University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Essay prompts (8)

1. academic interest2026-27150 words

   Applies to: First-year applicants applying to a first-choice major (prompt 1 of 2); stated as 'about 150 words'

   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.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

2. academic interest2026-27150 words

   Applies to: First-year applicants applying to a first-choice major (prompt 2 of 2); stated as 'about 150 words'

   Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from Illinois and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

3. academic interest2026-27150 words

   Applies to: First-year applicants applying undeclared (Division of Exploratory Studies), in place of the first-choice major prompts (prompt 1 of 2); stated as 'about 150 words'

   What are your future career or academic goals? You may include courses you took in high school and how these impacted your goals.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

4. academic interest2026-27150 words

   Applies to: First-year applicants applying undeclared (Division of Exploratory Studies), in place of the first-choice major prompts (prompt 2 of 2); stated as 'about 150 words'

   What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you're considering at Illinois and why.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

5. academic interest2026-27150 words

   Applies to: First-year applicants who select a second-choice major; stated as 'about 150 words'

   Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

6. academic interest2026-27400 words

   Applies to: Transfer applicants (first-choice major); stated length 300-400 words

   Explain your interest in the major you selected. Describe how you have recently developed this interest, inside and/or outside of the classroom, and how this major relates to your professional goals.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

7. academic interest2026-27400 words

   Applies to: Transfer applicants applying undeclared; stated length 300-400 words

   Explain your academic interests and strengths or your future career goals. You may include any majors or areas of study you are currently considering.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

8. academic interest2026-27400 words

   Applies to: Transfer applicants who select a second-choice major; stated length 300-400 words

   You have selected a second-choice major. Please explain your interest in this major.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

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When you request a review for a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign supplement, the feedback is grounded in exactly what you see here: the prompt itself, its word limit, and what the school publishes about its values and programs. That's the whole claim — calibrated to the prompt and the school's own published guidance, scored against a consistent rubric. Not insider knowledge, and never a rewrite: Second Read is a coach, not a ghostwriter. It flags weaknesses and tells you what to fix and why; it never writes a sentence of your essay.

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