How To Get Into The University of Chicago From A Former Admissions Officer
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In this blog post, we’ll cover everything UChicago is known for. You’ll learn about UChicago’s legacy of excellence in research and economics, its reputation as the “quirky” Ivy Plus university, and more!
What Is UChicago Known For?
The University of Chicago has a reputation as the “oddball” Ivy Plus school. This is reflected in the school's supplemental essay questions, its traditions, and its attitude of creativity in problem-solving among the students.
UChicago is primarily known for:
- Research: The University of Chicago is a leading research institution. It offers graduate students access to world-renowned scholars and cutting-edge facilities, including its three affiliated labs: Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Laboratory.
- Economics: UChicago’s economics program is ranked first in the nation and considered one of the best in the world. The university is also home to the “Chicago school” of economics (a school of thought, not an actual school).
- Unusual Essay Prompts: UChicago famously includes quirky essay questions on its application, such as “Find X.” or “A hot dog might be a sandwich, and cereal might be a soup, but is a a ?”
- Attracting “Quirky” Intellectuals: UChicago tends to attract deep thinkers with wide-ranging (and sometimes niche) interests who are interested in solving the world’s biggest problems.
- Intellectual Freedom and Free Speech: UChicago believes in “the power and protection of free speech,” and it takes this seriously. The Chicago Principles — its framework for fostering free expression on campus — have been adopted by more than 100 other schools.
UChicago Overview and Ranking
UChicago’s 217-acre campus is home to around 7,500 undergraduate students. Students can choose from 53 majors, 59 minors, and 60+ study abroad programs. The student-to-faculty ratio is 5:1.
The phoenix, a legendary bird that rises from its own ashes, serves as UChicago’s official mascot. This symbol was chosen to represent the city’s "rebirth" following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 — and, of course, because it looks cool. Although the university’s official mascot is the phoenix, UChicago’s sports teams call themselves “Maroons.”
UChicago is ranked at #11 out of 436 National Universities by US News & World Report. Other notable rankings include:
- #1 in Economics
- #13 in Best Value Schools
- #14 in Psychology Programs
- #25 in Computer Science
The University of Chicago has produced 97 Nobel laureates, 53 Rhodes scholars, and 28 Marshall scholars. Fifteen members of the Class of 2023 were Fulbright Scholars.
Given its status as one of the nation’s best universities, it’s considerably difficult to get into UChicago. Its acceptance rate is around 5% — in line with the best and most competitive universities in the country.
UChicago: A Liberal Arts College Nestled Within a World-Renowned Research University
The University of Chicago has made a name for itself as a global leader in scientific advancement. You may have heard of some of these world-changing discoveries by UChicago professors, students, and alumni:
- The mathematical theory of black holes
- The first self-sustaining nuclear reaction
- The discovery of the REM sleep cycle
- Carbon-14 dating
- Efficient market theory
- The study of social psychology
- The Chicago Assyrian Dictionary
Curious minds flourish at UChicago. An enormous 80% of UChicago choose to do research — whether it’s at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, the Marine Biological Laboratory, the Argonne or Fermilab National Laboratories, or somewhere else.
Despite its impressive research output, UChicago is far from a place of singular focus — and the spirit of intellectual curiosity extends far beyond the sciences. As a Liberal Arts College, UChicago offers a dynamic and well-rounded education. That means even the most scientific minds at UChicago gain a multitude of perspectives, including those in the Arts and Humanities.
How does the University of Chicago foster a spirit of collaboration across disciplines? Through its Core curriculum.
The Core
The Core is UChicago’s prized core curriculum. Accounting for about a third of your undergraduate coursework, the Core exposes you to a range of perspectives regardless of your major. Core classes are small, with 19 or fewer students in each one. They are also interdisciplinary and discussion-based, with an emphasis on the study of primary texts and works of art.
UChicago’s Core Curriculum
| Discipline | Purpose | Number of Courses | Sample Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities | Engage with literary, historical, and philosophical texts in the first year. | 2-3 | Greece and Rome: Texts, Traditions, Transformations Readings in World Literature Media Aesthetics: Image, Text, Sound |
| Social Sciences | Examine how societies are organized. | 3 | Self, Culture, & Society Power, Identity, Resistance Classics of Social and Political Thought |
| Civilization | Encounter the history, culture, and literature of an area of the world. | 2-3 | History of European Civilization Jewish Civilization Beijing: East Asian Civilizations |
| Art, Drama, or Music | Choose from arts courses in theory or practice. | 1-2 | Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago & Beyond Visual Language Staging Terror |
| Biological Sciences | Explore the process of scientific inquiry. | 2-3 | Principles of Microbiology/Global Infectious Diseases Metabolism & Exercise Life through a Genomic Lens |
| Physical Sciences | Gain exposure to scientific observation and reasoning. | 2-3 | Modern Physics Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast Black Holes |
| Mathematics | Develop skills in formal reasoning and logic. | 1-2 | Calculus Statistics Multimedia Programming as an Interdisciplinary Art |
| Foreign Language | Develop language skills equivalent to one year of college study. | American Sign Language Arabic Chinese |
Academics at UChicago
UChicago operates on the quarter system. This allows you to take fewer courses per term, but more courses overall.
As a UChicago student, your courses are split into roughly three buckets: Core, Major, and Electives. Both the core and elective courses offer ample opportunities for exploration beyond your chosen major.
What Majors Is UChicago Known For?
The ten most popular majors at for 2023 graduates of UChicago are listed below, along with the percentage of the class who graduated with that major:
- Social Sciences (Economics, Political Science): 36%
- Mathematics: 10%
- Biological Sciences: (Biology, Neuroscience) 8%
- Physical Sciences: (Chemistry, Physics) 7%
- Computer Science: 7%
- Psychology: 5%
- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics: 4%
- Public Administration and Social Service Professions: 4%
- English Language and Literature: 4%
- Visual and Performing: Arts 3%
Unique Academic Programs at UChicago
At the University of Chicago, students have the opportunity to not only learn about their city but also to engage directly and create meaningful change.
- In the Chicago Studies Program, students get to immerse themselves in the city.
- Initiatives like the Urban Education Institute and 1871 motivate students to engage in research and innovation that are reshaping Chicago’s landscape.
In keeping with its reputation as a pioneer of American intellectual though, UChicago also offers unique programs like:
- Big Problems: A capstone where fourth-year students confront interdisciplinary problems of global concern, like sustainable development.
- Tutorial Studies: Students whose interests don’t fit within a regular major are mentored by a faculty member who takes responsibility for their work.
- International Centers: UChicago hosts academic programs, conferences, lectures, and events at its centers in Paris, Beijing, Delhi, and Hong Kong.
Unique Classes at UChicago
| Class | Department | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Star Wars and Religion | Religious Studies | An introduction to comparative religious ethics, using the Star Wars film franchise as a point of reference to discuss different conceptions of heroism. |
| Black Holes | Astronomy | This course covers the physics of black holes and space-time, examining how these celestial objects interact with matter and light, while delving into both modern theories and Einstein’s work on relativity. |
| Dinosaur Science | Biological Sciences | Teaches the fundamentals of geology and evolutionary biology while offering hands-on fossil excavation during a field trip to South Dakota and Wyoming to study Cretaceous and Jurassic period fossils. |
| Staging Terror | Theater & Performance Studies | Explores the interplay between horror, terror, and pleasure through in-class discussions of theoretical works and the possibilities of practical creative application. |
| Listening to Movies | Music | This course shifts your attention from watching movies to listening to them. Students consider the soundtrack of moving pictures within the history of audiovisual media. |
| Critical Videogame Studies | English | Explores a variety of video game genres, such as roguelikes, horror games, and visual novels, while examining their formal, historical, cultural, and sociopolitical dimensions, with readings from leading theorists and assignments culminating in a final project. |
| Grimm’s Fairy Tales and the Construction of Childhood | Humanities | Explores the evolution of fairy tales within the historical context of childhood and education, focusing on the Brothers Grimm and various national traditions while examining interpretive approaches like psychoanalysis and gender history. |
| Organ Transplantation | Biological Sciences | Students explore the scientific, ethical, and financial aspects of organ transplantation, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the medical and societal challenges associated with the practice. |
UChicago’s Unparalleled Career Support
UChicago invests heavily in its students and their success after college. Its Office of Career Advancement provides career counselors, a database of job opportunities, and a wealth of pre-professional opportunities covering many different career paths.
“Careers In” Programs
One of UChicago’s unique pre-professional offerings is a suite of non-major “Careers In” programs in the fields of:
- Arts, Culture, and Entertainment
- Behavioral Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Business
- Computer Science
- Education
- Engineering
- Entrepreneurship
- Healthcare
- Journalism and Creative Writing
- Law
- Physical Sciences
- Policy and Social Impact
Career Treks
If you choose to go on one of UChicago’s 60+ “career treks,” you’ll meet with industry experts in your future career field. Feeling adventurous? These treks take place in over 70 cities on 6 different continents!
Jeff Metcalf (Paid) Internship Program
Amazingly, over 4,400 paid internships are offered through UChicago’s Jeff Metcalf Internship Program. Through these internships, students gain work experience with leading organizations in dozens of fields.
UChicago and City Life
The University of Chicago and the city it calls home are deeply intertwined. The city is a hub of diverse cultures, global trade, and renowned arts — and, of course, pizza.
Located in the charming Hyde Park neighborhood, just a short 20-minute trip from downtown, UChicago students benefit from both the vibrant city life and the close-knit community on campus. With a U-Pass, UChicago students can ride public transportation for free during the school year.
Each student’s UChicago Card also acts as an ArtsPass, which offers complimentary access to more than 70 cultural venues throughout Chicago. This includes free access to venues such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Museum of Science and Industry. It also provides discounted tickets for performances at the Goodman Theatre, the Joffrey Ballet, and a wide variety of other cultural institutions around the city.
Students tend to enjoy interacting with the surrounding city. Around 40% of UChicago students decide to stay in Chicago after graduating!
Campus Life at UChicago
As a UChicago studnent, you can choose from over 450 student organizations to join.
These include arts groups such as:
- Off-Off Campus: the oldest collegiate improv and sketch comedy group in the world. (UChicago is the birthplace of improv comedy and the legendary Second City!)
- Doc Films: One of the most active film societies in the US. In addition to its nightly screenings and weekend second-run blockbusters, it also hosts free sneak previews of new releases. If you’re lucky, you might even catch one of the film’s actors or directors, since they sometimes show up for Q&A sessions.
- University Theater: This theater company run by students puts on 30 shows each year.
- Le Vorris and Vox: UChicago’s student-led circus troupe!
- MODA: UChiago’s fashion publication. They host a sustainable fashion show for Chicago Fashion week.
As well as volunteer groups like:
- MetroSquash: A squash-based youth development program.
- Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity.
- GlobeMed: Engages with community health via grassroots partners in Chicago and overseas; educates the University of Chicago campus.
- Peer Health Exchange: A group that creates education opportunities for peers to share the tools and resources young people need to make healthy decisions.
If you’re interested in the humanities, you might enjoy one of UChicago’s nationally-ranked groups:
And if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, you might consider:
- Jugglers Enriching Lives Like Yours (JELLY): Exactly what it sounds like!
- Ludic Union for the Investigation of Gaming Interfaces (LUIGI): A student organization “devoted to the play, study, design, and development of video games.”
- The Chicago Shady Dealer: A satirical newspaper.
Beyond arts, volunteer, and humanities groups, UChicago students can also join cultural groups, sports teams, and one of fourteen fraternities or seven sororities.
**Visit this site for a searchable database of student groups at UChicago. Not finding a group you’re looking for? You can also start your own organization! **
Dorms at UChicago
Students at UChicago are divided into 39 houses of around 100 students each (yes, Harry Potter style). Each House has its own identity, mascot, dining hall, and unique traditions — ranging from Broomball games to weekly tea gatherings to early morning dips in Lake Michigan.
If you’re an art appreciator, you’ll love the Art to Live With program. Through this program, you can borrow an original work of art from the university museum to display in your dorm room for the year. The collection changes from year to year but includes works by well-known artists like Pablo Picasso, Eleanor Coen, and Joan Miró.
UChicago Traditions
- Scav is a 72-hour scavenger hunt during which students scour the campus, city, and event country for items based on riddles and clues planned by a student committee. Scav has been going strong for 30 years and held the Guinness record for the world's largest scavenger hunt from 2011–2014!
- Dollar Shake Days: Students gather in the Reynolds club every Wednesday for delicious $1 milkshakes.
- Reynolds Club Seal: Legend has it that any student who steps on the gold seal in the Reynolds Club won’t graduate on time!
- Kuvia, which stands for Kuviasungnerk/Kangeiko, draws inspiration from both the Inuit word for “pursuit of happiness” and the Japanese winter training tradition. This weeklong festival encourages students to rise early and participate in activities like yoga, dance classes, and s’mores. The celebration culminates on the last day with sunrise yoga by the lakefront, followed by a race across campus, offering a refreshing start to the winter quarter.
- The Latke-Hamantash debates s began at the University of Chicago in 1946 to determine which of these iconic Jewish foods is superior. Over the years, faculty members, including Nobel laureates, have used their academic expertise — and a good dose of humor — to tackle this lighthearted yet ongoing question.
- Summer Breeze: Each spring, the Council on University Programming and the Major Activities Board organize Summer Breeze, an annual festival that celebrates the end of the academic year with a day of free food, games, and an outdoor concert in the evening.
- University Symphony Orchestra’s Halloween Concert: During their first performance of the year, UChicago’s Symphony Orchestra performs in costumes.
Famous UChicago Alumni and Professors
- Carl Sagan (B.S. 1955, M.S. 1956, PhD 1960): Astronomer, planetary scientist, and science communicator.
- Edwin Hubble (B.S. 1910, PhD 1917): Astronomer who discovered the expansion of the universe.
- Phillip Glass (B.A. 1956): Pianist and one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, associated with minimalism.
- Bernie Sanders (B.A. 1964): Politician, activist, former presidential candidate, and U.S. Senator from Vermont.
- David Rockefeller (PhD 1940): Economist, investment banker and chairman and chief executive of Chase Manhattan Corporation.
- Kurt Vonnegut (M.A. 1971): Author known for his use of satire and dark humor; famous novels include Slaughterhouse Five and Cat’s Cradle
- Barack Obama (Professor): Former US President. He did not attend UChicago as a student, but he taught law there from 1992 to 2004.
- Enrico Fermi (Professor): Physicist, creator of the world's first artificial nuclear reactor and the Chicago Pile-1, and member of the Manhattan Project. Taught at UChicago’s Insititute for Nuclear Studiees from 1946 until his death in 1954.
Financial Aid at UChicago
UChicago meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. It offers loan-free financial aid packages as well as free applications for aid. It offers free tuition for families earning less than $125,000 per year and free college for families earning less than $60,000 per year.
UChicago provided over $200 million in financial aid to its students in 2024.
What is UChicago Looking For?
UChicago seeks students who show academic excellence, a genuine passion for learning, and creativity in their approach to problem-solving. A strong fit with the school’s culture and an outstanding essay are often the deciding factors for admission.
For more advice on how to get into UChicago, visit this blog post.
Should You Apply to UChicago?
You should consider applying to UChicago if you:
- Can show rigorous academics and strong extracurriculars, including community service.
- Have a knack for creative writing and solving problems in unique ways.
- Are a deep thinker with a passion for philosophical or sociopolitical issues.
- Don’t want to be boxed in to just one field of study — since the Core will require you to spend a lot of time exploring disciplines outside your major.
Final Thoughts: Boost Your Chances of Becoming a Maroon
UChicago’s application process is challenging — but with Crimson’s expert guidance, you’re set up for success. Crimson students increase their odds of getting into top schools like UChicago by over 6.75x times!
Our unique strategy for success is personalized to your specific profile. Whether you’re looking to boost your extracurricular profile with an impactful capstone project, write out an unforgettable essay, or make sure your application is mistake-free — our team of experts can help.
Book a free consultation today to start building your application and increase your chances of acceptance at the University of Chicago!
About the Contributor
Steve Han
With over eight years of experience in college admissions, Steve holds a BA in biology from UChicago and has engaged in various roles such as teaching, advising, and performing music. A former Admissions Officer at UChicago, Steve now supports students in gaining admission to top universities.
