?

My application had been incomplete for a long time so I went to make sure my counselor sent it, but it turned out that she didn’t send it. I know that U of I is very strict on the priority deadline but is there anything that will get me into the early application (because it was my counselor who didn’t send it in on time)?

Hello, I started my application a few months ago in September but did not finish it in time for the priority deadline. I listed my major of choice as Pre-Elementary/Special Education back in September. I am trying to finish my application now but I am very worried that my major is no longer available since I did not make the priority deadline. The special education major was not in the list of majors to choose from when I checked a few days ago. My major is still listed as Special Education on the application I am filling out currently but how can I know if my major is still available?

I applied priority and I was wondering if the decision comes back as a defer, do I need to provide the school with any other materials? (such as semester grades etc.)

Leo,
Thanks for the feedback!
-Charles

Christine,
By now your status should have changed to priority if you met the deadline and all of your materials arrived in time. Please email admissions@illinois.edu if you have further specific questions.
-Charles

Adrian,
You are evaluated based on your qualifications for admission. The fact that your brother attends U of I will not impact your application.
-Charles

Jennifer,
At this point we do not have enough time to review your application for the priority period, since decisions post in 9 days. Rest assured that you will get full consideration during the regular filing period.
-Charles

Therese,
All majors and programs will be available until the final application deadline of January 2. We will admit students into all programs during both the priority and regular decision periods.
-Charles

Michael,
If you are deferred there is no additional information that we need and your application will be reevaluated during the regular decision period. We will not consider semester grades for students who are deferred. The only new information that we would be able to take is if you are retaking the SAT or ACT in December and you submit those scores.
-Charles

I submitted my application online on or about October 22, 2009; I have a credit card receipt to show acknowledgment of the payment to U of ILL. I happened today to be checking my application status and it seemed to suggest that I had not submitted my essays. It was a different page view than my friend’s check status page showed. I was shocked, but went ahead and resubmitted the essays as it seemed like they were not there. It sent me to payment, and I repaid for the application. I have never had any indication that my application was incomplete, and as I know I submitted the essays on or around October 22, I cannot understand why they would not show up. Now I am concerned that I did not meet the Nov. 1st deadline when I know for a fact I had all my materials in and my school had submitted all materials as well. Can you please let me know who I can talk to about this?
Thanks
James Patrick Minogue
PS- I moved right around the time of the submission and wonder if somehow the new address change confused things.

Hello,
If you do not get into your intended major but you get directed into DGS, will you get deferred and then find out you got into DGS? or do you get notified on Dec 11 that you got into DGS?
Thanks!

James,
I have replied directly to your email address since your question is so specific.
-Charles

Kathryn,
Both are possible. Some students will be admitted to DGS as an alternate option during the priority period. Students who are deferred from the priority period are still being considered for their first choice option and alternate options, including DGS. Deferred students will get final decisions in February.
-Charles

hi!
I was accepted to U of I for Fall of 2010! During the first few weeks of school I had a schedule change from an AP class to a non-AP class (due to a scheduling conflict with other classes). I was not aware that I was supposed to get approval for a change in my senior year schedule. What should I do now?
Thank you!

I was deferred on Friday, December 11th. I am not sure if I checked the box for “second option” on the admission application. Will I also be considered for DGS between now and February 19th if I failed to check that box on the form - especially if I fall short for admission into the College to which I first applied?

Cindy,
Congratulations on being admitted! If you look at our admitted student FAQ: http://www.admissions.illinois.edu/faq/admitted.html it is important that you don’t change your schedule, since your decision in part is based on the strength of your senior schedule. If you have changed your schedule, please email admissions@illinois.edu with your name, program you were admitted to, and your schedule change. It will then be forwarded to the chair of the admissions committee for your college for review.
-Charles

Kathleen,
You will automatically be considered for alternate options if you are not admitted to your first choice program. More information can be found on my other blog at http://blog.admissions.illinois.edu/?p=4221.
-Charles

I love this site! Thank you sooo much for all your posts!

On the application there is question if about ever being convicted of a felony. Does that include misdemeanors?

Monu,
The University of Illinois is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all members of the University community. As part of this commitment, the University requires applicants with pending criminal charges or criminal convictions (other than a minor traffic offense or in a juvenile proceeding) to disclose this information as a mandatory step in the admissions process. For more information on this process please visit: http://www.admissions.illinois.edu/application/criminal.html
-Charles