Prospective and Admitted Students
The Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois has a long and proud history of educating world-class engineers who make a lasting impact on the world.
You Belong at Illinois. Accept Your Offer.
You won't regret it! >>
Still Thinking?
Learn more about engineering at Illinois and MechSE. Attend one or more of the upcoming Admitted Student events below. Decision date is May 1, 2026.
[IN-PERSON EVENT]
MechSE Meet & Greet at the Chicago Auto Show Hosted by SEM and WIM
Join current MechSE students from the Society for Engineering Mechanics (SEM) and Women in MechSE (WIM) for this daylong event at the Chicago Auto Show where you will get to know each other while enjoying the spectacular exhibits. This program is geared towards Engineering Mechanics admits and admitted women/underrepresented groups in Mechanical Engineering.
Sunday, February 15, 11:30-3:30 pm CST >> Register Now!
Registration closes at 11:30am on February 13th or when capacity is reached. The MechSE Department will provide your ticket into the auto show if you RSVP by the deadline. Note that additional guests must purchase their own ticket to the event to provide for the maximum number of admits.
Meet at Connie's Pizza in McCormick Place at 11:30am
2301 South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
2026 MechSE Admitted Student Events
Virtual Visits
Congratulations on your admission to MechSE at the University of Illinois! As a newly admitted student, you're invited to attend an exclusive webinar where we will discuss our Engineering Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering curricula and extracurricular opportunities. We will have a student panel Q&A for the last 20-30 minutes of the session, so come prepared with questions about student life, campus, and our programs!
Thursdays: March 12, April 2 or April 23
Every webinar is 6:30-7:30 pm CT.
Student Introduction to Engineering (SITE)
SITE is a 2½-day event for admitted students, offering an exciting introduction to the Engineering program at Illinois. Attendees will engage in hands-on design competitions, explore campus and dorm life through guided tours, and participate in a student panel to hear firsthand experiences. The event also features an opening speaker, interactive activities, a banquet with a keynote speaker, and a personalized evening experience hosted by a current engineering student. It's an excellent opportunity to envision your future in engineering and connect with the community!
https://www.eob-illinois.org/site
Spring 2026 Dates: TBD
Register now >>
Note that this event is for admitted students only, no guests to allow maximum capacity for students.
[IN-PERSON EVENT]
Illinois Bound: Start Strong
Register for our Campus-Wide Open House for Admitted Students where you can register for college-specific sessions, meet with the Office of Student Financial Aid, take housing tours and learn about your options to fulfill the campus live-on requirement, and learn about many more helpful student resources.
Friday, February 27
9:00am - 3:00pm
Join the Grainger College of Engineering for our annual Engineering Open House!
Forging The Future
April 10-11, 2026
With over 130+ interactive exhibits, impactful keynote speakers, robotics competitions, various demonstrations, and many other special events, EOH delights and challenges inquisitive minds of all ages. EOH is the largest student-led event of its kind!
https://eohillinois.org/
Looking for some good reading material? Check out our brochures and magazines.
Need help writing your application essay? Watch this writing workshop video from the Grainger College of Engineering.
Find us on social media!
Have questions? Email us at
mechse-ug-advise@illinois.edu.
Discover your power.
Your path to Grainger Engineering starts here. Explore your options and gather the information you need to take the next step and apply.
How to Apply
Domestic students should contact:
Office of Admissions and Records
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
901 West Illinois St.
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 217-333-0302
International students should contact:
International Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
901 West Illinois Street
Urbana, IL 61801 U.S.A.
Phone: 217-333-0413