Essay Prompts

First-Year: Illinois Essays

You’ll answer these in the Writing section of the Illinois questions on the Common App.

Each essay should be about 150 words.

First‑Choice Major Essays

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.
2. Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from Illinois and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.

Second‑Choice Major Essay

When you apply with a second‑choice major, you’ll answer this additional prompt.

1. Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

First-Year: Common App Essay

You’ll also pick one essay prompt from Common App’s list of prompts.

Your essay should be 250 to 650 words.

Transfer: First-Choice Major Essay

Explain your interest in the major you selected. Describe how you have recently developed this interest, inside and/or outside of the classroom, and how this major relates to your professional goals.

Transfer: Second-Choice Major Question

When you apply with a second‑choice major, you’ll answer this additional prompt:

• You have selected a second-choice major. Please explain your interest in this major.