Application requirements

Successful applicants for both the BSIS and BSIS+DS degrees are able to demonstrate their interest and academic success in the field of Information Sciences. Beyond this, each of these degrees have different minimum requirements which are outlined below. Meeting the minimum requirements for ICT does not guarantee admittance into the program. Acceptance into each of these programs varies by year and the competitiveness of the applications received.

All applications are reviewed holistically, meaning that all elements are considered and there is no one requirement that will determine the outcome of applications that meet the requirements listed below. 

To be considered for ICT, all applicants must:

Have completed the coursework requirements for their desired program (see below)

Have completed 24+ hours of college-level coursework

Have a minimum of two full semesters (fall/spring) of study remaining before graduation

For freshman students, must have spent two full semesters (fall/spring) in their college of admission

For off-campus transfer students, must have spent at least one full semester in their college of admissions
 

In addition to the requirements above, applicants should meet the following criteria before applying for the BSIS degree:

3.00 cumulative GPA*

Have completed two IS courses for a letter grade, with IS 101 and IS 202 being the recommended courses. 

One of the two courses may be an INFO course

Cross-listed courses are allowed (i.e. STAT 107 may be taken to satisfy this requirement, as it is cross-listed with IS 107)

Courses must have been completed through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Preference is given to 3 or 4 credit hour IS courses

Applicants must have earned grades of B or higher for all IS courses

* The iSchool will consider all applications submitted for the BSIS program, even if the requirements do not meet the minimum GPA or grades listed above. However, applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements should keep in mind that admission the program is competitive and will want to strengthen their application in other areas to increase their competitiveness.

In addition to the requirements all ICT applicants must meet, all applicants must meet the requirements below. Unlike the BSIS degree, the BSIS+DS program typically will not consider applications that do not meet the minimum requirements listed here.

Completion of one of MATH 220/221/234 with a grade of B+ or higher. Proficiency credit earned on campus or pre-college is also accepted, as long as the course is listed on the student’s record

Completion of STAT/IS/CS 107 with a grade of B+ or higher

Completion of at least one IS core course (IS 101, 202, 203, 204, 205, or 206) with a grade of B+ or higher

Minimum overall GPA of 3.5

Minimum ILLINOIS GPA of 3.5

Minimum IS+DS major GPA of 3.5 (includes all courses in the IS+DS curriculum and all IS/INFO courses) 

The BSIS+DS degree has higher minimum requirements than the BSIS program, but still undergoes a holistic review and is a competitive application. Students applying for the BSIS+DS degree are highly encouraged to select in the application if they would also like to be considered for the BSIS if not admitted to the BSIS+DS. 

Before starting the ICT process, all applicants are expected to: 

Note: Students should apply after having completed the minimum coursework requirements above. Applicants can apply while taking the required courses, as long as the class will be completed and a letter grade received by the deadline for that application period. 
In other words, if an applicant is taking the required classes in the Fall semester, final grades will be submitted in December and applicants may then apply by the January 1st deadline.