I am a current high school student or recently completed my high school studies. How do I apply to UChicago?
If you are a current high school student or recent high school graduate and have not yet completed an academic term of study at a university, UChicago welcomes you to apply as a first-year applicant.
UChicago application requirements for refugees, both those with formal refugee status in the U.S. and international citizens who identify as refugees, can be found here. We welcome first-year applicants to start their applications for fall quarter matriculation through the Coalition Application or the Common App. Applications to UChicago become available through both portals during the summer prior to our November and January application deadlines.
I am a current undergraduate student, but my education has been disrupted by war, persecution, and/or natural disaster. Is it possible to transfer to UChicago?
If you have already completed at least one term of undergraduate study at a college or university, UChicago welcomes you to apply as an international transfer applicant. More information on our international transfer application process can be found here.
Additionally, please note that all students who are admitted to and matriculate in the College are required to complete at least two years of study at UChicago - including transfer students. This is because we have specific graduation requirements, including our unique Core Curriculum, which must be completed on campus.
For any previous coursework you have completed, we recommend reviewing our College Catalog. This explains our transfer credit evaluation process and parameters. Any previous coursework is evaluated for credit transfer only after a student has been admitted to the College.
What funding is available for refugees?
UChicago is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students. If you are an international citizen and you think you may need financial aid at any time during your four years of college, you must apply for need-based financial aid at the same time you submit an application for admission.
Refugees who are not U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or citizens of Canada or Mexico can learn more about applying for need-based financial aid here. Students who hold formal refugee/asylee status in the U.S. may also qualify for federal aid and can learn more about financial aid here.
Please note that, while international transfer students are not eligible to apply for need-based aid, admitted students are considered for any institutional scholarships for which they are eligible – up to the full cost of attendance.
How can I share additional information about my background?
Applicants who identify as refugees are encouraged to share how war, persecution, and/or natural disasters in their home countries have impacted them, their family, and/or their educational experiences in their Common App or Coalition Application. There is space to do so in the “Additional Information” section of the application.
Given current circumstances, I am unable to access and submit official transcripts from my high school/university. What should I do about this?
UChicago recognizes that refugee applicants may experience difficulty accessing and submitting some application materials. If this is the case, please let us know. We are happy to work with you in collecting the information we require to review your application.
You are welcome to self-report your high school/university grades as you remember them, and/or provide any other academic documentation or information to help us understand your performance. Please know that you will not be penalized for lacking an official copy of your high school/university transcript(s) or missing information. Your application will receive full consideration.
Who can I contact for more information?
Please reach out to your area admissions counselor or collegeadmissions@uchicago.edu.