Graduate Studies - Prospective Students
Applying to Graduate Studies in Bioengineering
Frequently Asked Questions
GPA REQUIREMENTS:
Q: What is the minimum grade point average considered for admission?
A. Admission to the Bioengineering graduate program is very competitive. Successful applicants will typically have GPAs above 3.5 (on a 4.0 = A scale). The average GPA of admitted students is closer to 3.7. The University’s Graduate College enforces minimum GPAs of 3.0 for M.S. admittees and 3.25 for Ph.D admittees.
Q: What is the minimum grade point average considered for financial aid?
A: The same as for admission.
TESTING REQUIREMENTS:
Q: Are there any tests required?
A: Yes. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), General Test is required of all applicants.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the IELTS is required of all applicants who have attended a school in a country where English is not the primary language. This test must be less than two years old at the time of admission.
Q: What are typical GRE scores needed for admission to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
A: The Admissions committee will be looking for Quantitative GRE scores above the 85th percentile and Verbal and Analytical GRE scores above the 75th percentile. GRE scores should be less than three years old at the time of admission.
Q. What other criteria are used in the admission decision?
A. We look for evidence of outstanding motivation, especially in interdisciplinary studies with a record of successful experimental experience outside the classroom. We also look for close matches between the student’s interests and those of potential faculty advisors.
Q: What is the minimum TOEFL score required to be considered for admission and financial aid?
A: All applicants must submit a TOEFL score of at least 590 (paper-based), 243 (computer-based), or 97 (iBT). Applicants with TOEFL scores below these numbers cannot be considered for admission. TOEFL scores below 610 (paper-based), 253 (computer-based), or 102 (iBT) indicate the need for further English study. This consists of enrollment in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses based on an ESL Placement Test (EPT) taken upon arrival at the University.
The University of Illinois now accepts IELTS scores in place of TOEFL. Applicants with scores below a 6.5 overall or below a 6.0 on any subsection cannot be considered for admission. Students who score below a 7 overall will need ro enroll in ESL courses based on an an ESL Placement Test.
Q: What is TSE and what is the minimum TSE acceptable score?
A: All applicants who are non-native speakers of English and who wish to apply for teaching assistantships are required to achieve a score of 50 or higher on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) prior to the start of their assistantship. The SPEAK test is administered by the Center for Teaching Excellence at no additional fee. The Test of Spoken English (TSE) is administered by the Educational Testing Service the same company that administers the GRE.
Q: If I have an M.S. degree from an institution in the United States , do I still have to take the TOEFL?
A: No, if your most previous degree is from an English speaking university you do not need to take the TOEFL.
Q: How long are TOEFL scores accepted?
A: The TOEFL must be taken within two years of the proposed term of entry; older scores are no longer valid.
Q: Who receives the GRE and TOEFL score reports sent by the Educational Testing Service?
A: GRE and TOEFL scores must be coded 1836-University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and "0000" or "00" for the Department in order to be accepted. The Bioengineering Department staff has access to these scores through the Graduate College .
DEADLINES AND TIMELINES:
Q: What is the deadline in order for an applicant to be considered for admission and financial aid?
A: The application deadline is January 15 for fall admission, but applicants are strongly urged to submit their applications and supporting documents as early as possible.
Q: When are admission decisions made?
A: The Admissions Committee begins reviewing files in January and makes final decisions usually by the end of February.
Q: Is there any advantage to submitting the application early?
A: Yes. The sooner your application is submitted, the more time there is for us to review your application for completeness and notify you of missing documents.
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 financial aid decisions?
A: The Chair of Graduate Admissions calls together a committee of Bioengineering faculty to make all decisions on admissions and financial assistance. Research assistantships are decided by the Bioengineering faculty in charge of their research. Other types of financial aid, including teaching assistantships, are decided by the Graduate Admissions Committee in conjunction with the Head of the Bioengineering Department. Some applicants, once admitted, may be encouraged to apply for prestigious fellowships from external or internal funding sources.
APPLICATION FEE:
Q: Can I receive a waiver of 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.
WHERE TO SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Q: Where do I send the completed application?
A: All application documents should be submitted on-line through the ApplyYourself application system. Almost all of your application supporting material can be submitted on-line. You will need to submit your transcripts in a sealed envelope sent by your undergraduate University.
You may submit supporting documents such as transcripts directly to the department:
Bioengineering Department
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
3120 DCL, MC-278
1304 W. Springfield Ave.
Urbana , IL 61801
STATUS OF APPLICATION FILE:
Q: How will I know whether or not my application file is complete?
A: Applicants will be notified if their application is incomplete
