College Bridge for CPS Students
The College Bridge Program provides academically advanced high school students from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) a way to go beyond their high school curriculum and study at the undergraduate level in the College at the University of Chicago.
Admitted CPS students enroll alongside UChicago undergraduate students during the Summer (“Summer Bridge”) and/or during the rest of the year (“Academic Year Bridge”).
Academic Year Bridge
Participants in the Academic Year Bridge program enroll alongside UChicago undergraduates in one course per quarter. Admitted students work with world-class faculty and instructors to take intellectual risks, dive deeply into subjects, and discuss questions that go beyond the realm of high school curricula. Students select courses from the College's undergraduate curriculum, in close consultation with the UChicago Bridge Adviser. They follow the same guidelines that apply to all UChicago undergraduates.
Applicants must:
Be enrolled in Chicago Public Schools for both the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years;
Be a junior or senior during the 2025-2026 academic year;
Have a strong academic record in a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum, taking the most advanced courses possible in their high school in the subject they wish to study at UChicago or the most closely related discipline;
Demonstrate the emotional maturity necessary to tackle undergraduate-level coursework (e.g., self-motivation, self-discipline, and time management.)
A placement test may be required for some subjects.
The University of Chicago's academic year consists of the Autumn Quarter (September-December), Winter Quarter (January-March), and Spring Quarter (March-June), each of which is 9 weeks long.
Admitted students can enroll in one 100-unit course per quarter. Many students choose to end their studies after winter quarter as UChicago spring quarter ends around the same time as Chicago Public Schools' graduation.
UChicago quarters do not coincide neatly with the CPS calendar and students are expected to attend class at the University of Chicago even when there is no school at your high school.
Areas of study may include:
Humanities (including foreign language study)
Social Sciences (example: Economics, Civilization Studies)
Biological Sciences
Physical Sciences (example: Honors Calculus)
The best and most plentiful options for College Bridge students are UChicago's Humanities Core, language courses, and Honors Calculus.
“Part of every first-year student’s course schedule, the Humanities Core is the foundation of Chicago’s general education curriculum. It is instrumental in facilitating the transition from high school to college by helping students become independent thinkers. In small discussion-based seminars, students learn and practice the art of oral argument and dialogue.”
An extremely limited number of Physical and Biological Science courses are open to College Bridge on days/times that are convenient for Bridge students (because of CPS Block Schedule, CPS students often need to take a College class before 9 am or after 2 pm, when UChicago courses are relatively limited.) STEM-oriented students should be open to taking classes in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Mid-May, 2025: Academic Year Bridge application opens
Mid-July, 2025: Deadline to submit your application. Students should start an application and input their recommender's information as soon as possible.
The recommender will receive a request before the application is submitted. Students can submit their application before their recommendation is received. The review and interview process will begin after this date or after recommendations are received.
Mid-August, 2025: Admissions decisions will be released. Students will receive available courses to choose from. Admitted students will have one week to confirm participation and submit course preferences.
Early September 2025: Students are enrolled in their UChicago course; they and their counselor are notified
September 29, 2025: Autumn courses begin
Academic Year College Bridge applications require short personal essays, a graded work sample, a letter of recommendation from a teacher in a subject related to the one they wish to study at UChicago, and transcripts from all high schools attended. Applicants will also participate in an online interview.
Students are chosen based on a combination of factors. Applications are reviewed holistically.
To begin your application, please review:
The How to Apply page: the same guidelines apply for Summer Session, Summer Bridge, and Academic Year Bridge, and
The "Course Information" section above, to help determine the areas of study for which you might be eligible.
Costs for College Bridge include a greatly reduced tuition, the Lifetime Transcript Fee, and textbooks, as noted in Tier 2 in the chart below. Depending on household income, students can be assigned to Tier 1 and receive additional funding.
Tier 1 Students Pay
Tuition (per 100 units each quarter): $0
Books (per quarter): $0
Lifetime Transcript Fee (one-time, estimate): $0
Tier 2 Students Pay
Tuition (per 100 units each quarter): $800
Books (per quarter; estimate): $50-100
Lifetime Transcript Fee (one-time, estimate): $100
Students who wish to be considered for the Tier 1 funding will need to upload financial documentation on the Financial Aid and Scholarship page of their application. US citizens and permanent residents should supply their parents' most recent 1040s and W2s. If you have any questions about what to provide, please email summersession@uchicago.edu.
Please note that funding for the College Bridge program does not cover the costs associated with transportation to and from Campus. If remote learning occurs, College Bridge does not cover costs for the technology necessary to participate in remote learning, such as laptops or tablets, and home internet access.
All courses are graded (A-F), carry at least 100 units of credit, and are part of the University of Chicago's undergraduate curriculum. Note that the University of Chicago operates on a quarter system, as opposed to many universities that structure their calendars by semesters. Each 100-unit course is the equivalent of 3.3 semester credit hours.
A grade of B- or higher must be achieved in order to move on to the next quarter. Grades are listed on high school transcripts and weighted as an AP class. Students cannot take UChicago courses for a pass/fail grade.
You will be able to request your transcript via your MyUChicago account after your courses end. Students who go on to attend the University of Chicago will not be able to use these courses towards their graduation requirements.
If, for any reason, you are no longer going to take College Bridge courses, you must notify and consult with your high school counselor, and they will most likely re-enroll you in two high school classes at that time.
Regular check-ins with Sarah Lopez, Assistant Director of Academic Affairs and College Bridge Adviser, will be arranged with students to ensure they receive the support they need to be successful in College Bridge.
Participation in College Bridge must be approved by your high school counselor or principal. Generally, for each course taken at the University of Chicago, you will be excused from two courses at your high school. After you have obtained permission, the UChicago College Bridge Advisor will work with your high school counselor to confirm that your participation is possible and doesn't interfere with your high school academic or co-curricular requirements.
Summer Bridge
CPS high school students can apply for Summer Bridge. Admitted students will enroll alongside high school and/or undergraduate students from across the globe in one course during the University of Chicago's Summer Session. They will work with world-class faculty and instructors to take intellectual risks, dive deeply into subjects, and discuss questions that go beyond the realm of high school curricula.
Participants will select a course designed specifically for high school students from our 3-Week Immersion or Summer Online, which offers undergraduate-level course with students from all over the world.
Summer Bridge is a commuter-based program (i.e., students live at home and travel to campus for class.) Students who wish to live in the residential hall should not apply for Summer Bridge but instead apply for need-based financial aid, if needed. They will be responsible for the costs associated with participating through our residential program.
Applicants must:
Be enrolled in Chicago Public Schools for both the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years;
Be a 9th, 10th or 11th grade student during the 2024-2025 academic year;
Have a strong academic record in a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum, taking the most advanced courses possible in their high school in the subject they wish to study at UChicago or the most closely related discipline;
Demonstrate the emotional maturity necessary to tackle undergraduate-level coursework (e.g., self-motivation, self-discipline, and time management.)
For Summer 2025, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students can apply to the following programs:
3-week Immersion: students who are currently in 9th, 10th or 11th grade can apply for this program, taking a deep dive into a specific subject. They are the equivalent of one undergraduate-level course in 3 weeks. These courses are only offered in person.
Summer Online offers two possible course experiences:
For current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders: Take a course specifically designed for pre-college students ready to tackle undergraduate material in an online setting. Each course offers plenty of opportunities for interaction with your instructor and classmates through discussion, group projects, and other engaging activities.
For current 11th and 12th graders: Take a course drawn from our regular College curriculum alongside UChicago undergraduates. These courses are primarily comprised of undergraduate students, with a select number of places are reserved for pre-college students.
On the application, students can select up to 4 course choices from any of the programs listed above. Final decisions on course placement will be made by Summer Session and College Admissions.
Mid-December 2024: Summer Bridge application opens
March 5, 2025: Summer Bridge application deadline.
Students should apply through the Summer Application, following the instructions provided.
The deadline to apply for Summer Bridge is March 5, 2025.
Tips:
Enter your recommender's information right away to give them the most time possible to submit their recommendation.
Submit your application as soon as your parts are completed. You should not wait for the recommendation letter to be submitted.
On the Financial Aid section:
Select "Yes" to "Would you like to apply for need-based financial aid to help cover the cost of your course if you are admitted? " if you’d like to be considered for Tier 1. US citizens and permanent residents can either submit documents showing eligibility for SNAP benefits, or their parents' most recent 1040s and W2s
Select "Yes" for the question "Are you a Chicago Public School student who would like to be considered for College Bridge?" This will ensure that the application fee is waived.
Costs for College Bridge include a greatly reduced tuition, the Lifetime Transcript Fee, and textbooks. Depending on household income, students can be assigned to Tier 1 and receive additional funding.
Tier 1 Students Pay:
Tuition (per 100 units): $0
Books (per quarter): $0
Lifetime Transcript Fee (one-time): $0
Tier 2 Students Pay:
Tuition:
3-week Immersion or Summer Online: $800 (100 units)
Books (estimate): $50-100
Lifetime Transcript Fee (one-time fee, estimate): $100
Students who wish to be considered for Tier 1 funding will need to upload financial documentation on the Financial Aid and Scholarship page of their application. US citizens and permanent residents should supply their parents' most recent 1040s and W2s. If you have any questions about what to provide, please email summersession@uchicago.edu.
Please note:
In consideration of the additional extracurricular opportunities and costs offered during Summer Session, each Summer Bridge student enrolled in an in-person, on campus course will receive Maroon Dollars (money on their UChicago ID card). This allows them to eat lunch in the dining hall with peers. Funding is also set aside for Bridge students to participate in excursions organized for residential students.
Funding for the College Bridge program does not cover the costs associated with transportation to and from campus.
If a course is remote, College Bridge does not cover costs for the technology necessary to participate in remote learning, such as laptops or tablets, and home internet access.
All courses are graded (A-F), carry at least 100 units of credit, and are part of the University of Chicago's undergraduate curriculum. Note that the University of Chicago operates on a quarter system, as opposed to many universities that structure their calendars by semesters. Each 100-unit course is the equivalent of 3.3 semester credit hours. Students cannot take UChicago courses for a pass/fail grade.
Students interested in transferring UChicago credit earned during College Bridge should contact the university where they would want the credit to be applied. Transfer of credit is at the discretion of the recipient university.
You will be able to request your transcript via your MyUChicago account after your courses end. Students who go on to attend the University of Chicago will not be able to use these courses towards their graduation requirements.
If, for any reason, you need to withdraw from a Summer Bridge courses, you must notify summersession@uchicago.edu.
Refunds will vary based on date of withdrawal.
During Summer Session, the Pre-College Adviser will be in the dining hall once per week for drop-in advising for all Summer Session students. In addition, a meeting with the Pre-College Adviser can be arranged and students are also welcome to contact Sarah Lopez, year-round Bridge Adviser with any questions or concerns.