Transfer Admissions
Transfer to a hub of collaborative innovation
The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign embraces the unique experiences and diverse perspectives that our transfer students bring to campus. As you consider continuing your education at Grainger Engineering, our Transfer Programs staff is here to assist you and keep the transfer admissions process all about you - because it's all about where you see yourself, and we hope to see you at Grainger Engineering.
Transfer Admissions Requirements Contact Transfer Programs
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How to Apply
Grainger Engineering transfer applications are made directly to your engineering major of interest. The process involves a thorough assessment of your qualifications, experiences and ambition. To make your application more competitive and ensure progress toward completion of degree requirements, plan ahead by contacting our Transfer Programs staff as early as your first college semester for assistance with course scheduling and transfer preparation.
Fill out your engineering transfer application to Grainger Engineering through myIllini and submit it through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Follow the provided steps to ensure successful completion of your application.
Transfer student interested in completing a major, including a dual degree, at Grainger Engineering must apply and be admitted directly into the college at the time of their transfer. Transfer students admitted to other academic colleges on campus at the University of Illinois are not eligible for later admission or on-campus transfer to the Pre-Engineering Program (PREP) or The Grainger College of Engineering.
- Select a program of study that best fits your skills, interests and goals.
- Review and gather all application requirements to prepare for each stage of the application process.
- Complete the online application through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
- Check your application status and ensure you have submitted all materials. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will notify you via email once your application decision is ready.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Transfer applications open on January 15th
Application submission window: January 15 – April 5
Priority Deadline: March 1st
Notification of admission: by April
Important Dates and Deadlines
- Application Submission Window: January 15th to April 5th
- Priority Deadline: March 1st
- Notification of Admission: Rolling, April at the latest
Transfer Admissions Requirements
Grainger Engineering transfer requirements are established to provide a path of transformative success for each applicant and admitted student. To be considered for transfer admission, all applicants must complete transfer coursework equivalent to the following University of Illinois courses prior to application:
- CHEM 102 and 103, General Chemistry I
- CHEM 104 and 105, General Chemistry II*
- MATH 220, Calculus, or MATH 221, Calculus I
- MATH 231, Calculus II
- MATH 241, Calculus III
- PHYS 211, University Physics: Mechanics
- PHYS 212, University Physics: Elec & Mag
- One of the following, as recommend by the program of study in the Transfer Handbook:
- CS 101, Intro Computing: Engineering & Science, or
- CS 124, Intro to Computer Science I, or
- CS 125, Intro to Computer Science, or
- ECE 110, Introduction to Electronics, or
- MCB 150, Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life, or
- SE 101, Engineering Graphics and Design, or
- ME 170, Computer-Aided Design
*Specifically required only for the following Programs of Study: Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, and Materials Science and Engineering. A full year of chemistry may be required, regardless of major, depending on course transferability from the current institution. Please note: AP Chemistry awards credit for the lecture only — applicants are responsible for completing the full lecture and lab sequence(s).
Students are highly encouraged to complete additional courses that transfer to their desired program of study to have the most competitive application for admission.
An Alternative Pathway to Grainger Engineering
For Illinois residents interested in starting their engineering journey to at an Illinois community college, Engineering Pathways offers a streamlined transfer experience and guaranteed admission to the Grainger College of Engineering, upon successful completion of program requirements.
Participants may be admitted to 18 Grainger Engineering programs and have access to collaborative activities and specialized student support services.
Application Review
The Grainger College of Engineering is home to some of the most accomplished problem solvers, academic powerhouses, social collaborators and critical thinkers in engineering. Accordingly, we review all applications holistically, considering each aspect of the individual when making admissions decisions. By evaluating your academic achievements and personal aspirations, we strive to create a review process that is both fair and tailored to your individual goals.
Overall and technical GPA
Grainger Engineering generally expects applicants to have a minimum of 3.00 overall GPA (A=4.00), but admission to specific majors may be significantly more competitive during any given admission cycle. In the fall of 2022, the average transfer GPA for admitted students was 3.86, with the middle 50% of GPAs ranging from 3.78–4.00.
Applicants should demonstrate mastery of subject matter by earning a B or better (3.00–4.00) in all prerequisite courses.
Technical coursework and academic rigor
All applicants should complete as many technical courses listed in the Transfer Handbook as possible. Successful applicants demonstrate course progression and rigor consistent with suggested sequences for the major(s) selected, taking prerequisite courses in the appropriate terms and a minimum number of technical courses (three to four) and credit hours (15+) each semester. Applicants should also complete all required coursework and at least one semester with four technical courses and 15+ credit hours completed before applying.
If an applicant is unable to complete a listed course or maintain a full-time schedule due to any reason, please address in the "Other Academic Information – Academic Challenges" section of the online application.
Essay
We place great importance on the essay portion of the application and seek applicants who are excited to showcase their unique talents and take advantage of our cutting-edge resources to fulfill their goals. Transfer applicants will provide one to two essays, depending on whether a second-choice major has been selected. Essays should be 300 to 400 words each.
View our transfer admissions essay questions.
Activities and work experience
Tell your story by sharing your involvement with extracurricular, work and volunteer experiences. We want to know more about who you are and what personal strengths and skills you will bring to Grainger Engineering.
High school transcript and ACT/SAT scores
For applicants with less than 30 graded credit hours, we review high school and college-level coursework, alongside ACT and SAT scores, if submitted, for admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there someone who can assist me with schedule planning?
Yes! We know navigating the transfer process can be challenging, so our program staff members are here to help. You can work with a transfer programs advisor by emailing engineeringtransfers@illinois.edu and including the name of your current college/university, major(s) of interest, intended transfer semester (fall terms only) and an attachment of an unofficial transcript of any college coursework completed or in progress. We encourage you to contact us early in your college career to discuss transfer requirements due to our competitive admissions process.
Is there a limit to how many credit hours I can transfer?
While the policy varies by college, there is no limit to the number of credit hours you can transfer, and a high number of credit hours earned does not negatively impact your admissions process. Regardless of credit hours transferred, all students must complete the campus residency requirement, which specifies that each bachelor’s degree candidate from UIUC must earn at least 45 semester hours of credit, with 21 credit hours of 300- or 400-level courses.
As a transfer student, am I eligible for the James Scholar Honors Program?
Transfer students who complete an initial full-time semester on campus (fall or spring) and have a UIUC GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to apply for the James Scholar Honors Program.
Can I use test-based credit (AP, IB, etc.) to fulfill transfer requirements?
We strongly encourage you to fulfill admission requirements by earning graded, transferable credit, as test-based credit policies are not finalized until after the incoming student admissions cycle is complete, and these policies can and do change often.
I already earned a bachelor’s degree. Am I eligible to apply for a second bachelor’s degree?
Yes, we accept second bachelor’s degree applications for consideration; however, we give priority to students seeking their first bachelor's degree. For limited capacity majors, including Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering, second degree applications are unlikely to be approved. Contact Grainger Transfer Programs for more information and alternative paths to achieving your academic goals. All applicants are expected to have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
If you completed your first bachelor’s degree from a different institution, continue as a transfer applicant; but if you earned your first bachelor’s degree from the UIUC, contact Grainger Transfer Programs for information on how to proceed. Our guidelines and course requirements established in the Transfer Handbook, alongside transfer admissions dates and deadlines, apply to all transfer applicants.
If you completed your first bachelor’s degree from Illinois, contact Elizabeth Gonzalez, Assistant Director of Transfer Programs, at egon@illinois.edu to further discuss your degree options and application process. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree from Illinois are not able to submit a second application in the transfer application portal and are expected to meet all requirements for transfer in the Transfer Handbook.
Can I change majors after being admitted as a transfer student to Grainger Engineering?
The Transfer Programs staff must approve major change requests, evaluating them on a case-by-case basis. Due to space constraints, the college does not permit dual-degree petitions or major change requests to Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. Grainger Engineering may consider a major change within the same department for students admitted to Electrical or Computer Engineering with limited exposure to the introductory courses at their previous institution (e.g., ECE 110, 120, 210, 220). For questions about declaring a major outside of Grainger Engineering, please contact the respective college or academic department.
Are there scholarships available for transfer students?
Scholarships are available for students who transfer to Illinois. Some scholarships are offered as part of your acceptance package and others are available for continuing students. Additional information about Undergraduate Aid is available here.
Contact Us
Our transfer admissions team is ready to answer your questions and make your journey to Grainger Engineering as easy as possible. Connect with us!
Email: engineeringtransfers@illinois.edu
Call: 217-333-2280
Continue Your College Journey at Grainger Engineering
Your college journey may have already started, but there is no better place to continue than at the Grainger College of Engineering.