Apply to our PhD in Information Sciences

The Information Sciences PhD is different than the Informatics PhD. Although both are housed within the School of Information Sciences, they are different programs. If you wish to apply for both programs, you will need to submit separate applications to address these differences. The application information below is for the Information Sciences PhD in the School of Information Sciences.

When are applications due?

The application period for Fall 2023 admission is now closed. Fall 2024 admission information and updated requirements will be posted late summer 2023. 

For early consideration for a Graduate College fellowship, all materials (CV, statements, letters of reference, and transcripts) must be submitted by November 1, 2022 at 11:00 p.m. CST. All applicants that submit materials on or before December 1 will be considered for fellowship nomination, but there is a competitive advantage for nominations submitted from applicants that meet the November 1st deadline. All admitted students will receive five academic years (excluding summers) of Tuition and Financial Support.

What are the requirements for admission?

1. Bachelor's from an accredited college or university
2. GRE
   Applicants with GPAs of at least 3.0, or those with an earned JD, MD, or PhD, are exempt from the GRE requirement. Applicants with a grade-point average (GPA) below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale must submit GRE scores.
3. English Language Proficiency (International Applicants Only)
   All international degree-seeking applicants are required to submit the results of the TOEFL or IELTS as evidence of English proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption, as defined by the Graduate College. International applicants who are not exempt must submit evidence of having passed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 103 or higher (at least a 24 in each section). The test can be administered in the student's home country but should be arranged at least one year before the applicant expects to begin the program. The IELTS test is also accepted with a minimum score of 7.5 in each section. Scores are valid if earned two years or less before admission.
   School of Information Sciences Institution Code: 1836. 
   In exceptional circumstances, an applicant who does not meet these minimum language requirements can only be admitted on limited status and will be required to take the English as a Second Language Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrolling at Illinois.
4. Doctoral Studies Committee (DSC) Interview
   Although an interview may not be required in all cases, if an interview is requested, the DSC will review for research interests and alignment, interests in the iSchool and Illinois, and language proficiency. If you are submitting your application by our early deadline of November 1 for Graduate College fellowship consideration, your letters of reference must also be submitted by November 1.

How do I apply?

From the Graduate College website, hover over Admissions, then select Apply Now.

Applicants must submit the following:

1. CV
2. Statement of Purpose (2-3 pages) 
   Briefly describe how your personal experiences, achievements, strengths, or circumstances have influenced your decision to pursue this graduate degree. Share why you want to pursue your doctoral studies and the impacts you hope to make in the field beyond graduation. Provide insight on your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productivity and positively together. Finally, share why the iSchool at Illinois is the best fit for you and how you intend to be an active member of the academic community at Illinois. This statement should be complementary to your CV and different from your Research Statement.
3. Research Statement (2-3 pages)
   Please present a research problem or question of interest, propose how it might be investigated at the iSchool, and discuss your preparedness to do so (i.e. languages or technical skills, as appropriate). This statement addresses the "what and how" of your research. We pay great attention to the research statement in assessing an applicant’s ability to thrive in a research centric environment, and be successful in our program. We look for evidence of a creative, questioning approach of someone who wants to find out more than what is already in the scholarly literature. We are also looking to see if we have the people to help you in that exploration. A research statement is just your ideas at the time of application - we do not hold you to undertake exactly the project you propose. We know you may refine your ideas, interests and approaches to doing research as you work with us. We are looking for the kind of person who shows promise in doing research.
4. Letters of Reference
   Letters must come from people who can speak to your potential for teaching, research, and productive scholarship. The minimum number of letters we require is 2, but we strongly recommend obtaining 3. We recommend at least one reference from a former professor or research mentor. Please ensure that your letter writers send their letters by our deadline of December 1, 2022. If you are submitting your application by our early deadline of November 1 for Graduate College fellowship consideration, your letters of reference must also be submitted by November 1.
5. Transcripts
   See online application for instructions.
6. Writing Sample (OPTIONAL)
   You have the option to upload a writing sample that illustrates your ability to explore pertinent questions within your chosen discipline. Examples of a writing sample include a senior or master's thesis, revised term paper, capstone assignment, technical report, journal or conference paper (whether published or under review).

Information about resources to assist certain domestic underrepresented applicants is available from the Graduate College here.

Information about application fees and application fee waivers is available from the Graduate College here. If you have further questions, contact ischool-phd@illinois.edu.

Additional information for international applicants is available from the Graduate College here.

How will my application be evaluated?

All applications are assessed by the Doctoral Studies Committee, and by faculty based on the relevance of the applicant's interests to each individual faculty member’s research. Please note that a doctoral degree is a personalized experience and an admission decision is based on the match of research interests with potential faculty advisors, not just your excellence.

The committee invites the most promising candidates for an online interview, which enables the applicant and faculty members to explore research connections in more depth. The interview is both evaluative (i.e., the committee assesses a candidate's ability to think analytically and communicate ideas effectively) and informational (i.e., candidates explore their fit with the faculty, the iSchool and campus environment, and the local community).

Applicants will be notified by the end of February if they will be invited to interview for the program.