Admissions process
We love to see applications from passionate, creative risk-takers who have done reasonably well in school. The admissions cycle starts with prospective family meetings (online and in-person) in November. The application becomes available in January and is typically due by the end of February. Admissions decisions are sent in early May for 8th graders and some other time for transfer students.
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Frequently Asked Questions | Application Process | Admissions News and events|
Uni application timeline
1: Learn about Uni
Explore our web site for information about Uni, including academics, student life, and our news feed. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
4: Waiting game
A committee Uni builds a class of about 68 incoming students. The admissions process is holistic and name-blind .
6: Open House
Admitted students will be invited to an open house in early May. This will give you a chance to see the school, learn more, meet teachers and students, and ask questions.
2: Info meeting
We offer five prospective family meetings starting in November. Details will be in our news feed in October. We do not have individual family meetings or give private tours.
5: Decisions
We send decisions in late April via email and the admissions portal. Students may be accepted, declined or waitlisted.
7: Enrollment
If you are accepted, you’ll be given a date by which to let us know if you plan to enroll at Uni for the following year. If you decline your space, it will be offered to another applicant.
3: Application
The application includes essays, transcripts, and teacher recommendations. It will be live by mid-January and announced on our admissions news feed.
5a: The wait list
You may be offered a spot on a waitlist. That means we may offer you a space within a year if one opens up.
8: Waitlist openings
If you accept a waitlist spot, we may offer you an opportunity to attend Uni in the summer or during the following year. The waitlist is not ranked and we cannot provide updates.
Application details
The application: The application link will be available in early January. Applicants will complete and submit the application online. The application is designed to be filled out primarily by the student. There is an optional parent statement to be completed by a parent or guardian, and students may need assistance getting recommendations and transcripts.
No standardized test: There is no required standardized test. Admissions decisions will be based on the application (which will be online), recommendation forms, writing samples, and transcripts from last year and this year.
Writing assessment: The student questionnaire portion includes several short and long essay questions.
Fees: There is a $35 application fee, and waivers are available. Please contact unihigh-admissions@illinois.edu if you need assistance with the application fee.
Decision process
Uni always tries to build a class of incoming students that represents the surrounding communities. We do not consider home school districts, family relationships, or affiliation with the University of Illinois. The admissions process is name-blind (the committee NEVER sees the applicants’ names throughout the process).
There is no magic formula for admission. We look at the whole application.
Requirements: There is no “cut-off” GPA. You do not need straight As; less than perfect grades will not keep a student out of Uni. If you don’t participate in organized activities, that’s fine with us. If you do, that’s good too. If you’ve won awards – great. If you haven’t – that’s not a problem. A committee of teachers will look at your whole application and think carefully about your place at Uni High.
We can only accept about 65 8th-grade students each year. We typically have many more qualified students whom we would love to accept, but we just don’t have room.
We try to invite students who are open to new experiences, are excited about learning, and who are flexible and likely to enjoy both traditional and non-traditional classes.
Please remember: Admissions decisions are final. There is no appeal process.
Homeschool applicants
Applicants who have been homeschooled are welcome to apply to Uni. The general guidelines for 8th grade (subfreshman) and transfer (9-12) applications should all be followed; homeschooled applicants will complete the same application.
In general, when we look at an application from a homeschooled applicant, we are looking for evidence that the applicant has a strong academic background and a variety of experiences that will allow them to enter an academically challenging program. Students should have, at the very least, experiences with reading, writing, math, science, social studies and physical education. Some exposure to fine arts and computers is also helpful.
Transfer applicants (Grades 9-12)
The primary entry point for University of Illinois Laboratory High School is 8th grade. Applicants for grades 9-12 are accepted on a space-available basis. T
The process for students applying for grades 9-12 will include a transcript review to ensure that they can meet Uni’s graduation requirements.
Nondiscrimination notice
The commitment of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms. The university does not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, disability, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, arrest record status, unfavorable discharge from the military, or status as a protected veteran and complies with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:
Director of the Office for Access & Equity
616 East Green Street, Suite 214
Champaign, IL 61820
accessandequity@illinois.edu
(217) 333-0885
Please refer to the University of Illinois System website for the most up-to-date statement on Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct.