How To Apply to the
Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology

Criteria for Admission

DEADLINES:  Completed application and all supporting materials must be received by January 1. Admission is offered for the fall semester only.

• STEP 1.  Apply online and submit the fee ($60 for domestic and $75 for international applicants) by credit card (Visa and MasterCard).  The proposed program name is Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. The application will not be processed until the fee is paid.

• STEP 2.  Have all transcripts listing the conferral of degrees earned and the coursework sent directly from the institution to the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 286 Morrill Hall, 505 South Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801

• STEP 3.  Submit a statement of up to 500 words (in place of the statement requested on the application form) of your interests, career goals, experience, and achievements related to teaching and research, as well as your reasons for wishing to obtain a graduate degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. The statement should demonstrate an ability to organize and present information in proper English. It should be as specific as possible, especially if you have concrete ideas about the field of research you wish to enter.

• STEP 4. At least three letters of reference should be submitted online (preferred method), or by mail, from prior instructors or research supervisors who are most familiar with your scholarship and potential for research. If by mail, ask them to send the completed forms directly to Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 286 Morrill Hall, 505 South Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801. The completed reference form and letter can also be faxed to 217-244-1224 to be followed by the original signed documents by mail.  Letters can be submitted on letterhead from the institution of the remitter instead of using the form provided with the application.

• STEP 5.  Have your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores sent directly from ETS to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The institution number is 1836 and the GRE program code is 00, or 0203. A minumum of an upper second honours B.Sc. in a relevant life science may be substituted for the GRE for students from Britain and Ireland. The GRE Subject Test is not required.

• Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit TOEFL scores. International applicants must have a TOEFL score of at least 613 (paper-based test), 257 (computer-based test) or 103-104 (internet-based test) to be considered for admission. A minimum score of 24 on the speaking section of the iBT test is required. The TOEFL must be taken within two years of the proposed term of entry; older scores are not valid. The Test of Spoken English (TSE) is required; applicants must receive a score of at least 60. Request that official TOEFL and TSE scores be sent directly to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The institution number is 1836 and the program code is 00 or 35. The Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) is required upon enrollment.

• All application material listed above must be received by the January 1 deadline. Incomplete applications due to missing information will not be considered.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to inquire about the status of their application.

• Prospective students are encouraged to e-mail or write faculty members with whom they would like to work. Letters may be sent in care of the Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology Program at the address above.

• If you have additional questions, contact Carol Hall, Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, 286 Morrill Hall, 505 South Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL  61801; phone: 217/ 333-8208; fax 217/ 244-1224; c-hall@life.uiuc.edu.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available in the form of fellowships, tuition and fee waivers, teaching and research assistantships, federal training program, and loans. Financial need is not a factor in awarding fellowships, tuition and fee waivers, or assistantships administered by the University. Priority for financial aid is given to doctoral students.

For additional information about availability, see the Graduate College information.

Admissions Decisions

Candidates for admission to graduate study are chosen by the PEEC Admissions Committee.  Based on its decisions, offers for admission are made to selected candidates. Candidates offered admission are also offered financial support in the form of assistantships, fellowships and tuition waivers.  By agreement with many other U.S. graduate programs, these offers remain in effect until April 15, although your acceptance earlier is appreciated. Admission recommendations made do not become official until the Office of Admissions and Records issues a "Notice of Admission" and sends registration instructions to the candidates who have accepted offers.  In general, if your academic credentials are in order, the Office of Admissions and Records will accept the Department's recommendations and issue the "Notice of Admission."