Intercollegiate Transfers

Application requirements

Successful applicants for the BSIS degree are able to demonstrate their interest and academic success in the field of information sciences. 

The minimum application requirements for ICT does not guarantee admittance into the program. Acceptance varies by year and the competitiveness of the applications received.

All applications are reviewed holistically, meaning that all elements are considered and there is no one requirement that will determine the outcome of applications that meet the requirements listed below. 

General requirements:

• Have completed the coursework requirements for the program
• Have completed 24+ hours of college-level coursework
• Have a minimum of two full semesters (fall/spring) of study remaining before graduation
• Freshman students must have spent two full semesters (fall/spring) in their college of admission
• Off-campus transfer students must have spent at least one full semester in their college of admissions
   

BSIS applicants

In addition to the general requirements above, applicants should meet the following criteria before applying for the BSIS degree:

• 3.00 cumulative GPA*
• Completed two IS courses for a letter grade, with IS 101 and IS 202 being the recommended courses
  • One of the two courses may be an INFO course
  • Cross-listed courses are allowed (i.e. STAT 107 may be taken to satisfy this requirement, as it is cross-listed with IS 107)
  • Courses must be completed through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Preference is given to 3 or 4 credit hour IS courses
• Applicants must have earned grades of B or higher for all IS courses

* The iSchool will consider all applications submitted for the BSIS program, even if the requirements do not meet the minimum GPA or grades listed above. However, applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements should keep in mind that admission is competitive. Applicants should expect to strengthen their application in other areas to increase their competitiveness.

BSIS+DS applicants

The iSchool no longer accepts ICT applications into the BSIS+DS major. 

Applicants may apply for admission into the BSIS major, and if admitted to the program, applicants can then apply for a curriculum change for possible admittance into the BSIS+DS major at a later semester.

Students applying for a curriculum change into the BSIS+DS major must still meet the minimum requirements listed on the Curriculum Change page. 

Before you apply

Before starting the ICT process, all applicants are expected to: 

• Attend an ICT information session: These sessions run throughout the fall and spring semesters and are a required step before students can meet with an iSchool academic advisor. The dates for these sessions will be posted on the iSchool events calendar at the start of the term.
• Attend ICT Express Advising with an iSchool advisor: After attending an ICT info session, bring your completed course plan to Express Advising to discuss with an iSchool academic advisor. ICT Express Advising is offered throughout the fall and spring semesters and is the best way to connect with an advisor to discuss your application and goals. ICT Express Advising times are posted at the start of the term.
• Join the Interested Students ListServ: Fill out this form to receive updates on the major, application timelines, and to receive information on periods when prospective ICT students are eligible to schedule full-length advising appointments with our academic advisors.

ICT timeline

Note: Students should apply after having completed the minimum coursework requirements above. Applicants can apply while taking the required courses, as long as the class will be completed and a letter grade received by the deadline for that application period. 

In other words, if an applicant is taking the required classes in the Fall semester, final grades will be submitted in December, and applicants may then apply by the January 1 deadline.

The iSchool completes a holistic review of all materials submitted for the application as well as the student’s entire academic history. 

Transfer openings are limited, and the program is highly selective. It is essential that students provide detailed, thoughtful responses to the application questions in order to be competitive. Meeting the requirements for GPA or grades alone does not guarantee admittance into the program. 

In addition to academic merit and course planning, the application review will consider if prospective students can demonstrate the following: 

• An understanding of the field of information science and the major
• A desire to learn multiple disciplines to address complex problems
• An interest in understanding the impact of information and technology on people
• Commitment to improving society by using information and technology
• Career goals that clearly align with this major
• Interest in collaboration and teamwork

Beyond this, the application will also consider:

• The student’s resume, including all co-curricular activities (preference given to activities that clearly connect to this major/field)
• Their academic course plan, detailing their ability to complete all remaining courses prior to graduation
• Optional activities such as attending iSchool events, meeting with an iSchool advisor, and other activities that indicate an interest in becoming a part of the School of Information Sciences
   

Average GPAs for acceptance

The information below displays average GPAs for students accepted for ICT into the BSIS program. These are only averages and applicants with lower GPAs have been accepted with competitive applications. Having a GPA that meets or exceeds the average does not guarantee admittance into the major. 

BSIS average GPA for ICT

Students who are interested in a dual degree should discuss their interest with both colleges and majors first. Students not already enrolled in the iSchool may apply for ICT into the BSIS major to pursue a dual degree with the iSchool and their other college.