Newly Admitted Student Information

Congratulations on your admission!  Here are some helpful tips and links to get you ready to arrive on campus.

New Student Checklist

1. Visit the Quick Guide to Getting Started at the University of Illinois
2. Set up your NetID, 2FA and Passwords
3. Get your i-Card
4. Complete Medical History and Immunization Forms
5. Secure Housing
6. Bring Final Transcripts and/or Degree Certificates (if required)
7. Register for the English Placement Test (if required)
8. Visit the ISSS website (International Students Only)
9. Join the MSFE Teams Group and visit the New Student Resources tab
10. Apply for Disability Services (if needed)

Set up your IDs and Passwords
As a graduate student at the University of Illinois, you will have several IDs and passwords, each of which provides access to particular services.

• Net ID - Your Network ID (Net ID) is a name assigned to you that is unique across all University of Illinois campuses. It serves as your login to many University sites and services and also determines your University email address, which is your NetID@illinois.edu. To set up your Net ID, visit https://netidclaim.illinois.edu/. You will need to enter in your University ID Number (UIN), Admit ID, date of birth, and last name. Your UIN and Admit ID were provided to you in your Official Notice of Admission letter. 
• Set up 2-Factor Authentication - all students will utilize 2FA to verify identity across secured platforms.  Visit the NetID Center to get set up.
• Student Self-Service - After you have established your NetID, use it to log into an online system called Student Self-Service at apps.uillinois.edu/selfservice and verify your personal information, such as your contact information, phone number and local address. Keeping this information up-to-date is extremely important and ensures proper delivery of important documents. Students should also make changes throughout the term if any address changes occur. For international students, proper documentation of a local residential address is required to maintain student visa status.
• Exchange Email Account - Exchange is a service used for email, calendaring, and contact and task management at the University of Illinois and is vital for receiving emails and information from the University. As a new Graduate Student to the University, you must set up your Exchange account.
• my.Illini - Utilize for viewing your admission letter, financial aid, planning your schedule, viewing your grades, registering for courses and much more!

i-Card
Your i-card is your official University of Illinois photo ID. It also works as your bus pass to ride the Mass Transit District (MTD) and your library card. Visit the ID Center in the Illini Union Bookstore or the i-card website for information.

If you were an undergraduate here at Illinois, you'll need to get a new i-card showing your graduate student status.

Medical History and Immunization Forms
The University of Illinois student health insurance plan is mandatory for all students, unless you have proof of other health care coverage. To learn about benefits, how to opt out if you have comparable coverage elsewhere, or how to add dependents, check out the Student Insurance Office website.

The McKinley Health Center is conveniently located on campus and provides routine and preventative care, health counseling, immunization, and more. Students may use McKinley Health Center even if they have opted out of the University Health Insurance plan.

All students are required to complete and submit the McKinley Health Center Immunization History Form in order to enroll at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. You can download the form here.

Ask your physician or nurse to complete and sign the Immunization History form (physician’s office address and phone number must be included on the form). In lieu of completing the form, you may bring with you a copy of school immunization records, physician records, military records or your immunization book. Provide a certified English translation if immunization records are not in English.

If you do not have adequate documentation of your vaccinations or if you are unable to obtain the required vaccinations (such as Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) or Meningococcal Conjugate) in your home country, you may receive required immunizations at McKinley Health Centers Immunization and Travel Clinic for a fee.

In addition, all new international students need to print and complete the TB Screening Form available here. 

Secure Your Housing
You are expected to handle all of your housing arrangements. If you prefer the ease and convenience of living close to or on campus in University Housing, the U of I has a number of options for you, including residence halls and apartments. If you wish to live in a residential neighborhood such as in a house, apartment, or loft, privately owned housing is available year round.

To find housing, you can check the local newspaper, like the Daily Illini (the University student newspaper) or the News Gazette (the local paper), or National websites like Rent.com, Apartments.com, Trulia, or Zillow. Another good resource is the Tenant Union. It provides rental assistance and helpful tips, including typical cost of housing and utilities for the area. As always, do your research to avoid scams.  There are many campus rental property management firms in the area with local listings for housing.

Deciding Where to Live (International Student and Scholar Services)

Bring Final Transcripts and/or Degree Certificates (if required)
Remember to bring an official copy of your transcripts to deliver to the Graduate College.  If you are required to bring these documents, it was detailed in your letter of admission from the Graduate College and is mandatory to enroll in classes.  You can check your official admission letter by logging into the application portal.

Review for English Placement Test (International Students Only)
Many International students are required to take the English Placement Test (EPT) to determine their English capabilities. It is required for those who scored less than a 103 on the iBT TOEFL, and for international students who have not completed a degree in the United States. The test consists of two parts: a written test and an oral interview.  Students will be placed into or exempted from the general oral or written ESL service courses based on the results of the test. Registration for the test begins in June and can be accessed at http://www.linguistics.illinois.edu/students/placement/.

The Linguistics Department provides additional guidance about the exam here. 

ISSS Pre-Check-In Online (International Students Only)
If you are an international student, you should visit the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website.  There you will find information about visas, check-in, and orientation information specifically for international students.  By completing this procedure prior to check-in, you will expedite your time at ISSS.  Please review the information provided by ISSS here.

Questions? Email msfe@illinois.edu