Foundation Year at Illinois

The FYI Program aims to prepare current international students for applying to top U.S. universities for undergraduate or graduate programs by offering an in-person multi-semester program focused on TOEFL and SAT or GRE test prep, academic English proficiency, and U.S. university culture.

This program prepares students for collegiate opportunities upon receiving their certificate. FYI strengthens students’ academic profiles as they apply for top U.S. universities like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and serves as a bridge to other institutions of higher education.

Objectives

Prepare students for academic success at U.S. universities
Strengthen students’ English language proficiency
Prepare students for high performance on TOEFL and SAT or GRE tests
Support students through the university application process
Foster an understanding of U.S. culture and university systems

Additional seminars and workshops will help students learn effective stress and conflict management skills as well as leadership skills. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in cultural travel, research observations, and social programming.

Sample Program Components

Calculus

This course is a year-long sequence designed to provide sufficient preparation and mastery for success in any freshman-level Introduction to Calculus class.

How to be a Successful Undergraduate Student

This course covers study skills and time management strategies, while introducing team building and leadership exercises that will expand participants’ critical thinking capacity, self-reliance, and resiliency. Students gain awareness of the different types of counseling and academic advising typically available on university campuses.

Introduction to C++, Excel, and Programming

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of computer programming. Students will develop skills in designing and writing simple computer programs. This course will emphasize design and implementation techniques, basic algorithm development, data manipulation, and problem solving.

Introduction to Undergraduate Research

Students complete a supervised research project to enhance their science course experience by exploring research methods in a variety of fields; working closely with their research mentors; and creating foundational research knowledge and confidence for their future academic research.

SAT Reasoning

This course reviews concepts, test taking strategies, and techniques for high achievement on both the SAT Reasoning Math and Reading/Writing/Language sections, though with more focus on Math preparation. Students will take numerous practice tests, and the instructors design individualized assistance based on these results.

Ready, Set, Undergrad!

In this two-week intensive course, students take a deep dive into the key campus resources at the university to prepare them for success as an undergraduate student.

Science and Lab Recitation

This course corresponds with equivalent introductory coursework for a college. Course subject options may include Physics, Chemistry, or Biology. Each course will have a lab and discussion/recitation associated with it. Students will understand the basic concepts and language of the science introductory course they will take. In lab, students will learn basic laboratory techniques and procedures. Students will apply concepts from their lectures to live experiments and will learn how to collaborate effectively with lab partners.

TOEFL Preparation

Reviews the format of the TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT), test-taking strategies, and key concepts of English grammar. The instructor will create individualized assistance plans based on student performance.

Eligibility

We invite motivated students who are interested in improving their English language skills while receiving specialized support for the U.S. university application process. Applicants should have or be working toward at minimum a high school diploma and be eligible for an F-1 Visa. This program is also open to current undergraduates seeking to apply to U.S. universities for graduate school.

Flexible Enrollment Options

Students are invited to apply for either 2 or 3 semester long programs depending on their needs. Those applicants seeking to improve their academic English skills substantially are encouraged to enroll for 3 semesters. Start dates can be in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semester.

Application Process

Begin FYI application form.
Upload most recent official transcripts, including GPA (minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale).
Submit TOEFL or equivalent test score, no required minimum (TOEFL Essentials, IELTS, or Duolingo scores accepted).
Upon application review by GET staff, applicants may be invited to an oral interview.

There is a $100 non-refundable application fee to be paid upon submission.

Apply

Have questions?

If you have a question about the FYI Program, or other GET opportunities, please contact us.