Frequently Asked Questions

Below are responses to some of the most frequently asked questions by prospective students. If you have any additional ones, please feel free to call or email Penny Ames at (217) 333-7197 or 1-800-982-0914 or lis-apply@illinois.edu

Instructions for filling out the online application

Online application can be found at: http://www.grad.uiuc.edu/admissions/apply/

Proposed Program: Select "Library and Information Science" from the pull-down window.

Degree: From the pull-down window, you can select the degree and scheduling option. For the online LEEP option, it is listed at Distance Learning.

NOTE: Applicants are only allowed to submit one application per year; i.e., you cannot apply to multiple programs in the same year (example: Master's on-campus and Master's online LEEP.) Also, if an applicant has been denied and wishes to re-apply, he or she must wait one year before doing so.

Concentration: Choose your concentration from the pull-down window or choose “None” if not applicable.

Desired term of enrollment:

MS on-campus - select spring, summer or fall

Distance learning (LEEP) - summer only

CAS - select spring, summer or fall

Ph.D. – fall only

Letters of References:
The individuals submitting reference letters on your behalf may submit their letters to our admissions office electronically through our application system. For those who wish to submit their letter of reference on paper, please download and print a copy of the recommendation form from the "Downloadable Forms" section of the online application system and follow the directions for paper references. Paper applications should be sent directly to:

GSLIS
Attention: Admissions
501 East Daniel Street
Champaign, IL 61820

How many letters of reference do I need to send in?
We require letters of reference from three people, at least one of which should be from an academic professor. If you have been out of school for more than five years and are unable to get one from a former professor, you may substitute it with another professional.

Statement Section:
Section 1 – Upload a professional resume.

Section 2 – Upload a GSLIS personal statement; NOT the statement that is being requested on the online application.

Tips for writing the personal statement
The Admission Committee is looking for the following issues to be addressed:

Why have you choose the LIS field? (The committee would like to see evidence that you know what this field is all about.)

What career plans do you have once you obtain the degree? (The committee wants to see that you will make a difference in the field; have a passion for this area, not just a love of books and libraries.)

Program Specific Question #1:
Upload the interview essay for the MS degree or the research statement for the PhD program.

Program Specific Question #2:
For those applicants applying for the K-12 Media Specialist Librarianship, upload the REQUIRED third essay “Commitment to Education”.

Field of Specialization:
Most applicants do not know what area of interest they wish to pursue. This is quite normal. Feel free to leave it blank. If you do know (e.g., academic libraries, digital libraries, etc.), then include it. However, if you are applying to the K–12 Media Specialization or are interested in Media Endorsement, Data Curation, or Community Informatics then you should include this on the field of specialization line.

Financial Aid Preference:
Leave this blank as it does not pertain to our department. All applicants are considered for any scholarships/fellowships that we may have. Awards are based on area of interest, merit, and/or financial need. Once admitted to the school, you can begin the process of applying for an assistantship. Details of this process will be included in your admission letter.

Do I have to take the Graduate Records Exam (GRE)?

The GRE test is only required if an applicant's GPA is below a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or “B” average. We calculate GPA using the applicant's last two years as an undergraduate. If the applicant has taken any graduate level work or has a higher degree, then we average that GPA with the undergraduate one. If the average is a 3.0 or above, then the GRE is NOT required. If an applicant has a JD or a PhD degree they would be exempt from the GRE requirement.

You can find out more information on the GRE test at the Educational Testing Service Web site.

How can I check the status of my application once it has been submitted?

You can go back into your application to see if your letters of reference and transcripts have been submitted, or you can "email"-lis-apply, at illinois.edu- and ask for the status of your file.

I have a change of address and/or email address and have already submitted my application.

It is very important that you keep the School updated of any address or email change. These forms of communication are generally used by our office. Please go into your application and make the necessary changes as well as "email"-lis-apply, at illinois.edu- us any changes.

Transcripts

Transcripts must come directly from the University in a sealed envelope. For women whose last name may be different than what is listed on the transcript, please instruct the registrar's office to note the new name on the transcript.

How many transcripts are required?
We required TWO transcripts with at least one of those being the “official” transcript--sent directly from the University in a sealed envelope. If you have an unofficial transcript at home, we can use that for the second one.

Generally, we do not need transcripts from community colleges unless you received a Board of Governors, Trustees or General Studies degree. In this case, those are needed. If you are applying for the K-12 program, ALL transcripts are needed.

Where do I have transcripts sent?
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
Attention: Admissions Office
501 East Daniel Street
Champaign, IL 61820-6211

Declaration of Finance and Verification Form

All international applicants must submit these two forms before their I-20 will be processed. You will not be able to access the Verification Form online until you have been admitted to the school.

Basic Skills Test

For those applicants applying to the Combined MS/K–12 Media Specialist Program, you must pass the Basic Skills test before you can be officially admitted to the K–12 program. This admission is a two-step process. You have to be admitted by the Admission Committee to the MS program. Once admitted, your file is given to the K–12 Committee for review. If they admit you then paperwork has to be sent to the Council of Teachers Education (CoTE). The final admissions paperwork cannot be processed until the Basic Skills test has been passed and notification of the result is received by the GSLIS office. For K-12 admission, ALL transcripts from ALL Universities attended are required by CoTE.

For information on the testing dates and other valuable information see the "Certification" link on the Council of Teachers Education website.

General Information

The applicant's complete file is reviewed by the Admissions Committee which evaluates the applicant's background, qualifications, and potential as a whole. Only complete application files will be reviewed and no credentials will be returned to the applicant.

All application materials become the property of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and no item will be returned to the applicant.

Admitted MS or CAS students may defer their enrollment for a maximum of one year and admitted files will be kept for one year after date of admission. Thereafter, he/she must reapply.

GSLIS welcomes students from all backgrounds. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign prohibits discrimination based on such characteristics as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, race, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Information about resources to assist domestic underrepresented applicants in available here.

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