Illinois essay prompts
2025-26verified University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign admissions
These are the most recent published prompts. Final 2026-27 supplements typically land by early August. These are the most recent prompts Kolly has verified for this school. Schools typically publish final 2026-27 supplements by early August; check the official source below before submitting.
Academic Interests (Undeclared)
What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you're considering at Illinois and why. What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.
150 words max · Required
Major Experience
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.
150 words max · Required
Career & Major Goals
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 max · Required
Second-Choice Major
Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.
150 words max · Required
About the application
Applies via the Common App.
Make your next draft count.
Common questions
- What are the Illinois essay prompts for 2025-26?
- Illinois lists Academic Interests (Undeclared) (1 prompt); Major Experience (1 prompt); Career & Major Goals (1 prompt); Second-Choice Major (1 prompt) for 2025-26.
- How many essays does Illinois require?
- Illinois requires 4 essays based on the published group instructions for 2025-26. The page lists 4 required and 0 optional prompts.
- What are the word limits for the Illinois supplemental essays?
- The published word and character limits are 150 words max.