Application FAQs
Q: What is the deadline in order for an applicant to be considered for admission and financial aid?
A: Please see https://aerospace.illinois.edu/admissions/graduate/dates-and-deadlines for more information.
Q: When are admission decisions made?
A: Decisions are made on a rolling basis after the deadlines.
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 offers in their area of interest have already been obligated.
Q: When are decisions on offers of assistantships made?
A: Doctoral and MS thesis students are required to locate their own research advisor. The advisor can provide more information about the funding situation associated with your admission. Offers of admission to the doctoral program include funding information in the admissions offer itself.
Q: Who makes the financial aid decisions?
A: Research assistantships are decided by the AE faculty in charge of the research. Teaching assistantships are coordinated in a collaborative process between faculty and staff.
Q: How do I apply for funding opportunities?
A: All applicants are considered for funding opportunities. There is no separate process to be considered for assistantships and fellowships.
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. 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.
Q: Are any tests required?
A: The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is waived. However, GRE scores will be accepted and, if provided, evaluated as part of your application. Strong GRE scores can enhance your application. 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. Students wishing to be considered for teaching assistanships must have a score of 24 or higher on the Speak section of the TOEFL exam.
We will also accept IELTS scores. For more information, please see English Proficiency requirements.
Q: What are the minimum scores required for the GRE?
A: There are no minimum score requirements for the GRE. A quantitative score above 700 is highly recommended.
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.
Q: I will not be able to provide part of the documentation (e.g. GRE or TOEFL scores, letters of reference, etc.) needed for my admission file by the deadline. Will my application still be reviewed?
A: We are unable to guarantee that materials received after the deadline will be reviewed. However, feel free to email supplemental materials to ae-grad@illinois.edu requesting that they be attached to your application. If your application has not yet been reviewed, your supplemental materials will be considered along with your application.
Q: In completing the reference letter forms, what should I put where it says "Major field of study" and "Field of specialization"?
A. Please select "Aerospace Engineering" for "major field of study". "Field of specialization" refers to your preferred research area, e.g. computational fluid dynamics, multiphase flow, solid mechanics, astrodynamics, etc.
Q: How do I respond to degree sought?
A. Please select the degree you are applying to pursue - e.g. PhD, MEng online, MS, MS online, etc.
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 Department have program specific questions which must be answered?
A: No. However, applicants will indicate their research area(s) of interest.
Q: Do I need to provide the Declaration and 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: The Declaration and Certification of Finances form is specific to the student visa process, and is not a part of the departmental admissions process. It is not needed unless you are an international student accepted into our graduate program with your own funding. The information can be provided after you accept your offer of admission, and is not needed for your application.
Q: Can I receive a waiver for the application fee?
A: Please see the Graduate College application fee waiver website for more information.
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 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: All application materials must be submitted online or emailed to ae-grad@illinois.edu.
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.
Q: How will I know whether or not my application file is complete?
A: Applicants will be able to check the status of their application through the application portal.
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: If you have received an offer of eligibility for admission, you may reach out to faculty of interest to coordinate a visit. The department is unable to coordinate meetings between prospective students and faculty.
Q: Can I get an idea about my chances of being admitted and receiving funding prior to submitting an application and supporting documents?
A: No. It is not possible to appraise an applicant's chances for admission or funding outside of the formal application process.
Q: Although I applied to the MS program, I was accepted into the MS non-thesis program. Why? May I still switch to the MS w/ thesis program?
A: Applications, by default, are for the MS non-thesis program. Admitted students who locate a research advisor may switch to the thesis program at any time with the support of that faculty member.
Q: May I switch between the MS thesis and MS Non-thesis programs?
A: Switching between the MS thesis and MS non-thesis programs is straightforward and requires a petition signed by the thesis advisor. No department support is provided to students switching from the MS non-thesis to MS thesis program. MS thesis students qualify for, but are never guaranteed, research or teaching assistantships, depending on the individual agreement with their research advisor.
Q: Can I do a minor in another engineering discipline while a graduate student in the Department of Aerospace Engineering?
A: No, the Aerospace Engineering Department does not have an approved minor program. A list of graduate programs with approved minors can be found at http://www.grad.illinois.edu/current/minors.htm.
Q: How and when do I select courses?
A: Enrolled students may register for classes at any time after their time ticket opens. Enrolled students may consult with their academic advisor at any time for guidance. We encourage all newly admitted students to create an academic plan with their advisor based on their specific goals. Please contact the Aerospace Engineering department at ae-grad@illinois.edu if you do not know who your advisor is.