UChicago Summer Student Early Notification (SSEN) FAQ

Students who have completed a UChicago residential or online UChicago Pre-College Summer Session program are eligible to apply to UChicago through our binding UChicago Summer Student Early Notification option under the Early Decision I plan. This early notification option is available to eligible students among our four standard application plan options for first-year applicants, including Early Decision I, Early Action, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. Students are eligible if they are in their final year of high school and have participated in a UChicago Summer Session program during any of their high school summers. Eligible students may apply using this option from September 1 to October 15, and will receive an admissions decision three weeks (or prior to November 1) after completing their full application during this time frame.

Our summer students over the years have shared with us at the end of their program how impactful their time on campus was for them both intellectually and as part of their college search process (and for many, it confirmed for them and their parents that UChicago was a fit for them). Beginning in fall 2024, students who have completed any of our residential or online UChicago Pre-College Summer Session Programs are eligible to apply to UChicago through our UChicago Summer Student Early Notification option. We hope this will reduce the stress of waiting, provide earlier financial aid awards for assurance of affordability, and will make their senior year of high school more enjoyable too!

Summer students will be informed of the new option while on campus, and the parents of our summer students are invited to end-of-summer informational Zooms led by admissions counselors so the parents will be fully informed and can ask questions as well.

This Summer Student Early Notification option is best for students who have identified UChicago as their absolute first choice and who will enroll if offered admission. Students should not rush their decisions for college and many summer students will still be exploring their college opportunities. For those students who have fully explored the broad range of excellent colleges and universities available and made the decision that UChicago is the place for them, we are offering this new application option.

Students applying SSEN receive their decision from UChicago within three weeks (or before November 1) after completing their full application.

Students should create a UChicago Account and select “Early Decision I (ED1)” as their plan. Students should also create their Common App or Apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir application to UChicago and select the ED1 application plan there in the application portal too. Students may submit their ED Agreement through the Common App portal, Apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir portal, or through the Student Early Decision Agreement within the “Forms” section of their UChicago Account. If you have concerns about using your Common App ED Agreement for UChicago, you may pursue the SSEN option of EDI through the Apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir application.

Students will follow most of the standard first-year application instructions to complete their application, submitting their completed application from September 1 through October 15.

One key exception will be offered with counselor and teacher recommendations:

• Given the early timeline (and that we have met students), UChicago will be able to review these applications without a school counselor letter if one has not already been written for the student.

• Teacher recommendations submitted as part of the student’s Pre-College Summer application will automatically be added to their first-year application.

  • For students who participated in a Pre-College program prior to their final year of high school, the teacher recommendation requirement will be waived.

  • For students who participated in the programs earlier in their high school career, only one teacher recommendation will be required.

Between September 1 and October 15, 2024.

UChicago is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. If you are US Citizen or permanent resident, applicants to the College are not required to submit an application for financial aid to be considered for admission. If you do intend to apply for need-based financial aid, however, you should do so at the same time you apply for admission so that you can factor your financial aid package into your college decision process. Learn more about applying for financial aid. For international students, UChicago will meet 100% of international students’ demonstrated need. International applicants go through the same contextual review process as domestic applicants, with the only difference being that international students are required to submit a financial aid application prior to admission if they think they may require need-based aid at any time while enrolled at UChicago. Learn more about applying for financial aid as an international applicant.

Yes! Any student who has completed a UChicago Pre-College Summer Session program and is now eligible to apply as a first-year applicant to the College may apply under the SSEN option.