Frequently Asked Questions about SSEN

• What is the UChicago Summer Student Early Notification Option?

  Students who have completed a UChicago residential or online UChicago Pre-College Summer Session program are eligible to apply to UChicago through our binding UChicago Summer Student Early Notification option. Students are eligible if they are in their final year of high school and have participated in a UChicago Summer Session program during any of their high school summers. Eligible students may apply using this option from September 1 to October 15, and will receive an admissions decision three weeks (or prior to November 1) after completing their full application during this time frame.

• Why did UChicago create the Summer Student Early Notification?

  Over the years, our Summer Session students have shared with us at the end of their program how impactful their time on campus was for them both intellectually and as part of their college search process (and for many, it confirmed for them and their parents that UChicago was a fit for them). Students who have completed any of our residential or online UChicago Pre-College Summer Session Programs are eligible to apply to UChicago through our UChicago Summer Student Early Notification option. We hope this will reduce the stress of waiting, provide earlier financial aid awards for assurance of affordability, and will make their senior year of high school more enjoyable.

• How do students find out about this option?

  Summer Session students, along with their parents, are notified of their eligibility via email and provided detailed instructions on how to complete their application at the end of UChicago’s summer quarter. They are also invited to end-of-summer informational Zooms led by admissions counselors so they will be fully informed about the SSEN option and can ask questions as well. Counselors of our summer students will be notified via email as their students express interest in pursuing this application option.

• Who is this option for?

  This Summer Student Early Notification option is best for students who have identified UChicago as their absolute first choice and who will enroll if offered admission. Students should not rush their decisions for college and many summer students might still want to explore their college opportunities. For those students who have fully explored the broad range of excellent colleges and universities available and made the decision that UChicago is the place for them, we are offering this new application option.

• Is there an advantage to applying with this option?

  Students applying SSEN receive their decision from UChicago within three weeks (or before November 1) after completing their full application.

• How do students start the application process?

  Using the same name, date of birth, and email address that students used for their Summer Session application, students should create a first-year applicant UChicago Account and select “Early Action (EA)” as their plan. Students should also create their Common App or Apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir application to UChicago and select the EA application plan there in the application portal too.

  If you need to update your email address for the first-year application process, please contact your UChicago regional admissions counselor as soon as possible so we can update our system.

  After students have created their first-year applicant UChicago Account and selected the Early Action application plan, they must also submit the Summer Student Early Notification Interest form posted to their UChicago Account. Submitting this form confirms your decision to pursue the SSEN option.

  Given the binding nature of this SSEN option, the UChicago ED Agreement will be required in the admissions process. Students pursuing SSEN may either submit the UChicago ED Agreement as an electronic form under the Forms section of their first-year applicant UChicago Account. or as a PDF version by uploading it directly to the the Material Uploads section of their UChicago Account.

  Students will follow most of the standard first-year application instructions to complete their application, submitting their completed application from September 1 through October 15.

  One key exception will be offered with counselor and teacher recommendations:

  • Given the early timeline (and that we have met students), UChicago will be able to review these applications without a school counselor letter if one has not already been written for the student.

  • Students may opt into using teacher recommendations from their Summer Session application in the first-year application process. The opt-in process is made available within the Summer Student Early Notification Interest Form posted to eligible students’ first-year UChicago Accounts.

    • For students who participated in a Summer Session program prior to their final year of high school, the teacher recommendation requirement will be waived.

    • For students who participated in the programs earlier in their high school career, only one teacher recommendation will be required.

• When can eligible students apply SSEN?

  Between September 1 and October 15, 2025.

• Will students admitted via SSEN be awarded financial aid?

  UChicago is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. If you are US Citizen or permanent resident, applicants to the College are not required to submit an application for financial aid to be considered for admission. If you do intend to apply for need-based financial aid, however, you should do so at the same time you apply for admission so that you can factor your financial aid package into your college decision process. Learn more about applying for financial aid.

  For international students, UChicago will meet 100% of international students’ demonstrated need. International applicants go through the same contextual review process as domestic applicants, with the only difference being that international students are required to submit a financial aid application prior to admission if they think they may require need-based aid at any time while enrolled at UChicago. Learn more about applying for financial aid as an international applicant.

• May I apply via SSEN if I completed a UChicago Pre-College Summer Session course or program prior to summer 2025?

  Yes! Any student who has completed a UChicago Pre-College Summer Session program and is now eligible to apply as a first-year applicant to the College may apply under the SSEN option.