PS The Admissions Committee gives particular consideration to a statement of purpose and goals from the applicant. Previous research experience is an important consideration for admission and should be described in the personal statement. GPA Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours of undergraduate study. Preference is given to those applicants who have a GPA substantially greater than 3.00. Fee Application fee: foreign students: $70.00. With the web application you may choose to pay with a credit card at the time you submit your application on-line, otherwise send a check or money order to the University. RL Three letters of recommendation are required by GEMS. Transcript Transcripts: Applicants should not send official paper academic credentials by mail unless the department expressly requests that you send credentials directly to them. You must still upload an unofficial copy electronically to satisfy the institutional requirements. Official, sealed academic credentials will be requested from applicants admitted to a degree-seeking program. The request for official paper academic credentials will be noted on the official admission letter from the Office of Admissions. Failure to submit official, sealed academic credentials will result in a registration hold after the 10th day of the admission term, but will only affect registration for the second term at UIC.