Frequently Asked Questions: Applying and Admission


    How to Apply

    Admission Requirements

    Admission Decisions

    How to Apply

    How do I apply?
    Complete the     online application and submit all required documents by the application deadline for the term in which you plan to begin your graduate studies. For a list of items required to complete your application, please see our application checklist.
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    What is the application deadline?
    Different graduate programs have different application deadlines. For a complete list, please visit our Application Deadlines page.
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    Where do I send my application and required documents?
    Applicants to programs in Armour College of Engineering, Center for Professional Development, and College of Science and Letters, please submit all credentials to:

    Office of Graduate Admission
    Illinois Institute of Technology
    10 West 33rd Street
    Perlstein Hall, Room 203
    Chicago, IL 60616

    Students interested in applying to all other IIT graduate programs should consult the appropriate web pages for application requirements, forms, and mailing address information:

    Chicago-Kent College of Law
    College of Architecture
    Institute of Design
    Institute of Psychology
    Stuart School of Business

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    Which status (degree, non-degree, certificate) should I apply for?
    If you know you want to pursue a degree program, apply for degree-seeking status at the level of your academic interest (master's, doctoral, etc.). Please note: 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 non-degree or certificate students.

    I    f you are unsure of your degree objective or you are unable to complete your application in time to meet the application deadline, or if you have a GPA of less than 3.0/4.0 but at least 2.5/4.0, or 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, apply as a non-degree student.

    Non-degree students must complete their regular application for degree-seeking status prior to completing six credit hours of graduate study. If admitted, a maximum of nine credit hours of approved coursework taken as a non-degree student and passed with a grade of "B" or better may be applied toward a degree program. Non-degree students who seek admission to degree programs must still meet the general admission requirement of an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 based on all courses taken, whether or not those courses are approved for credit toward the degree.
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    How do I defer my application?
    Domestic applicants may request a deferral of their application or admission for up to two consecutive terms (one year), after which they must reapply.  No additional application fee is required.

    International applicants may request a deferral of their application or admission to the next consecutive term only, after which they must reapply and submit an additional application fee.

    Note: In defining "consecutive" terms, we do not include summer.  A deferral from spring to fall is considered a deferral "to the next consecutive term."
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    Admission Requirements

    What are IIT's admission requirements?
    For complete graduate admission criteria, please visit our Admission Requirements page.
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    Do I have to take the GRE?
    You must submit GRE scores in order to be considered for admission to a graduate degree program at IIT, unless is noted otherwise in the application instructions for your specific program. If you are applying for admission to a professional master's program and you are a graduate of a college or university in the United States with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0/4.0, the GRE is not required. Applicants to the Stuart School of Business must submit GMAT scores. Applicants to Chicago-Kent College of Law must submit LSAT scores. Applicants for the Master of Science in Technical Communication and Information Design program or the Master of Public Administration program are not required to submit GRE scores.
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    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, you will need to retake the exam.
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    What is the minimum GRE score accepted?
    The university minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is 900 (quantitative + verbal) and 2.5 (analytical writing). Individual departments may require higher scores for admission. GRE requirements are subject to change, so please reference the Graduate Bulletin or your academic department's website for the most up-to-date information.

    The Office of Graduate Admission requires official 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. Scores are considered valid for five years from the testing date. The GRE requirement may be waived for applicants to professional master's degree programs who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher.
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    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 with a limit on your enrollment of a total of nine credit hours. Scores must be submitted and an application for degree-seeking status 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 non-degree, certificate or part-time admission.
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    Do I have to take the TOEFL?
    Applicants whose undergraduate degree was earned at an institution where the primary language of instruction is not English must prove proficiency in English by submitting Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.

    Applicants who hold degrees from institutions where the primary language of instruction is English are exempt from the TOEFL requirement. However, TOEFL scores may be requested at the discretion of the applicant's academic department if the verbal portion of his or her GRE is significantly low. The TOEFL requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis for applicants who do not hold degrees from English speaking institutions but who have lived, worked, or studied in the United States for a substantial period of time.  Your admission coordinator will make this determination with your academic department upon review of your application file.
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    What is the minimum TOEFL score accepted?
    A minimum score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 80 (Internet-based test) is required for admission consideration. Students with a score between 550-599 (paper-based) or 213-249 (computer-based) or 80-99 (Internet-based test) will be required to take the IIT EPR exam.
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    How do I request that my GRE or TOEFL scores be sent to IIT?
    The Office of Graduate Admission requires official 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. You can make your request at the time of testing, or contact ETS later at 800.473.2255. For more information, visit www.gre.org.
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    Admission Decisions

    How will I know I have been admitted?
    The Office of Graduate Admission will inform admitted applicants immediately via email upon admission. A formal letter of the admission decision will then follow via post.
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    When will I know I have been admitted?
    IIT admits graduate students on rolling basis. You should hear from the Office of Graduate Admission approximately four to six weeks after being informed that your application is complete.
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    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.
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    After I get my admission letter, what do I do?
    Domestic students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) may register for classes. If you find there is a hold on your registration, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission for instructions on what you must submit or do to have the hold removed. Your letter of admission will state any special instructions or conditions. Complete registration instructions are available on the Registrar's Office website. For questions about registration, contact registrar@iit.edu or 312.567.3100.

    International students who have been issued an I-20 or DS-2019 form must obtain a visa in their home country prior to departure for the United States. Upon arrival at IIT, international students must report to the International Center on Main Campus at 3300 S. Federal Street, 4th Floor. For more information, please visit the International Center's website or contact that office directly at     icenter@iit.edu or 312.567.3680.
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    How do I defer my admission?
    Domestic applicants may request a deferral of their application or admission for up to two consecutive terms (one year), after which they must reapply.  No additional application fee is required.

    International applicants may request a deferral of their application or admission to the next consecutive term only, after which they must reapply and submit an additional application fee.

    Note: In defining "consecutive" terms, we do not include summer.  A deferral from spring to fall is considered a deferral "to the next consecutive term."
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    © Illinois Institute of Technology - Office of Graduate and Professional Enrollment
    10 W. 33rd Street, Perlstein Hall Room 203, Chicago, IL 60616-3793
    Tel 312.567.3020 | Fax 312.567.3138 | Toll Free 866.472.3448 | Emergency Information