First-Year Students

Step 1: Submit Your Application

Application for academic year 2026 are now open. After February 1, 2026, we accept applications on a case-by-case basis only for courses starting in the fall 2026 semester. Illinois Tech does not charge an application fee for undergraduate admission. 

START YOUR  APPLICATION

View recommended application guidelines.

Step 2: Submit Your Official High School/Secondary School Transcript

Please have your school submit official transcripts sent through its electronic transcript service to admission@illinoistech.edu. If this service is not available, you may mail your sealed official transcripts to:

Illinois Institute of Technology
Visitors Center, The McCormick Tribune Campus Center
3201 S. State Street
Chicago, IL 60616

Step 3: Determine If You’re Submitting Optional Materials

We've simplified our application requirements. Students may choose to submit a letter of recommendation or standardized test scores for consideration, but these items are not required. All students will be considered for institutional scholarships regardless of whether they submit a letter of recommendation or standardized test scores.

Step 4: Check Your Application Status Page

Stay up to date on the progress of your application by visiting your Application Status Page. Here, you can:

• Review any required documents that are missing.
• Track the status of your application.
• Access important next steps once your admission decision is released.

Make sure to log in using your credentials and check for updates frequently to ensure you don’t miss any important information.

Letter of recommendation (optional)

Up to three are accepted. Please have your counselor email them directly to admission@illinoistech.edu. You can request for the letter of recommendation to be sent through the Illinois Tech application.

Who should submit a letter of recommendation?

There are certain cases when you may want to consider submitting a letter of recommendation. These cases include:

• If you are applying for a special full-tuition scholarship that requires a letter of recommendation
• If your recommender can share insight beyond what is already shown in your application or transcript

Standardized test scores (optional)

Illinois Tech does not require standardized tests for undergraduate applicants. This policy applies to all first-year, transfer, and international applicants and all institutional scholarship considerations.

For students who want to submit standardized test scores, Illinois Tech’s SAT code is 1318; the ACT code is 1040. Illinois Tech will super score any official scores that are submitted.

How does Illinois Tech make decisions without a test score?

Illinois Tech evaluates all applications holistically. The admissions committee considers the level of coursework (including math for more selective majors), academic performance in honors/AP/IB courses, your personal statement, involvement in extracurricular activities, and other aspects of your application when evaluating students for admission.

Academic Honesty Policy

Illinois Tech values academic honesty beginning during the admissions process and throughout a student’s education. Prospective students are expected to represent their academic qualifications with full honesty and transparency. You can learn more about Undergraduate Admission's Academic Honesty Policy here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What makes a good applicant?

Illinois Tech is looking for students of high academic caliber with strong community ties and a committed work ethic. In the application, we evaluate your academic standing and your extracurricular, community-based, and leadership involvement. We also like to hear why you think an education at Illinois Tech would help you pursue your academic and career goals and how you could contribute to the Illinois Tech community. Be specific. We want to hear your story!

View Recommended Application Guidelines

Can I apply as undecided?

Students may declare a first- and second-choice major in their application or they may apply to the Discover+ degree program.

Undeclared students admitted to Discover+ can spend their first two year taking general education and core curriculum courses before deciding to declare a major at the end of their second year. 

What happens after I apply?

Once you submit your application through the Common App, you will receive an email with a link to your Application Tracker. Your Application Tracker will let you know if you are missing any supplemental materials.

Please review our Application Dates and Deadlines page to learn more about the decision notification timeline.

When will I receive my admission decision?

Please review our Application Dates and Deadlines page to learn more about the decision notification timeline.

Admitted students can receive one of four decisions:

Direct admission into your first-or second-choice degree program

University admission: Students who are granted admission into the university, but not their first- or second-choice degree program, may choose to enroll in our Discover+ (undecided) program and reapply to their preferred major in their second year. They may also choose accept direct admission in their first year into one of the majors offered in their decision email.

Acceptance into Ascend, Illinois Tech's Transfer Pathway program: Select students will be invited to participate in Ascend, a transfer pathway program, with one of our partner institutions, designed to enable promising students to transfer into Illinois Tech after taking one- to two-semesters of college-level coursework. Students who maintain a 3.0 GPA and earn a “B” or higher in Calculus-level math may qualify for guaranteed admission.

Request for additional information: If the admission committee is unable to issue a decision based on the application materials you submitted, they may request that you submit additional information such as your transcript from the first semester of your senior year or a letter of recommendation. You will be issued an admission decision within 2 weeks of submitting the requested information.

Deny/Not admitted: Everyone’s college journey is different, and if you aren't admitted the first time you apply, we invite you to take some courses at your local community college and reapply as a transfer student in future terms.

What if I receive a direct admission offer from Illinois Tech?

Illinois Tech partners with Chicago Public Schools, Common Application, and Niche Direct to offer direct admission to qualified students based on GPA reported by the student. Admission through these direct admission programs is conditional upon receipt of the student's official transcript and meeting specific program requirements including:

• Confirmation of meeting GPA requirements on official transcript
• Completion of four years of math including pre-calculus with a B or higher (STEM majors)
• Grade of B or higher in science, math, and technology courses
• Students who do not meet all of the above requirements may not be eligible for admission to Illinois Tech

What happens after I am admitted?

If you are admitted, please visit the Admitted Student Website to learn more about special admitted student events and the next steps you should take to enroll.

Visit Admitted Student Website

Illinois Tech awards credit for qualified students in the following programs: Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), GCE A-Level AS-Level, and International Baccalaureate (IB). Learn more about how to receive college credit.

Does Illinois Tech consider GED scores?

Yes, Illinois Tech will accept GED scores in lieu of high school transcripts. Please submit your official GED test scores and certificate directly from the testing website. For tests taken in 2014 or later, a minimum score of 145 is required in each subject.