tooori

UIUC does not require recommendation letters from incoming undergraduate freshmen? I thought all unis did , but i read on the website that it doesn't require . It was a little sketchy on the website so i wanted to check if its for real .

drusba

UIUC does not require rec letters and does not want you to send them. That is actually the same for the vast majority of public universities, e.g. the UCs do not want rec letters.

AkshayM

yeah but they do consider them if you send those, unlike the UCs

redsox5000

^^^^ not true

drusba

UIUC's official stance on rec letters as posted on its site in frequently asked questions by freshman applicants:

"No, we do not accept letters of recommendation. Unsolicited materials, including letters of recommendation, will be removed from the file and discarded before the application is reviewed." See:
http://admissions.illinois.edu/faq/freshmen.html

The UCs are the same.

silverturtle

Many universities do not.

Balthezar

The whole point of not accepting letters of recommendation is that not one is ever other than a glowing tribute of the applicant, and reading them sheds little light on the required portions of the application.

tooori

thats actually kinda nice now i dont have to go to teachers and ask

deposition

^The teachers are always like, "Sure! " but you know they dread doing it lol

Finley

While the U of I does not require or accept letters of recommendation, it does have a spot on the application for three references and their contact information. If you are considered for any special programs, such as an honors program, the U of I will contact these people (either by phone or e-mail).

So, even though you will not need a letter of recommendation, you will need people who will still give you a good recommendations.

Hope this helps.

drusba

That appears to have started with this year but I am aware of their actually calling anyone to determine honors.

Finley

^The U of I called one of my teachers about the campus honors program.