International Students

International Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can international students apply to the UChicago Summer Session?

Yes, international high school and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply to the UChicago Summer Session. Summer 2023 will offer both remote and residential courses. Students need to take a residential course in order to be eligible for a student visa.

Do you require TOEFL scores for international students?

Competence in English must be demonstrated in order to qualify for admission. Applicants who are natives of the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries where English is one of the official languages and the primary language of instruction in their schools has been English do not need to submit English proficiency test results.

All other international applicants must submit results from the Duolingo English Test (DET), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). We strongly recommend a score of 104 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL, with subscores of 26 each. Minimum required scores on the IELTS (students must take the Academic test, not the General Training test) are an overall score of 7, with subscores of 7 each. The minimum acceptable score on the DET is 125.

OR

The only exception to the English language proficiency requirement is for applicants who have studied in full-time status for at least two full academic years within the last five years at a high school or college where the primary language of instruction is English, engaging in a regular academic curriculum taught in English (in other words, not engaged in English as a Second Language or similar coursework), in a country where English is one of the official languages. Students must submit transcripts that demonstrate that they meet the conditions for a waiver of the English language proficiency requirement. 

Students who have studied in English in other countries are not exempt from the English language proficiency requirement.

If students meet the above conditions for eligibility, they should submit a written request for a waiver of the requirement to summersession@uchicago.edu. They will receive a confirmation of their waiver eligibility and application instructions via email.
 

Eligible students may still be required to participate in an Academic English Proficiency Assessment (AEPA) to confirm proficiency.

Do you accept international transcripts as part of the application process?

Yes. High School Students should submit transcripts electronically. If a student’s transcripts are not in English, they will need to provide an officially prepared English translation and submit that in addition to the original documentation. Please note that we require transcripts from Grade 9 through a student’s most recently completed academic quarter or semester. If a student is currently in 9th grade, we ask that they also submit grades from 8th grade. Visiting Undergraduates may submit their undergraduate transcripts online as part of the application process.

Do I need to convert my grade point average (GPA) to a 4.0 scale?

No, grades and grade point average should be kept in their original format.

Are there scholarships available for international students?

Aid varies based on need and program cost. For the Immersion program, a limited number of full and partial aid packages are available. Students who qualify to receive full financial aid will have costs for tuition, housing, and dining covered. Students are responsible for travel to and from UChicago, as well as any required materials for the course. International students living abroad should note that they will need to pay for any costs associated with receiving a student visa.

Partial aid is available for our other pre-college programs.

We also have two scholarship programs available for international students in the Enrichment Program. High school students from Latin America may apply to be a part of the Latin American Phoenix Scholars Program, which provides a select number of students with full scholarships. In addition, high school students who are currently enrolled in a UWC school are also eligible for the UWC Global Academy Program, which also provides selected students the opportunity to take a course free of charge.

Can I substitute SAT, AP or A-Level results for the English proficiency exam requirement?

No, students who do not qualify for an English proficiency waiver must submit the TOEFL, IELTS, or DET to be considered for admission.