THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Incoming Student Resources
We are excited to welcome our incoming 2026 cohort of MA and PhD students! We’ve collated here for you all of the necessary information, timelines, and resources for incoming students.
Reviewed and still have questions? Contact the Dean of Students Office at ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu.
There are many steps to complete between accepting your offer and joining us on campus. Below are the most important ones, but please routinely check your email as more to-do items may be added depending on your program or specific situation.
Claim Your CNetID
Who: All Newly Enrolling Students
When: April – July
Relevant Link: CNetID Claiming Site
Questions?: Contact the Dean of Students Office at ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu
Your University of Chicago CNetID functions as your UChicago email address and is also used to access most University systems. You must claim your CNetID to complete many of the tasks below.
Beginning in summer, all communication from University offices, including the Registrar, Bursar, UChicago Student Wellness, etc. will go to only your UChicago email address. You are responsible for reading all messages sent to your UChicago email address. You can forward your UChicago email address to another service if you wish (email forwarding instructions on the ITS website).
Request Your I-20/DS-2019
Who: International students seeking University of Chicago visa sponsorship
When: April – July
Relevant Link: Office of International Affairs ‘Requesting an 1-20 or DS-2019' page
Questions?: Contact the Office of International Affairs at international-affairs@uchicago.edu
International students can begin the visa process as early as April. However, this process can only begin once the offer of admission is accepted, any required enrollment deposit is received, and any condition of admission is satisfied. Eligible students will receive an email with detailed instructions on how to request an I-20/DS-2019 once the Dean of Students Office is prepared to initiate your visa process. Information about the process and timeline can be found on the Office of International Affairs (OIA) website.
Additionally, we encourage you to reach OIA at international-affairs@uchicago.edu with any questions.
Apply for Federal Loans or Work-Study
Who: U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents newly enrolling into an MA program
When: April – August
Relevant Links: Free Application for Federal Student Aid ‘Eligibility Requirements’ page and Graduate Financial Aid website
Questions?: Contact the Graduate Financial Aid Office at gradfinaid@uchicago.edu
Students intending to apply for federal aid programs must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligibility requirements for the FAFSA can be found on the U.S. Federal Student Aid website.
Once your FAFSA is received by the University, Graduate Financial Aid will work on an estimated Federal student loan and Work-Study package for you. All communications regarding federal aid will be sent via your my.uchicago.edu account (see information above on how to claim your CNetID if you have not done so already). More information about the process can be found on the Graduate Financial Aid website.
Please note that final scholarship awards may not be entered into my.uchicago until July.
The Graduate Financial Aid Office can also be reached at gradfinaid@uchicago.edu.
Request Disability Accommodations
Who: Students with Disabilities
When: Beginning in June
Relevant Link: Student Disability Services website
Questions?: Contact Student Disability Services at disabilities@uchicago.edu
Students with disabilities should speak with Student Disability Services (SDS) to discuss what accommodations may be available. It's important for students to begin the accommodations process as early as possible to ensure accommodations are in place for the beginning of Autumn quarter. They can be reached at disabilities@uchicago.edu.
Complete Online Orientation
Who: All Students
When: May – July
Relevant Link: UChicago Grad website
Questions?: Contact Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@uchicago.edu
All incoming students are encouraged to read the online orientation materials in Canvas. An invitation to the course will be sent to your UChicago email address in May (see information above on how to claim your CNetID if you have not done so already).
Didn’t receive the invitation? Contact gradadmissions@uchicago.edu.
Submit Final Official Transcripts
Who: All Incoming Students
When: By September 1
Relevant Link: Your Application Status page
Questions?: Contact the Dean of Students Office at ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu
You must provide an official, final transcript that shows the date a degree was conferred from each program from which you have received a degree. The list of schools for which we require a final transcript can be found in your application status page. We do not accept transcripts that you upload or send as an email attachment; official transcripts must be sent by your academic institution directly to us either by mail or e-transcript. More information on our requirements for transcripts can be found in your application status page.
Students whose final official transcripts will be delayed, or who must present a copy in person, should contact ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu for an extension.
Determine When to Arrive in Chicago
Who: All Students
When: June
Relevant Link: Your program’s website
Questions?: Contact your program’s student affairs administrator at their email address or the Dean of Students Office at ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu
Orientation activities for all graduate students begin on September 21; however, students in the following programs have required pre-matriculation camps to attend:
- Computational Social Science (MACSS): Arrive before August 24
- Economics PhD: Arrive before September 1
- MAPSS QMSA: Arrive before August 24
- Students opting to participate in a math camp should arrive at least one day before the scheduled start of their camp.
Rent/Lease an Apartment
Who: All Students
When: June – September, depending on arrival plans
Relevant Link: UChicago Grad’s ‘Relocating to Chicago’ page
Questions?: Contact Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@uchicago.edu
Because apartment leases in Chicago can require no more than 60 days-notice of intent to vacate, this means most apartments are posted as available only 6-8 weeks before the landlord’s anticipated availability date.
For students beginning in September, this means most apartment hunting happens in July and August. Learn more about relocating to the Hyde Park area.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE UNIVERSITY DOES NOT ENDORSE OR PROMOTE ANY SPECIFIC COMPANY, VENDOR, OR RENTAL AGENT. ALL OF THE COMPANIES MENTIONED IN THIS WEBSITE AND IN THE HOUSING RESOURCE GUIDE ARE OFFERED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
Complete Workday Onboarding
Who: PhD Students
When: Late Summer
Relevant Link: Workday@UChicago page
Questions?: Contact the Dean of Students Office at ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu
PhD students will need to submit required documents to receive their stipend payments via the University’s HR and payroll system, Workday. You will receive information from our office and the Workday system when this is required. All PhD students must set up direct deposit for stipends; the University no longer issues paper checks. Failure to set up direct deposit will result in a stipend payment delay.
International students have additional paperwork requirements to receive stipends, and should begin the Workday process as soon as you are eligible to do so.
Enroll In/Waive Student Health Insurance
Who: All Students
When: August 1 – the first 3 weeks of Autumn Quarter for most students
Relevant Link: Student Wellness ‘Student Insurance’ page
Questions?: Contact Student Insurance Staff at uchicagoadvocates@uhcsr.com
Students enrolling in Autumn Quarter cannot request a University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP) waiver or enroll in U-SHIP until after August 1. Information will be sent to you by UChicago Student Wellness when the enrollment/waiver website opens. Information about waiver requirements, the U-SHIP plan, and coverage dates can be found on the Student Insurance website.
U-SHIP enrollment is for the entire plan year, which is September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027, but students are billed three times per year (Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters).
MA Students: If you do not take action by the enrollment/waiver deadline, you will be automatically enrolled in U-SHIP and responsible for the U-SHIP premium.
PhD Students: All PhD students must enroll in U-SHIP. We advise you to enroll early to ensure you are in the United Healthcare system when you arrive on campus.
Provide Proof of Required Immunizations
Who: All Students Newly Enrolling at UChicago
When: August 1 – the first 3 weeks of Autumn Quarter for most students
Relevant Link: Student Wellness ‘Required Immunizations’ page
Questions?: Send through the My.Wellness Portal
All newly enrolling students are required by the State of Illinois and the University of Chicago to submit proof of immunization against a variety of illnesses. Students who are not in compliance with the University and State of Illinois immunization policy are subject to restrictions on course registration as outlined in the Student Manual.
You can find the list of required immunizations and information regarding the documentation requirements on the UChicago Wellness website. Students may be able to obtain immunizations when they arrive on campus; students in the process of receiving a required immunization series will continue to be allowed to access campus while they complete their immunizations.
Please note that the system to submit your proof of immunizations does not open to incoming students until August. You will receive an email to your uchicago.edu e-mail address (see information above on how to claim your CNetID if you have not done so already) when you will be able to access the system. All questions regarding immunizations should be addressed through the My.Wellness Portal.
Receive Student ID Card
Who: All Students Newly Enrolling at UChicago
When: After August 3
Relevant Link: ID & Privileges Office ‘UChicago Cards’ page
Questions?: Contact the ID & Privileges Office at ipo@uchicago.edu
Incoming students should be able to obtain their student ID card (known as the UChicago Card) anytime after August 3, by visiting the ID & Privileges Office in the lobby of the Regenstein Library. An appointment is preferred. Please note you must bring a government-issued photo identification card and have claimed your CNetID (see information above on how to claim your CNetID if you have not done so already) to receive a student ID card.
**Note** Access to some buildings will be available right away, but access to certain facilities limited to enrolled students, such as the gym, will not begin until late September. Physical access to library facilities becomes available after August 3, but proxy access and remote access to electronic library resources will only become available to students in late September.
Attend In-person Orientation(s)
Who: All Students
When: Week of September 21
Relevant Link: UChicago Grad website
Questions?: Contact Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@uchicago.edu
All programs have orientation events the week of September 21, but dates vary by program. UChicagoGRAD organizes an all-University orientation event on September 22 which students are strongly encouraged to attend.
MA Students: All programs hold their orientations on September 21.
Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training
Who: All Students
When: October
Relevant Link: Annual Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training (for Students) page
Questions?: Contact UChicago CARES at titleix@uchicago.edu
All students, staff, and faculty at the University of Chicago are required to complete a yearly training course on sexual misconduct prevention. This training takes place online and you’ll receive an invitation via your UChicago email address to complete the training in October. You must complete this training or you will not be able to register for Winter quarter.
Annual Confirmation of Data
Who: All Students
When: September – October
Relevant Link: Registrar’s ‘Annual Confirmation’ page
Questions?: Contact the Registrar at registrar@uchicago.edu
Each year, new and returning students are required to go through a confirmation process within my.UChicago to ensure that our central systems have accurate directory information and up-to-date emergency contacts, addresses, and phone numbers in case of a personal emergency.
You’ll receive an email from the University Registrar via your UChicago email when this process opens.
Deferrals
Relevant Link: Your Application Status page
Questions?: Contact the Dean of Students Office at ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu
PhD Students: For the entering cohort of Autumn 2026, the Division of the Social Sciences will allow incoming PhD students to defer their enrollment by one academic year, with departmental approval.
MA Students: Enrolling MA students who have not previously deferred enrollment are permitted to defer their enrollment by one academic year. Scholarships offered by the Division of the Social Sciences, excepting the Dean’s Opportunity Scholarship, may be deferred one year. Students who defer are required to pay an additional non-refundable $1,000 enrollment deposit when they reconfirm their intent to enroll the following January. The priority deadline to request a deferral is June 15. To view the full policy and request a deferral, log in to your applicant portal.
Enrollment Deposits
Relevant Link: Your Application Status page
Questions?: Contact the Dean of Students Office at ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu
All enrolling MA students must submit an enrollment deposit (exception: BA/MA and MA/MA in Computational Social Science students). All enrollment deposits are non-refundable. Deposits are applied towards the first quarter tuition bill.
Health Insurance
Relevant Link: Student Wellness ‘Student Insurance’ page
Questions?: Contact Student Insurance Staff at uchicagoadvocates@uhcsr.com
The University requires all registered students to carry adequate health insurance to cover, among other costs, hospitalization and outpatient diagnostic, testing, and surgical procedures. Additionally, the insurance must cover medical care provided in the Chicago area for both emergency and routine, non-emergency medical situations (or, if the student will not be in Chicago, it must provide this coverage wherever the student will be residing and studying during the academic year).
In keeping with this requirement, each year all students registered in an insurance-required program are enrolled in the University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP). Students wishing to waive out of U-SHIP coverage must review the comparable coverage checklist and affirm possession of alternate comparable coverage before the enrollment/waiver deadline. The enrollment/waiver process opens to incoming students in early August.
PhD Students: U-SHIP enrollment is required for all PhD students at the University of Chicago. As such, PhD students are not eligible to waive U-SHIP with comparable coverage. Individual student premiums will be paid for PhD students at no cost to them.
Immunizations
Relevant Link: Student Wellness ‘Required Immunizations’ page
Questions?: Contact the Dean of Students Office at ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu
Under State of Illinois and University policy, students must submit proof of immunization for a variety of non-COVID diseases upon enrolling at the University. Newly enrolling students for Autumn Quarter will be able to access the My.Wellness Portal in mid-August to upload their proof of immunizations and, if necessary, schedule immunization appointments. Students may be able to obtain immunizations when they arrive on campus; students in the process of receiving a required immunization series will continue to be allowed to access campus while they complete their immunizations. A full list of required immunizations as well as information on the necessary documentation can be found on the Student Wellness website.
Tuition & Fees
Relevant Link: Bursar’s ‘Tuition and Fees’ page
Questions?: Contact the Bursar’s Office via the Student Contact Form
Tuition and fees for the Social Sciences Division can be found on the Bursar’s website. MA students enroll in 3 courses each quarter of enrollment. Typically, students are only enrolled in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarter. Acceptable payment means and quarterly bill due dates will be listed on the Bursar’s website in early Summer. The Autumn 2026 bill will be due for all students in early October.
MA students are eligible for an installment payment plan each quarter; more information can be found on the Quarterly Payment Plan website.
If a third party will pay a portion of tuition and other fees, a student can enroll in Third-Party Contract Billing (TPC). Only the student may apply for TPC. Students with external scholarships or fellowships should review the external scholarship processing guidelines.
If a student withdraws or begins an approved Leave of Absence, tuition may be prorated according to the Bursar’s proration schedule. Other required fees and charges may or may not be refunded according to Bursar policy.
Offices/Resources to Know
The University of Chicago is a big place, and it can take some time to learn how to navigate the various offices and resources available to you as a new student. Below we’ve listed a few of the most important offices and resources to become acquainted with before you arrive.
Social Sciences Dean of Students
The Dean of Students Office (ssd-dos@uchicago.edu) should be your first stop with any questions – it is our job to help students figure out where to go when they need help. Students are also welcome to drop by our office any time Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. during Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters. Summer quarter hours vary.
Your one-stop shop for transcripts, enrollment verification, etc. once you are registered for coursework. You can reach the Registrar at registrar@uchicago.edu.
Handles all financial transactions at the University. You can contact the Bursar’s Office via the Student Contact Form.
Manages FAFSA-based aid processes for master’s students. You can contact the Graduate Financial Aid Office at gradfinaid@uchicago.edu.
Your one stop shop for all things graduate – career services, fellowship application support, writing assistance, administrative issues, and union questions. You can contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@uchicago.edu.
Access medical, mental health, and related services. You can find all relevant hours, locations, and contacts on the Student Wellness ‘Hours and Locations’ page.
Includes University of Chicago Police Department and related safety resources. Also manages campus transportation. You can review UChicago’s Safety and Security ‘Contact Us’ page.
UChicago students have full access to the University’s athletic facilities, including the Ratner Athletic Center and the Henry Crown Field House. Many students also participate in intramural sports organized by UChicago Athletics. Please note that incoming students do not typically have access to facilities until orientation week.
Incoming students are able to access library facilities once they pick up their ID card after August 3. Access to digital resources does not become available until course registration is complete (week of September 21). You can complete a ‘Ask a Librarian: Contact Form’ or see if UChicago’s ‘Online Chat with Librarians’ is available.
Many students work in on-campus student employment positions. Many available positions are posted in the Grad Gargoyle job board. If you have questions about the job board, please email hiregrad@uchicago.edu.
Some incoming students are required to attend a math camp; others may optionally decide to participate according to their planned research and course enrollments. All camp information is listed below. Students required to attend a camp will be automatically registered; students requesting to register for an optional camp should submit the appropriate form in their applicant portal beginning April 15. Questions about enrollment should be directed to Brett Baker, Associate Dean of Students, at bbaker@uchicago.edu.
Computing Fundamentals Boot Camp
August 24 - September 11 (including Final Exam)
Required for all MACSS students,MACSS students are registered automatically.
Computational Social Science certificate students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to complete this camp.
Can be taken concurrently with the Computational Social Science Math Camp.
This boot camp focuses on introducing fundamental open-source tools for producing reproducible, computational research. Topics include the basics of Python programming, working on the Linux command line, as well as using Git/GitHub for version control. The course assumes no prior exposure to these topics and serves as preparation for the first course in the MACSS computing sequences in the Fall (MACS 30111 or MACS 30121). This camp can be taken concurrently with the Computational Social Science Math Camp. Students anticipating completing the Computational Social Science certificate during their time at UChicago are strongly encouraged, but not required, to complete this camp.
Computational Social Science Math Camp
Classes: August 24 - September 11, Final Exam: September 14
Required for all MACSS and MAPSS-QMSA students, optional for all other MAPSS students, Computational Social Science certificate students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to complete this camp.
MACSS and MAPSS-QMSA students will be registered automatically.
Topics include mathematical notation and functions, linear algebra, calculus, probability theory, statistical inference, and linear regression. The course assumes that students have encountered most of these topics previously. Students anticipating completing the Computational Social Science certificate during their time at UChicago are strongly encouraged, but not required, to complete this camp.
Economics Math Camp
Early September
Offered online
Required for Economics PhD students and MAE students. It is not available to other students.
Required students will be automatically registered; no action is required at this time.
Note: MACSS-Economics students take Economics Math Camp before their second year.
Please contact the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics with questions regarding the camp content.
Mathematics for Social Science
September 8 - 18 (including Final Exam)
Optional for MAPSS and PhD students.
Mathematics for Social Science is an intense, accessible survey course that assumes no preparation beyond algebra. The main topics are calculus (differential and integral) and matrix algebra, after some initial preliminaries on sets, numbers, and mathematical proof. The course concludes with an overview of probability theory.
**Session meetings overlap with the computational camps and cannot be completed concurrently with either of them**