We appreciate your interest in the Department of Psychology's Master of Science in Psychological Science program and welcome your application for admission. Our deadline for Fall 2025 application is January 15, 2025.
University of Illinois Graduate College Application
Before completing the Graduate College Application, please verify that the minimum requirements are satisfied. As part of the application, you will upload or input the components described below.
- How has your academic background, including any training, research, or other educational experiences, prepared you for graduate study?
- What are your intellectual interests, and what scholarly questions are you interested in exploring in graduate study?
- Are there any specific faculty members whose research interests align with your own with whom you would like to work?
- How will our program help you achieve your academic and professional goals?
Personal Statement Essays
Essays are 250 words maximum with essays #1-2 required and #3-4 optional.
Question #1: Please describe pivotal experiences, opportunities, and/or challenges (including any financial or access barriers) that have influenced your educational and professional development.
Question #2: At Illinois, we value a student’s ability to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where our graduate students can learn and collaborate productively and positively. Please provide an example of how you contributed to or engaged with a community of students or colleagues with different perspectives, abilities, and experiences to achieve a positive outcome, and reflect on what you learned from this experience.
Question #3: If you believe that your academic record does not demonstrate your true capabilities, please explain why. You may also discuss any gaps in your academic and professional experience.
Question #4: If there is something that you would like to share with the admissions committee that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application, please do so here. If needed, you may also use this space to expand upon the topics discussed in the above essays.
AI Guidance: Applicants are expected to write authentic responses to these prompts. While AI and search engine services can provide guidance and suggestions, admissions committees are looking for your unique experiences and perspectives. Responses generated exclusively by AI should not be submitted.
Academic History
Academic History from degree granting institutions are uploaded while completing the application form. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application.
CV/Resume
The CV/Resume is your opportunity to highlight your accomplishments including relevant research experience, publications, awards, volunteer work, skills, and evidence to diversity and inclusion.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters are required. In your online application, you will need to provide the following information about each recommender: name, address, title, organization, relationship to you (professor, employer, etc), and email address. You can submit additional references, but we ask that you do not exceed 5 letters.
GRE Scores
Students interested in Industrial-Organizational or Quantitative Research training are required to submit GRE (general exam) scores. For those with interests in other areas, the GRE is optional. We recommend that all applicants provide information in their academic statement about their background in quantitative methods. We do not have a requirement for minimum scores. Our Institution Code is 1836 (Department code is 2016, but is not necessary).
Application Fee
Domestic applicants will be required to submit a $70 application fee. International applicants will be required to submit a $90 application fee. If you are a University of Illinois employee (Academic Professional, Civil Service, or Faculty), or a fee waiver recipient (I-Promise Scholar, McNair Scholar, Project 1000 Applicant, Big Ten Academic Alliance Applicant, or SROP Participant), you may select your eligibility for an application fee waiver in the online application.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants:
Additional Degree Information
International applicants must meet minimum requirements based on their country of origin.
Evidence of English Proficiency
English proficiency is typically demonstrated via the TOEFL exam or IELTS.
Funding Documentation
International applicants who are requesting F-1 or J-1 visa eligibility documents are required to submit Proof of Funding Documentation. These documents are not required at the time of application, but will be requested later in the review process if needed.
APPLICATION RESOURCES:
Deadline: January 15, 2024
If you have questions, please contact us at psych-grad@illinois.edu or (217) 333-2169.
Note: If your contact information changes after applying, please notify us immediately.