University of Chicago (2024)

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Entire fieldsof study such as ecology and sociology were established by the University of Chicago,so it’s hardly surprising that the College is home to some of the mostvenerated academic programs in the world.

Focused oncareful reading, analytical writing, and critical thinking, UChicago’s CoreCurriculum is the perfect foundation for any major and all future endeavors. Theuniversity grants Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 52 academicmajors and 46 minors. These are divided into five academic divisions: TheBiological Sciences Collegiate Division, the Physical Sciences CollegiateDivision, the Social Sciences Collegiate Division, the Humanities CollegiateDivision, and the New Collegiate Division.

Undergraduates canchoose to study anything from astrophysics to molecular engineering, as well asa range of liberal arts, social sciences, anthropology, music, andlanguage-focused degrees. Students choose electives from more than 3,000courses offered in the College each year, and over 40% study abroad throughnearly 60 faculty-designed and taught programs. UChicago also sponsors a wealthof undergraduate research opportunities in programs ranging from economics andpsychology to astrophysics and sociology. More than 160 institutes and centersprovide a home for true innovation.

About 60 percent of undergraduate students live on campus, in one of seven residence halls.These are divided into Harry Potter-esque “houses”, communities of affiliatedfaculty, staff, and students who all live, eat, debate, and play together. Intotal, there are 39 houses with a maximum of 105 students in each one. Eachhouse also has its own unique traditions and customs, something which theuniversity says is intended to encourage residents to feel pride in where theylive.

Undergraduateaccommodation and the communities within it are intended to provide importantsocial and intellectual outlets where spontaneous conversation and structuredprogramming enrich the academic pursuits of students and faculty.

As is to beexpected with a top school, UChicago is highly selective, with only eightpercent of applicants accepted. Candidates apply to the undergraduate College,which includes all majors, minors, and programs of study. UChicago accepts theCoalition or Common Application. Both ask for basic information about yourbackground, academic profile, extracurricular activities, as well as a briefpersonal statement. You will also need to submit a secondary school report andtranscript; two teacher evaluations; standardized test scores; and anapplication fee of US$75. UChicago also offers a test optional method ofapplication and does not charge an application fee for students applying forneed-based financial aid, veterans, or veteran dependents.

On top of this,you must also tackle the supplementary essay, which contains questions that aredesigned to be provocative and thought-provoking. International candidates mustalso submit English language proficiency test scores. Fees and tuition for all applicantsfor the 2020-2021 academic year is US$57,642.

Fortunately,the University of Chicago offers financial aid that can contribute up to 100per cent of a family’s demonstrated need, as well as merit scholarships. Thanksto the university’s three scholarship and access initiative programs—UChicagoStand Together, No Barriers, and UChicago Empower—most students graduatedebt-free, no matter their chosen major or background prior to enrollment.

Graduateresearch and professional training have been part of the University ofChicago's history from its inception. It has more than 100 graduate programs infour graduate divisions (biological sciences, humanities, physical sciences, andthe social sciences) as well as eight professional and continuing educationschools such as the Pritzker School of Medicine, the Booth School of Business,the University of Chicago Law School, and the Pritzker School of MolecularEngineering.

Chicago is oneof the world’s premier research universities, and graduate students gain accessto some of the world’s most innovative scholars and facilities, such as thethree major affiliated laboratories, the Argonne National Library, FermiNational Accelerator Library, and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

As well as awide range of doctoral programs there are also master’s degrees that eitherterminate after one or two years or lead students towards further doctoralstudy.

Each school anddivision of the University of Chicago has its own form of application, andsince study is so specialized at graduate level most programs have their ownway of deciding which applicants they wish to admit.

Generally, anapplication to UChicago graduate school will mean completing an onlineapplication form and submitting university transcripts, GRE and subject testscores, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, an up-to-date resume,and any additional material (e.g. essays) that may be required.

Internationalstudents may also have to submit the results of standardized English languagetests. The progress of an application can be tracked online, and the universityadvises students to apply as early as possible.

UChicago helpsgraduate and professional school students pay for their education in manifoldways. The cost of programs varies, but in the humanities division work out ataround $11,000 per quarter for the first four years, and $3,500 per quarter foryears five to 12. Most PhD students receive a full, five-year package, however,which includes tuition and a generous stipend.

Master’sprograms cost around $3,759 per quarter per course. Funding arrangementsdiffer, from the doctoral level, with many master’s programs offeringmerit-based aid awards and a few offering need-based funding aid.

General

Bachelor

Total students

17,214

International students

5,488

Total faculty staff

2,885