So the latest trend of our Admissions facebook page is basically this:
I have (Fill in the blank code) on my application status! What does that mean?!
Some code descriptions are pretty self evident - like admit, or deny, but many of the in between codes can be confusing - and as far as this admission counselor can tell - there's no legend or key on our website. So, I'll try to fill that void with this post, here we go:
When you submit an application to UIC, our computer system will establish a 9 digit number that begins with a "6". This is your university identification number referred to by UIC folks as "UIN".
Once you have a UIN, you'll have a code associated with your application. For most people that code, we'll call code group #1 is:
CODE GROUP 1
- INCOMPLETE APPLICATION
This means that while you've filed an application, we haven't received ALL the neccessary compenents to begin reviewing it. You might be missing transcripts, test scores, the fee, or a host of any other things. Your actual checklist of required items depends on the type of applicant you are, but I'll get into that another day.
So, nothing happens to your application until we receive and match all your documents. Remember, that we process around 30,000 applications a year, so sometimes it takes about a week to find and match your submitted documents to your application.
All your documents should be submitted by the appropriate deadline (Jan 15 for Freshmen!)
CODE GROUP 2
- COMPLETE AND READY FOR REVIEW
Congrats, you've submitted all your documents on time! There are two ways to go from here - straight to admit - if your test scores, gpa, and high school rank are spectacular, you might skip straight ahead to an ADMIT, which, in case you were wondering, means you've been admitted :).
Most students, however, before they get a final decision code will move on to something else, like:
CODE GROUP 3
- PENDING, MANUAL REVIEW REQUIRED
- DEFERRED UNTIL FINAL REVIEW
- PENDING DECISION
- COMMITTEE REVIEW
All of these mean essentially the same thing - your application will be further reviewed by an admission committee. The vast majority of applicants will see one or more of these codes as you move through the admission process. These are the decisions that will, on the balance, be made between January and March. Some decisions could be as late as April.
You might be on one of these codes for a week, a month, or 5 months. It all depends on the program you apply to, the relative strength of your application, the time you applied, and how often a particular college reviews applications.
The good news is that the next code, you'll know if you've been admitted or not.
CODE GROUP 4
- ADMIT
- DENY
There can be a bunch of codes that say something after "ADMIT" or "DENY" like, College reviewed, or Incomplete Application, but the first word is the most important here. If it says, ADMIT-PENDING, you've still been admitted, we just need some final documents from you.
The DENY code can be a tough one to see. Hopefully you've applied to some alternative schools, and always remember that we're one of Illinois biggest transfer institutions - so you can always look to transfer later. If you don't get in on your first try, and are still interested in UIC, you can always schedule an appointment with a counselor to check your options...
If you get one of those ADMIT codes, congrats! Please do not forget about your INTENT TO ENROLL. We require that respond to our offer of admission by the appropriate deadline to secure your spot in our class.
CODE GROUP 5
- ADMIT/ACCEPT OFFER
When you accept our offer, you're all set to attend orientation, go to placement tests and register for classes. And you'll be done with the admissions process and Banner code names, for now at least.
Until next time!
