Frequently Asked Application Questions
GPA REQUIREMENTS:
Q: What is the minimum grade-point average considered for admission?
A: It is a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale (A=4) for previous bachelor degree and graduate work. However having a GPA higher than the minimum is no guarantee of admission. Also applicants having an MS degree generally must meet a higher standard.Q: What is the minimum grade-point average considered for financial aid?
A: The same as for admission.TESTING REQUIREMENTS:
Q: Are any tests required?
A: Yes. The Graduate Record Examination, General Test is required of all applicants. The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required of all applicants who have attended a school in a country in which English is not the primary language. Non-native English-speaking applicants who wish to be considered for teaching assistantships must also successfully complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE).Q: What is the GRE or TOEFL code for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
A: 1836.Q: What is the GRE code for aerospace engineering?
A: 1601.Q: What is the minimum TOEFL score required to be considered for admission and financial aid?
A: For the paper-based test, the minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 613. For the computer-based test, the minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 257. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL iBT is 103.Q: What is the minimum TSE acceptable score?
A: The minimum TSE acceptable score, in order to be considered for a teaching assistantship, is 50.Q: What are the minimum scores required for the GRE?
A: There are no minimum score requirements for the GRE.Q: If I have an MS degree from an institution in the United States, do I still have to take the TOEFL?
A: Yes. Regardless of the time spent studying in the United States, the Department of Aerospace Engineering requires all students who are from countries in which English is not the first language to take the TOEFL exam. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to aerospace@uiuc.edu.Q:How long are TOEFL scores accepted?
A: A TOEFL must be taken within two years of the proposed term of entry; older scores are no longer valid.
DEADLINES/TIMING:
Q: What is the deadline in order for an applicant to be considered for admission and financial aid?
A: January 15 for Fall admission and October 8 for Spring admission, but applicants are strongly urged to submit their applications and supporting documents by January 1 for admission in Fall and by September 1 for Spring admission. Applications received after these deadlines will be considered, but the possibility of finanical aid is reduced.Q: When are admission decisions made?
A: Decisions are made on a rolling basis. A committee begins reviewing files as soon as possible. For instance, we begin to review application files for the fall semester in early to mid-December.Q: Is there any advantage to submitting the application early?
A: Yes. The sooner your application is submitted and the file is complete, the sooner you will receive a decision. Applicants who submit their documents later may find that all of the financial aid offers in their area of interest have already been obligated.Q: When are decisions on offers of financial aid made?
A: Most financial aid offer decisions are made at the same time as the admission decision. A few are held for later decisions.
Q: Who makes the finanical aid decisions?
A: Research assistantships are decided by the AE faculty in charge of the research. Other types of financial aid, including teaching assistantships, are decided by the Head of the AE Department.
COMPLETING THE FORMS:
Q: I will not be able to provide part of the docmentation (i.e. GRE or TOEFL scores, letters of reference, etc.) needed for my admission file by the deadline. Will my application still be reviewed?
A: Yes. We will put together your admission file and hold it until all the materials have been received. Please email the Coordinator of Academic Programs (aerospace@uiuc.edu) about the delay.
Q: When filling out the reference letter forms, what should I put where it says "Letter to be sent to"?
A: Included with the online application form is a link entitled "Program Address and Code Listing." The website for this information is located at http://www.grad.uiuc.edu/general/allapplicants.html. Just use the information listed for Aerospace Engineering.Q: In completing the reference letter forms, what should I put where it says "Major field of study" and "Field of specialization"?
A. The major field of study would be Aerospace Engineering. The field of specialization would be the area in which you wish to concentrate your studies and research in graduate school, i.e., computational fluid dynamics, multiphase flow, solid mechanics, astrodynamics, etc.
Q: How do I respond to degree sought?
A. If you have a BS, indicate MS. If you have an MS, indicate PhD. If you have a BS but want a PhD, indicate MS but state in your personal statement that you want to go on for a PhD.
Q: What should I emphasize in the personal statement?
A. In one page, discuss your interests and goals and why you should be admitted to Aerospace Engineering.
Q: Does the Aerospace Engineering Deparment have program specific questions which must be answered?
A: No
Q: Do I need to provide the Certification of Finances form if I do not have any funding to report? What if I will provide proof of funding at a later date?
A: Please send the Certification of Finances form regardless of your financial situation. Please note on the form if you have no funding or if you plan to receive funding at a later date.
APPLICATION FEE:
Q: Can I receive a waiver for the application fee?
A: Only the Office of Admissions and Records can waive the application fee. You would need to contact them regarding a fee waiver.Q: Can I submit my application now and pay the application fee later?
A: Yes, you can submit an application without the application fee, but you will not be able to pay by credit card once the application is submitted. Payments by check or money order in US$ will need to be mailed to the Office of Admissions and Records. Applications will not be reviewed until the application fee is paid.WHERE TO SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Q: Where do I send the completed application?
A: Part 1 and Part 2 of the application, the personal statement and the application fee should be submitted online. Letters of reference may also be submitted online. Paper applications and check/money orders should be sent to:
The "Declaration and Certification of Finances" form, and other supporting documents (i.e., transcripts, letters of recommendation not submitted on line, GRE and TOEFL scores, etc.) should be sent directly to the department:
Q: Who receives the GRE and TOEFL score reports sent by the Educational Testing Service?
A: GRE score reports must be coded 1836-University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and 1601-Aerospace Engineering in order to be accepted. TOEFL score reports are sent to the Office of Admissions regardless of the department code.STATUS OF APPLICATION FILE:
Q: How will I know whether or not my application file is complete?
A: Applicants will be notified of their file status (file complete or file missing documents and missing documents identified) as soon as possible after the application has been received. Also, once missing documents have been received, the applicant is notified, generally by email, that their file is complete or has deficiencies. It is not possible to check the status of your application online.VISITING/CONTACTING FACULTY:
Q: Some schools request that applicants contact faculty members to explore the possibilities of obtaining a research assistantship before a decision on admission is made. Should I contact the faculty members to discuss research opportunities?
A: You should generally contact faculty members only after a decision on admission has been reached.
Q: What is the policy regarding visits to the department and campus?
A: Please contact the Coordinator of Academic Programs at aerospace@uiuc.edu if you have questions about visiting the AE Department. Please include the preferred date(s) of your visit and the faculty/research facilities you would like to see.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Q: Can I get an idea about my chances of being admitted and receiving financial aid prior to submitting an application and supporting documents?
A: No. It is not possible for anyone to appraise an applicant's chances for admission and financial aid without a complete application file.