How to Write the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Essays

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.