UIUC Essay Prompt 5 (2026-2027)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's supplemental essay 5 of 6 for the 2026-2027 application: the prompt, the limit, when it is due, and how to answer it. Verified on August 21, 2026.
“What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you're considering at Illinois and why.”
Limit: 150 words. Deadlines: Early Action: November 1, 2026. Regular Decision: January 5, 2027.
What UIUC is really asking
Have you explored the majors at Illinois, and can you explain your shortlist?
The mistake most applicants make
Listing majors without reasons.
Do this instead
Two or three majors and one sentence each on why, tied to something you have done. Say what connects them.
How to spend 150 words
150 words is one paragraph. One specific moment or detail, then what it shows about you, then the connection to this school or question. No introduction, no summary.
How to start
Jim starts by asking you: “What are the two or three subjects you keep coming back to, and what links them?” Answer it with Jim, free →
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What is the UIUC essay 5 prompt for 2026-2027?
"What are your academic interests? Please include 2-3 majors you're considering at Illinois and why." The limit is 150 words.
How long should the UIUC essay 5 be?
150 words. 150 words is one paragraph. One specific moment or detail, then what it shows about you, then the connection to this school or question. No introduction, no summary.
When is the UIUC essay due?
With the application: Early Action: November 1, 2026. Regular Decision: January 5, 2027.
Can Jim help me write the UIUC essay?
Yes. Jim, the AlphaApply.ai counselor, has every UIUC prompt and deadline loaded. He asks the questions that surface your story and gives feedback on each draft. He never writes it for you. Free to start.
The other UIUC prompts
Prompt and limit for 2026-2027, verified on August 21, 2026. Always confirm on University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's official admissions site before submitting.