Applicants should have earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0 based on the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of undergraduate study In exceptional cases applicants with averages below 3.0 but above 2.75 may be admitted on limited standing if they otherwise show evidence of substantial ability to complete the program successfully Preference in the admissions process is given to students with stronger academic records Transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work English competency test Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take an English competency test Minimum required scores are iBT Internet-based TOEFL of 80 with sub-scores of Reading 19 Listening 17 Speaking 20 and Writing 21 New Paper-Based TOEFL after August 2018 of 60 with sub-scores of Reading 19 Listening 17 Writing 21 Institutional Testing Paper-Based TOEFL prior to August 2018 of 550 IELTS of 6.5 with all four subscores of at least 6.0 or PTE Academic of 54 with sub-scores of Reading 51 Listening 47 Speaking 53 and Writing 56 Personal statement Use this opportunity to tell us who you are what has influenced your academic or career path so far what your professional interests are and what you hope to do after completing your graduate education Three letters of recommendation Letters should be written by people who are familiar with your academic work and who can assess your potential for success in graduate studies and research During the application process you will be asked to provide the email addresses of your references and UIC will contact these individuals to request the references directly