Application Instructions

Please be as complete as possible in providing your information in these sections. Parent or Guardian information should match what you provide in other parts of the application to ensure our ability to communicate with parents and guardians throughout the process.

Program and Course Selection based upon eligibility. You will be asked to indicate your current grade level. Based upon your current grade level, the application will provide you with programs you are eligible to apply for.

• You may choose up to four program selections with one course under each program selection to be considered for.

• Order matters! You must indicate a choice order with each course you select. We will consider "1" to be your first choice, "2" to be your second choice, etc.

• You may apply to multiple programs and courses, but if admitted, you will only be admitted to one course or program in total for the summer.

Unofficial transcript for all years in high school. You must include a transcript for all classes taken in high school for grades 9, 10, and 11, as applicable. A 2025–2026 grade report for current courses is also required if they do not appear on your official transcript. Students currently in 9th grade should also submit their grade report from 8th grade. An official transcript is not required.

Test Scores, including the PSAT, PreACT, SAT, ACT, and any AP scores are optional, but encouraged if you have taken one of these tests.

Summer Session English Proficiency

All programs and courses offered in Summer Session are taught in English. The University of Chicago only admits students who have demonstrated a superior level of English language competence. Students applying to be a part of any Summer Session course or program are expected to demonstrate mastery of the English language through your application. UChicago does not offer an ESL program or ESL support for Summer Session students.

You are invited to submit scores from any English proficiency examination you believe represents your English language ability (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo). Students who submit English proficiency scores may share either official or unofficial score reports. If you feel as though your mastery of the English language is already represented throughout your application, you are not required to submit formal exam scores.

• If you are applying to any 2-8 Week course: you must apply for financial aid on the application and upload financial documentation in support of your application. Financial aid cannot be awarded after an admissions decision is received.

• Students applying to only 1 Week Enrichment do not need to upload financial documentation in support of the request for aid.

Supplement Essays

• Students applying to 2-8 Week Programs will be asked to respond to these two essays:

  • 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)

  • Describe your most rewarding academic project or academic experience. (Limit: 250 words).

• Students applying to any 1 Week Enrichment Program will respond to these two questions:

  • Why did you choose this enrichment program? How are the goals of this program or the topics covered related to your current interests and future plans? Please be as specific as possible, and if you wish to be considered for more than one program, make sure your response covers each of the programs you
    chose. (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 our culture of inquiry in this program? What do you hope to gain by engaging with peers from all over the U.S. or from different parts of the world? (Limit: 300 words)

Writing Sample

• All students must submit a legible copy of one of their essays or research papers which is typed, written in English, and includes their teacher's grade and comments. Students may submit a marked handwritten paper if it is accompanied by a typed copy.

• Lab notes or math sets will not be accepted; the writing sample should be English expository prose.

• Students who do not have a writing sample that meets these guidelines will need to write a paper and have their teacher review it.

• Please note that the 3 Week Immersion Creative Writing course requires that applicants also submit a piece of fiction, which does not need to be graded.

Additional Academic Information is required for applications to programs or courses in Computer Science, Creative Writing, Data Science, Economics, Math, Physics, Quantum, and related fields of study.

Letter of Recommendation from a teacher in a subject related to the course(s) for which you are applying. One letter is required; you may request up to 3 letters from teachers. Students will input the name and email address into the recommendation form in the application, and the recommender will receive a secure link to complete the recommendation.

In addition to the required letter of recommendation, Enrichment Program applicants may have a counselor or teacher submit a nomination. A nomination is optional, and nominators should use the form that is directly linked on the course pages. Do not send a recommendation link to your counselor or teacher via the application.

• The application fee is $75.

• The application fee will be automatically waived for students who apply for financial aid by completing the aid portion of the application and submitting the required documentation. The fee is automatically waived for students applying in partnership with one of our community-based organizations.

A Parent/Guardian Confirmation email will be sent to the parent or guardian on file for all pre-college applicants after a students submits their application. An application is not considered complete until we receive the completed Parent/Guardian Confirmation. We will not review your application until we receive a response from your parent or guardian.

Students admitted to any program must confirm attendance by submitting a $1,000 non-refundable program deposit within seven days of the release of their admissions decision. Students will not be registered for courses or programs until this initial deposit is received.

The full program fee will be due four weeks after admission; students who fail to pay the program fee will forfeit their spot in their program.

Please see the Application FAQs for more information on the application.