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Graduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions20122013

APPLICANT FAQS

1. I do not have a background in architecture. Can I still apply to the MArch program?

Yes, denitely. The three-year, professional Master of Architecture (MArch) at UIC is open to students from anyacademic background. To qualify for the program, applicants need a Bachelors degree in any subject (completedor in progress) and three prerequisite courses: one in Trigonometry/Calculus and two in Art History or

Architecture History. It is in a students best interest to proceed directly to the MArch if he or she already holdsa baccalaureate degree in any eld, since this degree counts as the rst step in the architectural licensing process.

A list of all professional architecture programs can be found at www.naab.org.

2. What classes will count as prerequisites for the MArch program if I dont have aBachelors degree in Architecture?

While Calculus is preferred for the math requirement, the department may also accept Trigonometry dependingon the institution and course content. Advanced Placement credit for Calculus will be accepted where offered by

an undergraduate institution.

The art history or architecture history course prerequisites can vary somewhat. Essentially, the two coursescombined should cover a visual history from ancient or Renaissance periods up through the present. The secondcourse should emphasize (or at least fully cover) modern and contemporary art and architecture.

3. Where and when do the prerequisites have to be completed?

Unless a student has already completed equivalent college-level courses or is currently enrolled at a college or

university where he or she can take them, a local community college may offer the best options in terms of costand time. Applicants can be enrolled in the courses during the admission process or prior to acceptance, butadmissible courses must be completed before enrollment. It is expected that students will earn a grade of B or

better in the courses used to fulll prerequisite requirements.

4. I have an undergraduate major or some coursework in architecture. Can I transfer

credits into the MArch program?

The MArch program does not accept transfer credits. Three-year MArch students must complete 104 creditsat the School; students with advanced standing must complete 68 credits at the School. However, if a student

has taken a particular course before (usually structures), that student may submit a course syllabus, coursework,and transcript to the professor for waiver consideration. If the student has adequately completed the required

material for the course, the professor will approve the waiver and the student is then required to take anadvanced architecture elective in its place. Course waivers are not possible for studio courses and are unlikely inthe case of theory and technology. Only grades of a B or better will be accepted to waive courses.

5. I already have a Bachelors degree in architecture. Can I get advanced standing into the

MArch program?

Applicants with a four-year, pre-professional degree in architecture may be considered for advanced standing

into the second year of the MArch if they have a background that includes a minimum of six design studios (eightpreferred). Also required is upper-level course work in theory and history equivalent to Arch 531/532, at least

one year of architectural and environmental technology, and one year of structures.

Placement in the MArch program is determined on an individual basis, and an applicants portfolio plays a very


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While some creative design studios or summer architecture design programs might help students developpreliminary work that is useful for inclusion in the portfolio, other drafting or technical projects are not ashelpful. The School would rather see personal creative work such as paintings, collages, freehand drawings,

sketches, photographs, sculpture, etc. Students should not try to overstate a limited architecture experience, butrather look to exhibit their creative design potential through other artistic forms.

The architecture programs at UIC focus on creative, original design and urbanism. The inclusion of your best

personal artwork helps the School to evaluate your potential within the program, while technical or building

work does not always provide that insight. As a designed book, the portfolio indicates an individuals aestheticsensibility and intellectual curiosity. Both in the works themselves and in the inquiry or argument framed throughtheir presentation, applicants should exhibit their potential to develop original design work. While not required,students that wish to further develop their creative work might look to take an art class or attend a summer

architecture program such as the YArch program at UIC.

11. UIC is my rst choice. What can I do to compile a strong application?

The School carefully reviews all of an applicants materials to identify his or her potential contribution andt within the program. Students from any background should carefully research the program based on theinformation and work presented online at www.arch.uic.edu. Applicants should work to gain an in-depth

understanding of how their interests and aesthetics t the strengths and focus of the school, and then clearlyarticulate that t through their application materials. There are many accredited, professional programs available

and the School wants to know why the specic academic approach at UIC is the right match for an applicantsgraduate study.

In addition to getting to know the School, program, faculty, and student work via the website, prospectivestudents are also encouraged to attend the evening lecture series and the spring Portfolio Day and Year End

Show events as well as the prospective student open house in October. It can also be useful (though notrequired) to plan a visit, particularly to review sample portfolios from past applicants and to get a better sense of

the Schools work.

Please note it is recommended that applicants consider and apply for other programs even if UIC is their rstchoice. Admission is competitive and it is useful for applicants to have different programs to compare in makingtheir decision of where to attend graduate school. Applying to several schools allows an applicant to pinpoint his

or her potential t within each.

12. Are there required minimum scores for the GRE?

While there are no required minimum scores for the GRE, for exams taken before August 2011, there is arecommended score of 500 on both the quantitative and verbal sections, with a minimum score of 4.5 onthe analytical writing section and a combined score of 1150 or above. For tests taken after August 2011, the

recommended scores are 153 on both the verbal and quantitative sections with a 4.5 in analytical writing. Thereis no preference for which version is submitted. Scores that meet or exceed these minimum recommendations

will be a positive component of the application, but lower scores will not necessarily discount admission, as theSchool looks carefully at all aspects of a students application in the decision process.

Please note that GRE scores remain valid for ve years from the date of the test. Please allow at least three to

four weeks for the scores to arrive at UIC via institutional code 1851. No department code is required.

13. Is there a minimum undergraduate GPA required for admission?

Yes. Applicants are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 in their last 60 semester hours (or last 90

quarter hours) of undergraduate study in order to be accepted with full standing into the program. Studentswith lower GPAs will still be evaluated, but acceptance will be more difcult and greater emphasis will be givento the strength of their other application materials. Admitted students with a GPA below the required minimum

will have one probationary semester to achieve at least a 3.00/4.00 graduate GPA and gain full standing in theprogram. All graduate students must maintain a minimum 3.00/4.00 GPA in order to keep good academic

standing and remain at UIC.

Graduate Admissions FAQs 20122013


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14. What is the acceptance rate to the program?

Admission to the program is competitive. The UIC School of Architecture receives approximately 350400

graduate applications each year and admits about 40 percent.

15. How do I know if all my application materials have been received?

The applicant is responsible for the receipt of all required application materials as instructed on the website

(http://www.arch.uic.edu/admissions/grad.php). It is advised to send and upload materials well in advance of thedeadline.

After applying, students can log in and view the status of their application materials at http://www.uic.edu/depts/oar/grad/check_status_ grad.html. If all required items have reached the applicants le, the status will say

complete or pending manual review. A missing received date and any status other than Veried- Correctmay indicate that you must upload documents again or follow up with the Ofce of Admissions.

16. Will my portfolio be returned?

Upon completion of the admissions process, the portfolio may be claimed in person or returned by mail if thestudent is denied admission. Applicants who would like the portfolio to be returned via US mail should enclose

a USPS stamped, self-addressed, appropriately-sized mailing container that weighs less than 13 ounces. Do not

send return envelopes from other courier services (FedEx, UPS, etc.). The School will not accept money orchecks to cover postage. We cannot guarantee the return of portfolios.

17. Will my other materials be returned?

No. Per University policy, all documents submitted to UIC become the property of the University. Documents

will not be released to the applicant or forwarded to other institutions or agencies.

18. When will I hear back regarding the decision? How are decisions communicated?

Decisions are released in late February or early March. However, some student applications are retained formultiple reviews, in which case a decision may take longer. Admission notications will be sent out via email and

posted letters from the SoA. These will be followed by ofcial acceptance from the University by mail. Studentswho are denied admission will be notied only by the Ofce of Graduate Admissions by mail. Applicants cancheck their status online at http://www.uic.edu/depts/oar/grad/check_status_grad.html.

19. What is the cost of tuition and fees?

Please see the UIC Ofce of Admission and Records website for current tuition and fees costs.

20. How can I apply for assistantships, tuition waivers, or other scholarships from the

School of Architecture?

Every completed application is automatically considered for all available forms of aid from the School; no

additional paperwork is necessary. Awards are merit-based and highly competitive for incoming students. A

larger percentage of the schools funding supports many of its continuing students based on their academicperformance and their overall contribution to the School. Approximately 10 percent of newly admitted studentsreceive aid in the form of a tuition waiver or scholarship, etc., whereas more than 30 percent of our continuingstudents receive various waivers, scholarships, or assistantships.

There are resources at the University to help students navigate any potential opportunities related to

scholarships and aid, but it is the responsibility of each student to actively explore all funding options. Prospectivestudents are encouraged to supplement their potential graduate funding by searching for external scholarships

(i.e., those beyond what the School or University offers). The Graduate College provides a good resource offunding databases to get you started.



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All eligible applicants and continuing students are strongly advised to le a Free Application for Federal StudentAid (FAFSA) as soon as it becomes available (January 1). The FAFSA should be submitted by UICs prioritydeadline of March 1 for the upcoming academic year. To apply, visit www.uic.edu/depts/nancialaid/apply.shtml.

ADMITTED STUDENT FAQS

1. My letter from the SoA states that I have been recommended for admission and my

application is pending a nal decision from the Graduate College. What does this mean?

Applications are reviewed by the SoA, Ofce of Graduate Admissions, and the Graduate College. The Schoolreviews not only applicants academic performance but also their t and potential within the graduate programand makes an initial admission decision. Our letter states our intention to recommend a student for admission to

the program; however, only the Ofce of Graduate Admissions has the authority to ofcially admit students tothe University by ensuring that the Universitys minimum GPA and test score requirements are met and that all

documents are ofcial. That ofce handles tens of thousands of graduate applicants, so the application review andofcial notication process takes longer. Typically, applicants can expect an ofcial admission letter in the weeks

following the initial departmental letter.

Cases of unapproved recommendations from the Graduate College and Ofce of Graduate Admissions are rare,

as the School has higher requirements for GPA and tests scores than the Universitys minimum requirements.

2. How do I nd out if I have been awarded any funding?

If awarded a scholarship, an award letter will be sent with your admission letter from the SoA. For students whosubmit a FAFSA, the Ofce of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) begins announcing aid in March. After the admissiondecision, FAFSA, and any additional required documents have been processed, the OSFA will award nancial aid

and an email will be sent with instructions on how to view the Award Notication online.

3. When do I need to respond to the offer of admission?

We request students to respond with their decision to accept or decline by April 15. If accepting admission,then a $500 deposit and intent to enroll form is required. Extensions may be possible but are not guaranteed.Applicants declining the offer of admission should inform the School as soon as possible so those seats can be

offered to other qualied applicants.

4. I am currently an out-of-state resident. Is it possible to change my residency and be

charged in-state tuition?

The University of Illinois requires that students are bona de residents of Illinois for one calendar year prior tothe term of application for resident status. Bona de residency involves being gainfully employed, living in the

state for one year, and taking other specic actions which link the student to the State of Illinois. It also requiresresiding in Illinois primarily for reasons that are not related to receiving an education. These actions must be

completed before the beginning of the term when residency is to be established.

The process for requesting a residency change is managed by the Ofce of Admissions and Records. They can becontacted at [email protected]. For more information, please see http://www.usp.uillinois.edu/residency.cfm.

5. I received a tuition waiver, but it is not posted to my nancial aid account yet. Is there

anything else that needs to be completed?

Students should inform OSFA as soon as possible if they have been awarded any awards. The tuition waiver

information is not sent to Financial Aid until after classes start. Students receiving waivers complete a form afew weeks before the start of the term; Financial Aid will update their records once all the documentation isreceived, approximately 12 weeks af ter the semester begins.

6. I was placed in the three-year MArch program, but I have an undergraduate degree in

architecture. Why wasnt I placed with advanced standing into the second year?



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Placement in the MArch program is determined on an individual basis by taking into account each applicantsundergraduate curriculum, portfolio work, and overall application materials. Advanced standing is notguaranteed; only about 10 percent of applicants with a BS or BA in Architecture will be placed in the second year

of the program. When a student has completed fewer than six to eight studios, and/or the previous projects arenot of the scale and scope that are commensurate with advanced placement, the admission committee often

recommends placement into our three-year MArch program. More than 60 percent of incoming three-yearstudents in the past two years had architecture backgrounds.

7. Can I waive out of a class that I already took as part of my undergraduate degree?

If a student has taken a particular course before (usually structures), he or she may submit a course syllabus,coursework, and transcript to the professor for waiver consideration. If the student has adequately completed

the required material for the course, the professor will approve the waiver and the student is then required totake an advanced architecture elective in its place. Course waivers are not possible for studio courses and are

unlikely in the case of theory and technology. Only grades of a B or better will be accepted to waive courses.

8. Can students work while in the program?

Generally, no. The architecture programs at UIC are only available for full-time, degree-seeking students.

Although some students may manage to work part-time for 1015 hours a week while in the program, it isstrongly encouraged not to seek outside employment during the school year. The summer is an ideal time to

pursue employment or internship opportunities. By focusing fully on school during the academic year, studentscan make the most of their time in the program, become more competitive for assistantships and scholarships,

and further develop themselves as designers in order to increase their opportunities after graduation.

9. Does the School offer internship or job placement?

The School does not have any job placement programs, but faculty members are good resources for connections

and suggestions for ofces that might be a t for a particular students interests. Students are required todevelop a portfolio at the start of each spring semester that documents all of their work within the program use

when for seeking summer work and after graduation. The School also hosts a Career Fair each spring for all SoAstudents.

10. If I am admitted, but cannot attend for the fall term, can I defer my admission?

The offer of admission is valid only for the fall term to which the student was originally admitted. Requests todefer will not be granted. If students are interested in attending the following fall term, then they will be required

to reapply for consideration; all application requirements will need to be resubmitted. If reapplying within oneyear, the School may still have ofcial transcripts and test scores on le. Readmission is not guaranteed.
