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How to Write the UIUC Essays 2024-2025

UIUC is one of the best public universities in the USA, so writing strong essays is important to making your application stand out. UIUC has two required short prompts and two optional ones, and we’re here with expert advice on how to respond to all of them!

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants, required.

Prompt 1: 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. (150 words)

Prompt 2: Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words)

All Applicants, Optional

Prompt 3: Explain any challenges (outside of COVID-related) you have faced throughout your academic career,  including the dates or timeline below.  (300 words)

Prompt 4: If you have a low grade or a drop in grades that you have not already explained, do so below. (300 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. (150 words)

At first glance, this prompt seems pretty straightforward, and there isn’t much space for extraneous storytelling. 

However, what gives this prompt its difficulty is the necessity of going above and beyond. Not only do you need to identify the experiences that shaped your interest in your selected major, but you need to provide deeper reflections as to why those experiences impacted you in the way they did. 

For that reason, it’s not enough to simply list the experiences that led you to your chosen major. For example, you shouldn’t just say:

“I first discovered my passion for film in English class, when I had to write a take home essay about the movie adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray . I furthered my interest in film by making my own home documentary alongside a couple friends. I also started volunteering at a local arthouse cinema to understand a more commercial perspective on film…”

Rather, it’s better to go deeper with a given example and provide insights into what motivates your passions. Instead of simply listing experiences related to film, you might say:

“My English teacher assigned our class a take-home essay, where we analyzed the movie adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray . Looking at the movie through a closer lens gave me a deeper appreciation for the small decisions directors make and the big impacts they can have…” 

The admissions readers at UIUC want to see that you have the necessary experiences under your belt to thrive in your chosen course of study, and they also want to see that you will be passionate and motivated while doing so! Make sure to show them both your experiences and your deeper insights about those experiences, and you’ll have a strong essay on your hands. 

Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words)

The trick to this prompt is making sure you convey a clear personal or career goal, while also relating your intended course of study to that goal. 

Thus, you should acknowledge the following main points while answering this prompt: 

• What are your future personal or career goals? 
• How will your chosen major help contribute towards those goals? 

Let’s address each of these points separately. 

1. What are your future personal and/or career goals?

The prompt plainly states that your response needs to identify your future personal or career goals. If you have a clear idea of what your goals are, that will make this part easy. In that situation, you would have presumably chosen a course of study that will serve as a stepping stone towards your longer-term ambitions. 

On the other hand, UIUC knows that your interests will change over the next four years, and that nothing is set in stone. If you’re uncertain about your career goals, it’s also okay to identify a few possible career paths that interest you. Another option is to discuss the type of work you wish to do (e.g. helping deliver aid to marginalized communities) as opposed to the specific career title.

Keep in mind that UIUC gives you the option of specifying your personal goals as well, and not just your career goals. Your personal goals should still be related to your major, but don’t have to be as career-focused. For instance, some solid personal goals to mention would be things like becoming a stronger public speaker, learning to program in a certain coding language, doing research on a specific topic, or writing a novel. 

As long as you can make a compelling case as to how your chosen major relates to your future ambitions, you will be in good shape for this essay. 

2. How will your chosen major help contribute towards those goals?

Once you have identified your personal or career goals, you also need to indicate what aspects of your chosen course of study will help you achieve those goals. 

This will mean both speaking about your major in broad terms, as well as identifying some features of UIUC’s course of study that serve you particularly well. This is not a “why UIUC” essay, so showing depth of research is not the top priority, but it will strengthen your response nonetheless. 

While this essay does not require personal reflections in the way that many other college essays do, it is still important for your voice to come through in deeper analyses that show you understand the significance of your major-goal combination at a deeper level. 

To accomplish this, make sure you are always stating why a particular aspect of your intended major serves your goals. For instance, it is not enough to say, “I hope to be a lawyer for the United Nations, so I want to take the course Governing Globalizations.” You might instead write:

“Courses such as Governing Globalizations, which explore the historical, moral, socio-economic, and political dimensions of an emerging global society, will provide me with the interdisciplinary background to thrive as an international lawyer.” 

This second version goes the extra mile, by showing exactly what you hope to learn from this course and why that knowledge is relevant to your future ambitions, to truly give UIUC admissions officers the information they’re looking for.

Prompt 3 (Optional)

Explain any challenges (outside of covid-related) you have faced throughout your academic career, including the dates or timeline below. (300 words).

While we encourage applicants to respond to most optional prompts, this prompt and the following one are truly optional. You should only respond to them if you have exceptional circumstances that apply.

This prompt is not the typical Overcoming Challenges essay, where you’re asked to share examples of your resilience through a story. This is truly for major challenges that negatively impacted your academic or extracurricular history, and it should be written in a straightforward format, not narrative form.

Some examples of challenges that may apply include:

• Major illness
• Death in the family
• Job loss in the family
• Anything else that prevented you from achieving at your potential

You don’t need to take up the full word count; only use the space you need. Here’s an example:

“During my entire high school career, I had to babysit for my two younger siblings right after school because my family couldn’t afford daycare. As a result, I was unable to do sports or other extracurriculars, however, these many afternoons prepping snacks and coming up with new games to play were valuable in teaching me responsibility and creativity.”

While you don’t want to go into a ton of descriptive detail like you would in a typical supplement, you should ideally touch briefly on what you learned from this experience, like this example does. That positive framing shows maturity, and that you would bring a perspective to campus that not many other students have, both of which will be attractive to admissions officers.

Prompt 4 (Optional)

If you have a low grade or a drop in grades that you have not already explained, do so below. (300 words).

The same advice for the previous prompt applies here too, however, this is specific to grades. Again, don’t use this space for that one class you got a B. This is for grades that are truly out of the norm from your academic record or abilities.

Make sure you also don’t blame others for your lower grade (i.e. “the teacher was bad”). If there were factors outside of your control, explain the situation as diplomatically as possible.

“In September 2022, I was diagnosed with ADHD and started taking medication for it. Prior to that, during freshman year, I was not able to do my best academically because I was unable to focus. After starting ADHD medication, I was able to follow along in class and complete all my assignments, and my grades rose significantly as a result.”

Note that, like in the example for Prompt 3, this response shows growth, by touching on how you overcame your low grades freshman year. That will give UIUC admissions officers confidence that you’re prepared to thrive in the more rigorous academic environment you’ll encounter in college.

Where to Get Your UIUC Essays Edited For Free

Do you want feedback on your UIUC essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free  Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

Need feedback faster? Get a  free, nearly-instantaneous essay review  from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!

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Undergraduate Admissions

Deadline Update: We want to ensure anyone applying for federal financial aid has enough time to make an informed decision regarding their college choice! For this reason, we're extending our enrollment decision deadline to May 15.

Writing Prompts for First-Year Applicants

Following are our writing prompts for first-year students applying for fall 2025 admission. Writing prompts for fall 2024 will be announced in August.

Major-Specific Prompts

You'll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program , and if you've selected a second choice . Each response should be approximately 150 words . If you're applying through Common App, you'll find our major-specific writing prompts in the "Writing" tab of our supplemental questions after adding us as one of your colleges.

If You're Applying to a Major :

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

If You're Applying to Our Undeclared Program in the Division of Exploratory Studies:

• What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you're considering at Illinois and why.
• What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.

If You've Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared ):

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

Essay Prompts

You'll also answer one essay prompt as part of your application. Prompts are the same whether you apply through myIllini or the Common App. Select and answer the prompt of your choice from the full list found on the Common App website . Your essay response can be anywhere from 250 to 650 words total.

Want more info?

How to Write the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2024/2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What are the university of illinois urbana-champaign supplemental essay prompts.

• How to write each supplemental essay prompt for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Prompt #1: Short answer essays

Some students have a very clear sense of their academic and career interests. They might know what classes they want to take and may even have everything planned out for the next 5-10 years. If this is where you’re at, honestly, we’re impressed. 

Buuuut ... maybe you’re still testing the waters, trying to figure out what you’re interested in. That’s also totally fair. Not everyone has a 10-year plan.

Luckily, you can write the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) supplemental essays no matter where you fall on the spectrum. Want to get a better sense of what the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is looking for? You’ll find an extensive, by-the-numbers look at its offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, on its Common Data Set . For deep insights into how this university envisions student success (and how it wants to grow and evolve), read its strategic priorities . Reading through this will give you a strong idea of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s values.

You'll answer two to three short-answer prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program, and if you've selected a second choice. Each short-answer response should be no more than 150 words. If You're Applying to a Major:

• 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. (max 150)
• Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (max 150)

If You're Applying to Our Undeclared Program:

• What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at Illinois and why. (max 150)
• What are your future academic or career goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.(max 150)

If You've Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared):

• You have selected a second-choice major. Please explain your interest in that major or your overall academic or career goals. (max 150)

Optional: Academic Challenges Explain any challenges (outside of COVID-related) you have faced throughout your academic career, including the dates or timeline below. (max 300 words)

Optional: If you have a low grade or a drop in grades that you have not already explained, do so below. (max 300 words)

How to Write Each Supplemental Essay Prompt for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

These prompts essentially ask you to expand on your academic interests. They’re pretty straightforward. If you’ve chosen a major, UIUC wants to know why that field of interest. If you’re undeclared, school officials still want to know more about your academic interests, so Option 2 is your chance to share. And anyone who’s shown an interest in a second major, here’s an extra 150 words to elaborate on that one. The big question here for each of the three is “why?” And, quite honestly, this is a great question to be asking—both for the essays and life.

However, “why” can often feel like an intimidatingly large question. Here are some smaller, more manageable questions you can ask yourself to get to the big one:

What academic subjects have I enjoyed in high school? What did I like about them?

Were there any projects, personal experiences, internships, or extracurricular activities that excited me in high school and made me want to know more about a subject?

What are resources, research opportunities, or classes at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that look interesting or exciting to me?

Which UIUC professors would I like to work with or get to know better? What department do they work in?

What’s a question I find myself contemplating often? How would I go about finding an answer to it?

What skill sets do I want to develop? What would I do with those skills once I’d learned them?

With some of these things in mind, let’s take a second look at those three options.

All three options above are what we call “Why Major” essays. 

You’ll find a step-by-step guide to writing this type of essay at this link , which we recommend reading through, but here are some basic tips to get you started:

Tip #1: Make sure your answer complements your personal statement. What do we mean? If your personal statement is all about business and this one is all about dance, admission readers might be like, “Whaaaat?” So at least make sure the values you show in the personal statement are values that would serve you in the major/field/career(s) you mention here. 

Tip #2:  Just because you explicitly name a major in this essay doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t change it later. At most schools, you have flexibility to change your mind. (Quick note: This isn’t true at all programs at all schools, so be sure to a) Google it first, then b) check in with the school to make sure, if you’re unsure.) That being said, try to keep your answer as clear and straightforward as possible. Even if you’re not totally sure what you want your major or area of study to be, picking one or two you feel strongly about can help you figure out what to say in this essay.

Tip #3: Imagine a mini-movie of the moments that led you to your interest and create a simple, bullet-point outline. Here’s an example of what this might look like:

1) Elementary school: Getting my first dinosaur toy and reading dinosaur books

2) Middle school: Visiting museums, seeing water under a microscope

3) High school: Doing online research, getting internship where we analyzed brainwaves and dissected a stingray

Tip #4: Put your moments (aka the “scenes” of your mini-movie) in chronological order, as it’ll help you see how your interests developed. It also makes it easier to write transitions. Maybe try putting one “scene” per short paragraph to make it clear when you’re moving the story forward.

Tip #5: Expand on the impact of your intended major or areas of interest. Here are some ways to think about impact:

Numbers . Perhaps what you choose to talk about has a particularly shocking statistic. Maybe your interest in that topic inspired you to do something that had a significant numerical effect. Consider adding specific numbers to bolster your claims and give your readers a sense of magnitude.

Anecdotal evidence of impact, or quotations . Impact doesn’t have to be quantitative to convey urgency, importance, or power. The more of you that you put in your essay, the better.

Personal impact (on you, the author) in the form of lessons learned, skills gained. It’s especially interesting to note if these skills transferred to other areas of your life. 

Tip #6: Write it long first, then cut it. In our experience, this tends to be easier than writing a very short version and then trying to figure out what to add. The tricky part here is that, unlike earlier versions of these UIUC prompts, you only get 150 words per option. So think about that as you work through the tips above.

Here’s a great example of a prior-year UIUC essay (when word count was longer), with tips and analysis below for how it could be tweaked to fit this prompt.

I’ve long wanted to know why I stuttered with a nine-year-old brain but not with a thirteen-year-old brain. One summer, I had the opportunity to use EEG machines to measure signals from the brain and correlate them to certain letters in the alphabet. The experience made me realize I have even more questions about the brain that I’d like to answer, and UIUC’s dynamic cognitive psychology and neuroscience program is the best place for me to get those answers. My high school classes, like computer science, music theory, philosophy, and statistics, introduced me to the ways in which these fields can be interconnected through cognitive science.  Now I’m hungry to study how the brain itself works and how it helps store language, music, memory and perception. As a psychology major at UIUC, I’d love to take classes like Social Cognition and Perception and Sensory Processes to learn about how unconscious processes lead to our perceptions of the world. I’m also excited about the opportunity to apply as a research assistant to the Cognition and Brain Lab, learning firsthand about brain electrical activity and its relationship to language. I’d also like to study under Professor Aber and learn what influences an individual’s understanding of race and how to design effective programs to promote community development. I hope to apply this learning to ChessOpenDoors, the nonprofit I founded to provide children access to a community that spans geographies, classes, religions, and even generations. I want to learn from Professor Aber’s research on contextual influences on individuals' understanding of race in public school settings, and use it to help make ChessOpensDoors an example of how collaborative community-based programs can promote community development through public schools. My belief is that, in these troubled times, understanding the brain and diversity science can fundamentally improve the way we communicate and help mend race relations. As a fourth-generation Illini whose great-grandfather emigrated from China to Illinois in 1918, I would use my time at UIUC to focus on learning about the practical steps we can take to change perception in race relations and better listen to one another. (350 words) — — — 

Tips + Analysis:

Get to the point. If this student were writing for the current prompt, he’d have only 150 words to do what he did here in 350. When every word counts, consider cutting “fluff” words or phrases that don’t add value to the story of you . E.g., “My belief is that” can be “I believe.” “The experience made me realize” becomes “I realized.” Pro tip: You don’t want to start every sentence of your essay with “I” statements, so consider how you can vary your sentences but still concisely make an impact.

Consider depth over breadth. This student chose to explore several psychology-related interests in his essay—cognitive science at the beginning and race relations/diversity science at the end. In a shorter essay, he might’ve chosen to focus on his ultimate goal of changing perceptions in race relations, using his mini-movie to show how he’s developed that interest. You can do the same by going deep on how you’ve explored one topic versus how you’ve pursued a number of interests that may be only tangentially related.

Tie it all together—or don’t. This student opens with a compelling lead: Why did he stutter at 9 but not at 13? But he ends by talking about race relations. In a longer essay, where he’s able to go wide (see tip No. 2 above), this works. In a shorter essay, the disparity might leave the reader unsatisfied, having not learned the answer. There are two ways to approach this. The first is to go with a simple, to-the-point opening, like “I want to study psychology to change perceptions in race relations,” and dive in headfirst from there. The other is to tie your hook in with your closing. So if you start with stuttering, maybe end with it, too? Or if you end with changing perceptions and improving communications, maybe develop a must-read lead that complements it?

Here’s another great UIUC-specific essay (again, for when UIUC’s prompts had a longer word count).

Perhaps the academic opportunity I’ve valued most at Phillips Academy has been Astronomy, especially spending evenings this past fall in the Science Center’s Observatory and using the Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector telescope. Observing the cosmos as the Observatory’s dome rotated 360 degrees made me realize how much bigger the universe actually is and that my point of view in everyday life on Earth is infinitesimal compared with what’s happening across the galaxy. I reveled in witnessing the Crab Nebula in its infancy stage emitting vivid colors, and I’ve been amazed that stars that are so far from Earth can nonetheless be so bright and clear. That I was able to observe something so rare made me thirst for more. I’d love to pursue a deeper understanding of space exploration and the cosmos, and Illinois’ dynamic Observational Astronomy and Computational Astrophysics program offers a perfect opportunity. As an astronomy major at UIUC, I’d dive deep into understanding celestial mechanics with classes like Stellar Astrophysics . I’d especially like to learn why mass transfer only can happen at the inner Lagrange point (where the two Roche lobes meet). The Star Formation course would teach me how supernovae create the building blocks of life by dying. I can’t wait to take Observational Astronomy and study pulsars that emit electromagnetic waves other than visible light. I’d also like to learn more about ways we can try to harness the tremendous energy produced by solar flares in Theoretical Stellar Physics , and I hope to study how modelling of the sun can be used to predict solar cycles. Through classes such as Computing in Astronomy and its accompanying laboratory work, I could also develop strong data analysis and computer programming skills, which would have wide applicability beyond my lessons in astronomy.   I’m especially excited about the opportunity to pursue my budding curiosity about the cosmos in an independent research project under the guidance of an expert like Professor Fields. I think it’s fitting that Solar Cycle 25 is now underway and is expected to peak in 2025, coinciding with the time I hope to graduate as an Illini and make an impactful contribution to our understanding of the universe. (360 words) — — —

Consider your goals. Previously, UIUC only suggested students connect their desired major with their future career goals in their response. This student chose not to. So while he paints a clear picture of what he wants to learn as an astronomy major, he doesn’t quite connect that with a specific career goal. This year’s prompt is more direct, so we’d expect his revised response to elaborate on what he wants to do post-college and how an astronomy degree will help him do that.

Tell a story. Whether it was one pivotal moment or a succession of smaller events, there’s almost always a reason you’ve chosen the major you have. UIUC wants to hear that story. What’s the event that made you question everything (and why)? How has your curiosity led you to new experiences? New questions? New loves? This student’s astronomy class was his pivotal moment, but are there also other things he did to quench his “thirst for more”? UIUC wants to know.

Identify the impact your experiences have had on you. For this student, astronomy has been about more than identifying stars or watching their life cycle. It’s caused him to think philosophically (How do supernovae create life by dying?) and environmentally (Can the power emitted by solar flares be captured and used on Earth?). UIUC loves to hear how your interests result in critical, creative thinking that’ll help you answer new questions outside the classroom.

It’s normal to be unsure. It’s entirely possible that the student above isn’t 100% convinced he wants to be a modern-day Copernicus or Galileo—and that’s perfectly OK. College is a time for exploration (and we don’t just mean space exploration), and we hope you find new interests during those four years. So if you’re not confident in your major, you can just as effectively discuss an academic area you’re interested in learning more about. We’d bet you can’t tell whether the student above is a confident astronomy major or simply a student who’s curious about the world around (and above) him, and we don’t need to.

Here’s another great example for this prompt. It was originally written for another school with a 250-word limit, but it still shows what you can do with a prompt like this (and a shorter word count, though you’ll have 100 fewer to work with). 

Bonus Example 1:

My interest in Gender and Sexuality Studies was sparked in my eighth grade Civics class when we studied topics pertaining to sexual equality. I went into the class knowing I believed women had a right to make choices for their own bodies and that view remained the same, but I discovered the complexity of abortion debates. I challenged myself by thinking about the disparity between actual and potential personhood and the moral rights of unconscious lives. If pregnancy had the same consequences for men as it does women, how might the debate be different? Would this debate even exist?  A year later, I shadowed an OB/GYN at a nearby hospital. On my first shift, I watched an incarcerated woman receive a postpartum exam after giving birth in her cell toilet with just Advil, and the issues discussed in Civics suddenly became urgent and real. My school projects have often focused on reproductive rights. I’ve spent numerous hours delving into summaries of Supreme Court cases on abortion and contraception, and am even known as the “Tampon Fairy” at school because I frequently restock the school bathrooms with tampons and condoms.   I’m interested in exploring how Gender and Sexuality Studies connect to Public Health and Reproductive Biology, as well as Public Policy and Law. The interdisciplinary nature of this major will allow me to investigate many other areas of study and create a more nuanced understanding of how this particular field interacts with our world and society.  — — —

You can include a thesis in the first paragraph. This isn’t true for all college essays, but for this essay, this approach totally works. And the great thing here is that you know exactly what this student is interested in from the first sentence of her first paragraph.  

Connect the dots. If you look at the first sentence in each paragraph of this piece, you’ll notice that each focuses on a specific experience or moment in time. As we read through the essay, we see how the author has developed her interest in different settings and contexts. That narrative structure helps propel the piece forward and keeps readers engaged. If you do the “scene” outlining strategy mentioned in the general tips above, putting your essay into this structure should be relatively easy.

Consider using imagery. You don’t need to explain the nitty gritty details of every internship you’ve ever had or every class you’ve ever taken to explain why it meant something to you. Note how this author does an incredible job of showing how civics issues became “urgent and real” for her after watching an “incarcerated woman receive a postpartum exam after giving birth in her cell toilet with just Advil.” That image stops us in our tracks. The fact that this student so clearly remembers this moment and how it changed her thinking is powerful. Using anecdotes or descriptions of specific experiences is a wonderful way to emphasize meaningful growth.

Describe relevant personal experiences. This student uses the third paragraph in her essay to expand on how she’s acted on her interest in Civics and Gender and Sexuality Studies. She’s done hours of reading about abortion and contraception while becoming the widely known “Tampon Fairy” at her high school. You don’t have to include statistics or numbers to demonstrate impact (although you definitely can). Personal anecdotes and moments of reflections can be just as powerful.

End with what’s next. Although the first part of your essay might convey a clear thesis statement that answers the question in the prompt, your conclusion can explore nuance as you look ahead. For example, in this essay, the author uses the conclusion as a place to reflect on how her interest in Gender and Sexuality may intersect with other areas of study and how that might provide her with a more nuanced understanding of the knowledge she’s already gleaned. This conveys a sense of curiosity and an openness to new experiences that she’ll carry with her to college and beyond.

Here’s another great essay. It was also written for another school, but it’s still an excellent example of what you can do when answering this prompt.

Bonus Example 2:

At heart, I’m both regulatory bureaucrat and capitalistic entrepreneur.  Coming from a small business-owning family, I’ve grown up finding ways to one-up the competition, from boosting website search ranking with unconventional SEO to negotiating with book suppliers to cut costs. After all, our rent depends on our profits.  However, I also hold enormous respect for regulation. I vividly remember seeing my second grade classmate Nelson sprawled on the asphalt in front of the Chinese school we attended, accidentally run over by his teacher. I later discovered that afterschool was unlicensed: no safety training, no inspections, nothing. Years later, when my mother opened her own afterschool business, I filed the licensing documents and installed government-mandated guardrails. Though burdensome, regulation is crucial.  The afterschool industry taught me the inseparability of business and policy, but also sparked my curiosity concerning how political economics can leverage that relationship for maximal social benefit. In my Democratic Party internship, I examined how to incentivize below-market-rate housing construction without reducing overall supply. At FBLA Nationals, I delivered a presentation on management practices to reduce oil spills, increasing profits while meeting environmental standards. CMU strikes me as surprisingly similar to the afterschool industry: an environment where learning occurs through doing and where business and policy can be explored in tandem. I’m excited by the new Economics and Politics degree, which would allow me to take Tepper’s and Dietrich’s classes concurrently. I’d love to attend the Washington Semester Program, applying my education to policy at a greater scale than I am currently. And I’m intrigued by electives like Coffee and Capitalism, using my favorite drink as a microcosm of commerce and geopolitics.  Whether I become a leader in the afterschool industry or an elected official regulating it, I know CMU will enable this Capitalist Bureaucrat to catalyze purposeful impact.  — — —

Consider starting with a powerful one-liner. The first sentence of this essay is great. It’s sort of cryptic, smart, and a little funny, and it makes you want to keep reading. It also acts as a clever thesis. The Bonus Example 1 (see above) offers a more straightforward thesis; this one is a bit more subtle. Both ways can work. It also was really smart of this author to make the first line its own paragraph. The white space in between sets it apart and magnifies its impact.

Make it personal. Even though this prompt is asking you to expand on an academic interest, make an effort to weave non-academic details about your life into the piece. This author is mainly talking about his passion for business and policy, but he’s also able to incorporate information about his family and upbringing. The little details about his mom’s afterschool business or the moment he saw his Chinese classmate hurt make the essay more personal. They make us feel like we know the author at a deeper level, and that primes us to more readily engage with the rest of his piece.

Demonstrate how you took initiative. The author here has done some incredible things. He gave a public presentation at FBLA Nationals and did a Democratic Party internship. He’s also used his knowledge to help his mom deal with regulatory hassles in her own business. He’s showing how he took an interest and rolled with it. Use this answer as a space to talk about the incredible things you’ve done.

(Selectively!) use words and phrases that show you know your stuff. The author uses a lot of terms associated with economics and business in his essay (“regulatory bureaucrat” and “capitalistic entrepreneur” in just the first line). His use of these terms is a subtle way of signaling to readers that he has a firm grasp on what he’s talking about. You don’t want to use too much jargon, because that risks confusing (and alienating) your reader, but throwing in some subject-specific words here and there adds credibility and dimensionality to your essay.

OPTIONAL ESSAY PROMPTS

It’s fine to treat these as truly optional—don’t try to force anything if it feels like you’re stretching things.

That said, if there are either any non-COVID challenges you’ve faced in your academic career, or a drop in grades not explained elsewhere, it can be useful to offer some context and detail.

If you do so, a few pointers:

Be direct. You can treat these prompts as largely informational. These are the school’s way to gain more information and understanding about your experiences and how you’ve dealt with and been affected by any challenges and obstacles. So while you can play with things like a fancy hook if you really want to,  you’re totally fine being simple and straightforward with how you write these. To that end…

Simple structure is great here. You can use a basic narrative approach and roughly split these into thirds, focused on the challenge + effects, what you did about it, and what you learned. That’s especially useful for the second option—you aren’t offering excuses, but instead are providing straightforward context for what occurred. As such, the what you did and what you learned parts are generally more important.

Want advice on dozens of other supplemental essays? Click here

Special thanks to Julia for contributing to this post.

Julia published her first “book” on the elusive Pika in elementary school and has been writing fervently ever since. She’s thrilled to unite her quirky love of grammar and master’s in psychology to help students tell their most meaningful stories. Her favorite punctuation mark is the apostrophe because, in the words of Imagine Dragons, it’s “a symbol to remind you that there’s more to see.”

Top values: Collaboration | Family | Productivity

Apply Like a Pro to Illinois: Examples of Major-Specific College Application Questions

If you’ve made it here, chances are you’ve reached one of the more daunting parts of college applications: the written questions.

There are two ways you can apply to Illinois: the Common App and Illinois’s own application, myIllini. In this blog, we’ll instead focus on something they both have in common: the major-specific questions .

As part of your application, you’ll have to respond to two to three major-specific prompts about why you picked your intended major(s) , each with a word limit of 150. Sound difficult? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Disclaimer: Does something seem funny about the “majors” we’ve chosen to write about? Listening to Music is a great hobby, and while you may learn about DNA Analysis in some of your classes, the majors we’ve written about are imaginary! We did this so we could show you how to best structure your responses and have a little bit of fun. Okay, okay, fun might be somewhat of a subjective term in this case. Hey, at least we’re trying.

Prompt 1: 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.

Example 1: Music Listening Major

I played the triangle for four years in my high school band, and through that was exposed to genres of music I would’ve otherwise never heard. Playing the triangle was fulfilling, but I wanted to create a space specifically for listening to music. During my sophomore year, I formed a club for music listeners called “Hear There Everywhere” and have served as the president ever since. As president, I organized meetings, held outreach events to engage new members, and implemented a Playlist Friday program, where teachers play personalized playlists created by the club on Friday afternoons. I’ve always had a passion for listening to music and “Hear There Everywhere” has given me a platform to share the benefits with others. From my experiences in high school, I know the Music Listening major at Illinois is the perfect fit for me.

Example 2: DNA Analysis Major

My high school biology teacher taught me the importance of curiosity, creativity, and integrity in scientific endeavors. She inspired me to continue taking science classes throughout high school to learn as much as I could. By the start of senior year, I knew I wanted to work in a science field, but it was a trip to a forensics lab last summer that helped me decide I want to specialize in DNA Analysis. On the trip, the first place we visited was the DNA lab, where I was able to speak to the lab technician about different techniques for analyzing DNA samples. He showed me the equipment and explained how proper analysis is vital in crime investigations. After witnessing biology used in this manner, I am certain I want to pursue a career in forensics, starting with studying DNA Analysis at Illinois.

Prompt 2: Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from Illinois and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.

Listening to music has been a passion of mine since I was very young, and I want to share that passion with others. Through the Music Listening major, I hope to build a foundation of knowledge that will support me as I pursue a career as a professional music listener. As a professional listener, I want to become a strong voice within the field that not only pushes the boundaries of what types of music are listened to, but also advocates for the inclusion of listening as an important part of the music industry. Listening is a severely underrepresented piece of the music community, and my main career goal is to bring more recognition to music listeners everywhere. Not many Music Listening programs exist, so by taking part in this major I hope to establish my voice in the movement of change sweeping the music industry.

DNA Analysis is one of the most important branches of forensics science. By choosing this major, I will learn hands-on skills that will help me find a job in a DNA lab. My ultimate career goal is to use the power of biology to help other people, and I want to do that by engaging in research and analysis to improve DNA handling in crime investigations. With this major, not only will I learn the physical techniques being used, I will also gain knowledge of the ethics behind DNA analysis and storage. Learning about the moral debate occurring in the field from professors engaging in everyday research will make me a well-rounded scientist. I want to make forensics a more equitable field, and I believe the combination of hard science and ethics taught through the DNA Analysis major will help me accomplish this goal.

See, that wasn’t so bad! We hope these major-specific college application questions seem a little bit clearer now, and you have a better idea of what to write when you sit down to craft your own responses.

Overall, the key to effective major-specific college application questions is to be clear, be concise, and to always be yourself. Happy writing!

Illinois Admissions

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58 comments

Haha I can’t say I wouldn’t have at least considered ‘Music Listening’ as my major if it wasn’t an imaginary one.

Thanks for the tips and examples. It helped write the first few words of my essay…which is always the most difficult part.

Us too! You’re very welcome, and we’re glad our examples helped. Hope you have a great year, Ashvin!

I think you have a typo lol “My ultimate career goal is to us the power of biology to help other people,” I’m pretty sure “us” should be “use”

I still think this was very helpful though. 🙂

Oops! Great catch, Violet, and thanks for letting us know so we could fix it. We’re glad the information was helpful to you, typo notwithstanding!

Extremely helpful blog, especially provoking more thought into the ‘why’ and ‘so what’ aspects of choosing a particular area of study….thanks for posting these examples.

Thanks, Jahnavi; we’re so glad you found it helpful!

the guides were pretty helpful. Hope to be in UIUC next year 🙂

We’re glad that you found the info helpful, Syed, and we’re excited that you’re interested in UIUC! If you have any questions throughout the application process, don’t hesitate to contact us .

Those examples quite help me a lot. These days, I have been unable to get a handle on the essays of majors when applying for the ea of uiuc. After reading these examples, I feel I have found the inspiration. Thank you very much!

This was helpful! But for me personally, there wasn’t a singular event that led me to choose my major but rather multiple experiences over a long period of time. Is it acceptable to write about multiple experiences instead of just one?

Really appreciate the samples as they provide us with some foundation and expectation as to what information we should include within the short word limit!

That music listening major is reaaaaaaly inspiring, and DNA analysis one is helpful too, lol. Thanks a lot, I was surprised when I saw this, you college instruct us to answer!

We’re glad they helped, Kylin! Any questions as you work on your application, don’t hesitate to reach out .

Hi Allison! No, we don’t want a list of things that led to your interest in the major. Even if you’ve had multiple experiences over a long period of time, we’re looking for a more in-depth, detailed description of one of those experiences that helped draw you to that area of study. We hope this helps! Any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office .

Thanks Eshwar, we’re glad they help! And if you have any questions as you work on your application, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office .

We’re glad you found the examples helpful, Haoyu, thank you!

HI! Your examples are cool! I just wonder whether two questions shall better be related or not?

Thanks for the examples! I have a question: are you looking for experiences that explain why we decided to choose the area of study and major we chose, or is it more towards an experience that demonstrates the steps we’ve taken in our area of study? Both?

Hi Jeremy, and thanks for reaching out! Your major-specific responses help us understand why you’ve chosen that specific major and also allow us to ensure that the major will be a good foundation to achieving your goals after graduation. We hope this helps! If you have additional questions as you work, don’t hesitate to contact us directly .

Thanks, Haoyu! Your major-specific responses help us understand why you’ve chosen that specific major and also allow us to ensure that the major will be a good foundation to achieving your goals after graduation. We hope this helps! If you have more questions as you work, don’t hesitate to contact us directly .

Great examples!! I finally have an idea of what information to add in such a limited space 🙂

Thank you for the tips and examples.

Thanks, Prithvi! We’re so glad you found them helpful.

Hello, thanks for your nice and clear answers. I am using Common App (not myIllini) and I have 2 questions(I am EA applicant). The prompts #1 and #2 above are not in the Commpn App, and I see there are 2 other questions as shown below instead.

So my questions are: (1) to where and by when do we have to submit the essays for the 2 prompts above? (2) The following 2 questions look like optional but I want to write an essay for #1. I do not think I am relevant to #2 though (I have a good GPA and no drop record) so I am wondering if it is ok to enter briefly like: Not Available (for the #2 below)

2 UIUC Questions on Common App:

#1. Academic Challenges Explain any challenges (outside of COVID-related) you have faced throughout your academic career, including the dates or timeline below.

#2. If you have a low grade or a drop in grades that you have not already explained, do so below.

Thanks for reaching out, Tom! The academic challenges questions are optional. Once you click “Continue” on that page of the application, you’ll move to the academics section, where you’ll select your intended major and possible second choice. After that section, the two major-specific writing prompts will display for you to write your response. We hope this helps! If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us directly .

Thank you so much for writing this blog. I was stuck on where to begin but these example essays made it very clear how to craft my essays and show my goals.

Hope I can be there at UIUC next year:)

Thank you for this information. I hope I get into UIUC next year!!

Thank you so much for this information! I feel a lot more prepared for writing my supplemental after this!

Thanks for the essay examples, it was extremely helpful. Looking forward to finishing my application 🙂

These examples are super helpful! Thank you so much.

I noticed that both of the academic challenge and grade drop explanation questions are optional. I don’t have a lot to fill out because I already used the Common App additional info sections for that.

If I leave these blank or shallow for UIUC, will it impact my application and admissions consideration at all? Or, is it truly just an area to express extra info if necessary?

Hi Ethan, yes, in not fully answering the major-specific questions, it could negatively impact your consideration. You’re welcome to use the same or similar information that you included in your Common App essay or additional information sections. We hope this helps. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us directly .

Thanks for the example!

I think you have a couple of typos in your examples.

“share the benefits with other” I think it should be “others” instead.

“my main career goal is to bring more recognition to musics listeners” I think it should be “music” instead.

Indeed we did, so we’ve made some edits. Thank you for catching them, Pranav!

Thank you so much for the great examples! It really helps provide me with a solid start and understanding of how to approach essays! Much less daunting than expected!

This is really helpful .Thank you!

Thanks so much, Advaith; we’re glad the examples helped!

Thanks, Aayush; we’re so glad you found the examples helpful!

Thank you for these examples! My mind was scrambled while thinking of what to write!

I wanted to say that this blog and the comments are both very helpful. I was going to contact the admissions office regarding these questions (like how specific the responses they need to be, how many things we could talk about, etc.), but this blog cleared most of my doubts. Thank you for posting these examples!!

This was a very great helpful blog. I am a senior in high school and just submitting my apps and this gave me an idea of how to do the essays for UIUC Thanks so much.

Thank you! I have an idea of what it should sound like now. What would you suggest if I’ve already covered the information a question asks for in the personal statement?

Thank you so much for this guide, it made the writing process significantly easier!

Is the second prompt more of a “Why UIUC” prompt? As in, do we write details about why we want to attend UIUC or details about why we want to do CS?

Thanks so much for the examples, super helpful with starting off the supplemental essays!

These are some great examples and they helped me a lot with writing my own which was pretty intimidating at first! Y’all were also funny with the music listening major— I wish!!

HI Arnav! For the second prompt, it’s more about you and less bout UIUC; we’re more interested in what you want to do with a degree in CS. We hope this helps!

Hi Shrujana, we’re glad the examples helped! If you’ve already covered the information a question asks for within your personal statement, some options could be to provide a different experience in your major-specific answer, elaborate more fully in the personal statement, or choose a different question for your personal statement. Whatever makes the most sense to you and will give our admissions counselors the most helpful information!

Hi UIUC Admissions, I am planning on listing “undeclared” on my major because I am interested in a few different areas such as Business and Psychology. Can you provide an example for someone who is not sure what they want to major in?

Thanks for the suggestion, Melissa. Although we won’t be able to do this in time for this year, we’ll see what’s possible for future years!

you the goat fr

Hey UIUC, I am so thankful for this content put out! This got me through my drafting sessions and now I am ready to submit my application. Looking forward to become a fighting Illini next year :))

AHH you do amazing work UIUC admissions blog! Thank you!

Hahahaha. Very creative! I like the example of music learning as a major. This was very helpful and look forward to applying to UIUC🙂👍

Very helpful information thank you

Thanks a lot for this post. I’ve been having a bit of writer’s block to start these responses and this gave me a better idea on how to start!

Thank you! These examples were very helpful in writing my essays. I appreciate this resource a lot.

Hi UIUC Team, thank you for this very helpful blog post. I now have a better idea how to fit my response in 150 words! Do you have anything similar for 2nd choice major? I can’t wait to be at UIUC next year. Thank you.

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How to Write the UIUC Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is known for their diverse and academically rigorous academic programs . Every year, thousands of applicants seek to follow in the footsteps of UIUC alumni, including film critic Roger Ebert, writer Dan Savage, and scientist Temple Grandin. But completing your UIUC supplemental essays is easier said than done. Looking to better understand how to approach the UIUC prompts? Let’s dive in.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s 2024-2025 Prompts

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign asks for applicants to complete two or three essay questions depending on their choice of major (or lack thereof). Below, you can preview the two prompts for students who have selected a major, the two prompts for students entering undeclared, and the one additional prompt for students intending to double major (including with an undeclared second major). Each response should be approximately 150 words.

If You’re Applying to a Major :

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

If You’re Applying to Our Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies:

• What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at Illinois and why.
• What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.

If You’ve Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared ):

• You have selected a second-choice major. Please explain your interest in that major or your overall academic or career goals.

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General Tips

Each of these prompts, no matter your choice of major or lack thereof, asks you to explore your academic interests and how those interests relate to your postgraduate goals. Even if you have a specific major or two in mind, your future career goals might be murky. That’s okay!

According to the National Center for Education Studies, about 30% of students change their major in college at least once. Far more students end up pursuing careers, plural, that they didn’t originally plan on. And according to the World Economic Forum, the jobs of future might look completely different than those we have today. To put it another way, your future career might not have been invented yet. For these reasons, you should feel comfortable keeping an open mind about your employment future and indicating that openness in your essay.

This is mind, you may have difficulty approaching these questions about your major and career. So let’s break it down. What are your academic interests , and, given these interests, what jobs would allow you to pursue those interests further? Determining these two simple pieces of information should help guide your essays.

UIUC Short Essay Questions: If You’re Applying to a Major

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. (150 words or fewer).

This prompts asks you to provide an example of the impact of your academic interests on your life. This example could be a single occasion when you witnessed the power of medicine and resolved to pursue a degree from UIUC’s College of Applied Health Sciences. If you’re a future English major, maybe there’s a book you want to write about that had a particularly significant impact on your perspective. Or perhaps you pursued your interest in social justice through a summer internship that led you to choose Political Science as your major.

Note a few key quantities in the prompt: you need to explain “ an experience in the past 3 to 4 years.” Based on this information, the admissions officers are likely seeking to hear about a singular high school experience that you have had. Don’t feel pressure to describe a life-changing moment. Keep your response specific and concise, and you’ll be golden.

Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words or fewer)

This prompt permits a broad response, encompassing personal and/or career goals. That said, you first need to narrow that response to goals related to your first-choice major. Then, you need to narrow those goals down to just your 1-3 most important goals.

In the event that you haven’t decided on a career path, even though you’ve picked your major, a few Google searches can help guide you in the right direction. What careers relate to your first-choice major? If there are many career paths associated with this major, then you may want to list a few options in your response that are most inviting to you. Regardless of what personal or career goals you choose to explore in this short essay, be specific (even if brief) as to why these are your goals and how your major will help you get closer to these goals.

Additional research into the specific opportunities offered by your first-choice major at UIUC can help you flesh out this essay. Perhaps UIUC’s Experimental Music Studios will set you up for your dream career as a film composer. Or perhaps the research division of UIUC’s Program of Actuarial and Risk Management Sciences particularly interests you. A specific response can effectively demonstrate your deep interest in the learning opportunities available to you at UIUC. Moreover, you will show the admissions officers that you are serious about achieving your goals through your UIUC education.

UIUC Short Essay Questions: If You’re Applying Undeclared

What are your academic interests please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at illinois and why. (150 words or fewer).

Even if you’re applying undeclared, you likely have more than one academic interest. Don’t hold back: interdisciplinary interests that don’t necessarily align with a certain major are totally fine to discuss. In fact, discussing the ways your academic interests overlap or have evolved may help your reader better understand why you are choosing to enter undeclared.

Students entering college undeclared tend to start from one of three places. One, they’re deciding between similar majors. Two, they’re deciding between completely unrelated majors. Three, they have zero clue what majors speak to them. Let’s discuss each of these situations briefly.

In situation one, you can just list those similar majors in this essay and discuss the interests that underpin them. Consider the following questions: Why are these your interests? What skills would you like to gain by studying these topics? What specific programs at UIUC will support these interests?

In situation two, you can list your top two or three majors and (concisely and precisely) explain your interest in them. Consider the same questions posed in the last paragraph. However, keep your responses brief so that you have space to address the very different fields that engage you. Alternatively, you can focus on the interdisciplinary overlaps between your diverse interests.

In situation three, you may want to take the time to do a bit more research and soul-searching for tackling this question. Remember, you don’t have to eventually choose the majors you list in this essay! If you get stuck, look up UIUC’s list of majors and start crossing out all of the majors that don’t interest you. Keep narrowing it down as much as you can! Take comfort that you’re not really closing those doors yet.

What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals. (150 words or fewer)

This prompt asks you to explore your goals for the future. If you look at your upcoming college experience, you may have some specific goals already. For instance, maybe you’re set on taking a computer science course, despite hoping to major in the arts. In this essay, you can explore why that is one of your goals. If you wish, you can move on to describing how that goal could impact your future career.

This question doesn’t require you to connect your career goals to your potential choice(s) of major. Therefore, you could describe an academic goal that isn’t related to your course of studies. Maybe it’s important to you to take philosophy courses to learn more about ethical questions and develop your opinions. Explain the motivation behind your academic goal(s) to the reader in this essay, and you’ll have a compelling narrative.

That said, if you choose to focus on career goals, those goals should be at least somewhat connected to whatever you’re considering majoring in. Otherwise, you risk giving the impression that you have not thought deeply about the purpose of your college education and its impact on your life. The connection does not need to be obvious or direct, though. This is especially true if you’re planning to work in an interdisciplinary, dynamic field. As long as you identify that connection in your essay, you’ll be fine.

UIUC Short Essay Questions: If You’ve Selected a Second Major (Including Undeclared)

You have selected a second-choice major. please explain your interest in that major or your overall academic or career goals. (150 words or fewer).

This extra essay response is applicable to applicants who wish to double-major. This is even if you are undecided about your second major. For instance, you might be certain about your intended degree in the Department of Economics , but you’re hoping to simultaneously pursue your passion for the arts while in college. Knowing exactly which arts degree you’d like to pursue isn’t necessary for selecting the second major option on your application. Regardless, just knowing that you would like to pursue two majors isn’t sufficiently detailed. In most cases, students will need to at least gesture toward their area of interest for the second major.

That said, this essay question gives you space to provide the color about that second major, no matter what it is. How does it fit with your first-choice major? Most importantly, how do those majors work in conjunction to bring you closer to your goals? Showing the admissions officers that you have thought deeply about these questions will give them the confidence that you are academically capable of pursuing a double major. So do your best to bring specificity, clarity, and depth to this essay and show UIUC that you’re ready!

If you need help polishing up your UIUC supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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How to write the university of illinois urbana-champaign essays, updated for 2024-2025.

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.

Explanation:

This prompt is an opportunity to narrativize your academic interests. Consider the ways in which your life experiences have shaped you in and out of the classroom and contributed to your interest in a particular field of study. What influenced or inspired you to pursue your chosen academic subject? Is there a particular experience that ignited your passion or changed your perspective? Admissions officers want to understand how you have meaningfully engaged with your area of interest. If you are in need of inspiration, look at the Common App Activities List to see if any of those listed had a significant impact on your decision to choose this major. You can also mention something not included on the Activities List, such as an interaction or relationship with a teacher, a personal endeavor or conversation you had with your parents, or an interest developed through a camp or special workshop. Think about how your interest started—what was it that prompted your desire to learn more about this specific field? How did you further pursue this subject? Give specific details about your experience learning about the subject and how this experience translates to the UIUC major you have chosen.

Each college has its own specific application “review goals and criteria,” so be sure to review the criteria for your intended major here .

Biology club has been a transformative experience for me. From learning about the life cycles of plants to discussing the complexities of animal communication and exploring the functions of the human body, I’ve gained an expansive knowledge of the interconnectedness and beauty of life. This club also gave me the opportunity to pursue field research, which made me realize dissecting the environment around me was a passion of mine, with a special focus on how it relates to human health. Majoring in Biology at UIUC will advance my understanding of the world around me, with a special focus on the intrinsic connection between the health of the environment and the vitality of human communities, especially within local ecosystems. From the impact of invasive species on agricultural cycles to the influence of global warming on allergies and mosquito populations, I can’t wait to further examine and improve these connections at UIUC.

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

With this prompt, the admissions committee seeks to understand how your UIUC major will help you reach your future goals. If you choose to write about career goals, be explicit about your intended profession and the ways you intend to shape and influence the field in dynamic and creative ways. Be as specific as possible—what job or position are trying to achieve, and in which department, industry, or company? If you don’t know the answer to this question, do not worry! Most high school students don’t. For now, just pick a field or career goal that currently interests you that can be advanced through your intended course of study. It’s also okay if your answer changes in the future (in fact, it probably will!)

UIUC values impact and innovation for all people, so having goals that align with equity, inclusion, community, social change, and helping others is key . Consider the specific resources, faculty mentors, courses, and research opportunities in your intended UIUC major/program that will help you achieve these goals.

Coming from three generations of farmers, agriculture is in my DNA. In an industrialized society, however, surviving as a farmer means adapting to evolving consumer tastes, economic conditions and supply chain dynamics with strategy and focus. By pursuing a Finance in Agri-Business major, I’ll be able to use the education I gain at UIUC to contribute to my family’s business and one day lead it with world-class business acumen, following in my father’s footsteps. Courses like International Trade in Food and Agriculture and Advanced Farm Management offer the expertise I need to holistically understand the business side of agriculture. Furthermore, supplementing my studies with immersive summer internships at reputable companies like John Deere and Farm Credit will give me the hands-on learning I need. All in all, UIUC will give me the multifaceted education for me to take my family’s farming business to the next level.

If you’re applying to an undeclared major in the Division of General Studies:

Prompt 1: What are your academic interests and strengths? Please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at Illinois and why.

Because you’re not applying to a specific major, the admissions officers want to know more about your interest in their academic programs and how your academic skills will enrich their classrooms. Why do you want to study your subject of interest at UIUC specifically? It is important to show admissions officers that you are confident in who you are and—most importantly—confident in your interest in UIUC. You only have 150 words, so use them wisely to focus on 1-2 interests and strengths. You can show these through your activities, experiences, honors, and awards, so look back to your Activities List again for some inspiration. Some exemplary characteristics and skills that admissions officers look for include leadership ability, perseverance, creativity, generosity, determination, motivation, concern, and intellectual curiosity.

You should also include 2-3 UIUC majors you may be interested in—this not only shows the admissions officers you are looking into specific programs at UIUC and may be a future good fit, but also demonstrates that you are actively working towards creating a meaningful career for yourself, even if you are unsure of your specific academic path. Explain how your mentioned interests and strengths will help you excel in the majors you are considering at UIUC.

Since I was young, the stage has been my second home. From Oklahoma! to Wicked and Hamilton, I’ve always been fascinated by the unique worlds teams of creatives were able to create onstage — art imitating life. While most people think of Broadway when acknowledging excellence in musical theater, I can’t help but notice the rich musical theater tradition that already exists in the Midwest, where I call home. By studying either Lyric Theatre, Scenic Design or Sound Design at UIUC, I’ll be able to explore the art of world-building through the sonic and visual dimensions of theater. A top-ranked, diverse and vibrant educational community, UIUC offers a unique array of theater-specific courses that will shape me into a skilled performing arts professional. Furthermore, the study abroad programs, cultural centers and student groups will expand my worldview, giving me the cultural foundation and communal support I need to create with purpose.

Prompt 2: What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.

To answer this question, first clearly state your goals for your academic and professional future—where do you see yourself in five years and what do you hope to accomplish as a student at UIUC in order to arrive at that professional destination? Given that you are not applying to a specific major, work backwards from your ultimate goals to consider what milestones you hope to reach on your way to that goal. Be as specific as possible—these may change over time as you learn and grow, but the admissions committee wants to know what is motivating you as you pursue study at UIUC. Mention specific details about UIUC that will help you achieve those academic or career goals—the research opportunities, the emphasis on innovation or equity, or a specific school or program you find interesting. The admissions officers are looking for students who will positively contribute to the Illinois campus and who will be deeply invested in their course of study. Focus on the impact you want to make and how you’d like to create change and help others.

For as long as I can remember, I have taken action to create a more equitable world, from founding my middle school’s first Environmental Action Club to leading my high school’s Reading Equity Alliance. Taking AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology, AP World History: Modern and AP Human Geography propelled me further on my journey, collectively helping to steer me towards a career aspiration in Environmental Justice. At UIUC, I know I’ll be able to make that aspiration a reality, with a variety of courses and majors to choose from that will educate me on the history and future of equity as it relates to environmentalism, from Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences to Environmental Economics and Policy. Outside of the classroom, joining organizations like EMBRACE, Illinois Solar Decathlon, Impact Investing Club and American Association for Aerosol Research will empower me to increase opportunity, access and outcomes for those in need.

If you’ve selected a second choice major (including undeclared):

Prompt 1: Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

Admissions recommends that prospective students select a second choice major, in case they do not get selected to their first choice. You should approach this answer in a similar way to how you answered the first-choice major question. Be specific about why you’re interested in this major and include experiences—academic, extracurricular, volunteer—that relate to the major or broader field.

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UIUC Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts and Advice

September 5, 2024

The University of Illinois — Urbana Champaign is one of the top public universities in the entire United States. Top-ranked computer science, engineering, and business programs, in particular, attract an endless stream of high-caliber applicants from around the globe. Great grades and test scores will put aspiring members of the Fighting Illini on strong footing. However, you are also required to address 2-3 UIUC supplemental essay prompts.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into UIUC? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Let’s dive right in and begin examining the 2024-25 UIUC supplemental essays. Two important notes:

• You will be addressing 2-3 of these essays, depending on which category you fall into.
• Each response is a max of 150 words.

UIUC Supplemental Essays — If You’re Applying to a Major

1) 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..

UIUC is not necessarily asking you to write about the in-class or extracurricular experience that led to you earning the most prestigious awards or holding the highest position of leadership. The university is going to see all of your accomplishments in the Honors and Activities sections of the Common App. As such, you want to ask yourself two main questions:

1) Which experience best illustrates my passion and commitment to my first choice major?

2) Which experience is closest to my heart and most representative of my unique passions?

Pick the option that will allow you to deliver additional detail that may be memorable to the admissions reader. Start this process by asking yourself, “What is the most interesting and consequential moment that I have experienced in a classroom setting or in my extracurricular activities?” If you can identify one clear-cut moment, that is likely the activity worth sharing with the UIUC admissions staff.

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

This prompt shares some of the same elements of a traditional “Why Us?” essay, but UIUC is particularly interested in hearing about why the curriculum in your desired academic department is attractive to you—not so much about your love for the football team or the beautiful campus. Below are some quick tips for writing an essay that will help your admissions cause:

• Cite specific academic programs , professors ,  research opportunities , internship/externship programs ,  study abroad programs ,  student-run organizations , etc.
• State why your chosen program is the perfect fit for you  and why you are the perfect fit for it.
• Offer insight into your future personal/academic/career goals. It’s okay if you’re not 100% sure what you want to do at age 25 (most teens are not). Feel free to speculate based on your current mindset and interests.

In summary, you’ll want to dedicate time to researching more about your prospective college/department and what makes it truly world-class. The more specific you can get here, the better your UIUC essays will be!

UIUC Supplemental Essays — If You’re Applying to the Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies

1) what are your academic interests please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at illinois and why..

Your strengths will likely be evident from other data points (AP scores, classroom grades, SAT/ACT results, etc.). Therefore we recommend focusing the bulk of your response on your specific academic interests that relate to your major of choice.

Whether it’s a general love for math/science or literature or a specific interest in aerospace engineering or an obsession with 19th-century French novels, use this opportunity to share what makes you tick, the ideas that keep you up at night, and what subject inspires you to dream big. What topic makes you read books and online content until your eyes bleed? Share the manner in which you relentlessly pursue knowledge. Whether it’s falling down a Wikipedia rabbit hole about the nature of time or consuming thousands of hours of podcasts on game theory, this is a chance to illustrate the ways in which you are an obsessive learner with an endless thirst for information. The admissions reader should emerge from reading this essay with the sense that you are a sincerely curious young person with a strong intellectual drive.

Finally, be sure to connect these interests to 2-3 majors at Illinois and support your reasoning with school-specific offerings and resources, like academic departments , courses , research initiatives , etc.

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

Note that this question is a bit different than the one asked of students with a firm first-choice major. We recommend providing a straightforward answer here. If you are Undeclared, you may not have a firm idea of your academic goals, but you can use your current academic interests (the ones explored in the question above) as well as past academic experiences to guide your answer. Similarly, your career intentions may be relatively unformed. Use this space to share academic/career areas that may be of interest. Don’t sweat it if your plans are still in a nascent stage. This is normal for a 17 or 18-year-old, and UIUC will understand.

UIUC Supplemental Essays — If You’ve Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared)

You have selected a second-choice major. please explain your interest in that major or your overall academic or career goals. (150 words).

See answer #1 for those selecting a major. You are essentially repeating this process for a different field. However, you probably don’t want to have two completely unrelated majors/career goals. For example, if your first choice was business and your second choice was economics, it’s easy to explain the relationship. If the fields are more disparate (e.g. Dance & Chemical Engineering), be sure to provide a thorough explanation.

How important are the essays at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign?

UIUC only labels two factors as being “very important” to the admissions process. Those factors are: the rigor of your high school coursework and your GPA. The essays are “important” to the application review. In fact, the essays are rated as being of equal importance to test scores, extracurricular activities, and talent/ability.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your UIUC supplemental essays, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

Looking for additional writing resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

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UIUC Supplemental Essays 2023-24

If you’re interested in attending UIUC, writing effective UIUC essays is an important step toward gaining admission. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), located in eastern Illinois , stands out as one of the premier public universities in the nation. Consequently, UIUC Admissions assesses thousands of applications and UIUC supplemental essays annually to identify strong candidates.

With UIUC’s acceptance rate hovering around 45%, many students are curious about the key to gaining admission. While a strong academic record is important in any application, the UIUC supplemental essays are crucial to your application journey. Your essays offer admissions officials a glimpse into your academic interests and how they align with UIUC offerings. Therefore, your UIUC essays can be the deciding factor in the success of your application.

Our guide to the UIUC supplemental essays will walk you through strategies to use while writing your UIUC essays. We will explore the UIUC application requirements and analyze UIUC essay prompts, including the UIUC why major essay and why UIUC essay. In each section, you’ll find valuable insights to help you craft outstanding UIUC essays. With this guide, you’ll be ready to craft compelling UIUC essays that are certain to impress University of Illinois Admissions.

First, we’ll go over some UIUC Admissions quick facts. Then, we’ll take a look at the prompts for each of the UIUC supplemental essays and how to answer them. If you’re ready to learn all about the UIUC essays, let’s get started!

UIUC Admissions: Quick Facts

University of illinois at urbana-champaign quick facts.

• UIUC Acceptance Rate: 45% – while UIUC’s acceptance rate is higher than other top universities, U.S. News still considers UIUC moderately selective. 
• UIUC Application Platforms: UIUC accepts the Common Application & myIllni Application
• Students will respond to one essay prompt from the list of 2023-2024 Common Application Essay Prompts . Prompts are the same whether you apply through myIllini or the Common App. 
• Students will respond to specific UIUC essay prompts depending on their choice of major. Your UIUC essays may include a UIUC why major essay and why UIUC essay.
• Early Action: November 1st
• Regular Decision: January 5th 

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does University of Illinois Urbana Champaign require an essay?

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) requires applicants to submit UIUC supplemental essays as part of the application process. To start, all applicants must complete one personal statement essay, ranging from 250 to 650 words. This University of Illinois essay allows candidates to showcase their unique perspectives, experiences, and aspirations. The good news is that the UIUC essay prompts for this essay mirror the Common Application essay prompts. So, if you are applying to other schools via the Common App, you don’t need to write a new essay for UIUC. 

In addition to your personal statement, applicants must also submit 2 to 3 additional UIUC supplemental essays. The number of essays you write and the UIUC essay prompts you’ll respond to will depend on your chosen major(s). These major-specific UIUC supplemental essays allow applicants to delve deeper into their academic interests. In these essays, students can demonstrate an understanding of their chosen field of study and how their passions align with UIUC.

Ultimately, UIUC supplemental essays play a crucial role in providing the University of Illinois admissions committee with a comprehensive understanding of each applicant. Supplemental essays are UIUC’s main tool for seeing beyond what is reflected in a student’s academic achievements and standardized test scores. Once we go over the UIUC essay prompts, you’ll see just how important and valuable these essays can be to your application.

In the next sections, we will dive deeper into the major specific prompts. We’ll show you how to respond to these UIUC essay prompts to ensure your UIUC essays strengthen your application.

UIUC Major-Specific Prompts

For those applying to a specific major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), you can expect two major-specific UIUC essay prompts. These UIUC essays can be thought of as a UIUC why major essay and why UIUC essay. Together, these prompts are designed to gain deeper insights into your academic and personal aspirations. 

Major-specific University of Illinois Essay Prompt #1

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. (150 words).

To craft your first UIUC why major essay, you must recount a recent, significant experience related to your first-choice major. Whether it’s an extracurricular activity, a memorable class, or any other relevant context, the connection to your intended major should be clear. Take the opportunity to provide a detailed narrative that showcases your hands-on involvement and its impact on your academic journey.

Major-specific University of Illinois Essay Prompt #2

Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from uiuc and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words).

Your second UIUC why major essay can also be thought of as a why UIUC essay. In your essay, you’ll want to articulate your personal and/or career goals following graduation from UIUC. However, you’ll also need to explain how completing your first-choice major at UIUC aligns with and contributes to these aspirations. This prompt requires thoughtful reflection on your long-term vision, drawing clear connections between your academic pursuits at UIUC and your personal and professional journey. 

Strong college candidates will have clear goals and a track record of commitment to their education. By addressing these UIUC essays with sincerity and depth, you can present a compelling case for your suitability and enthusiasm for your chosen major.

UIUC Undeclared Major Program Essay Prompts

Students applying to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) as an undeclared major can also anticipate two UIUC essay prompts. These UIUC supplemental essays are specifically tailored for students who are still undecided. These UIUC supplemental essays are similar to the major-specific essays in that you’ll still be discussing your academic interests and future goals.

Undeclared Major University of Illinois Essay Prompt #1

What are your academic interests please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at illinois and why. (150 words).

This essay invites you to share varied academic interests, requesting that you include specific majors you are considering at Illinois. Be sure to select specific major programs, rather than more general areas of study, and elaborate on the reasons behind your choices. This University of Illinois essay lets you showcase your curiosity and thought process in exploring potential academic paths. So, even if you’re undecided, you can still show the admissions committee what topics pique your curiosity.

Undeclared Major University of Illinois Essay Prompt #2

What are your future career or academic goals you may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals. (150 words).

For this essay, you must articulate your future aspirations for college and beyond. You are also encouraged to look back on previous experiences and include details about high school courses that have inspired you. This University of Illinois essay prompt allows you to reflect on not just what you want to accomplish but also why . In your essay, aim to create a narrative that demonstrates the alignment between your educational background and future endeavors. 

Even if you aren’t sure what you want to study, that doesn’t mean you can’t wow admissions with your essays. By responding thoughtfully to these UIUC essays, you can present a well-rounded picture of your academic interests and future ambitions. 

UIUC Second-Choice Major Essay Prompt

For those who have chosen a second-choice major, including undeclared, UIUC provides a specific essay prompt to delve into your motivations and aspirations. Although this University of Illinois essay is technically optional, UIUC strongly recommends students select a second-choice major and complete this essay.

Second-Choice Major University of Illinois Essay Prompt

Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals. (150 words).

This University of Illinois essay allows applicants to convey the reasons behind selecting a secondary major or to elucidate their broader academic and professional objectives. In responding to this UIUC essay prompt, consider sharing the factors that fuel your interest in the chosen second major and how it aligns with your overall academic and career trajectory. Whether you have a clear career path or are exploring various academic avenues, use this essay to showcase your thoughtful consideration of your academic journey and your second-choice major’s role in shaping your educational and professional aspirations. Crafting a compelling response to this prompt will strengthen your application by giving the admissions committee valuable insights into your motivations and future plans at UIUC.

How to write UIUC Essays?

You will notice that UIUC essays are uniquely tailored to outline your personal experiences within your interests. This reflects UIUC’s commitment to truly understanding who you are as a student and how your academic environment can contribute to your desired development.

With limited space, your essays need to be focused and concise, and writing them may require a touch of creativity. Approaching the UIUC essays requires careful consideration and authenticity to effectively communicate how UIUC aligns with your academic interests. Therefore, use the following steps to help craft your UIUC supplemental essays:

Self-reflection is Key

Self-reflection is a crucial first step in preparing your UIUC supplemental essays. Take the time to delve into who you are, what matters to you, and why you are an exceptional fit for UIUC. Focus on your individuality and consider what aspects of your personality and experiences have been vital to your growth. This preliminary exploration is pivotal to choosing strong topics for each of the UIUC essay prompts.

Choose the Common App Prompt That Fits You

While the major-specific UIUC essays will depend on your selected major, you do have the opportunity to choose your personal statement prompt. When deciding between the UIUC essay prompts, choose the one that aligns best with your experiences and interests. For instance, if overcoming a challenge has significantly shaped your perspective, consider the UIUC essay prompts related to resilience. Similarly, if you’ve achieved a noteworthy accomplishment, opt for the UIUC essay prompts inviting reflection on success. Your goal when choosing between the UIUC essay prompts is to pick one that effectively showcases your best qualities. (Especially those that make you a valuable addition to UIUC’s academic community.)

Be Creative, Be Different, Stand Out

Given the intimate nature of UIUC supplemental essays, don’t be afraid to be creative! Craft your narrative with innovation, experimenting with storytelling elements such as chronology and story arcs. Use dialogue and imagery to enhance the personal touch of your UIUC essays, providing admissions with a vivid portrayal of your unique qualities. Instead of merely stating preferences, vividly illustrate your interests. For instance, rather than stating a love for reading, you might vividly depict the hours spent engrossed in books.

By adhering to these steps, you will undoubtedly capture the attention of the admissions team. Remember, there is no singular formula for writing UIUC essays. Infuse your personality and distinctive experiences into your UIUC supplemental essays (and answer the prompts!) and you’ll be on the right track. Beyond these guidelines, you can find more detailed writing advice in this article on “ How to Write Better Essays .” 

Does UIUC care about essays?

Yes, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) certainly cares about your UIUC supplemental essays. UIUC takes pride in its thorough admissions process . While academic excellence is essential, UIUC recognizes that true potential encompasses more than just grades. This holistic approach is exemplified by the significance attributed to things like your background, interests, and previous accomplishments and challenges. These things are hard to tell from numbers alone, which is what makes your UIUC supplemental essays so important.

The emphasis on UIUC supplemental essays reflects the university’s strategic decision to identify individuals who resonate with its values of academic excellence, innovation, and a commitment to societal impact. The UIUC essays offer applicants a platform to share their personal stories, experiences, and aspirations, enabling the admissions committee to better understand each candidate’s unique qualities and perspectives.

Therefore, crafting impactful UIUC supplemental essays is one of the most important steps in the application process. UIUC essays are not just a showcase of writing skills but a window into your character, revealing your commitment to contributing to UIUC’s academic and innovative community.

What is the UIUC known for?

UIUC is renowned for its exceptional academic programs, cutting-edge research initiatives, and a vibrant campus community. UIUC consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States and is recognized for its outstanding engineering, computer science, and business programs. So, let’s dive deeper into some of UIUC’s best qualities:

Top-Tier Engineering Programs

UIUC is consistently recognized for its outstanding engineering programs, particularly electrical engineering and computer science. (U.S. News has UIUC ranking #5 in Best Undergraduate Engineering and Computer Science Programs). The Grainger College of Engineering has a distinguished reputation for producing graduates who excel in the technological and industrial sectors.

Cutting-Edge Research Facilities

UIUC is a research -intensive institution with state-of-the-art facilities. For example, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology is a hub for interdisciplinary research, fostering collaborations among scientists, engineers, and scholars to address complex global challenges.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The university strongly commits to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The Research Park at UIUC provides a supportive ecosystem for startups and industry partnerships, allowing students and researchers to translate their ideas into real-world applications.

Academic Excellence in Business

UIUC’s Gies College of Business consistently ranks among the best in the nation. (U.S. News’ UIUC ranking highlights Gies as one of the Top 10 public undergraduate business programs in the country.) The Gies College of Business offers cutting-edge programs, including the highly regarded MBA. It is known for its emphasis on experiential learning and preparing students for leadership roles in the business world.

Diverse and Inclusive Campus

UIUC takes pride in its diverse and inclusive campus community. With students from around the globe and a wide range of cultural organizations within its 800 clubs and student organizations , the university provides a dynamic environment that encourages cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

It’s no secret that UIUC is a top-tier institution. Known for academic excellence, research impact, and diversity, UIUC prepares its graduates for success in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

More supplemental essay resources from CollegeAdvisor

As you begin crafting your application for UIUC, consider exploring additional resources from CollegeAdvisor to enhance your preparation. These valuable tools are designed to provide expert guidance throughout the application process, ensuring you present your strongest and most authentic version of yourself. CollegeAdvisor’s resources go beyond the conventional and offer tailored advice for navigating specific aspects of the application journey.

Here are a few resources to check out before you start your application to UIUC:

• How to Get into UIUC Guide : This guide is a treasure trove of information, offering a detailed roadmap for securing admission to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It provides strategic insights into UIUC’s admissions process, tips for writing compelling UIUC essays, and advice on showcasing your unique qualities to stand out in the competitive applicant pool.
• College Essay Topics : Crafting impactful essays is a crucial aspect of the application process. This College Essay Topics resource assists you in exploring creative and meaningful ideas for your essays. It provides inspiration and guidance to help you tell your story in a way that resonates with admissions committees.
• How to Start a Personal Statement : Your very first sentence will set the tone for your entire essay. This resource offers practical tips on how to start a personal statement effectively, helping you capture the reader’s attention from the outset. Learn how to craft a compelling opening that reflects your voice and establishes a strong foundation for your narrative.

Exploring these resources will undoubtedly enhance your understanding of the application process. That way, you can feel empowered to create compelling materials, increasing your chances of success at UIUC and other esteemed universities.

UIUC Supplemental Essays – Final Thoughts

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ( UIUC ) presents a unique and dynamic opportunity for prospective students. With UIUC ranking #30 in the nation by Forbes, UIUC stands as one of the nation’s premier public universities in the Midwest . UIUC’s rigorous admissions process underscores its commitment to identifying candidates who both excel academically and align with its values.

The UIUC application process goes beyond standardized test scores, reflecting the university’s commitment to understanding the values and aspirations of each applicant. As such, the UIUC supplemental essays are incredibly important. UIUC essays require self-reflection, creativity, and a genuine connection to UIUC’s academic environment.

Before you go, here are some final takeaways from our guide to the UIUC supplemental essays. 

Navigating the UIUC essay prompts

• The major-specific UIUC essay prompts offer applicants a chance to showcase hands-on involvement and articulate how their chosen major aligns with their personal and career goals.
• Undeclared major applicants can express their academic interests and future aspirations through the tailored UIUC essay prompts, providing a glimpse into their exploration of potential academic paths.
• The UIUC second-choice major essay prompts allow applicants to delve into the motivations behind their secondary major or articulate broader academic and professional objectives, adding depth to their application.

Tips for writing your UIUC essays

• Resources from CollegeAdvisor, such as the “How to Get into UIUC Guide,” “College Essay Topics,” and “How to Start a Personal Statement,” provide strategic insights and practical tips to enhance your application journey, especially your UIUC essays.
• UIUC supplemental essays are essential for conveying your unique qualities and commitment to UIUC’s academic and innovative community. Approach the UIUC essays with authenticity, creativity, and a genuine connection to the university’s values, ensuring your application stands out in the competitive University of Illinois admissions process.

With these strategies, you can create UIUC essays that meet the requirements, stand out, and make a lasting impression on the UIUC admissions committee. We wish you the best of luck with your application and writing your UIUC supplemental essays. And good luck on your application journey!

This article was written by senior advisor, Ashley Hollins . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Blog > Essay Advice , State School , Supplementals > How to Write the UIUC Supplemental Essays

How to Write the UIUC Supplemental Essays

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Alex McNeil, MA Admissions Consultant

Key Takeaway

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has two supplemental pathways and an add-on, all depending on the major(s) you select. If you’re applying to a specific major, you’ll answer the first set of questions. If you’re applying to the undeclared program, then you’ll answer the second set. Finally, if you’ve chosen a second-choice major, you’ll have a third question to answer, too.

You’ll have 150 words maximum to answer each question.

Let’s get into the prompts.

Set #1: If You're Applying to a Major

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..

With this prompt, UIUC admissions officers want to know more about why you’re interested in pursuing the academic pathway you’ve selected.

There are a few details in this prompt to note:

You need to explain the experience in detail.

The experience should be within the last 3-4 years.

Your experience should relate to your first-choice major and can be from any part of your life.

Your experience doesn’t necessarily have to have been life-changing, but it should be personally meaningful. Avoid choosing a surface-level example (”I loved our cell unit in biology class, so I want to study molecular and cellular biology.”) and instead draw upon an authentic, even vulnerable experience (”The night after we learned about cell structure in AP biology, I had a dream that I was a ribosome. Since then, every food I’ve eaten, every animal I’ve encountered, I picture as a cluster of cells.”).

Your experience might be lighthearted or humorous, serious or poignant. Use whatever tone fits best. No matter your topic, your goal should be to show strong academic fit with UIUC and with the major you’re applying to.

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

In this take on a why major essay, you’ve got two tasks: to describe your career goals and to explain how your first-choice major will help you reach them.

Your essay should balance a genuine description of your career goals with a strategic alignment between you and your chosen UIUC major. When explaining your career goals, be clear and specific.

Sometimes the students we work with stress out about these kinds of questions because they aren’t 100% sure what they want to do in the future. I’ll let you in on a little secret: no one is going to check back in with you in ten years to make sure you followed the path you laid out in your college essay.

That isn’t to say that you should make up a goal you think admissions officers want to see. But it is to say that you shouldn’t be afraid to write about the path you’re most interested in now, even if you aren’t completely certain. You are choosing a major based on it, after all!

Set #2: If You're Applying to the Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies

What are your academic interests and strengths you may also include any majors you are considering..

If you’re undecided about your major, then UIUC admissions officers still want to see that you have clear interests and a sense of where you want to go. You want to avoid coming across as wishy-washy or completely undecided, so try to hone in on a couple of your most salient academic interests and potential majors. Feel free to show your broad curiosity and academic flexibility while also signaling that you’re heading in a particular direction.

You may know from our college essay writing guide that we believe all college essays should be rooted in your core strengths, so this prompt is a great opportunity for you to make a case for your academic strengths. Keep it positive and focused. In other words, don’t say, “I’m bad at math but love reading!” Instead, draw attention to the specifics: “I love to analyze art, literature, and the world around me. I’ve analyzed ten Shakespeare plays line by line—my shelves are filled with annotated copies from the literary greats.”

By the end of your essay, your admissions officer should be able to identify what your academic interests and strengths are, and they should be able to envision you finding your path at UIUC.

What are your future academic or career goals?

Just like applicants who do have a major selected, you don’t need to have your entire life path figured out before you answer this question. But you should have some sense of what you want to do in the future. Again, try to stay clear and focused.

If you discussed multiple academic interests in the previous essay, elaborate on how you see them playing out in your academic future or career. If you’re torn between studying business and English, for example, you might write about how both of those interests lend themselves well to a career in marketing or copywriting.

If you simply don’t know what you want to do, make an educated guess about what you can envision yourself doing. Or lay out a couple of your top options. Admissions officers want to see that you’re thinking ahead, aspiring, and planning, so let them in on your academic and career hopes and dreams, even if you aren’t 100% sure what they’ll look like yet.

Bonus: If You've Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared)

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

This question should be pretty straightforward. There’s a reason why you’ve chosen your second major—what is it? You’ll notice that this question is a condensed version of the first two. It’s your chance to say, “Hey, this major is a good fit for me, too.” You’ll have to be more brief with your explanation, but it should be just as clear and specific as your first set of answers.

Key Takeaways

Now you’re ready to write your UIUC supplemental essays! If you want a little more guidance before you jump in, check out our guide to supplemental essays .

And before you get started on your essays, don’t forget to think about your application narrative . Creating a cohesive application is one of the most important things you can do to set yourself up for success, no matter where you’re applying.

Liked that? Try this next.

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4 Tips for Writing a Great UIUC Essay

College Info , College Essays

Thinking of attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign? Then you've come to the right place. For this highly-ranked public school, you'll need to submit a personal statement with your application. But what should you include in your UIUC essay to make you stand out?

Read on to learn what the current UIUC essay prompt is and how to write a great UIUC essay. We also show you a real UIUC essay example to give you an idea of what a great statement looks like.

Feature Image: Adam Jones /Flickr

What Is the UIUC Essay?

All applicants must answer two to three UIUC prompts and one Common Application prompt as part of their application for admission.

Your UIUC prompt will change based on whether you 1) are applying to a major, 2) are applying to UIUC's Undeclared Program, or 3) have selected a second-choice major (including Undeclared). Each response should be about 150 words. 

Here are this year's UIUC prompts:

If you're applying to a major:

• 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.

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

If you're applying to UIUC's Undeclared Program:

• What are your academic interests and strengths? You may also include any majors you are considering.
• What are your future academic or career goals?

If you've selected a second-choice major (including Undeclared): 

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

Students are also required to select one Common application essay prompt from a range of choices and write a response. 

You can view the full list of Coalition application essay prompts here and all of the Common Application essay prompts here. 

How to Write the UIUC Essay: Topics and Tips

The University of Illinois essay is an important part of your application since it's the only personal essay you'll write for the school. This makes it the only area on the UIUC application in which you can show off your personality, academic passion, and storytelling skills.

The overall point of this statement is for UIUC to learn more about you as a person and what qualities you'll bring to the school if you enroll.

In addition, UIUC has a YouTube series on admissions counseling that includes some useful videos with tips on how you can write an effective UIUC essay:

Now that you have a general sense of what UIUC will be looking for in your application essay, let’s break down each UIUC application essay prompt one by one. 

Myllini Major-Specific Prompt #1

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.

Here's your chance to show your passion for your first-choice major! You have a lot of leeway here: maybe you took a class that lit a fire inside you, maybe you joined a club related to the subject, or maybe you participated in a related activity. Be careful, though. You only have 150 words, and UIUC is asking for an experience related to your major, not why you selected it in the first place. This is a time for you to show that you're already taking steps toward engaging with your chosen major!

Choose a story that is meaningful to you, and remember to be as detailed as you can within the constraints. Show the UIUC admissions counselors that you care about your chosen major, and you're already engaging with it.

Myllini Major-Specific Prompt #2

Unlike the first essay, which asks you about your past experience, this is where you get to dream big and show UIUC what you want to do with your degree. Remember to write this as if you've already been accepted to UIUC—they want to know how you'll represent them in the world! You only have 150 words, but you can do a lot in that space. If, for example, you want to be an aerospace engineer, you should check out UIUC's Aerospace Engineering website and connect their specific courses, professors, and extracurriculars to your post-degree goals. Maybe you want to work for NASA, and the UIUC robotics team will aid you in successfully applying. Be as specific as you can! And show UIUC that they are the best school for you to achieve your goals.

Myllini Undeclared Prompt #1

What are your academic interests and strengths? You may also include any majors you are considering. Much like the Major-Specific Prompt #1, this prompt asks you to share what you're passionate about, and where you excel academically. Be specific! Rather than saying "I've always been good at English and I like it," go into detail: perhaps you won an essay contest, or your op-ed was featured in the school paper. Maybe writing poetry is the best way you can connect your outer and inner worlds. If you have a few majors in mind, definitely mention them here! It's always good to show that you have a specific plan for your college career , even if you're not 100% sure what you want to major in yet. 

Myllini Undeclared Prompt #2

What are your future academic or career goals? This question mirrors Major-Specific Prompt #2, and asks you to talk about your ideal future. Maybe you know you want to get a graduate degree in sociology, or you're certain that you want to spend a few years with the Peace Corps before working with the U.S. Department of State. The key here is to remember that undeclared doesn't mean unplanned. Many students have specific career goals, but they see multiple paths to achieve them. This is your chance to show the future self you want to be, and how UIUC will get you to your goal.

Myllini Second-Choice Major Prompt #1

Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals. You'll only need to answer this question if you've applied to a second-choice major! This prompt should look pretty familiar: you can choose to answer either the Major-Specific Prompt #1 or the Major-Specific Prompt #2. The trick here is to show that your second-choice major is deliberate and useful for your future goals. You're not just picking a second-choice major because you really, really want to get into UIUC in any way, shape, or form. If you have a secondary interest that's almost as strong as your first-choice major, consider answering the first prompt. If you have a very strong career goal that multiple majors could feed into, consider answering the second.

Whichever choice you make, remember to clearly state why UIUC is the best schoo l for your major or career path!

A Real UIUC Essay Example + Analysis

To help give you a better idea of what your own UIUC essay could look like, here is one real UIUC essay example we found online, written by an admitted student.

Keep in mind that this essay was written for an old prompt that's no longer on the MyIllini application. However, this essay is still a great example of how college counselors want to see students talk about their interests and passions. 

Here is the prompt:

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? (250 to 650 words)

And here is the essay:

The chicken, or the egg? The hours I’ve spent pondering this question are countless. People frequently debate the seemingly simple idea of which came first. To me, it is more than just a question, but an example of how human beings think. The question of “Which came first?” captivates me because it is a question without an answer. It has been asked for centuries and no progress has been made, but it still continues to be brought up. I think this is because humans prefer clear-cut answers. Like in any kind of competition, ending with a tie between teams or individuals isn’t a satisfying conclusion. People would rather the competition continue for extra time than admit there’s no real winner, or in this case, no real answer. So even though it’s obvious there will be no agreement, the debate over chickens and eggs continues. When people label something a “chicken-egg” situation, it means there is no way to establish the order of cause and effect, again leaving a feeling of uncertainty. But human nature is to seek an answer. The chicken-egg question shows humanity’s inability to accept unfinished business, and this fascinates me most. People want closure in all aspects of life, and big questions like this are no exception. I think the question “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” is so interesting because people will always try to answer it knowing they will never find a solution. It shows that humans desire understanding above all else. When I want to learn more about this concept, I turn to my grandfather. He doesn’t have a degree in philosophy or psychology, yet he’s a reliable source on almost any subject given his extensive years spent at the University of Life. With so many experiences under his belt, he understands unanswerable questions much better than I do. “The only truth is uncertainty,” he tells me when I once again dive deep into the possibility of eggs without chickens or chickens without eggs. In his words, the most beautiful parts of life are the questions we can’t answer but spend out whole life trying to. My own desire for answers keeps me thinking about this question for hours on end. I think there’s good points to grandpa’s perspective, but as an eighteen-year-old entering college, I don’t know if I can accept that the only answer is no answer just yet. Until I can, I’ll gather my own evidence and continue to spend my days wondering whether Aristotle was eating chicken and waffles or omelettes for breakfast.

What Makes This UIUC Essay Work?

• It’s got a great hook. The applicant starts the essay with a familiar philosophical question: “The chicken, or the egg?”. This pulls the admissions committee into the essay by making them ponder the question too. The applicant then analyzes the question and provides their own unique interpretation of what it’s really getting at. As the applicant says at the end of the first paragraph, “To me, it’s more than just a question, but an example of how human beings think.” By stating their unique take on the chicken vs egg dilemma, the applicant shows the admissions committee that they can interpret complex ideas and analyze tough questions. These are qualities that UIUC wants their incoming class of students to have!
• It’s clear, focused, and easy to follow: A topic like this one could easily go off the rails, but the applicant keeps the essay focused by responding to exactly what the prompt is asking in the correct order. The first paragraph states the idea that the applicant finds engaging. The next two paragraphs explain why the applicant finds this idea “captivating” and connects their engagement with the idea to deeper meanings about human nature, which also demonstrates why this topic causes the applicant to “lose all track of time.” The fourth paragraph states who the applicant turns to when they want to learn more about this question, and explains what they have gained from exploring this question with their grandpa. The applicant wraps up the essay with a conclusion that describes how their approach to the chicken vs egg question relates to the kind of student they will be at UIUC. The clear structure, clean prose, and adept analysis all make this essay easy to understand and exciting to read

How Could This UIUC Essay Be Even Better?

• It could be more specific about why the idea is captivating: Although this UIUC essay is well written and tightly focused, it isn't super specific about why the applicant personally relates to the question about the chicken and the egg. The applicant does a great job explaining what they feel this debate reveals about human nature, but doesn’t say much about why that debate is meaningful to them.
• It could have a stronger conclusion : Although the applicant makes a great attempt at tying their essay response into why they will be a great fit for UIUC, the conclusion could do a bit more to show how this is the case. Reframing the last paragraph so it explains how the applicant’s approach to uncertainty makes them the perfect UIUC candidate could make this essay even stronger.

3 Essential Tips for Writing a Great UIUC Essay

To wrap up, here are four essential tips to keep in mind as you write your U of I application essay.

#1: Don't Just List Your Accomplishments

At first glance, some of the UIUC essay prompts may seem like an invitation to list all of your amazing accomplishments. But none of these prompts actually want you to do that! Instead, you need to use expertly crafted stories to convey everything you have to offer as an applicant to UIUC.

The point of the UIUC essay is to give the admissions committee more detailed and personal commentary on why you've chosen their school and why you would be a great addition to their student community. Leave the list of accomplishments for your resume. Telling a genuine story is the best way to show how your life experiences have shaped you into the perfect candidate for admission to UIUC.

#2: Highlight Your Passion

While the essay prompts all have a different focus, the main goal of each one is to draw out what you’re passionate about and why. With each prompt, what you're really trying to do is demonstrate your passion to the UIUC admissions committee.

In other words, what motivates you to learn? What drives you more than anything else? And why are you so enthusiastic about bringing your ideas, experiences, and character to UIUC?

By highlighting your passions and interests, you're also showing the UIUC admissions committee who you are and what's important to you, both academically and more broadly.

To really make your passion stand out in your University of Illinois essay, take the following steps:

• Be as specific as possible —give us real names and use visceral descriptions to make us feel as though we're there experiencing and feeling everything with you
• Be honest —the admissions committee wants to get to know the real you, and it can only do this if you're writing in an authentic voice that's true to who you are

#3: Polish and Proofread

My final tip is to give yourself plenty of time to polish and proofread your UIUC essay.

In your rough draft, keep an eye out for obvious typos and technical mistakes, such as errors in punctuation, grammar, and spelling. Also, look for any areas that are awkward, incomplete, out of place, or unclear.

Once you've edited your essay on your own, give it to someone else to read, such as a parent, teacher, or tutor. Ask them to make technical corrections as needed and to offer you advice on what you might be able to improve in terms of story, cogency, and overall effectiveness.

What's Next?

Applying to other colleges in the midwest? Check out our expert guides to how to write the UChicago essays , the Notre Dame essays , and the Michigan State essay .

If you're using the Common App to submit your college applications, you'll need to figure out which essay prompt is the best one for you .

Learn more about how to get into the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by visiting our UIUC admission requirements page .

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Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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