Students applying for fall 2021 freshman admission to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will not be required to submit SAT or ACT test results due to the COVID-19 pandemic limiting students’ opportunities to take the exams. The change was supported by the university’s Academic Senate and approved by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees as a one-year exception.
Domestic and international students who have been unable to test – or who prefer not to share their test scores – may apply for fall 2021 admission to any major, without being disadvantaged.
“Rising seniors have faced unique educational circumstances, more so than any cohort in recent history. They’ve been given pass/fail junior year grades, online Advanced Placement exams, limited opportunities to participate in activities or work and limited or no opportunities to take the SAT or ACT,” said Andy Borst, the director of undergraduate admissions. “Test scores are only a small part of what we look at in the admissions review process, and we will consider the context of all of these factors in our holistic review of a student’s application.”
Also in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university will suspend its early action admission notification period for fall 2021. There will still be an early action deadline of Nov. 1 and a regular decision deadline of Jan. 5. All new freshman applicants will be notified of their admission status in mid-February. As ACT and SAT exams were canceled throughout the spring and summer, a single notification date provides an opportunity for students who choose to test or to retest in the fall.
SAT or ACT exams will not be required for consideration for merit scholarships provided by the university. Freshman applicants attending international high schools who elect test-optional will be required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS exam to demonstrate English proficiency.
Editor’s note: For additional information, contact Admissions at admissions@illinois.edu. Also refer to a list of frequently asked questions.
