CPS-UChicago Program
(Formerly Academic Year Bridge)
During the academic year, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) - UChicago Program provides academically advanced high school students from CPS an opportunity to go beyond their high school curriculum and study at the undergraduate level in the College at UChicago. Courses will be added to students’ CPS transcripts and students may be eligible for a two-course release from their CPS schedule.
Admitted CPS students enroll in UChicago undergraduate curriculum courses alongside UChicago undergraduate students during the Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters. Summer Quarter enrollment is not included.
CPS-UChicago Summer Scholarship Program (formerly Summer Bridge): Further details about the application process and other details for this summer-only opportunity may be found on the Costs and Aid page.
Chicago Public Schools-UChicago Program (Academic Year)
CPS students enroll alongside UChicago undergraduates in one course per quarter. Admitted students study with world-class faculty and instructors, take intellectual risks, dive deeply into subjects, and discuss questions that go beyond the realm of high school curricula. Admitted students select courses from the College's undergraduate curriculum, in close consultation with the CPS-UChicago Enrollment Adviser. Students follow the same guidelines that apply to all UChicago undergraduates.
Applicants must:
Be enrolled in CPS for both the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years;
Be a junior or senior during the 2026-2027 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 since 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 UChicago even when your high school is on breaks or holidays.
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 course options for CPS students are UChicago's Humanities Core, language courses, and Honors Calculus.
Part of every first-year College student’s course schedule, the Humanities Core is the foundation of UChicago’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, analyzing literature, philosophy, film, art, and other aspects of culture. We strongly encourage you to experience this cornerstone of a UChicago education!
An extremely limited number of Physical and Biological Science courses are offered at times that are convenient for CPS students, e.g., before 9 am and after 2 pm, particularly for those attending schools with a block schedule. STEM-oriented students should be open to taking classes in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Mid-May: Application opens
Mid-July: Deadline to submit your application and recommendation letter.
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: Interviews with the UChicago Adviser
Early September: Admissions decisions released. Students receive available courses to choose from. Admitted students have one week to confirm participation and submit their course preferences.
Mid-to-late September: Students are enrolled in their UChicago course; they and their counselor are notified
Late September: Autumn courses begin
CPS-UChicago students’ applications require short personal essays, a graded work sample, a letter of recommendation from a teacher in a subject related to the one you 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 application instructions at the bottom of the instructions page. (Instructions are the same to apply for a Summer course.)
When starting an application, please select:
Program selection - select grade level for 2026-2027 school year
Program Type - Summer Program for High School Students
Add course - Category - CPS-UChicago Students
Household Income under $125,000 USD
Household Income under $60,000 USD
$800 tuition
Does not include required books or course materials
$0 tuition
Includes required books and course materials
Students will need to complete the Financial Aid section of the application and upload one of the following types of financial documentation to their application:
Parents’ or guardians’ most recent 1040s and W2s, or
Statement of SNAP eligibility, or
Statement of Unemployment, Social Security, or Disability benefits.
If you have questions, please email summersession@uchicago.edu.
All courses are graded (A-F), carry at least 100 units of credit, and are part of the UChicago's undergraduate curriculum. Note that UChicago 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 enroll as a CPS-UC Scholar, you must notify and consult with your high school counselor. 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 CPS-UChicago students Adviser, will be arranged with students to ensure they receive the support they need to be successful in the program.
Participation in the CPS-Uchicago program 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 CPS-UChicago Adviser will work with your high school counselor to make sure your participation doesn't interfere with your high school academic or co-curricular requirement and to confirm your participation.
