International applicants who are interested in attending Illinois Tech, and who meet academic and financial requirements but do not meet the minimum English proficiency test requirements, may be offered conditional admission. This allows students to increase English language proficiency through intense English-language programs before taking on academic coursework at Illinois Tech.
How It Works
International applicants can be considered for conditional admission in one of the following ways:
- No TOEFL/IELTS required for conditional admission:
Students who will not submit TOEFL or IELTS scores should indicate an interest in conditional admission on their Common Application. Students who meet academic requirements will be granted conditional admission and automatically admitted to the Intensive English Program at Illinois Tech. Students must still complete all other admission requirements. - TOEFL/IELTS scores below minimum requirements:
Students who submit TOEFL and IELTS scores may also be recommended for conditional admission should they not meet the following requirements:
• At least an 80 on the TOEFL and subscores of 15 or higher
• At least a 6.5 on the IELTS and subscores of 4.5 or higher
• Students whose applications otherwise do not demonstrate a mastery of English
Students who are granted conditional English admission will automatically be admitted to the Intensive English Program at Illinois Tech. The length of participation in the program will depend on one’s own English comprehension and varies based on starting proficiency.
Please note that students who wish to attend one of our other partner institutions must apply to those programs individually.
Accepted Programs
Intensive English Program at Illinois Tech
Students who are granted conditional English admission will automatically be admitted to the Intensive English Program (IEP) at Illinois Tech. Students accepted into IEP will study English, meet new people from different countries and cultures, and experience Chicago while preparing for their academic and professional careers. Students in the IEP program will be able to live on Illinois Tech’s campus and take advantage of various student resources while increasing their language skills. Upon completion of the advanced level in IEP, students will be granted unconditional admission to Illinois Tech and can enroll in academic coursework.
View the IEP program website for more information, or view the IEP brochure.
Other Accepted Programs
Students who do not plan to attend Illinois Tech’s IEP must apply to one of our other partner institutions on their own; conditional admission to Illinois Tech does not automatically enroll a student in any program other than IEP. Unconditional admission to Illinois Tech will be granted upon completion of one of the following:
- Kaplan International Center (KIC): Complete the advanced level at any KIC location
- ELS Education Services (ELS): Complete level 112 at any ELS location
- The Language Company (TLC): Complete level 9 at any TLC location
Students who choose to attend a partner institution rather than Illinois Tech’s IEP must email their admission counselor directly and confirm which partner school they are attending.
For any students who are currently studying at KIC, ELS, or TLC, you will be offered a TOEFL/IELTS waiver after you have completed the above levels of proficiency. You must submit the certificate of completion along with your application. You will still need to complete all other additional admission requirements and will be held to the same academic standard as all incoming prospective students.
Admission Requirements
First-Year Students
- Complete the Common Application. There is no application fee to apply to Illinois Tech.
- Submit official or certified copies of the marks or grades of courses completed prior to university or college entrance, as well as all board examination scores. In cases where official transcripts are not issued in English, you must submit the official native language transcript along with a certified translated English version. Transcripts can be submitted through the Common Application by a school official or uploaded to your Application Tracker once you have submitted your application. Transcripts must reflect at least three full years of grades or marks upon applying.
- Take either the SAT I or ACT test and send the official scores directly from the testing center. Illinois Tech's SAT code is 1318; the ACT code is 1040.
- Provide a completed evaluation form or letter of recommendation from your counselor or a teacher (especially in the subjects of math, science, or English). One letter is required but up to three are accepted.
- Students applying for conditional admission do not need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores if they specify on their application that they are interested in conditional admission. Students do not need to provide the Financial Affidavit of Responsibility Form or a passport copy to the admission office; however, students who are granted conditional admission will need to submit these documents either to Illinois Tech’s IEP or to the partner language institution they plan to enroll in.
Financial Affidavit of Responsibility
Transfer Students
- Complete the Common Application. There is no application fee to apply to Illinois Tech.
- Submit official or certified copies of your transcript(s) from all universities/colleges you have attended to Illinois Tech's Office of Undergraduate Admission. Illinois Tech requires transcripts from all higher education institutes attended, regardless of financial or academic standing, length of attendance, or length of time since attendance. In cases where official transcripts are not issued in English, you must submit the official native language transcript along with a certified translated English version. Official transcripts should be sent to Illinois Tech directly from the higher education institutes. You may upload an unofficial copy of your transcripts to your Application Tracker once you have submitted your application.
- A student who has completed fewer than 30 credit hours (or the equivalent of one year of full-time study) at the university level must also complete the first-year application requirements.
- Students applying for conditional admission do not need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores if you specify on your application that you are interested in conditional admission. Students do not need to provide the Financial Affidavit of Responsibility Form or a passport copy to the admission office; however, students who are granted conditional admission will need to submit these documents either to Illinois Tech’s IEP or to the partner language institution they plan to enroll in.
Financial Affidavit of Responsibility