The University of Chicago's summer enrichment programs offer pre-college students the opportunity to explore different areas of study and learn about different disciplines, especially those that make the University a distinct destination for higher education. UChicago is committed to making higher education affordable and accessible to students from all walks of life. Enrichment programs are intended to welcome students who are interested in having a firsthand experience at a research institution with a strong liberal arts curriculum. Our enrichment programs are non-credit, typically one week (or shorter) in length, and provide substantial funding to cover most costs for participants. Each program will advance and enhance skills that students can apply to their studies in high school, college, and beyond. Whether it be leadership, civil discourse, or quantitative analysis of complex problems, all enrichment programs give pre-college students a window into the unique culture of inquiry and discourse and the dynamism of intellectual discovery at the University of Chicago.
Eligibility
Pre-college students who are at least 14 years old are eligible to participate in our Enrichment Programs. The guide below is intended as an overview to all the enrichment programs for 2024. Please review the eligibility requirements on the program pages carefully as we will only consider students who complete an application and who meet the stated eligibility requirements.
| Program Name | Current Grade | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Emerging Rural Leaders I | 9th | Current 9th grade students enrolled in a rural or small-town high school within the U.S. |
| Quantum Quickstart | 9th, 10th | Current 9th or 10th grade students enrolled in an Illinois high school with an interest in future careers and academic opportunities in quantum science. |
| Young Innovators Program | 9th, 10th | Current 9th or 10th grade students enrolled in a U.S. high school with an interest in future careers in innovation and entrepreneurship. |
| China Emerging Leaders | 10th | Current 10th grade students enrolled in high school in China. |
| Exploring Frontiers | 10th | Current 10th grade students enrolled in high school in California or Texas. |
| Parrhesia Ambassador Program | 10th | Current 10th grade students enrolled in a U.S. high school with an interest in the theory and practice of civic discourse. |
| Voltage Scholars | 10th | Current 10th grade students enrolled in a U.S. high school with an interest in the study of economics. |
| Emerging Rural Leaders II | 11th | Current 11th grade students enrolled in a rural or small-town high school within the U.S. |
| Emerging World Leaders | 11th | Current 11th grade students enrolled in high school outside of the U.S. |
| Neubauer Family Adelante Summer Scholars | 11th | Current 11th grade students enrolled in a U.S. high school and who are engaged in Hispanic or Latino communities. |
| Neubauer Phoenix STEM Summer Scholars | 11th | Current 11th grade students enrolled in a U.S. high school with an interest in academic opportunities or careers in research in STEM fields. |
| Woodson Summer Scholars | 11th | Current 11th grade students enrolled in a U.S. high school and who are engaged in Black or African American communities. |
| Young Innovators Climate & Energy Program | 11th | Current 11th grade students enrolled in a U.S. high school with an interest in future careers in climate and energy policy. |
Details
- All enrichment programs will be hosted on-campus for Summer 2024. If a program is hosted on campus, then all students who participate are required to live in residence in campus housing; there is no hybrid or remote option for Enrichment Programs, unless explicitly stated in the program description.
- Enrichment programs are one week in length, or shorter, and are offered on a non-credit basis.
- Most program costs are covered for all students.
How to Apply
- Applicants should review the instructions in our How to Apply section.
- All programs require students to complete and submit the Summer Session application as well as upload a complete high school transcript and respond to a short essay.
- Select programs require or allow for a nomination by a counselor or teacher. The link to the form is provided on each webpage, and should be completed by the counselor or teacher, not the student.
- All Enrichment Programs share a single deadline of March 5, 2024, and all applicants will receive decisions at the same time.
- The application fee is automatically waived for any applicant who selects an Enrichment Program as their first choice.