Graduate Admissions

Transcripts

• Applicants should submit original transcripts directly from their institution. International applicants should provide transcripts in both English and their original language. 
• For the initial application in ApplyYourself, an unofficial transcript is acceptable. Grade interpretation guidelines should be included if the applicant’s institution provides them. Official transcripts are required only if an offer of admission is accepted. 
• Whether official or unofficial, transcripts in languages other than English must always include an English translation from the applicant’s institution. 

GPA

• 3.0 out of 4.0.
• GPA is based on applicant’s last two years (about 60 hours) of undergraduate coursework. 

GRE/GMAT scores 

• GRE/GMAT scores are not required.
• However, applicants are welcome to submit GRE/GMAT if they wish. Opting out of submitting scores will not hurt an applicant’s chances for admission or assistantship funding. 

Recommendations  

• Three letters of recommendation are required.
• Letters from academic sources (e.g., professors, academic advisors) are preferred.
• At least one and preferably two recommendation letter(s) should be from an academic source.

TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo  

• A TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo test score is required for international students.
• Some applicants may be exempt from this requirement. Check here for exemption status.

Minimum scores are as follows:

• Professional M.S. students with TOEFL scores of 100-103, IELTS scores of 7.0-7.5, or Duolingo scores of 130-135 might be considered for limited status admission. This depends on a Zoom interview and the quality of other application materials, such as a personal statement, recommendation letters and GPA. 
• Ph.D. and thesis-based M.S. students cannot be admitted on limited status if English proficiency scores are below the required minimum. 
• English Proficiency for Teaching Assistants 
  • All English proficiency requirements and exemptions mentioned are only for admission.
  • The minimum scores for admission are not the same as those needed to hold a teaching assistantship, and some exemptions for admission don’t apply to TAs.
  • Duolingo scores cannot be used to meet the English proficiency requirements for international teaching assistantships.
  • For more information, please see the English Proficiency Requirement for Graduate Teaching Assistants.

Video Interview

Ph.D. applicants are required to complete a video interview​​​​.

Academic Statement

Thesis-Based M.S. or Ph.D. Applications

Please write a statement that answers the following questions (recommended length: 750 words maximum):

• How has your academic background, including any training, research, or other academic experiences, prepared you for graduate study?
• What are your intellectual interests and what scholarly questions are you interested in exploring in graduate study?
• Are there any specific faculty members whose research interests align with your own that you would like to work with?

Professional M.S. Applications

Please write a statement that answers the following questions (recommended length: 750 words maximum):

• How has your academic and professional background, including any professional training, prepared you for graduate study?
• What are your academic interests and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism?
• How will the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals?

Personal Statement

All applicants, regardless of program, must write up to four personal statements, each with a 250-word limit. Questions 1 and 2 are required, while 3 and 4 are optional.

1. Please describe pivotal experiences, opportunities, and/or challenges (including any financial or access barriers) that have influenced your educational and professional development. (required)
2. At Illinois, we value a student’s ability to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where our graduate students can learn and collaborate productively and positively. Please provide an example of how you contributed to or engaged with a community of students or colleagues with different perspectives, abilities, and experiences to achieve a positive outcome, and reflect on what you learned from this experience. (required)
3. If you believe that your academic record does not demonstrate your true capabilities, please explain why. You may also discuss any gaps in your academic and professional experience. (optional)
4. If there is something that you would like to share with the admissions committee that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application, please do so here. If needed, you may also use this space to expand upon the topics discussed in the above essays. (optional)

AI Guidance

We expect responses to be authentic and reflect the applicant’s unique experiences. While AI and search engines can offer guidance, please do not submit responses generated by AI. The admissions committee wants to hear original voices and perspectives. 

Writing Sample 

All Ph.D. applicants must submit a writing sample. This can be a master’s thesis, published article, professional paper or any other written work that shows ability to pursue a research-focused doctoral degree.

Connecting with M.S. Thesis and Ph.D. Advisors

We highly recommend that thesis-based M.S. or Ph.D. applicants contact their desired thesis/dissertation advisor(s) several months before applying. This helps applicants decide whether their research interests align and if advisors plan to accept new master’s or doctoral students next year.

Internal Applications for Ph.D. Program

Current M.S. students in the department who want to apply to our Ph.D. program must follow the same application process as other applicants. However, students will submit a petition instead of a new application. 

Please note that all M.S. program requirements must be completed before starting the Ph.D. program.