Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)

• Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA,
• Year of foundation: 1890,
• Number of students: about 8800,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: mixed.

The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is a private research university leading in a variety of national and international rankings. The Illinois Institute of Technology offers several hundred bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in sought-after scientific fields: business in the USA, design, humanities, engineering, and law.

The idea of creating a university arose in 1890, when higher education was available only to high society. Thanks to the cooperation of the pastor of the local church with several wealthy families, the predecessor of the IIT, the Armor Institute, was opened in 1893. The now famous Illinois Institute of Technology was founded only in 1940 by merging two institutes, occupying four campuses in Illinois. Today, the American university is one of the most sought-after higher education institutions in the country. It has many advantages: from modern teaching methods and sought-after specialties, high academic and career achievements to a multinational student community, highly qualified teachers and a personalized approach to each student. International students come to IIT from more than 111 countries, with the majority going on to graduate school.

The Illinois Institute of Technology provides students with a wide range of opportunities to develop their interests and realize their potential. During extracurricular hours, students actively participate in sports clubs, creative teams and social activities, and organize events both on and off campus. Thanks to the university's cooperation with local and foreign organizations, students can also complete internships in their field of study, meet leading experts in scientific fields, and show their talent to a wider audience.

Valentina Nikitina

Senior Marketing and Recruitment Manager at Kaplan Pathways with a focus on students from Russia and the CIS.

What advice would you give to students aiming for top U.S. universities, with 3-4 years to prepare?

This period is perfect for assessing capabilities and exploring options of universities. Focus on achieving high grades and improving English proficiency. Strong English skills enhance your learning experience, and good grades can lead to scholarships or honors college admissions.

IIT offers a signature mentoring and career development program, Elevate, which helps students realize their professional potential through internships, research, competitions, and retreats. The staff of the department provide one-on-one academic, career mentoring to help students achieve the best results.

IIT consists of several specialized colleges-faculties:

• Engineering
• Jurisprudence
• Architecture
• Computer Engineering,
• Design
• Science, literature,
• Business.

The Institute has several research centers engaged in research in the following areas:

• Sustainable energy,
• Innovation, technical entrepreneurship,
• Food Safety, Health,
• Biomedical sciences, technology.

Some interesting facts about IIT:

• The SR Crown Hall building, home to the College of Architecture, is a National Historic Landmark and considered by many to be one of the iconic buildings designed by legendary architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
• In the fall of 2024, Illinois Tech opened more than 34,000 square feet of state-of-the-art lab space at the Fulton Labs Innovation Center in Chicago. The institute was the first institution to join Fulton Labs, which is also home to Portal Innovations and the Chan Zuckerberg BioHub.
• The main campus is an accredited arboretum.

Students are accommodated in several residences and student villages on campus.

• McCormick Student Village is a complex of residential buildings for 100 students who live in single and double rooms, share bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, self-study classrooms and living rooms, laundries, and a fitness center. The residents of each floor set quiet hours themselves to take time to study and relax.,
• Jeanne and John Rowe Village — three five-storey buildings for 367 residents, who are accommodated in single apartments or double suites. Mostly, undergraduates and graduate students who need a greater level of comfort and quiet live here. Depending on the room, bathrooms can be either private or shared by several students, and kitchens, living rooms, and other public spaces are located on each floor.,
• Gunsaulus Hall — it offers accommodation in studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments with all amenities, including fully furnished, modern kitchen appliances. There is a fitness center and recreation areas in the building.,
• Carman Hall — fully furnished one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for undergraduates. The bedrooms are shared by one, the apartments are equipped with bathrooms, kitchens and a common sitting area.,
• George J. Kacek Hall — single, double and triple rooms with superior furniture: double beds, modern appliances in bathrooms and kitchens. On the ground floor there are laundry rooms, a fitness room, and living rooms.,
• Cunningham Hall is a residence that accommodates first-year students in single, double and triple rooms. Bathrooms, living rooms, laundry rooms are shared and are located on the floors.

Together with the students, a team of professional chefs prepares a menu that changes every semester and includes international cuisine, gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian recipes. Meal plans are available to students living in residences: a certain number of meals per week + additional points for purchases in university stores.

IIT students actively participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, developing their talents and implementing ideas in a circle of like-minded people. There are dozens of thematic clubs on campus, events and sports competitions are regularly organized, and social activities are organized.

Thematic clubs bring together students who have the same interests. The list is extensive:

• Fine Arts, Painting,
• Chess
• Chinese Students Association,
• Cosplay,
• Cookery
• Comedy improvisation and much more.

Sports sections are taught at the amateur and professional levels, providing students with the opportunity to receive awards for victories in intercollegiate competitions. For those who would not like to create a career in sports, outdoor yoga classes, master classes in dance, Pilates and other areas are held. The main competitive sports in the IIT are:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Swimming, diving,
• Tennis
• Athletics
• Volleyball.

Esports occupies an important place in the activities of the institute - teams in competitive computer games participate in high-level tournaments. In this leisure area, not only excellent conditions for training are provided, but also scholarships.

• No1 in the state in terms of graduate salaries – Wall Street Journal 2025,
• One in 16% of U.S. universities on the list of "institutions of opportunity"
• No29 in the list of the best universities in terms of price-quality ratio,
• Accreditation of the Commission for Higher Education,
• R2 classification: "High research activity",
• The first US university to receive permission to open a campus in India,
• Specialized Career Programs,
• Active extracurricular life.

IIT's main learning area is a mile from the beaches of Lake Michigan and is considered one of the most beautiful university campuses in the United States. The institute also owns several specialized academic buildings in Chicago, Wheaton, and Bedford Park, specialized in the scientific areas that are taught there: law, food sciences, technology. The equipment of educational areas includes lecture classes and seminar halls, specialized laboratories, computer rooms, several libraries with reading rooms and many other rooms.

The sports infrastructure is represented by many facilities:

• Sports center with basketball and volleyball courts, swimming pool, fitness center and sports training office,
• Baseball Stadium,
• A football field, also used for lacrosse games,
• 25 indoor tennis courts.

Sports training also takes place in Dunbar Park and the Chicago Lakefront Trail. Thanks to good transport links, students can easily reach them and other public places, many attractions, entertainment centers.

The academic year at IIT consists of two semesters:

• Autumn: August-December,
• Spring: January-May.

There are several sessions during the summer months. Throughout the year, students rest on weekends, on national and international holidays, during seasonal vacations. Academic classes are held on weekdays.

Applicants need to fill out a detailed online application form, provide documents and pay the registration fee, after which they will have an interview. Based on its results, the admission committee makes a decision and sends official invitations to study to candidates.

In 2024, 869 new students enrolled in the first year of undergraduate programs.

IIT graduates often become well-known specialists in their scientific fields, almost immediately finding a job or continuing their studies after completing programs. Among them:

• Jack Steinberger, co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics
• Ida M. Flynn – computer scientist, founder of the BSIS program,
• Robert Pritzker - No47 on the list of the richest people on the planet in 2004,
• Martin Cooper – inventor of the mobile phone,
• Virgil Abloh is a fashion designer for Louis Vuitton, Off-White.

All foreign applicants must provide a passport, medical insurance, visa or residence permit, and academic documents.:

• Official transcripts of completed courses, grades in subjects from the previous place of study,
• Language test results: TOEFL (from 80), IELTS (from 6.5), Duolingo (from 115).

To enroll in Master's degree programs, candidates must have a letter of recommendation and a professional resume.

Competitive scholarship programs reward students who are especially successful in their studies, sports, and social life of the institute. Scholarships cover part of the cost of tuition for one year and can be extended if the skill level is maintained.

Students can also apply for federal grants and loans to cover costs with financial support. IIT helps with paperwork for Pell Grants, SEOG, State Mayor, and others.

On campus, there is a federal program "Work-Study", which allows students to find a job on campus and cover expenses by working off.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision