How to Apply to Computer Science at Illinois Tech: The 121-Credit B.S. in Computer Science with Six Optional Specializations, STEM-Track Admission Guidelines and the Gaokao English Waiver, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), in Chicago, offers undergraduate computer science as the B.S. in Computer Science in the School of Computing. The program page describes it as software engineering-focused, with room to explore artificial intelligence and other emerging areas; the degree on Mies Campus is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. Here is what you need to know, based on Illinois Tech’s website, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Getting into the major

• Holistic, major-specific review: all undergraduate programs use holistic review of high school performance, essays, choice of major and (optional) test scores; each major has its own admission criteria, so your choice of major affects the review.
• STEM track: all School of Computing programs except Information Technology and Management and Computer Information Systems are in the STEM track. Recommended coursework is four years of mathematics (pre-calculus or higher highly recommended), four years of science (physics or AP Physics highly recommended), four years of English and three years of social science; a second language is not required.
• Admitted student profile: for the STEM track, an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher; for those submitting tests, ACT composite 25+, ACT Math 25+, SAT 1200+ and SAT Math 600+. These are recommended ranges.
• Math placement: applicants to more rigorous programs may be asked to take a math placement exam.
• Changing into the major: the pages read for this guide do not give conditions for transferring into computer science from another major; ask the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
• Related degrees: the catalog also lists a B.S. in Artificial Intelligence and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems, which are separate degrees.

2. Curriculum (catalog)

• Total: 121 credit hours.
• Computer science requirements (36): Introduction to the Profession, Object-Oriented Programming I and II, Discrete Structures, Data Structures and Algorithms, Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming, Systems Programming, Database Organization, Introduction to Algorithms, Programming Languages and Translators, Operating Systems, Computers and Society, and Software Engineering I. CS 201 is a one-semester accelerated course equivalent to the two-semester CS 115/116 sequence.
• Computer science electives (12): any CS course at the 300 level or higher, including graduate courses, except CS 401 and 402.
• Mathematics (20) plus a mathematics elective (3): Calculus I and II, Multivariate and Vector Calculus, linear algebra and probability/statistics, plus one course such as differential equations, number theory, combinatorics or graph theory.
• Science (8) plus a science elective (3): General Physics I (Mechanics) and II (Electricity and Magnetism); the science elective comes from biology, chemistry and similar areas and cannot be physics.
• Other: a communication elective (3), Interprofessional Projects (IPRO, 6), humanities and social sciences (21) and free electives (9).
• Optional specializations: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science Honors Research, Data Science, Distributed and Cloud Computing, Information and Knowledge Management Systems, and Information Security, each requiring at least four courses taken through CS and free electives, with department approval.

3. Dates and materials

• Fall entry (no entry year stated):
  • Early Decision (binding): apply by November 1, decision in December, deposit by March 15;
  • Early Action: apply by November 15, decision in January, deposit by May 1;
  • Regular Decision: apply by February 1 (the table also notes “June 1, for international students living in the U.S. only”), decision by March 15, deposit by May 1;
  • the I-20 request date for international students is June 15.
• Spring entry: Regular Decision deadline October 15.
• Fee: there is no application fee, and the Common App is accepted. The international first-year page still says applications for 2026–27 are open; check for the 2027–28 update.
• Materials (international first-year): transcripts covering the last three full years and all board examination scores, with certified English translations where needed; English scores; optional SAT/ACT; a passport copy after admission and deposit.
• Recommendation letters, two statements: the checklist labels them optional; the same page says international first-year applicants applying Early Decision or Early Action must submit one to three letters, while Regular Decision applicants are not required to. Both are given here.

4. English requirements (international applicants)

• Minimums: TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115; TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years, and TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted.
• Waivers: SAT EBRW 550, ACT English 25, AP English 4 or 5, IB English A (SL or HL) 5 or higher, GCE/GCSE/IGCSE English A or BB, a Gaokao English score of 120 or above, or a degree from an exempt country (including Canada, except Quebec).
• Conditional admission: applicants who meet academic and financial requirements but not the English minimum may be admitted on condition of completing an intensive English program at a partner institution.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: applicants must submit all board examination scores, and a Gaokao English score of 120 or above waives the English test. How the Gaokao total is used and what score is needed are not published.
• A-levels, IB and AP: students in these curricula who have not taken university coursework apply as first-year students. AP English 4+, IB English A 5+ or IGCSE English A waive the English test; score requirements and credit policies for these curricula are not given on the pages read for this guide.
• Preparation: follow the STEM track recommendations, with mathematics through pre-calculus or higher and physics.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• English: students whose qualification is from Canada (except Quebec) are on the exempt-country list.
• Admission: the pages read for this guide give no separate Canadian or BC requirements; use the STEM track GPA and coursework recommendations in section 1 as a guide.

7. Transfer students

• Deadlines: for fall, U.S.-based transfer applicants have priority deadlines of March 15 and June 15 and a regular deadline of July 15; international transfer applicants living abroad apply by June 1. Spring entry closes October 15.
• Materials: transcripts from every institution attended, sent directly; a NACES-accredited course-by-course evaluation for non-U.S. coursework, with course descriptions. Applicants with fewer than 30 university credits must also meet first-year requirements. The English requirement may be waived for applicants with more than 30 credit hours at a U.S. school (excluding ESL).
• Credit: courses need a C or higher to transfer (C-minus is not accepted); up to 68 credits from a two-year institution; no limit from a four-year college, but the final 45 semester hours must be completed at Illinois Tech.
• Whether computer science sets additional GPA or prerequisite requirements for transfers is not published.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026–2027 new undergraduates: tuition $53,198, fees $1,850, housing and food $18,548 (a guideline, not a bill).
• International scholarships: $40,000 to $100,000 over four years, reviewed automatically with no separate application; students who earn several institutional scholarships receive only the highest. All applicants are considered for the Heald and International Tuition Scholarships regardless of application deadline.
• Other awards: the Self Leadership Academy Scholarship requires applying under Early Decision I or Early Action I and a scholarship application by November 15; the World Robot Olympiad Scholarship is $25,000 a year for up to four years.
• Early deposit: confirming enrollment for fall by March 15 brings a free summer course and a $2,000 housing scholarship, among other benefits.
• Proof of funds: international students submit an affidavit of support; the minimum amount may vary with scholarships awarded.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Choose Early Decision (November 1), Early Action (November 15) or Regular Decision (February 1); for ED or EA, prepare one to three letters, ideally from a math or physics teacher
• Aim for an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with math through pre-calculus and physics; tests are optional
• TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115, or a Gaokao English score of 120 or above
• Submit three years of transcripts and all board examination scores with certified translations

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• A Canadian qualification (outside Quebec) waives the English test; follow the STEM track coursework and GPA recommendations

Transfer students:

• International transfer applicants abroad apply by June 1 for fall, with a NACES course-by-course evaluation and course descriptions
• Only C or better transfers; complete the final 45 semester hours at Illinois Tech

Sources: Illinois Institute of Technology, Computer Science (B.S.); Catalog: B.S. in Computer Science; Recommended admission guidelines; Application dates and deadlines; International first-year students; English language proficiency; International transfer students; Transfer students and credit; Undergraduate costs; International undergraduate scholarships. The deadline page does not state an entry year, and costs are for 2026–2027. Check Illinois Tech’s website for the latest.