The University of Chicago Summer Session 2026

The University of Chicago’s summer pre-college programs draw from the multidisciplinary emphasis and intellectual richness of the College’s Core curriculum. We offer a variety of courses in diverse subject areas and engagement levels that match any motivated high school student. For Summer 2025, we will host both residential programs and online courses, including:

• 1 Week Enrichment Programs: With enhanced financial support to help cover program costs, talented and motivated students have the opportunity to reside on campus and benefit from co-curricular programming to prepare them for the highly selective admissions process while learning about topics like economics, freedom of expression, leadership, or quantum physics. Students whose annual household income is $125,000 or less are automatically eligible for a waiver of the $2,500 program fee. And domestic students whose household income is $60,000 or less are also eligible for roundtrip travel expenses. If you know of a talented student who would benefit from an opportunity like this, we invite you to nominate them now! Nominations are not required, but the nomination will send a direct email to your nominated student with a link to our site so students can learn about the program and apply.
• 2 Week Experience: These courses are designed to connect highly prized academic areas of study with professional pathways. Students learn key concepts and practices for a chosen field, and they'll also connect with professionals and practitioners through presentations, informational interviews, and career treks. Students can choose to explore 1 of 4 areas: business and entrepreneurship; healthcare and biological sciences; law and social impact; or technology and innovation.
• 3 Week Immersion: Through workshop discussions, research projects, and other activities, students live on campus and immerse themselves within a specific topic through three-week-long undergraduate-level courses for pre-college students designed by UChicago faculty and instructors. With the widest variety of courses we offer, subjects include astrophysics, biotechnology, coding, economics, literature, molecular engineering, political science, psychology, and more.

Outside of the Enrichment Programs, all Summer Session students can apply for need-based financial aid. Enrolled Summer Session students can participate in the Admissions Academy, a series of workshops that focus on the holistic admissions process to provide insights on admissions to highly selective colleges and universities and offer essay writing tips. 

In addition to building skills, gaining insight into the college experience, and learning what makes UChicago a distinctive destination for higher education, any student who completes a Summer Session course or program is eligible for Summer Session Early Notification. This option gives our Summer Session students earlier access to the Early Decision 1 round if they decide to apply to the College for undergraduate admission in their senior year.

Students should apply by March 12th for the best selection of courses! See this handout for more information. See summer.uchicago.edu for details.