About

See what students say:

Academics

The University of Chicago is known among students for its rigorous academics—and well-celebrated for that deep commitment, which is designed to help students not only learn but also to think, challenge, and question. The distinctive core curriculum is a series of sequences (including Humanities, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Civilization) that make up an interdisciplinary framework that is then fleshed out with a vast number of electives, summer sessions, and research and internship opportunities. The academic calendar runs on a quarter system that “allows you to try so much, not just academically but outside of class,” so that students “can be in a play one quarter, work for the newspaper another quarter, [and] work with a professor on research another quarter.” Undergrads devoted to the pursuit of learning find that the hard work required by the school is excellent preparation for the workplace, or as one puts it: “So many recruiters comment that they love UChicago kids because we know how to put in the time.”

Teachers also put in the time to provide what students describe as a “transformative education.” Classes are regularly described as unique, with the note that “it is clear that teachers here are able to create courses that are their most specific passions.” And while those classes come with high expectations, professors are people first, which means that they “uphold the rigorous academic standard while simultaneously being flexible, accommodating, and understanding.”

Student Body

Students at UChicago are both “incredibly diverse” and also consistently “intellectual and quirky,” which speaks to a commonality of differences that hinges on learning: “everyone loves to learn and talk about what each other is learning.” If you’re one of those who is “genuinely driven to learn for the sake of learning, and love being challenged by their classes,” undergrads say it’ll be easy to find like-minded individuals “who are pursuing the most fascinating careers and studying interesting topics.” There’s a reason so many students here like to talk: it’s only by diving deep into conversation with someone that you realize “they’re double majoring astrophysics and English.”

Campus Life

Academic exploration is the reason people come here, and “students work almost twice as hard at their academics than they do on their personal/social life.” Still, “everyone at UChicago has a deep inner life and is doing something interesting with their time,” and there exists “a vibrant community for pretty much any interest you could have in a club,” ranging from “being a part of the emergency medical service to pro-bono consulting groups to doing research with a Nobel Laureate in economics.” There is a constant flow in and out of the libraries, but not many complaints about the workload: “We’re all very busy, but we make it work.”

The school’s residential House system creates small communities with distinct traditions, competitions, and events, both within and between houses, which means that it’s easy to find something to do with one’s downtime: there are “bound to be several people in the house lounge playing video games, board games, just chilling.” For those wanting to get out, it’s notably “pretty easy to navigate Chicago,” and students can often be found “walking to the Point, going to Chinatown, or going to various museums and bookstores downtown.”

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Office of College Admissions

Address
Office of College Admissions
1101 E. 58th St
Chicago, IL 60637

Phone
773-702-8650

Email
collegeadmissions@uchicago.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Logan Arts Center
Joseph Regenstein Library
Robie House
Gerald Ratner Athletics Center
Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
Food on Campus UChicago boasts over a dozen on-campus coffee shops and two residential dining halls, which will soon been increasing to three, as well as a host of delis and snack shops. Of note, Bartlett Dining Commons, once an athletic field house, is a large dining hall that offers excellent buffet options and a kosher deli and Hallowed Grounds, a student-run lounge that offers international food from neighborhood restaurants, two pool tables, and popular open-mic nights. Books on Campus Seminary Co-op Bookstore (58th Street and Woodlawn) One of the best academic bookstores in the world, the Co-Op also has a veritable maze of fiction, poetry, drama, and everything in-between. It also carries the textbooks for almost all of the courses at the university. University of Chicago Bookstore (Barnes and Noble) (58th Street and Ellis Ave) University t-shirts, pennants, and math and science textbooks. Also contains a Starbucks. Powell's Books, specializing in rare and used books, is located on 57th Street, near campus and a variety of other opportunities, including other bookstores and restaurants. Arts and Music on campus Professional companies and artists in residence include Court Theatre, one of the top reparatory theater companies in the city; the critically acclaimed (and Grammy award winning) Pacifica Quartet; the Newberry Consort, famed for their performances of medieval and Renaissance music on period instruments; the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; and the modern ensemble eighth blackbird. The University of Chicago Presents series brings musicians from all over the world to the Logan Center for the Arts. Designed as a home for the creative life of the University of Chicago campus and the city of Chicago, the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts is a partner, resource, and catalyst for developing deeper cultural networks and richer creative projects citywide and beyond.

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Art Institute of Chicago
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
The Field Museum
Museum of Science and Industry
Millenium Park
Newcity's Guide to Chicago's Restaurants Web: www.newcitychicago.com This site has restaurant reviews and allows users to search for restaurants by neighborhood, cuisine, or price. Other Chicago Museums Museum of Contemporary Art, Shedd Aquarium, Architecture Foundation, Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Museum of Contemporary Photography, National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center. University of student Chicago students also receive free entry to the Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago Nightlife/Entertainment The Empty Bottle, The Metro, Second City, The Vic Theatre, House of Blues, Chicago Centerstage, Broadway in Chicago, Steppenwolf Theater. University of Chicago students also receive discounted tickets to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Chicago Professional Sports The Bears, The Blackhawks, The Bulls, The Cubs, The Fire, The White Sox, The Wolves Shopping in Chicago The Magnificent Mile, that fabled section of North Michigan Avenue, offers Bloomingdale's, Nike Town, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and much more. Then there are the department stores on Chicago's historic State Street—most notably the former Marshall Field's (now Macy's), at the corner of State and Randolph. Old Navy and Forever 21 also have large stores on State Street and are good picks for the student budget. The areas of Lincoln Park and Wicker Park in Chicago's north side provide a slightly different shopping experience popular with students with an array of boutique designers and thrift stores.

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday, Some Saturdays & Sundays
8:30am-5pm
773-702-8650

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 2 hours

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
No

Information Sessions
Available

Times
Daily when open

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
A prospective student questionnaire is available on respective varsity team websites.

Contact Email Address for Visit
athletics.uchicago.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available

Arrangements

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
The University of Chicago provides free shuttles that travel on and around the greater campus area. These shuttles are part of the UGo shuttle program. Several Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses serve the University of Chicago campus. If you choose to fly to Chicago for your visit, there are two major commercial airports in the Chicago area: O?Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport.

Local Accommodations
If you?re staying in Hyde Park, the Hyatt Place Chicago South, Sophy Hyde Park, and The Study offer comfortable stays close to campus. Located just one block apart, Hyatt Place is off 53rd Street on S. Harper Avenue and Sophy Hyde Park is on 53rd Street ? a major neighborhood destination with many shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Both hotels share a convenient shuttle service within Hyde Park, and there is easy access to public transportation routes into downtown Chicago.

Admissions

Applicants: 37,500
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average HS GPA: 4.39







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