Frequently Asked Questions: Applying and Admission
This page answers frequently asked questions about applying and admission to graduate programs in IIT's Armour College of Engineering, College of Science and Letters, and School of Applied Technology.
Admission Requirements
- What are IIT's admission requirements? Am I eligible for admission?
Read complete admission requirements for graduate programs at IIT. Please note that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. We cannot determine the likelihood of any applicant's admission based on a written profile or list of credentials alone. While the requirements listed on our website should be helpful to you in determining your eligibility, your academic department will make an admission decision only after reviewing your complete application packet. - Do I have to take the GRE?
You must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores in order to be considered for admission to a graduate degree program at IIT, unless otherwise noted in the application instructions for your specific program. The GRE requirement is waived for applicants to professional master's degree programs who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher. Read complete GRE requirements. - What if I took the GRE when I applied for my previous graduate program? Do I need to take it again?
GRE scores are considered valid for five years from the testing date. If your scores are more than five years old at the time your application is reviewed, new scores will be required. - What is the minimum GRE score accepted?
The university minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is 900 (quantitative + verbal) and 2.5 (analytical writing). Many academic departments require higher scores for admission. Read complete GRE requirements by department. - Can I start taking courses before I take the GRE?
If you are a domestic student and are unable to submit GRE scores by the application deadline but you are otherwise qualified, you may be granted conditional admission as a non-degree student. If you wish to be considered for admission to a graduate degree program later, your degree-seeking application and all required credentials, including GRE scores, must be submitted prior to the completion of six credit hours.
Admission as a non-degree student does not guarantee subsequent admission to a degree program. If your scores or academic performance do not meet academic standards, you will not be admitted as a degree-seeking student. Please note: International students are not eligible for certificate, non-degree, or part-time admission. - Do I have to take the TOEFL?
Any applicant whose undergraduate degree was earned at an institution where the primary language of instruction is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. Read complete English proficiency requirements. - What are the minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores accepted?
A minimum score of 70 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 523 on the paper-based TOEFL or 5.5 on the IELTS exam is required for admission consideration. If your scores do not meet these minimum requirements, we encourage you to consider retaking the exam.
Admitted students with a score between 70-89 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 523-573 on the paper-based TOEFL or 5.5-6.0 on the IELTS exam will be required to take one or more English courses during their graduate study at IIT. Students are required to enroll in and complete the first of any such necessary courses during their first semester of study at IIT. Read complete English proficiency requirements. - How do I request that my test scores be sent to IIT?
We require official GRE and TOEFL scores sent directly to IIT by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Please ask ETS to send your scores to institution code 1318; no department code is required.
If you took the IELTS exam instead of the TOEFL, please mail your official IELTS score reports to the Office of Graduate and Professional Enrollment.
How to Apply
- For which status (degree, certificate or non-degree) should I apply?
If you know you want to pursue a degree program, apply for degree-seeking status at the level of your academic interest (master's or Ph.D.). International applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 are required to apply as full-time, degree-seeking students and are not eligible to apply as certificate or non-degree students.
If you are unsure of your degree objective; if you are unable to complete your application in time to meet the application deadline; if you have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0/4.0 but at least 2.5/4.0; or if you simply wish to take some courses to test your interest in graduate study, update your knowledge in your professional field, or for personal enrichment, you should consider applying as a non-degree student. - How do I apply?
Submit all required credentials by the application deadline for the term in which you plan to begin your graduate studies. Read complete application instructions here. - What is the application deadline?
Different graduate programs have different deadlines. See all upcoming application deadlines. - Where do I send my application and required documents?
Office of Graduate and Professional Enrollment
Illinois Institute of Technology
10 West 33rd Street
Perlstein Hall, Room 203
Chicago, IL 60616 - Can I email or fax my documents to you?
Some credentials, such as your professional statement or letters of recommendation, can be submitted via email or fax. However, it is preferred that you submit these through the online application instead. Other credentials, such as your official transcripts or financial support documents, must be originals. Scanned or faxed copies of these documents cannot be accepted. Please carefully review the application checklist for complete document submission instructions. - I have impressive credentials that are not required as part of my IIT application. Should I submit additional documentation of my achievements? Will this help my chances of admission?
No. Please do not send any item that is not explicitly requested on the application checklist. Secondary school transcripts, award certificates, personal photos, CDs, research papers, abstracts or other non-required items will be discarded. Your professional statement is the best place to discuss research publications, work experience, or other achievements that are relevant to your desired graduate program. - I sent all of my required documents to IIT but the online application status check says they are still missing. Why?
Due to processing time, it can take up to two weeks from the time we receive your documents before your status will update online. During this time, you may receive courtesy emails from our office that remind you about application materials we have not yet received. If you recently submitted those items, please disregard the emails. We are working hard to enter credentials into our database as quickly as possible, and we appreciate your patience! - I am an international student who will be studying on an F-1 visa. When should I submit my financial support documents?
You may submit your financial support documents after being notified of admission, if you wish; however, an I-20 cannot be issued to any admitted student until valid documents have been received and approved by the Office of Graduate and Professional Enrollment. For this reason, we encourage you to submit them as early as possible. - How do I defer my application?
You are eligible to defer your application for up to one full year from the term to which you originally applied. For example, if you first applied for Spring 2011, you may defer to Summer 2011, Fall 2011, or Spring 2012.
To request a deferral of your application, please write to us at gradstu@iit.edu. Your email message should have "Deferral request" in the subject heading, and should include your full name and IIT applicant ID (GID) or Campus Wide ID (CWID) number, along with your new entry term.
If you would like to attend IIT more than one year after the term of your original application, you will need to submit a new application and supporting credentials.
Admission Decisions
- When will I know if I have been admitted?
IIT admits graduate students on a rolling basis. Admission decisions are typically made three to five weeks after your application becomes complete. (Average decision time may reach four to six weeks during peak application season in January through March.) - How will I know if I have been admitted?
You will be able to see your decision immediately through the online application status check system. We will also notify you by email within 24 hours, and your official admission letter will follow shortly thereafter. If you are admitted, your admission letter will state any special instructions or conditions on your enrollment. - If I am denied admission, can I appeal the admission decision?
No. You may reapply for a future semester if you have new or updated information to submit that was not previously reviewed by IIT, but you should be aware that unless this information presents new evidence of sufficient academic ability and preparedness for graduate study at IIT, it is unlikely that you will gain admission. - After I get my admission letter, what do I do?
Within one week after you are notified of admission, we will send additional email messages that describe your next steps toward enrollment and tell you how to access the myIIT student portal. (International students requiring a visa to study at IIT will receive information about next steps and portal access only after submitting valid financial support documents.) Read more about next steps for admitted students. - I am an international student who will be studying at IIT on an F-1 or J-1 visa. When will you mail my I-20 or DS-2019?
IIT can issue an I-20 or DS-2019 only after a student officially has been admitted and his or her valid financial support documents have been received and approved by the Office of Graduate and Professional Enrollment.
If you are officially admitted and we have already received and processed your financial support documents, we will mail your I-20 along with your admission letter. On the day that we mail your letter and I-20, we will send you an email that provides your SEVIS number and tracking number. Use your SEVIS number to secure your visa appointment as early as possible.
If you have not yet submitted your financial support documents, do so as soon as possible so that you have sufficient time to complete the visa process. - How do I defer my admission?
You are eligible to defer your admission for up to one full year from the term to which you were originally admitted. For example, if you were first admitted for Spring 2011, you may defer to Summer 2011, Fall 2011, or Spring 2012.
To request a deferral of your admission, please write to us at gradstu@iit.edu. Your email message should have "Deferral request" in the subject heading, and should include your full name and IIT applicant ID (GID) or Campus Wide ID (CWID) number, along with your new entry term.
If you are an international F-1 or J-1 student who wishes to defer within the time frame specified above and you have already submitted valid financial support documents, you do not need to submit new ones. We can use the documents you submitted previously to create your new I-20. There is no need to return your original I-20 to IIT.
If you would like to attend IIT more than one year after the term of your original admission, you will need to submit a new application and supporting credentials in order to be reconsidered for admission.
Applicants to all other IIT graduate programs should consult the appropriate web pages for application requirements and procedures:
Chicago-Kent College of Law
College of Architecture
College of Psychology
School of Design
Stuart School of Business
Last modified: 01/11/2012 05:56:03