Applying – Visiting Students

Summer Session Only Application Heading link

The Summer Session Only application is intended for students who want to enroll in undergraduate-level courses for credit during the summer but do not intend to continue their undergraduate studies at UIC in the fall. All visiting students must apply and be admitted nondegree for the summer term only before they can register for courses.

The Summer Session Only application is only valid for enrollment in Summer Session 2025. If you wish to continue your enrollment beyond summer, check the Office of Admissions instructions on how to apply as a degree-seeking student.

Eligibility for Summer Session Heading link

  • You are a high school graduate or have earned your GED.
  • You are in good standing at your primary institution.
  • You have previously attended UIC and were in good standing.

If you are an international student, please check the international student instructions to find out if you are eligible to apply.

All visiting students must submit the online application for admission to UIC Summer Session before they are able to register for courses in mid-April. Review the visiting student categories below to determine if you must submit additional documentation

Visiting Student Categories Heading link

Select the category below that best describes you for specific application instructions.

Review the application process for UIUC/UIS Students.

Students interested in taking undergraduate-level courses at UIC for the summer only apply as Summer Session Only students. If you are currently attending another college or university, you must be in good standing at that institution.

You do not need to submit additional documentation (UIC does not require transcripts) – simply submit the Summer Session Only application by the application deadline.

If you have already applied or been admitted to UIC in the upcoming fall semester as a first year, transfer, or graduate student, but want to take undergraduate courses during the preceding summer, you will need to fill out the Summer Session Only application by the application deadline. If you still plan to apply as a degree-seeking student for the fall, visit the Office of Admissions for more information.

Note for fall admitted incoming students: Even if you attend Summer Session, you will still need to submit your Intent to Enroll for the fall semester by the Intent to Enroll deadline. Also, Summer Session Only students are admitted with a nondegree status so once you’ve completed your summer course(s), you’ll need to petition your college to transfer the credits into your degree program. If you have questions about which course to take in summer, consult a UIC advisor.

Check our special instructions for international applicants to see if you eligible to enroll in summer courses at UIC and how to apply.

If you already have an undergraduate degree but want to take undergraduate courses in preparation for applying to professional degree programs, you can apply as a Summer Session Only student by the application deadline.

If you’re a graduating high school senior who wants to get a head start on college by taking a course in the summer, you can apply as a Summer Session Only student.

To be eligible for UIC’s Summer Session, you need to have graduated by the first day of the session that you want to attend (4-week session: May 19, 2025; 8-week session: June 16, 2025). If you will have completed your high school coursework and finals prior to the start of UIC’s Summer Session, but your graduation date is after the first day of the Summer Session, please contact us for more information.

In order to process your application, UIC will need a letter from your high school guidance counselor stating your expected graduation date. The letter should be written on official school letterhead and needs to include the following information:

  • Your full name and date of birth
  • The name and address of your high school
  • Your expected high school graduation date
  • Any additional information that your counselor would like to submit in support of you attending UIC’s Summer Session.

Your guidance counselor should submit the letter, along with a cover sheet that has the guidance counselor’s contact information, to the attention of “Office of Admissions” either by email to Assistant Director of Admissions Jamie Palumbo at pniewski@uic.edu or by fax to (312) 413-7628, with attention to Summer Session. The letter must be submitted by the application deadline for the session in which you wish to enroll.

After you’ve submitted all required supporting documentation, it takes about two weeks for your application to be processed.

When you apply as a Summer Session Only student, your admission is valid only for the summer for which you applied. Even if you previously applied to UIC, you will need to complete a new Summer Session Only application by the application deadline.

If you are interested in taking graduate level courses at UIC over the summer, use the Graduate Application. Check for the appropriate Graduate Application deadline. If you have any questions regarding the Graduate Application, contact the Office of Admissions by phone at (312) 996-4350

The regular Graduate Application fee does apply.

Application Deadlines Heading link

International applicants may have earlier deadlines than those listed below.

There are two different application deadlines for Summer Session, depending on whether you want to enroll in the 4-week session, 8-week session, or both.

  • Friday, May 9, 2025 at 11:59 pm CST if you want to enroll in the 4-week session only or both the 4-week and 8-week sessions.
  • Extended to Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 11:59 pm CST if you want to enroll in the 8-week session only.

If you want to enroll in both the 4-week and 8-week session, you only need to apply once by May 9.

Application Fee Heading link

You will need to pay $25 nonrefundable application fee in order to submit the Summer Session Only application. You may pay by credit card as the last step of your online application.

If you have paid the fee but it is still marked as missing when you check the status of your application, please be patient and recheck later. It can take 1 to 3 days for fee payments to be marked as received on your application checklist.

You will have the option to waive this fee if you fall under any of the following categories:

  • previously attended UIC as a Summer Session Only student
  • University of Illinois employee, benefits eligible only (if your parent is an employee you are not eligible for a waiver)
  • qualify for a NACAC fee waiver (submitting the waiver form is not required)
  • Illinois Veteran Grant Recipient

If you have paid the fee but it is still showing as missing when you check your application status, please be patient and recheck later. It can take 1 to 3 days for fee payments to be marked as received on your application checklist.

Application Processing and Decision Period Heading link

For most applicants, it takes about two weeks for your application to be processed. If you are an international or high school student, your application will be processed about two weeks after all required supporting documentation has been submitted.

Once the Office of Admissions receives your completed application and makes a decision on your application, you will receive an email that your application has been processed. You can view the decision on your application by checking your application status. Applicants that are admitted will also be emailed registration instructions.

Check the Status of Your Application Heading link

You can check the status of your application online.

If additional documents are required, you can see which ones we still need on your application status checklist. Be sure to submit the required supporting documentation or fee to complete your application.

Please note, Summer Session Only applicants are not required to provide transcripts for admission.