Undergraduate Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants are those who have completed a minimum of 36 semester credit hours of transferable college coursework and have a GPA of at least 2.75/4.0 at the time of application. No more than 60 semester credit hours of transfer work will be accepted by the University towards the degree. In addition, either the first 90 or last 30 semester credit hours of degree work must be completed in continuous, uninterrupted residence at UIC.

Transfer applicants are urged to apply by the deadline of March 1st.

An incoming transfer application is considered complete and ready for evaluation when the following items are on file with the Office of Admissions:

1. Official transcript(s) from all colleges attended

2. Completed application for admission

3. Nonrefundable application fee of $40

Note: the required portfolio should be submitted to the School of Architecture by the priority deadline.

International applicants must also submit their TOEFL scores to the Office of Admissions. Please note that the nonrefundable application fee is $50.

For those transferring from local community colleges, refer to the Transfer Substitution Matrix for information on community college courses that are comparable to UIC offerings.

Internal transfer applicants are those who are currently enrolled at UIC in another college or school. To apply for admission into the School of Architecture program, students must fill out an application at the College of Architecture and the Arts, 306 Jefferson Hall.

Portfolio Requirement for Transfer Students

All transfer applicants are required to submit a portfolio of creative work as part of their application to the Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the School of Architecture. See below for guidelines on portfolio content and format.

Criteria for Advanced Placement in Arch. Design Studio

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture curriculum at the University of Illinois at Chicago requires four years of carefully sequenced architectural design studios that begin in the fall of the first year. Accordingly, advanced placement in architectural design studio is defined as any placement beyond the first year.

Advanced placement in architectural design studio requires fulfillment of both of the following criteria:

1. Successful completion of architectural design courses at the applicant's transfer institution (i.e. an accredited university and/or community college), and

2. Successful architectural design portfolio review.

If the transfer applicant does not fulfill both criteria, (s)he will be placed in the first year design studio.

Portfolio Submission and Priority Deadline

Portfolios must be submitted directly to the School of Architecture at the time of initial application to the University of Illinois at Chicago. Portfolios are accepted until the March 1 University application deadline for transfer students; however, portfolios submitted by January 31 will be given priority consideration.

School of Architecture M/C 030
University of Illinois at Chicago
845 W. Harrison Street, Rm. 3100
Chicago, IL. 60607
Attn: Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Please note that the University will sometimes extend the transfer application deadline; visit the Admissions Deadline website at www.uic.edu/depts/oar/apply/deadlines.html for confirmation. However, since the School of Architecture maintains a highly competitive admissions processes, early application is strongly recommended.

Portfolio Content

A successful design portfolio is a collection of creative work that displays strong conceptualization and visualization skills, evidence of critical thinking and design development, and an overall intellectual curiousity.

The content of the portfolio should consist primarily of creative work, and may include various modes of representation, such as pencil drawings, paintings, sculptures, graphic designs, physical models, 3D visualization renderings, etc. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating how a creative idea is developed from conceptual sketches to a more finalized project.

Transfer applicants who are eligible for potential advanced placement (see criteria on first page) should include architectural work done in an academic setting, and should emphasize the architectural design process from conceptualization to final presentation.

The portfolio should not document CAD drafting skills or internships in an architectural office. Applicants should not submit blueprints or construction drawings from an office or from building science courses.

In addition, the overall design of the portfolio itself should demonstrate a level of thinking, care, and consistency that is commensurate with the applicant's creative work. Aspects of the portfolio that should be carefully considered and consistent throughout are: page size, orientation, and layout; font style, labeling, and descriptive text; title pages; use of color, etc.

Portfolio Format

The UIC School of Architecture accepts 8.5" x 11" (letter size) or smaller portfolios only; if coursework is done in a larger format, applicants should scan and reduce it to a smaller format. All portfolio material must be bound and less than 1" thick. Loose (unbound) sheets and formats larger than 8.5" x 11" will not be accepted. The applicant's name must be clearly visible on the cover page. Please note that the following are not accepted: digital portfolios, slides, rolled or folded prints or drawings, or more than one portfolio per applicant. Portfolios that do not adhere to these guidelines will not be reviewed.

Portfolio Return

Upon completion of the admissions process, the portfolio may be claimed in person or returned by mail. Applicants who would like for material to be returned by mail should enclose a stamped, self-addressed, appropriately-sized mailing container. Do not send checks or money orders to cover postage. Portfolios will not be mailed to an address outside North America. Portfolios not picked up or returned by mail will be held in the School office for six months.

Nondegree Applicants/Part-Time Study

The School of Architecture does not accept nondegree applicants or part-time students. Only full-time, degree-seeking candidates are accepted to the School.

Campus Visits

We highly recommend that prospective students visit the School and the campus. To schedule an information session and building tour of the School of Architecture, please contact Maria Tolbert, Academic Advisor, at 312.996.3335 or at dbljoy@uic.edu.

The Office for Admissions offers UIC Preview Days, at which campus tours are given and counselors are available to provide information about academic programs, admissions procedures, financial aid, housing, student life, and other opportunities available at the University. For reservations, call 312.996.4350, email uicadmit@uic.edu, or visit the Office of Admissions and Records website at www.uic.edu/depts/oar/visit/index.html.

Laptop Recommendations

For a list of laptops and software recommended by the School, please click here.