illinois sat essay 2023

Which Colleges Require SAT Essay in 2022-2023?

If you’re wondering which colleges require sat essay in 2022-2023, this guide has all you need to know — including how to decide whether to take the essay..

Updated by TCM Staff on 3rd September 2022

3rd September 2022

College Board has recently made major changes to the SAT essay that can affect your application

If there’s one thing that many college applicants tend to feel intimidated by, it’s the need to do well in standardized tests like the SAT. Although fewer colleges and universities continue to require the submission of standardized test scores, many still do require them. And if doing well in the SAT wasn’t stressful enough, some colleges also require the SAT essay — so there’s an additional bit of pressure to do well in that, too. If you’re one of the thousands of applicants wondering which colleges require SAT essay scores to be submitted, this comprehensive guide is for you.

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a centralized examination that evaluates examinees on four grounds: critical reading, writing, mathematics, and the optional SAT essay. 

However, College Board announced in January 2021 that it would stop offering the SAT essay effective immediately. This means that no more colleges require you to take the SAT with an essay.

Read on to find out everything you need to know, including what the SAT essay is, how it is scored, what schools require the SAT essay, and more information about the news from College Board.

What is the SAT Essay?

The SAT Essay is a supplementary segment of the centralized Scholastic Aptitude Test. 

If you’ve heard about the SAT and the essay before, then you might be asking the question “is the essay required on the SAT?” The answer is simple. 

There was a time when an essay was a required portion of the test and everyone simply had to take it as part of sitting for their SATs. Because it was pretty much a required section of the SAT during that time, all colleges that required the SAT also required the SAT essay.

The essay evaluates the candidate’s comprehensive, writing, and time management skills. An argumentative passage is laid out for the applicant to study, analyze, and summarize. College Board usually assembled sample  SAT essay prompts for assistance. During the essay, examinees are allotted 50 minutes to read the prompt, analyze it, and write their responses in essay form.

It’s worth mentioning, however, that College Board made the essay optional in 2016. For this reason, many colleges and universities began dropping it from their application requirements. Even then, many colleges and universities continued to require the essay or at least recommend students to take it and submit their scores alongside their application.

Editor’s note: College Board has made a big announcement in 2021 that renders this information invalid. See their announcement below.

How is the SAT Essay Scored?

To understand how the SAT essay is scored, we must first take a closer look at the essay itself.

Every SAT Essay is comprised of a passage around 650-750 words long. You are given 50 minutes to read, analyze, and then respond to this prompt. The primary purpose of these essays is the assessment of your analysis skills. Strong essays focus on how you use evidence and reasoning alongside any other rhetorical techniques in building your convincing argument.

Essays are the same in every test. The only thing that will change is the passage or prompt you’ll be tasked to respond to.

Once you’ve completed your essay, two scorers will evaluate it. These scorers must assign a score between 1 to 4 in the three categories of reading, analysis, and writing. Once the scorers give you their ratings, scores are added up to give you a total between 2 and 8 for each of the three categories. But what do the scores mean?

• Reading - Graders will score you based on how well they think your essay showed your understanding of the passage and whether you used textual evidence to demonstrate this understanding.
• Analysis - Your score in this section is determined by how well you have analyzed the text. It also considers how you performed in explaining this analysis with reasoning, evidence, and other rhetorical techniques for persuasion.
• Writing - Your writing score is effectively based on how well you’ve used language. It takes into consideration factors such as how skillful you were in crafting responses, how clear your essay’s structure is, how clear your essay’s point or thesis is, and so on.

Do Ivy League Schools Require the SAT Essay?

It may seem surprising, but if you look at which colleges require the SAT essay, you may notice that most top schools do not make it a requirement. 

In recent years, no Ivy League schools have required applicants to submit their SAT scores with the essay. The same applies to other prestigious top-notch schools such as Caltech, Stanford, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, NYU, MIT, and more. 

Many liberal arts colleges also did not require or recommend you take the SAT with the essay.

However, it’s not just the essay that a good number of schools have been dropping as a requirement.

Many Schools Have Been Dropping the SAT Requirement

Many colleges and universities have begun dropping the standardized test requirement entirely, including some highly prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Princeton University. These three institutions, among many others, have made SAT and ACT scores entirely optional in their application process. Submitting your scores will get them considered during these schools’ holistic admissions process, but your SAT scores will not put you at an advantage over others who have chosen not to submit theirs.

The trend of dropping standardized test scores as a requirement was noted even as early as 2018. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has accelerated this process and prompted plenty of other institutions to make their testing policies more lenient overall. This trend is welcomed by critics who have for a long time expressed how standardized testing might put underprivileged and underserved students at a disadvantage.

To compensate for dropping the standardized testing requirement, colleges and universities have instead started placing more weight on the other factors comprising a student’s application. For example, to test a student’s writing ability, colleges will look more closely at the applicant’s personal statement or their grades in subjects like English.

Editor’s note: It’s worth mentioning that some institutions, such as Harvard, have simply suspended the requirement for the coming years. However, there is no telling whether Harvard will actually reinstate this requirement after this suspension period.

College Board’s Massive Announcement in January 2021: No More SAT Essay

In a surprise announcement on January 2021, College Board stated that they are no longer offering SAT Subject Tests and the optional SAT essay. As such, both were discontinued effective immediately and were completely phased out from the SATs. Moving forward from that point, the SAT essay is no longer available — unless in circumstances outlined below.

Students from certain states may still be required to sit for the essays if it is a part of their SAT School Day administrations . 

Through SAT School Day administrations, College Board allows schools, districts, and states to offer their juniors and seniors an equalizing opportunity: sit for their SATs during a regular school day in their home school. 

Few states continue to require the essay during SAT School Day administrations. 

States that continue to require it in the academic year 2021 to 2022 include:

• New Hampshire

College Board advises that if you are scheduled to take your SATs on a school day, you should inquire with your school if the essay will be required.

Why Did College Board Discontinue the SAT Essay?

According to College Board in its FAQ , they chose to discontinue the SAT essay simply because they are adapting to students’ and colleges’ changing needs. College Board believes that discontinuing the essay allows for the streamlining of the entire process, especially for students who have more relevant methods or opportunities to show their reading, analysis, and writing skills.

College Board states that despite this discontinuation, they will continue measuring students’ writing and editing skills in other ways. An example would be the tasks on the SAT’s reading, writing, and language sections. If you wish to demonstrate your skills in reading, analysis, and writing, it may benefit you to prepare better for the pertinent SAT sections.

Should I Take the SAT Essay? How to Decide

At this point, you are no longer given the decision of whether to take the SAT essay or not. Unfortunately, since the essay has been entirely discontinued, you will not be able to sit for it anywhere. The exception, of course, is if the essay is included as part of your SAT School Day administration. And again, if the essay is included, you are simply required to take it, with no option to avoid it.

For this reason, if you are scheduled to take your SAT on a school day, you may want to check with your school guidance office and find out whether the essay will be required. Doing so well ahead of time can help you prepare well for the SAT essays so you can up your chances of getting a good score.

Which Colleges Require SAT Essay in 2022?

After all that news, you may still be wondering “which universities require SAT essay?”

In light of College Board’s huge announcement in January 2021 that eliminated SAT subject tests and essays entirely, it is no longer possible to take the SAT essay unless in certain circumstances. It is for this reason that no more colleges or universities require students to take the SAT essays .

However, if you do take the essay, you can continue to submit your scores alongside your application. Admissions officers may choose to consider your essay scores along with the rest of your application, though the choice to do so is almost always up to their discretion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do any colleges require sat with essay.

There was a time that there were indeed colleges and universities that required applicants to submit their SAT scores with an essay. However, since January 2021, College Board no longer offers the SAT essay. If you’re wondering about colleges requiring SAT essay, as of today there are no longer any.

Is the SAT essay still required?

If you’re wondering what colleges require the SAT essay, the answer is none. In January 2021, College Board discontinued SAT subject tests and the otional SAT essay, which means no more schools require it.

Does UCLA require SAT with essay?

UCLA was previously one of the schools that require SAT essay from their applicants. However, this is no longer the case since the essays have been completely discontinued.

Is SAT essay required for Harvard?

For the past couple of years, Harvard has suspended its requirement for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT in their applications to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions. Harvard has pushed this suspension to the 2026 application cycle. Harvard no longer requires the SAT essay either, but if you have managed to take it you can still submit your scores for consideration .

Does SAT essay affect your score?

Since the SAT essay became optional, it no longer affects your overall SAT score. Essay scores are shown separately on your report. Note that the optional essay has been discontinued since January of 2021, and you can only take the essay under rare special circumstances discussed in the article above.

If you’re in the middle of preparing your applications for your dream schools, it only makes sense to wonder which colleges require SAT essay. Only a year or so ago, there would’ve been a big list of colleges that require the SAT essay, despite it being an optional section of the standardized test. 

However, since College Board discontinued SAT subject tests and the optional essay in January of 2021, there are no longer any colleges requiring you to submit your essay scores with your application.  

If you have managed to take the essay, you may still be able to submit your scores for consideration. Good luck!

Taking the SATs soon? Find out when you’ll get your SAT results .

Blogs you might be interested in

• How to get a perfect score on the SAT Essay?
• Can messy handwriting affect your SAT scores?
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Illinois now requires juniors to take the SAT with essay

Jeremy Zhao and Jay Deegan May 3, 2022

Naperville Central juniors took the SAT with essay on April 13, sparking confusion among test takers. This is the first year the state of Illinois has mandated the essay portion as a graduation requirement. 

While the College Board announced in January 2021 that it would stop offering essays with their national SAT tests starting June 2021, there is a provision that allows states with the SAT essay as a graduation requirement, like Illinois, to continue administering the essay to juniors.  

“I don’t entirely know why the state of Illinois is still requiring the essay,” Central testing coordinator Debra Ericson said. “It could have to do with their initial contract with the College Board including the essay, and at the end of that contract that may expire. But, I do not know as I’m not privy to their information.” 

Junior Michael Yang said taking the essay is unnecessary. 

“I was wondering why we are doing this,” Yang said. “It’s tedious work that wasn’t necessary because I know I’m good at essays.” 

Illinois has not made any indication to the future of the SAT essay requirement with the SAT moving to a digital format in 2024. 

“The test itself is going to be an hour shorter,” Ericson said. “So how it’s going to affect us, I really couldn’t even say.” 

Your donation will support the student journalists of the Central Times by helping to fund their monthly print issues.

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Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, sat test dates: full guide to choosing (2023, 2024).

SAT Logistics , SAT General Info

The SAT is offered seven times a year, but which SAT test dates will work best for you and your schedule? What essential factors should you consider before creating an SAT schedule? What are the best SAT dates for juniors? For seniors?

In this comprehensive guide, we offer you the most current info on SAT test dates (domestic and international) for 2023-2024. We also give you our top tips for choosing the best SAT test dates for you as well as tons of resources to help you navigate the complicated web of SAT/ACT test dates.

SAT Dates and Deadlines 2023-2024

In general, the College Board administers the SAT on Saturdays, with more tests offered in the fall. If you can't take the test on a Saturday for religious or other reasons, Sunday alternate dates are usually available.

Below, we give you SAT test dates, normal registration deadlines, late registration deadlines, and score release dates for the 2023 and 2024 test dates. 

We've listed international test dates in separate tables since the registration deadlines are different. These dates are all administered digitally.

SAT Test Dates and Deadlines (2023)

The following dates are confirmed  by the College Board . The score release dates are projections and those for the international tests (now digital) are especially prone to change.

SAT Test Dates 2023 (US)

*All dates with an asterisk are projections and not yet confirmed by The College Board.

SAT Test Dates 2023 (International)

Sat test dates and deadlines (2024).

Some of the following dates are confirmed  by the College Board . However, the late registration score release dates are projections and subject to change. Starting with the March 2024 test date, all SATs will be administered digitally .

SAT Test Dates 2024 (US)

Sat test dates 2024 (international).

SAT Test Dates: 2023-2024 Visual Calendar and Trends

When it comes to choosing SAT dates, you don't want to simply register for the next available date. To help you select the best SAT test dates for you personally, we've created an easy-to-use visual calendar for the 2023-2024 SAT test dates. This infographic allows us to look at trends in SAT dates and see whether certain dates and deadlines overlap with others.

As you can see on this visual calendar, SAT test dates are tightly clustered in the late summer and fall. This is due to the fact that most college application deadlines are in the late fall and early winter. Essentially, the College Board is giving seniors multiple shots at hitting their SAT goal scores right before their applications are due.

In the spring, SAT dates are more spread out, with the exception of May and June. This is, again, due to the fact that there are fewer college application deadlines in spring than there are in fall and early winter. These dates are also geared more toward juniors and other students who'd like to take the SAT early.

Next, we can see that because of the high number of test dates in the fall, it's difficult to take two SATs in a row. By the time your score for one test comes out, the late registration date for the next test will have often already passed!

Even if you were to go ahead and register for another test without knowing your scores, you might end up ultimately wasting money on a retake if your scores are higher than you thought they'd be. Likewise, if you don't sign up for the following test, you might miss your only shot at raising your scores before your application deadlines.

Taking back-to-back SATs also doesn't give you enough time to make the most out of your retake; you'll likely see little, if any, improvement in your scores due to the lack of adequate prep time in between tests.

Choosing the Best SAT Test Date for You: 5 Essential Factors

It's critical you choose an SAT test date that'll work well for not just anyone but you specifically. Below are five major factors you'll want to consider before committing to a test date.

#1: When Are Your College Application Deadlines?

By far the most important factors are your college application deadlines. In the US, most deadlines fall around January 1 (for regular decision) and November 1 or 15 (for early action / early decision ).

The College Board sends SAT scores to schools (for your four free score reports ) within 10 days after you receive your exam scores , or approximately three to five weeks after the exam. However, not all schools process scores straight away; in fact, some might take a week or so to report scores . As a result, you might have to wait at most around six weeks after your test date for your schools to officially process your SAT scores.

And this doesn't even include the extra time needed to process orders for additional score reports (if you have more than four schools you want to send scores to). Ordering these reports will add at least another week or two once scores are released.

Therefore, as a rule, don't take the SAT less than five or six weeks before your college apps are due. If you'll be ordering additional score reports after your scores come out, stick with test dates more than seven or eight weeks before your deadlines.

Remember that if your schools don't receive or process your SAT scores in time, your application could get disqualified! So plan accordingly.

#2: Are You Applying for SAT Scholarships?

Another factor is SAT scholarships . Generally, school-based SAT scholarships will use the same deadlines as college applications. If you're not sure when your SAT scores are due, contact your schools directly to ask whether your scores should arrive earlier than or with your application.

#3: How Many Times Will You Take the SAT?

You should also consider whether you might want to retake the SAT if you're not getting the scores you need for college.

We typically recommend taking the SAT at least twice, possibly three times, depending on your score goals. Here's our suggested SAT schedule :

• Take the SAT in the fall of your junior year
• Take the SAT a second time in the spring of your junior year
• Take the SAT a final time in the late summer/early fall of your senior year

If you took your first SAT in the spring of your junior year instead of in the fall, you still have plenty of opportunities to take the SAT once or twice more. You could, for example, take the SAT a second time in June or August and a third time in October or November.

That said, avoid registering for back-to-back SAT test dates, especially in the fall of your senior year. Squeezing in too many SATs gives you barely any time to study and probably won't raise your score by any noticeable margin.

Furthermore, trying to balance so much prep during the school year—and as you're applying to college, no less!—is an incredibly stressful endeavor. So spread out your tests as best you can.

#4: How Much Study Time Will You Need?

Before you register for the SAT, decide how much time you'll need to dedicate to studying . We normally recommend setting aside three to six months for SAT prep. This amount of time allows you to space out your study sessions so that you're studying consistently without burning yourself out.

More importantly, though, you'll want a sufficient number of study hours. The number of hours you'll have to spend studying depends on the number of points you'd like to improve your baseline SAT score by. (A baseline score is the score you get on an official SAT practice test before you begin any SAT prep.)

Below are the (approximate) number of study hours required to make the following total point improvements on the SAT:

• 0-30 point improvement: 10 hours
• 30-70 point improvement: 20 hours
• 70-130 point improvement: 40 hours
• 130-200 point improvement: 80 hours
• 200-330 point improvement: 150 hours+

As you can see, the bigger the point increase you want, the more hours you'll have to study.

Unfortunately, not everyone has a ton of time to devote entirely to SAT prep. At a minimum, try to clock in at least 10 hours of prep.

If you only have a month or so before test day , you can still make large score increases—so long as you're willing to put in the effort. You can also use our last-minute SAT tips and strategies to help you get the score you want.

#5: Will You Have Any Obligations or Conflicts?

Finally, consider your own obligations. Is there anything you can't reschedule that'll be taking place on a certain test date? Do you have any ongoing commitments (school or otherwise) that could prevent you from being able to focus on your SAT prep? Obligations can be anything , from school plays and AP tests to sports tournaments and family vacations.

Before you choose a test date, make sure that you're keenly aware of your schedule. I suggest using a planner to take note of any big chunks of time during which you'll be too busy to study for the SAT.

Ultimately, if a certain test date feels overwhelming, choose another one for which you'll have far fewer obligations in the period leading up to it.

Quick Guide: What's the Best SAT Test Date for Juniors? For Seniors? For Early Action?

In reality, the "best" SAT test date varies for each student; however, sometimes you just want to know what a good test date is, generally speaking. Here, we give you a brief look at the best SAT test dates for four common scenarios.

Scenario 1: You're a Junior

• For 1st SAT: October, November, December
• For 2nd SAT: March, May, June

You should always take your first SAT as a junior, ideally in the fall. The October and November test dates offer lots of flexibility and plenty of time to study and prepare for round two should you want to take the SAT again.

In the spring, try to take the SAT in March or May—or at the latest, June. These dates ensure you'll have the entire summer to evaluate your scores, finalize your list of colleges, and decide whether you'd like to take the test again in August or autumn.

Scenario 2: You're a Senior

• Best Dates: August, October, November
• Riskier Dates: December

As a senior, you have up to four possible SAT test dates (for regular decision deadlines): August, October, November, and December.

As with all college prep, the earlier the better! Try to take the SAT in August, October, or November. These three test dates should have little trouble getting your scores to colleges in time, assuming your earliest deadline is somewhere around January 1.

Although you can opt for the December test date, too, I would only do so if your deadlines are January 10 or later. December scores aren't usually released until late December, so January 1 might be playing it a little too close for some colleges. Check with your schools directly to verify whether they'll accept SAT scores from the December test date before you register for it.

If your regular decision deadline happens to be especially early, like the University of California's November 30 deadline, opt for the August or October test dates instead.

Scenario 3: You're Applying Early Action/Early Decision

• Best Dates: June, August
• Riskier Dates: October

Most early action deadlines are November 1 or 15. A June or August test date (before your senior year) is an excellent choice since scores from either test date should definitely get to your schools in time. These dates also give you the fall to focus entirely on your college applications instead of on SAT prep.

The October deadline is a bit riskier, though, as its scores aren't normally released until the end of October. So if your deadline is November 1, October probably won't work. If your deadlines are November 15 or later, however, October should be fine.

Scenario 4: Your College Applications Aren't Due Until February or Later

Many schools have later-than-normal deadlines in February, March, April, May, June, July, August, and even September . So which SAT test dates will work for these late decision schools?

Below are the latest SAT test dates you can choose depending on your college application deadline. The latest recommended dates are pretty much guaranteed to get your SAT scores to schools in time, whereas the riskier dates might not get your scores in before the deadlines.

SAT Test Dates May Change Sign up to Receive Free Updates

Additional Resources for Info on SAT Test Dates

Need extra assistance with choosing SAT test dates? Our top resources below will help you pinpoint the best SAT dates for you:

• When Should You Take the SAT or ACT? Best Test Dates: Our popular guide to SAT/ACT test dates zeroes in on the four most important factors you'll need to consider when selecting a test date. You can also check out our more general guide to the other major factors that come into play when choosing a test date .
• SAT/ACT Test Dates & Study Plan for Sophomores and Juniors : Seeking advice on when to take the SAT or ACT your sophomore or junior year? This guide walks you through a typical SAT/ACT test-taking schedule and offers targeted tips for honing your weaknesses.
• 5 Step SAT/ACT Test Dates & Study Plan for Summer Before Senior Year : This step-by-step guide explains how to structure a personalized SAT/ACT study plan before your senior year.
• The Best SAT and ACT Test Dates for Senior Fall : Looking for a guide geared specifically toward seniors? Here, we lay out the SAT/ACT test dates in autumn and provide you with tips on how to choose the best date for you.
• Can I Get an Alternate SAT Test Date? : If there's a conflict with your current SAT test date, you might be able to schedule an alternate test date for the following week. Read our guide to learn everything you can do to ensure your request is successful.

The Final Word: What to Know About SAT Test Dates

Although exact SAT test dates change each testing year, the exam will always be administered a total of seven times across the following months (in the US):

For the most part, international test dates are identical to US ones, although the registration deadlines and score release dates can vary. Also, this year the international dates will all be administered in the new digital format .

To choose a test date that's right for you, consider the following four factors:

• When your college application and scholarship deadlines are
• How many times you want to take the SAT
• How much time you're willing to study
• Whether you'll have any obligations that might prevent you from taking the SAT on a certain date

Hopefully, after reading this guide, you now have a clearer and more confident sense as to which SAT test dates will work for you!

What's Next?

Planning ahead for 2024 or 2025? Then take a look at our handy (and updated!) compilation of future SAT test dates .

You've chosen an SAT test date—your next step now is to get online and register for the SAT . Our detailed guide offers easy-to-follow instructions to help walk you smoothly through the registration process.

Ready to get a great SAT score ? Consider the many different ways you can prep for the exam by reading our free eBook . And if you're hoping for a perfect score , check out our in-depth guide to getting a 1600 on the SAT , written by an expert full scorer!

Disappointed with your scores? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Fred is co-founder of PrepScholar. He scored a perfect score on the SAT and is passionate about sharing information with aspiring students. Fred graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor's in Mathematics and a PhD in Economics.

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How to Write the UIUC Essays 2023-2024

UIUC is one of the best public universities in the USA, so writing strong essays is important to making your application stand out. UIUC has two required short prompts and two optional ones for all applicants, plus an additional prompt for applicants with a second-choice major.

Here’s our expert advice on responding to the UIUC Prompts

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1 (Required): 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. (150 words)

Prompt 2 (Required): Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words)

Prompt 3 (Optional): Explain any challenges (outside of COVID-related) you have faced throughout your academic career,  including the dates or timeline below.  (300 words)

Prompt 4 (Optional): If you have a low grade or a drop in grades that you have not already explained, do so below. (300 words)

All Applicants With Second-Choice Major

You have selected a second-choice major. Please explain your interest in that major or your overall academic or career goals. (150 words)

All Applicants, Prompt 1 

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. (150 words).

At first glance, this prompt seems pretty straightforward, and there isn’t much space for extraneous storytelling. 

However, what gives this prompt its difficulty is the necessity of going above and beyond. Not only do you need to identify the experiences that shaped your interest in your selected major, but you need to provide deeper reflections as to why those experiences impacted you in the way they did. 

For that reason, it’s not enough to simply list the experiences that led you to your chosen major. For example, you shouldn’t just say, “I first discovered my passion for film in English class, when I had to write a take home essay about the movie adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray . I furthered my interest in film by making my own home documentary alongside a couple friends. I also started volunteering at a local arthouse cinema to understand a more commercial perspective on film…”

Rather, it’s better to go deeper with a given example and provide insights into what motivates your passions. Instead of simply listing experiences related to film, you might instead say, “My English teacher assigned our class a take-home essay, where we analyzed the movie adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray . Looking at the movie through a closer lens gave me a deeper appreciation for the small decisions directors make and the big impacts they can have…” 

The admissions readers at UIUC want to see that you have the necessary experiences under your belt to thrive in your chosen course of study, and they also want to see that you will be passionate and motivated while doing so! Make sure to show them both your experiences and your deeper insights about those experiences, and you’ll have a strong essay on your hands. 

All Applicants, Prompt 2 

Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from uiuc and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. (150 words).

The trick to this prompt is making sure you convey a clear personal or career goal, while also relating your intended course of study to that goal. 

Thus, you should acknowledge the following main points while answering this prompt: 

• What are your future personal or career goals? 
• How will your chosen major help contribute towards those goals? 

Let’s address each of these points separately. 

1. What are your future personal and/or career goals?

The prompt plainly states that your response needs to identify your future personal or career goals. If you have a clear idea of what your goals are, that will make this part easy. In that situation, you would have presumably chosen a course of study that will serve as a stepping stone towards your longer-term ambitions. 

On the other hand, UIUC knows that your interests will change over the next four years, and that nothing is set in stone. If you’re uncertain about your career goals, it’s also okay to identify a few possible career paths that interest you. Another option is to discuss the type of work you wish to do (e.g. helping deliver aid to marginalized communities) as opposed to the specific career title.

Keep in mind that UIUC gives you the option of specifying your personal goals as well, and not just your career goals. Your personal goals should still be related to your major, but don’t have to be as career-focused. For instance, some solid personal goals to mention would be things like becoming a stronger public speaker, learning to program in a certain coding language, doing research on a specific topic, or writing a novel. 

As long as you can make a compelling case as to how your chosen major relates to your future ambitions, you will be in good shape for this essay. 

2. How will your chosen major help contribute towards those goals?

Once you have identified your personal or career goals, you also need to indicate what aspects of your chosen course of study will help you achieve those goals. 

This will mean both speaking about your major in broad terms, as well as identifying some features of UIUC’s course of study that serve you particularly well. This is not a “why UIUC” essay, so showing depth of research is not the top priority, but it will strengthen your response nonetheless. 

While this essay does not require personal reflections in the way that many other college essays do, it is still important for your voice to come through in deeper analyses that show you understand the significance of your major-goal combination at a deeper level. 

To accomplish this, make sure you are always stating why a particular aspect of your intended major serves your goals. For instance, it is not enough to say, “I hope to be a lawyer for the United Nations, so I want to take the course Governing Globalizations.” You might instead write, “Courses such as Governing Globalizations, which explore the historical, moral, socio-economic, and political dimensions of an emerging global society, will provide me with the interdisciplinary background to thrive as an international lawyer.” 

All Applicants, Prompt 3 (Optional)

Explain any challenges (outside of covid-related) you have faced throughout your academic career, including the dates or timeline below. (300 words).

While we encourage applicants to respond to most optional prompts, this prompt and the following one are truly optional. You should only respond to them if you have exceptional circumstances that apply.

This prompt is not the typical Overcoming Challenges essay, where you’re asked to share examples of your resilience through a story. This is truly for major challenges that negatively impacted your academic or extracurricular history, and it should be written in a straightforward format, not narrative form.

Some examples of challenges that may apply include:

• Major illness
• Death in the family
• Job loss in the family
• Anything else that prevented you from achieving at your potential

You don’t need to take up the full word count; only use the space you need. Here’s an example:

During my entire high school career, I had to babysit for my two younger siblings right after school because my family couldn’t afford daycare. As a result, I was unable to do sports or other extracurriculars, however, these many afternoons prepping snacks and coming up with new games to play were valuable in teaching me responsibility and creativity.

All Applicants, Prompt 4 (Optional)

If you have a low grade or a drop in grades that you have not already explained, do so below. (300 words).

The same advice for the previous prompt applies here too, however, this is specific to grades. Again, don’t use this space for that one class you got a B. This is for grades that are truly out of the norm from your academic record or abilities.

Make sure you also don’t blame others for your lower grade (i.e. “the teacher was bad”). If there were factors outside of your control, explain the situation as diplomatically as possible.

In September 2021, I was diagnosed with ADHD and started taking medication for it. Prior to that, during freshman year, I was not able to do my best academically because I was unable to focus. After starting ADHD medication, I was able to follow along in class and complete all my assignments, and my grades rose significantly as a result.

You have selected a second-choice major. Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals. (150 words)

This prompt is similar to the previous one about your first-choice major, so you should approach it in largely the same manner. The only nuance is that you don’t necessarily have to relate your second-choice major to any personal or career goals, if you don’t want to (though it’s always helpful to!). 

It’s still important to ground this essay in meaningful experiences with this field. Since the essay asks about your interest in this major, it can be easy to simply write all the reasons you love the major without actually sharing more about who you are. You want to avoid that! For example, anyone could write an essay about why environmental science is so great and important, but only you can discuss how the river in your hometown was polluted by a garment factory, or how fulfilling it was to teach kids at the elementary school how to compost. 

After explaining your interest, make sure to share how this second-choice major relates to your future goals. Since it’s a second-choice major, you may not have as concrete of an answer, and that’s okay, but UIUC still wants to know how you might make an impact with this major should you study it. For the hypothetical student interested in environmental science, they may want to work in environmental policy to prevent pollution, or become a teacher so that the younger generation learns to love and care for the earth.

Where to Get Your University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Essays Edited 

Do you want feedback on your UIUC essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free  Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

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Undergraduate Admissions

Deadline Update: We want to ensure anyone applying for federal financial aid has enough time to make an informed decision regarding their college choice! For this reason, we're extending our enrollment decision deadline to May 15.

Requirements for First-Year Applicants

As you prepare, we want you to know the things we expect from our applicants. You may also want to take a look at our application process and how we review .

Course Rigor

Taking advanced classes can increase your chance of being accepted to UIUC, as tougher coursework proves you like a challenge and are willing to work hard. Taking rigorous coursework in subject areas related to your future major also demonstrates an interest and strong foundation in your future academic track. We want you to challenge yourself given what’s available at your school, provided you can still be successful inside and outside of the classroom.

Coursework & Grades

Following are the kinds of courses you need to take while in high school and the number of years you need to take them. You should work to consistently make strong grades in these courses.

• English : 4 years required
• Math : 3 or 3.5 years required, 4 years recommended
• Social sciences : 2 years required, 4 years recommended
• Lab sciences : 2 years required, 4 years recommended
• Language other than English : 2 years required, 4 years recommended
• Flexible academic units : 2 years required, 4+ years recommended

View acceptable courses

Extracurriculars

When we review your application, we want to know what’s important to you. The quality of your involvement outside the classroom is much more important than quantity. Take part in the activities you're passionate about and enjoy. We take notice when you demonstrate leadership skills and show long-term commitment to the things you love.

Related Experiences

If you know what major you want to pursue at UIUC, seek out experiences and opportunities related to it now. Doing so will not only show your passion and motivation, but it will also help you get a feel for your potential field. If you don't know what you want to do yet, don't stress! This is your chance to explore any areas of interest you might have.

Test Scores

Act/sat (if provided).

We accept either the ACT or SAT, and we don’t prefer one over the other. If you provide your scores, they will be used in our decision-making process, as well as for course placement and academic advising. They may also be a factor when it comes to scholarship and aid decisions. For the middle 50% score range, view our class profile .

• ACT test dates
• SAT test dates

TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test

A TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score may be required or strongly recommended to demonstrate a command of the English language.

Want more info?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Application and eligibility, what is the sat/act policy for the 2023-2024 application process.

We have made the following updates for the 2023-24 application process to accommodate all students:

• All applicants will be required to submit the SAT and/or ACT scores as part of their application file.
• Any scores submitted after the application deadline (March 1st) will not be considered. If a file does not have SAT/ACT scores, it will be considered ineligible for admission.
• When registering, for the SAT please use IMSA’s SAT school code #3027 to ensure that we receive a copy of your test scores.
• When registering for the ACT, select Illinois Math & Science Academy as your school, to ensure we receive a copy of your scores.
• Applicants can take the test multiple times. If a student takes the test multiple times, their highest Reading and Writing scores will be combined with their highest Math score for one superscore.
• As always, IMSA will continue to uphold our holistic admissions review process of all submitted applications by considering all aspects of the application file (grade history, teacher evaluations, essays, activities and awards) regardless of the presence of SAT/ACT scores.

*If you have any questions about submitting your scores, please contact Admissions at  [email protected]  or (630) 907-5028

When can students apply to IMSA?

Students can apply during the fall of their 8th and/or 9th grade years.

I’m currently in 8th grade, but my school doesn’t offer high school level science. What do I do?

Eighth grade applicants can fulfill the high school science requirement through any accredited institution. In the past families have used online institutions or community colleges. Any class taught at a high school level is acceptable, but we recommend taking a chemistry, biology, or physics class in order to best prepare students for the curriculum here. If you have any questions about whether or not a course meets the eligibility requirements, feel free to send a course description to [email protected] . 9th grade applicants will meet this requirement through their regular high school curriculum.

How many students are accepted to IMSA each year?

Because we are a residential school, the number of students we can accept each year is limited by the number of student rooms we have open. Typically we have about 230-250 spots depending on the size of the class who just graduated. While the acceptance rate is competitive, every submitted and eligible application is reviewed during our admissions process. Acceptance is based on both qualitative and quantitative aspects within that application. For a more detailed explanation of the attributes of a successful IMSA student, we recommend watching this informational video .

Are accepted students required to attend Orientation?

All accepted and waitpool students and at least one parent/guardian are required to participate in Summer Orientation. Details regarding Summer Orientation, including dates and the Orientation program format, will be shared with acceptance and waitpool letters. IMSA will continue to follow the health and safety guidelines provided by CDC and IDPH to make informed decisions regarding Academy programming.

Application Troubleshooting and Tips

If you encounter any issues or have questions about the application itself, we recommend you reference our Application Troubleshooting page or contacting [email protected]

You can also view our virtual Application Tips Part 1 and Part 2 to walkthrough the process with an Admissions Counselor

Student Life at IMSA

Does my child have to live on campus if we live close by, can my student commute to class every day.

IMSA is a unique learning environment where opportunities for education and collaboration exist well beyond the classroom. Whether it’s helping to develop and facilitate leadership education curriculum or collaborating with Student Council to start new campus initiatives around sustainability, our students are constantly learning from hands-on opportunities that make the residential aspect of IMSA essential. Our Residence Life staff also work to prepare students for the “real-world” by teaching them conflict resolution skills, time-management, how to budget their money, and how to live independently in a diverse population of people. Alumni have stated that these skills have prepared them for success beyond IMSA just as much as the rigorous academic preparation that they received in the classroom. View Residential Curriculum

How will my child be supervised while they live on campus?

While living at IMSA, your child will have a number of adults checking in with them on a regular basis. Our campus is composed of seven residential halls. Each hall has four wings with 18-24 students living in the wing. Each wing is supervised by a professional staff member called a Resident Counselor (RC) who lives in the wing with the students. Our RCs are adults with at least a Bachelor’s Degree who are trained in Residence Life and background checked by the State of Illinois. Our Resident Counselors help students adjust to life at IMSA, check in with them about their grades, make sure they are managing their time, and facilitate our Residence Life Curriculum. They also work closely with teachers and parents to make sure students have the tools they need to be successful at IMSA. In addition to the RCs, we also have a number of Administrators on Call in the evenings who are trained to respond to any emergency from student injuries to inclement weather. IMSA also employs security officers who are here 24/7. They monitor the cameras around campus, conduct rounds of the Main Building and Residence Halls, and monitor the exterior perimeter of campus. Luckily, our most frequent trespassers are usually just the resident family of skunks!

Do I have to pay for room and board or a meal plan?

IMSA is a public school so all room and board including meal plans are covered by the State of Illinois. There are some student fees that families are responsible for, but they are on a sliding scale based on family size and income. Students are provided with 3 meals a day (two meals on the weekend-Brunch and Dinner) in our cafeteria at no additional cost to families. Some students like to go out to eat or order delivery food so they might need some spending money, but the amount and frequency is up to each student and their family.

Can my child have a car on campus?

Because student safety is our top priority, we do not allow students to keep cars on campus. Students are allowed to walk to local businesses within a mile of campus with permission from a staff member, and our Resident Counselors frequently take trips to allow students to get off campus and have fun.

How are roommates selected?

At IMSA, all of our students live with roommates. We do not have any single rooms. Incoming sophomores can request a specific roommate if they know someone else attending IMSA. Otherwise, roommates are matched based on survey responses and shared interests. Students complete a roommate survey once they are accepted.

Can students go home on the weekends?

Parents or guardians are able to pick students up whenever they do not have any other required commitments, like classes or mandatory meetings, like the weekends. We do ask that when you pick up your child, you check them out with the adult on duty (in the Attendance Office during the academic day and the RC Office during evenings and weekends) and bring a photo ID. Students do have evening events and commitments on weeknights, so we do ask that you limit evening sign-outs during the week.

Is there anything to do on campus on the weekends?

Definitely! A number of our students come from all over the State of Illinois, so it is not realistic for them to go home every weekend, so campus is still active on the weekends. You can usually find students participating in a wide range of activities, such as hosting video game tournaments, completing community service projects, taking trips to the mall, or going to see a movie. Our Residence Life Staff works over the weekend to make sure that there are fun activities and trips available to students and time to rest and relax.

What sorts of clubs or extracurricular activities do you offer on campus?

IMSA is a participating member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) for sports. View a full list of the athletic teams we offer here .

IMSA also offers a wide range of clubs and co-curricular activities from our State Champion Chess team to K-Pop Club. There is truly an opportunity for every student to get involved in something they’re interested in. Students are also able to charter new clubs if the club they want is not currently offered. View a full list of clubs and organizations here.

How does IMSA promote diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus?

In order to make IMSA feel like home for everyone, we have adopted a Diversity Plan for students and staff at the Academy. It is important that community members be effective at interacting across cultures, which is essential to IMSA’s vision of “igniting and nurturing creative, ethical scientific minds that advance the human condition”. IMSA’s diverse cultural groups also include political orientations, statewide regional cultures. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to exchange ideas freely, engage in critical thinking and reexamine their personal perspectives. While a student is at IMSA, they can expect to engage in educational opportunities and discussions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Students who have a passion for equity work have the opportunity to become Peer Multicultural Educators, where they work with our Director of Equity and Inclusion to create, facilitate, and implement educational opportunities surrounding diversity and inclusion for their peers.

Does IMSA provide support for students with disabilities?

Yes, we establish learning and health plans to make accommodations for students.

Academics at IMSA

Are there research or internship opportunities available.

IMSA has a wide array of personalized learning experiences for students. Through our Student Inquiry and Research (SIR) department, students in good academic standing can conduct advanced-level research on topics of their choosing with the mentorship of a professional in that field. Students can also learn about entrepreneurship, business, marketing, web design, and gain real-world professional skills through our internship program. Run through our Center for Innovation and Inquiry (IN2) , this program helps match students with working professionals and start-ups in their field of interest. Research and internships typically occur on Wednesdays which are reserved for Inquiry Days, frequently referred to as “I Days.” On these days, students conducting research off-campus are transported to their research location and spend the entire day researching and gaining hands-on skills while making personal connections with professionals in their field of study.

Does IMSA offer AP classes?

All of our classes at IMSA are taught at advanced levels, and many of our students go on to take AP Exams to gain college credit. Oftentimes, “AP” or Advanced Placement class curriculums are focused on teaching material simply to pass the AP Exams. This teaching philosophy directly conflicts with IMSA’s hands-on, problem-based learning approach. Students in IMSA’s classes will be pushed beyond the memorization of facts and will be asked to apply the knowledge that they are learning in classroom activities. With that being said, our students will be well prepared to take Advanced Placement exams and earn college credit even though our classes are not labeled “AP” classes. To see how many students took AP’s last year, reference our School Profile .

Do you only have math and science classes?

IMSA offers a comprehensive curriculum to prepare students for any future academic endeavors. While at IMSA, students are required to take classes in literature, history, fine arts, wellness and world language. All of these classes are also taught at advanced or even college level. While we do require students to take more math and science credits that your "typical" high school, students will receive a well-rounded education taught by our nationally ranked faculty. You can view a full course catalog here.

Do you offer Driver’s Ed?

While we don’t allow students to have personal cars on campus, students can elect to take Driver’s Ed while living on campus. This is facilitated through the Principal’s Office, and Driver’s Ed teachers will come to campus for driving lessons.

Will attending IMSA help my student get into college?

Upon acceptance to IMSA, each student is assigned a College and Academic Counselor (CAC) who will work with them throughout their three years at IMSA. Their CAC will help them select classes, support them academically, and when the time comes, help them apply to college. View our College Matriculation page to see where IMSA students go after graduating!

What academic accommodations does IMSA offer students?

IMSA does not use 504/IEP plans. Incoming students may submit their 504/IEP plans, but a doctor’s diagnosis dated within the past three years is used to start the Education Plan process. The Academy creates Education Plans with the family to support students who have an identified need for additional academic assistance. Contact the Academic Support Specialist Linda Hefferin at [email protected] for more information on how students qualify for an Education Plan. Or visit our Academic Support Services page.

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Tel: 630.907.5028 [email protected]

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Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

1500 Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506-1000 Tel: 630.907.5000 | Fax: 630.907.5976 Copyright ©1993-2023 IMSA, All rights reserved.

Illinois State University | ISU

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at Illinois State University | ISU?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Illinois State University | ISU’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Personal statement essay.

If you would like to submit a personal statement, your submission should be approximately 500 words in length and address the contributions you are prepared to make to our community, both academically and otherwise. Specifically, your statement should:

Identify any circumstances that affected your academic performance, if applicable

Make clear your commitment to academic success in college, acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses and your plans to utilize available resources

Articulate your readiness to engage productively in our campus community outside the classroom.

We encourage students with less than a 3.0 GPA to submit a personal statement.

Select-A-Prompt Essay

Fun Facts (Optional)

We would love to get to know you even better. Your answers to these questions will not be used to determine your admissibility to the University in any way.

Favorite food

Dream vacation destination

Most played band/musician on your Spotify playlist

Tell us about your pets (what kind of animals, names, etc.).

Favorite candy

Which TV show did you recently binge-watch?

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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Winning Powerball numbers for April 13, 2024. Anyone win tonight's drawing jackpot?

The  Powerball  lottery jackpot continues to grow after no one matched all six numbers from Wednesday night's drawing .

Grab your tickets  and let's  check your numbers  to see if you're the game's newest millionaire.

Here are the numbers for the Saturday, April 13, Powerball jackpot worth an estimated $46 million with a cash option of $21.5 million.

Powerball, Mega Millions: Want to win the lottery? Here are luckiest numbers, places to play

Powerball numbers 4/13/24

The  winning numbers  for Saturday night's drawing were 7, 33, 40, 43, 69, and the Powerball is 10. The Power Play was 5X.

Did anyone win Powerball last night, Saturday, April 13th, 2024?

No one matched all six numbers  to win the Powerball jackpot.

Nobody matched all five numbers except for the Powerball worth $1 million.

Double Play  numbers are 39, 55, 60, 65, 69, and the Powerball is 26.

Nobody matched all six numbers , and no one matched all five numbers except for the Powerball worth $500,000.

Powerball winner? Lock up your ticket and go hide. What to know if you win the jackpot

How many Powerball numbers do you need to win a prize?

You only need to match one number in Powerball to win a prize. However, that number must be the Powerball worth $4. Visit powerball.com for the entire prize chart.

What is the Powerball payout on matching 2 lottery numbers?

Matching two numbers won't win anything in Powerball unless one of the numbers is the Powerball. A ticket matching one of the five numbers and the Powerball is also worth $4. Visit powerball.com for the entire prize chart.

Powerball numbers you need to know: These most commonly drawn numbers could help you win

How much is the Powerball?

The Powerball jackpot for Monday, April 15, 2024 rose to an estimated $63 million with a cash option of $29.5 million, according to  powerball.com .

When is the next Powerball drawing?

Drawings are held three times per week at approximately 10:59 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

How much is a Powerball lottery ticket?

A single Powerball ticket costs $2. Pay an additional $1 to add the Power Play for a chance to multiply all Powerball winnings except for the jackpot. Players can also add the Double Play for one more $1 to have a second chance at winning $10 million.

How to play Powerball

Mega Millions numbers: Anyone win Friday night's drawing jackpot?

Mega Millions winning numbers

The Mega Millions  continued to rise after nobody matched all six numbers from Friday night's drawing . The  current Mega Millions jackpot  is worth an estimated $148 million, with a cash option of $67.8 million.

Powerball 2024 drawing jackpot winners

Here is the list of 2024 Powerball jackpot wins, according to  powerball.com :

• $842.4 million — Jan. 1; Michigan .
• $1.362 million — April 6; Oregon .

Powerball Top 10 lottery drawing jackpot results

Here are the all-time top 10 Powerball jackpots, according to  powerball.com :

• $2.04 billion — Nov. 7, 2022; California.
• $1.765 billion — Oct. 11, 2023; California.
• $1.586 billion — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida, Tennessee.
• $1.326 billion — April 6, 2024; Oregon.
• $1.08 billion — July 19, 2023; California.
• $842 million — Jan. 1, 2024; Michigan.
• $768.4 million — March 27, 2019; Wisconsin.
• $758.7 million — Aug. 23, 2017; Massachusetts.
• $754.6 million — Feb. 6, 2023; Washington.
• $731.1 million — Jan. 20, 2021; Maryland.

Powerball numbers: Did anyone win Wednesday night's drawing jackpot?

Powerball, Mega Millions history: Top 10 U.S. lottery drawing jackpot results

Here are the nation's all-time top 10 Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots, according to  powerball.com :

• $2.04 billion,  Powerball  — Nov. 7, 2022; California.
• $1.765 billion, Powerball — Oct. 11, 2023; California.
• $1.586 billion,  Powerball  — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida, Tennessee.
• $1.58 million, Mega Millions  — Aug. 8, 2023; Florida.
• $1.537 billion,  Mega Millions  — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina.
• $1.35 billion, Mega Millions — Jan. 13, 2023; Maine.
• $1.337 billion,  Mega Millions  — July 29, 2022; Illinois.
• $1.326 billion, Powerball — April 6, 2024; Oregon
• $1.13 billion, Mega Millions — March 26, 2024; New Jersey.
• $1.08 billion, Powerball — July 19, 2023; California.

Chris Sims is a digital content producer at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter:  @ChrisFSims .