University of Illinois supplemental essays, 2026-27
University of Illinois lists 3 supplemental questions for 2026-27 (2 required), 300 words in all. One is a "why this school" question, which is the one prompt you cannot reuse from another application.
The 3 prompts
In the order the school lists them. A limit appears only where the school prints one.
Explain, in detail, an experience you’ve had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else. Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from Illinois and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.
What it asks for: why this major.
What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals. What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at Illinois and why.
What it asks for: goals and future.
Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.
What it asks for: why this major.
Source: University of Illinois, read October 24, 2026. Confirm the prompts in your application before you submit.
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Add University of Illinois to My Schools and these prompts appear in your Essays tab beside the Common App personal statement, with autosave and version history. The prompt reuse map (Advanced) shows which of your drafts can answer which prompt across your whole list.
Questions
1. Explain, in detail, an experience you’ve had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else. Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from Illinois and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words) 2. What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals. What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you’re considering at Illinois and why. (150 words) 3. Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals. (150 words)
First-Choice Major Essay: 150 words; Undeclared Applicant Essay: 150 words; Second-Choice Major Essay: 150 words.
These prompts ask about why this major, goals and future. The why-this-school answer must be written for this school. Answers about a community, a challenge or an activity often adapt from drafts for other schools; My Schools maps which of your drafts fits which prompt.
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