From creating the first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear reaction to discovering the mathematical theory of black holes, the University of Chicago has long been a pioneer in groundbreaking STEM research. Our students and professors are fearless and creative problem solvers, who engage in interdisciplinary thinking, and who value diverse perspectives. Diversity is a fundamental driver of innovation and progress in STEM fields. By uniting diverse students and faculty for more than a century, UChicago has fostered one of the most unique—and decorated—intellectual communities in the world. The Neubauer Phoenix STEM Summer Program offers the opportunity for outstanding students of all backgrounds who value diversity of thought and experience with an interest in STEM-related areas to be exposed to UChicago’s distinctive approach and abundant research and academic opportunities in STEM fields.
Program Description
Students selected for the Neubauer Phoenix STEM Summer Program will gain invaluable skills by participating in a hybrid program that combines a virtual mathematics course hosted by schoolhouse.world, followed by spending one week on the UChicago campus. After successfully completing an online, virtual preparatory mathematics course, students will reside on campus for one week and explore the many resources and opportunities available to them at UChicago firsthand through a week of model classes and facility tours. During their week on campus, students will have the opportunity to hear from world-renowned UChicago faculty and alumni in molecular engineering, mathematics, computer science, and other fields, and will experience UChicago’s cutting-edge research facilities firsthand through day trips to locations such as Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, and the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
The program will be hosted on-campus, and program participants must reside in campus housing for the residential portion of the program.
Program Contact: All questions should be directed to Jawann Pollard at pollardj@uchicago.edu.
Application Requirements
Eligibility: Current 11th grade students, who are at least 15 years old, and enrolled in a U.S. high school, are invited to apply.
Applications will be accepted online. The deadline to apply is our Regular Deadline, March 5, 2024. All application decisions for this program will be released at the same time in late April.
Applicants must complete the Summer Session Application, and all the related requirements which can be reviewed in the How To Apply section.
Application materials include:
- Online application
- Transcript
- Supplement & essays
- At least one teacher recommendation
- At least one parent/guardian confirmation email received
Applicants will be asked to respond to the following essay questions in the application:
- Why did you choose the particular program/courses for which you have applied? How are they related to your current interests and future plans? Please be as specific as possible, and make sure your response covers each of the courses you elected. (Limit: 500 words)
- “Since its founding, the University has been committed to the idea that a culture of rigorous inquiry requires an environment where diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas inform and stimulate intellectual exchange, challenge, and engagement.” -UChicago Office of the Provost. How does your perspective, experience or background contribute to this culture of inquiry in this program? What do you hope to gain or learn by engaging with peers from all over the U.S. or from different parts of the world? (Limit: 300 words)
Review the Application Overview pages for more detailed information.
Costs & Fees
The application fee is automatically waived for any applicant who selects any Enrichment Program as their first choice.
All program costs, inclusive of tuition, room and board, and roundtrip transportation are completely covered. Students will need to have their own health insurance.
Course Dates
July 21-26, 2024
- Arrival date: Sun. Jul. 21
- First session: Mon. Jul. 22
- Closing session: Fri. Jul. 26
- Move-out: Fri. Jul. 26