Enrichment Programs FAQ

Individual schedules for each enrichment program will vary, but a typical day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with lectures, discussion sections, or workshops. Afternoons typically consist of an on-campus tour, excursion to another part of the city, or hands-on activity related to the subject area of the program. Evenings include activities and events planned by residential and program staff, or open social time.

Students participating in the Enrichment Programs have access to the residence hall and dining hall, but are subject to more limited access of university facilities and will not have access to the Student Wellness Center or the Athletic Center. For tours or activities on campus, program staff will secure entry and access for program participants as needed.

Enrichment students will move in the day before their program begins and move out on the last day of the program. Make sure to review your program page for specific move in and move out dates.

Our residential team is composed of current undergraduates and recent alumni of the University of Chicago. All residential staff members are selected and trained to live in residence with pre-college students. Our Residential Director and Assistant Residential Directors are available to students and their families 24 hours a day. And our Residential Assistants (RAs) are here to make students feel comfortable in the residence halls, and to assist them with academic, residential, and co-curricular matters. Several RAs reside in each House on the same floor as the students.

Chicago weather in the summer can fluctuate, so make sure to prepare for the possibility of high heat (as high as 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit) and humidity.

We recommend that you pack the following items for your stay:

• Light clothing
• Warm layer in case of cooler weather
• Extra blanket or comforter*
• Sheets*
• Umbrella or rain jacket
• Towels*
• Walking shoes
• Swimsuit
• Cell phone
• Sunscreen
• Notebooks
• Toiletries
• Folders
• Clothes hangers
• Pens and pencils
• Photo ID
• Personal spending money
• Camera
• Iron (if desired)

The residence hall’s linen service provides a summer-weight blanket, sheets, pillows, and towels, but, if you are particular about your linens, you should bring your own. All beds are extra-long single beds (36” x 80”). The residence halls are air-conditioned, and some students have found it a bit chilly. For example, if you think you would like more than one pillow, a heavier weight blanket, or a larger towel, please bring these items with you or plan to purchase them after you arrive. All beds are extra-long single beds (36” x 80”). Laundry facilities are available, and residential staff will provide detergent and dryer sheets by request.

High school students living in the residence hall must sign in for curfew every night. Following the City of Chicago curfew ordinance, summer residents must be inside the residence hall from 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. Disregard for curfew can be grounds for dismissal from the program. Students who miss curfew sign-in will be subject to disciplinary action, and their parents will be contacted. Please see the Academic, Social, and Residential Policies for more information about the curfew policy.

Students in the Enrichment Programs are only able to leave campus when accompanied by program or residential staff.

When you check in to the residence hall, you will receive a room number, which will be part of your mailing address.

For minor students:
(Student Name)
Attn: Summer Conferences - Summer Session
Granville-Grossman Residential Commons Room XX
6031 S. Ellis Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637

For students 18 and older:
(Student Name)
Attn: Summer Conferences - Summer Session
Woodlawn Residential Commons Room XX
1156 East 61st St.
Chicago, IL 60637

Mail is delivered once a day, Monday through Friday. Mail can be picked up at the front desk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The front desk will sign for all priority packages.

Packages that arrive prior to your arrival date or after your departure date will be returned to the sender.

While guests are welcome to visit, they cannot stay overnight in student rooms. All guests must check-in at the front desk, and must check out by 10:00 p.m. Pre-College program residents may not have non-program guests in their rooms past curfew, including relatives.

If a student requires immediate medical attention, the University of Chicago’s Medical Center is on campus. Residential staff members will be available 24/7 to help in the case of any emergency and will contact the parent or guardian. All parents of minors are required to submit a release form authorizing necessary medical treatment in the case that the parent/guardian cannot be reached. This release is provided to parents after their student has been accepted to the program. Enrichment Program participants must have their own valid U.S. health insurance, and they will be asked to provide their insurance information after they are admitted to the Enrichment Program.

To ensure the safety and convenience of our students, faculty, staff, and community, UChicago's Department of Safety & Security provides residence security, transportation, and 24/7 support. Residence halls are always fully staffed with security personnel, and all entrances and exits are fully secured. Summer Session residential students verify their identity with their University ID at the front desk upon entry to the residence hall. Students may contact the UChicago Police Department at any time, day or night, by dialing 773.702.8181 or 123 from a campus phone.

Campus safety for all is a top priority at the University of Chicago. Support is available 24/7, including health care, mental wellness, and residential staff. For non-threatening situations on campus or in the residence halls, students will be able to utilize either their Resident Assistant, Summer Program staff, or the Campus Residential Hall front desk. If a serious situation arises, students should contact the dean-on-call or the University Police 24/7.

There are two major commercial airports in the Chicago area: O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. O'Hare International Airport is about 30 miles northwest of campus, and Midway International Airport is approximately eight miles west of the UChicago campus. A staff member will greet students at the airport and lead them to our shuttle service.

Summer Session students and families should carefully check airline policies regarding unaccompanied minors prior to booking tickets. Different airlines have different policies regarding the minimum age to fly unaccompanied by a parent or guardian. These ages are not consistent across all airlines. Please take extra precautions to verify an airline's age policy before purchasing tickets.

No. We have several different programs running during the summer. There is no additional capacity prior to the start of a course or afterwards. If you need additional accommodations, you will need to make your own arrangements. All Summer Session students will move in for their program on the same day and move out on the same day.

Summer Session students and families should note that the minimum age necessary rent a hotel room or Airbnb is 18 years of age. Students under 18 cannot rent and stay in a hotel room on their own, and so should not arrive in Chicago before or stay past the check-in and check-out dates stated in their admissions materials unless they will have a parent or guardian with them.

We have several different programs running during the summer. There is no additional capacity prior to the start of a course or afterwards. Students cannot check in to the residence hall before the official check-in date and cannot stay in the residence hall after the official check-out date given in their admissions materials. Unfortunately, there can be no exceptions. This rule applies to all students, regardless of age. Summer Session students and families should make travel plans accordingly.