Admissions FAQs
Please note: The History Department does not have an admissions brochure or paper applications to send. If the answer to your question cannot be found in our FAQs, please contact the department's Graduate Affairs Administrator, Kelly Pollock, at kpollock@uchicago.edu or at 773-702-3150. She will be happy to discuss any aspect of the admissions process.
Click on a question to jump down to the answer.
Application Process | Top of Page
- When is the application deadline?
- How do I obtain an application? How much does it cost to apply?
- What are the requirements for admission?
- Is the GRE required? What are typical scores of admitted students?
- Is the TOEFL required for foreign students? Are there other options?
- May I apply for an MA degree or only for a PhD? Will a previous MA help or hurt my admission chances?
- What is the most important part of the application?
- What sort of writing sample should I send?
- How will I know that my supplemental materials have arrived?
- Do I need to interview? May I visit campus?
- How difficult is it to get in?
- When will I hear if I have been accepted?
- What is my response deadline to an offer of admission?
- May I defer admission?
Academic Program | Top of Page
- May I start my program in Winter or Spring quarter?
- May I transfer credits from another program?
- Does the History Department offer night or weekend coursework?
- I am interested in... With which faculty member(s) would I work?
- Which fields of study are available in the Department of History?
- What are the course requirements for the PhD?
- What are the foreign language requirements for the PhD?
- How long will a PhD program take?
- May I do a dual degree in History and . . . ?
- Are there opportunities to teach while I am a graduate student?
- What can I do with a PhD in History? What is the department's placement rate?
Finances | Top of Page
- How much does the graduate program cost?
- What divisional fellowships are available? How do I apply?
- Are there teaching or research assistantships available?
- What external fellowships are available? How do I apply?
- Are student loans available?
- Do students work? What employment opportunities are available?
- Will my spouse/partner be able to find employment in Hyde Park?
Department and University Community | Top of Page
- How many students are enrolled in the History Graduate Program? What is the composition of the student body?
- What sorts of events are offered through the Department? Through the University?
- What do students do for fun?
- Where do students live?
- What is the weather like in Chicago?
Application Process | Top of Page
1. When is the application deadline?
Online applications must be completed by December 10. All supplementary materials must also be received by the Dean of Students' office by this time. Please allow more time for materials to reach the Division if you live outside the United States. After you submit the electronic application, there will be a way to login to see if supplemental materials have arrived.
2. How do I obtain an application? How much does it cost to apply?
Applications are available online at http://grad-application.uchicago.edu starting in mid-September. Paper applications are no longer available. The application processing fee is $55, and there are various payment options available, including online payment.
3. What are the requirements for admission?
Requirements for admission are the degree of Bachelor of Arts or its equivalent, a distinguished academic record, and high competence in the foreign language(s) relevant for the particular field. (If you will do language study between the time of the application and the start of the PhD program, please note this in your statement of purpose.) We do not have a minimum required GPA, but a strong GPA is helpful in our competitive admissions process. Every application is read in its entirety by at least two faculty members.
All applications must include:
- Online application
- Application fee
- Official copy of your most up-to-date transcript from each institution you attended
- Three confidential letters of recommendation (instructions available in the application)
- Writing Sample. Please send your best complete writing sample. Please ignore the 25-page limit.
- Statement of Academic Purpose, discussing academic and career objectives
- GRE score report (please include photocopy in packet if scores being sent directly from ETS)
- TOEFL/IELTS score report for international applicants (please include photocopy in packet if scores being sent directly from ETS)
- Supplemental form (available as a PDF document in the application)
Supplementary required materials should be mailed to:
University of Chicago
Division of Social Sciences
Office of Admissions
1130 E. 59th St., Room 105
Chicago, IL 60637Phone: (773) 702-8415
Email: admissions@ssd.uchicago.edu
After you submit the electronic application, there will be a way to login to see if supplemental materials have arrived.
4.Is the GRE required? What are typical scores of admitted students?
The GRE is required for ALL applicants. (The History subject test is not required.) The scores cannot be older than 5 years. The Department does not have a minimum score requirement, and we do not weed out applications based on GRE. Every application is read in its entirety by at least two faculty members. It is advisable to take the GRE no later than October to ensure that scores will arrive on time. Please include a photocopy of your GRE scores with your application. Official scores must be received from ETS.
For more information on the GRE, visit their website at http://www.gre.org. You may also call ETS at 609-771-7670. The codes required to have your report sent to the Division of Social Sciences are institution: 1832 and department: 2299.
While the GRE scores are required, they are not the most important part of your application. An otherwise strong application can overcome weak GRE scores, although strong GRE scores can certainly help in our competitive admissions process. Of the students we accepted for 2006 admission, the mean scores were: 5.5 analytical/ 667 quantitative/ 654 verbal, and the median scores were: 5.5 analytical/ 680 quantitative/ 680 verbal. These scores will not guarantee admission, and lower scores will not prohibit admission.
5. Is the TOEFL required for foreign students? Are there other options?
All applicants who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must take the test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Domestic applicants whose native language is not English and who have not attended schools where instruction is in English also may be required to submit TOEFL scores. This test should be taken no later than October, to ensure arrival of scores by the deadline.
The University of Chicago accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for the purpose of meeting the English language requirement. New calibrations expected for autumn 2005 will result in a minimum required score in the TOEFL of 100 overall, with sub scores of 26 each. Minimum required scores in the IELTS are overall scores of 7, with sub scores of 7 each.
The English language requirement may be waived if the applicant studied in full-time status for at least one academic year within the last five years in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or English medium universities in Canada or South Africa. Students who studied English in other countries-- for example, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc-- are not exempt from the English language requirement.
Please note: TOEFL or IELTS score reports are valid for two years, and scores will be considered expired if the test was taken more than two years prior to the application deadline. Photocopies of TOEFL or IELTS score reports will not be considered official but should also be included in the application in cases of late tests.
More information regarding the TOEFL can be found at: http://www.ets.org/toefl. The school code for the TOEFL is 1832. More information regarding the IELTS can be found at: http://www.ielts.org.
6. May I apply for an MA degree in History or only for a PhD? Will a previous MA help or hurt my admission chances?
The Department of History admits students only to the PhD program. Although we do award Master of Arts degrees to students studying for the PhD, we do not have a stand-alone MA program. If you are interested in studying for the MA degree, please consider the Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS). The MAPSS program will allow you to take history coursework and work with history faculty.
An MA in History is not required for admission to our program. Students who do not have a previous MA can earn the MA while studying for the PhD. A previous MA may not significantly help or hurt your chances of admission. However, if your BA is not in History, or if your undergraduate academic record is weak, you might want to consider studying for an MA in History elsewhere, and then applying for the PhD program at the University of Chicago. A proven track record in a history graduate program can demonstrate that you are a strong applicant, despite problems in your undergraduate record.
Students who enter our PhD program with a previous MA (or other previous graduate degree) can petition to waive up to a year of coursework in our program.
7. What is the most important part of the application?
Four parts of the application are critically important: 1) your academic record; 2) letters of recommendation submitted by persons able to describe your achievements and promise; 3) a significant example of your work (B.A. essay, M.A. thesis, research or course paper); and 4) the statement of purpose, which describes the intellectual issues and historical subjects to be explored at the University of Chicago. The Department of History considers the writing sample the most important part of your application.
When composing the statement of purpose, it is important to be as specific as possible in describing research interests, including area, period, and topic or approach, and faculty members with whom you might wish to work. Although many graduate students change their focus in the course of their studies, it is helpful to have the clearest possible idea of your interests and any research experience to date.
8. What sort of writing sample should I send?
The Department of History considers the writing sample the most important part of your application. Please select a sample that you consider to be your best work. It should be self-contained, that is, includes a beginning, a middle and an end of an argument. Generally, 25 double-spaced pages (including footnotes) is sufficient, but do not feel bound by length should your best paper is longer. If possible, the work should be a piece of original research and in the specific field of history you hope to study at Chicago. The writing sample must include your name and the class/publication for which it was created and should be written in English.
Please do not send bound or spiraled volumes or material you wish returned. All extraneous material will be removed before review such as folders, dividers, coil spirals, etc. Do not send material for your writing sample in media other than paper (no tapes, cassettes, CDs, etc). Submitted writing samples that do not meet these criteria may not be reviewed.
We do not accept faxed copies or email attachments of writing samples.
Please be advised that once final decisions have been made, all writing samples are destroyed.
9. How will I know that my supplemental materials have arrived?
After you submit the electronic application, you will be able to login to your application account to check which of your supplemental materials have arrived.
10. Do I need to interview? May I visit campus?
Although an on-campus interview is not required for admission to graduate studies at the University of Chicago, you are welcome to visit. David Goodwine, our program coordinator, can help arrange meetings with faculty in your areas of interest as well as informal conversations with some of our graduate students. Please give David two-weeks notice of your visit. The ideal time to arrange a visit is during our autumn quarter (October and November). We also offer an open house for newly admitted students. History Day, as it is called, is usually held in early spring quarter (March 30 in 2007).
11. How difficult is it to get in?
The Department of History is highly selective. Every year, we decline more qualified applicants each year than we have the resources to accept. We typically receive 300-350 applications. We admit 50-60 students, all of whom receive some kind of financial aid.
12. When will I hear if I have been accepted?
Final decisions are sent during the first week of March to the address you provide on your application. If you are accepted, your letter will include a detailed description of your financial award. Please do not call or write regarding the status of your application. We are not able to release information regarding acceptance or aid by telephone or email.
13. What is my response deadline to an offer of admission?
You have until April 15 to decide whether to accept or decline our offer of admission if you are offered financial aid. Please note that in accordance with a resolution of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, you have until April 15 to decide whether to accept any financial aid award by any institution. You may also decline an offer that you have previously accepted anytime until April 15 without penalty. This resolution protects your right to choose the best offer. Some institutions may request that you decide earlier than April 15, so that they can offer funds to another applicant if you decline their offer.
If you are admitted without financial aid, you have until May 1 to respond to our offer.
14. May I defer admission?
Admission is granted only for the year specified in the application and may not be deferred to another year, although applications may be reactivated without charge by writing to the Dean of Students of Social Sciences. Reactivated applications are judged in competition with new applications for admission, and any offer of financial aid is not held in reserve from year to year.
Academic Program | Top of Page
1. May I start my program in Winter or Spring quarter?
We admit students for matriculation in Fall quarter only. Winter and Spring starts are not permitted.
2. May I transfer credits from another program?
No. Academic work towards a degree in the History Department must be completed at the University of Chicago. However, students who enter our PhD program with a previous MA (or other previous graduate degree) can petition to waive up to a year of coursework in our program.
3. Does the History Department offer night, weekend, or summer coursework?
Most of our graduate courses are offered during normal business hours on weekdays between September and June. Occasional courses may be offered in the evenings, but it is not possible to complete our graduate program taking just evening courses. Our program is rigorous, and we expect that our students will work full-time toward the degree.
4. I am interested in... With which faculty member(s) would I work?
Please see our faculty bios. You can also find a listing of faculty by field specialty.
5. What fields of study are available in the Department of History?
Please see our fields listing, which includes links to pages describing each of the fields.
6. What are the course requirements for the PhD?
In the first year, students take eight graduate-level courses. Two of the eight courses consist of a history research seminar. Seminars begin in autumn by studying a specific topic, introduction to the relevant historiography, development of research skills, and an introduction to archival methods with primary sources. The winter quarter is devoted to writing a major paper. Three of the eight courses are generally in the student's specific field of study. One other course is generally in another history field. Students are encouraged to take the final two courses in other disciplines, but based on course offerings in a given year, or individual needs, students may wish to take additional history courses instead.
In the second year, students take seven graduate-level courses, unless they have waived course requirements based on previous M.A.-level degree work. Two of the seven courses are a second seminar; the other five courses should be a mixture of courses within History or in other departments that will help prepare the student for fields examination.
While students are permitted to take coursework beyond the second year, the fifteen courses are all that is required toward the PhD degree.
7. What are the foreign language requirements for the PhD?
The Department requires a high pass (P+) on one or more written language examinations given by the Test Administration Office. Students must take a language examination during the first quarter of residence. Students who do not receive a high pass the first time should devote special attention to improving their skill, and are required to repeat the exam quarterly until a high pass is achieved. It is mandatory that students receive a high pass in at least one language examination before the beginning of the second academic year. In fields where more than one language is required, the additional requirement(s) must be satisfied before the proposal hearing.
| Field | Languages Required | |
| African | At least one European and one African language to be determined in consultation with the advisor. | |
| Ancient* | French and German (one high pass, one pass); Greek and Latin (by departmental certification or with a grade of pass on the University examinations) | |
| British | French, German, or Latin | |
| Byzantine* | French and German (one high pass, one pass); Latin and Byzantine Greek by departmental certification | |
| Caribbean and Atlantic World | Dutch, French, Portuguese, or Spanish | |
| Early Modern Europe | A high pass in the primary language of research; a pass in one other modern European language | |
| East Asia | High pass in primary language of research: Chinese, Japanese, or Korean |
|
| Europe | A grade of high pass in the primary modern European language of research; a grade of pass in one other approved language; normally, the second language will be in a different language group from the first, except as needed for research reasons | |
| History of Science | French or German (high pass in one), but it is assumed students know both | |
| International | At least one foreign language determined by sub-area of interest | |
| Latin America | Spanish and Portuguese (one high pass, one pass) |
|
| Medieval Europe | 1. Latin (high pass) 2. French or German (pass) 3. One other approved language appropriate to the student’s research (pass) |
|
| Middle East/Islam^* | One of the following: Modern Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Persian, Russian, Turkish, or Ottoman Turkish | |
| Modern Jewish | Hebrew and one other relevant research langugage (one high pass, one pass) | |
| Russia^* | Russian or any relevant language. For a Ph.D. in Russian history, however, knowledge of Russian is mandatory | |
| South Asia^* | One of the following: Bengali, French, German, Hindi, Persian, Sanskrit, Tamil, or Urdu | |
| United States | Any foreign language | |
| *For fields with extensive language training, students may petition for a one-year postponement of the foreign language examination. | ||
| ^In these fields, if the language requirement is met with French or German, it is assumed that the student will also acquire knowledge of area language(s) sufficient for research purposes. | ||
8. How long will a PhD program take?
The coursework for the PhD takes two years (one if coursework is waived due to a previous MA). In the third year, students take their oral field exams in the Autumn and propose their dissertation topics in the Spring Quarter. Beyond the third year, students research and write the dissertation. It is possible to complete the entire PhD program, without an MA waiver, in five years. However, more typically, students spend seven to eight years in the PhD program. The amount of time needed to complete the program varies greatly, depending on the field of study, language work required, teaching/working during the degree program, and self motivation.
9. May I do a dual degree in History and . . . ?
The Department of History does not have formal dual degrees with other programs. However, it is possible to created ad-hoc joint degrees, and we have several students pursuing joint degrees with the Departments of Anthropology, Sociology, Jewish Studies, South Asian Languages/Civilizations, and the Committee on Conceptual and Historical Studies of Science. When students are admitted to graduate study at the University of Chicago, they are admitted into a specific department or committee. Once a student has matriculated, and typically once he or she has completed at least a year of coursework, an application for joint degree can be made to the second department or committee.
We also have students pursuing a PhD in History and a JD at the University of Chicago Law School. Again, there is no formal arrangement for such a program. Students must apply for, and matriculate into, one program or the other, and then begin the application for joint degree.
10. Are there opportunities to teach while I am a graduate student?
The University of Chicago calls itself a "teacher of teachers." The History Department proudly accepts this title. An intensive teaching internship program prepares post-orals students for a range of teaching assistantships and more independent teaching opportunities for advanced graduate students. You can learn more about teaching opportunities in and out of the Department on our Teaching Page.
11. What can I do with a PhD in History? What is the department's placement rate?
The majority of our students pursue academic careers, and eighty percent of History students who graduated in the past six years have accepted academic positions (postdoctoral fellowships, visiting appointments, or tenure-track faculty). You can learn more about our placement program and recent alumni on our Placement Page.
Our students also go on to pursue careers in law, government, consulting, and publishing. Other graduate choose to remain in academia but take positions as high school teachers, librarians, and university administrators.
Finances | Top of Page
1. How much does the graduate program cost?
During the first four years of a PhD program, students are considered to be in Scholastic Residence. Beyond that, students are considered to be in Advanced Residence. In either status, tuition is constant regardless of numbers of courses taken.
For 2007-2008, the quarterly tuition rate by status will be:
| Ph.D. Scholastic Residence | 12,222 |
| Ph.D. Advanced Residence | 5,052 |
A full schedule of tuition and fees can be found on the Bursar's web page.
Students who receive fellowships from the University can expect to have tuition paid for five years. Currently, the Division of Social Sciences pays a portion of the tuition for all students in Advanced Residence, so that the amount paid by the student is under $800/quarter.
2. What divisional fellowships are available? How do I apply?
All applicants who meet the admission requirements are eligible for financial aid, both domestic and international students. There are no separate financial aid forms. When your completed application is presented to the admissions committee, it is also reviewed at that time for any financial aid that we may offer. The aid review is based on the academic potential of the applicant and is not need-based.
We offer admission to approximately sixty applicants to the Department of History each year, and all of these offers include some type of University grant. Currently these offers are tuition plus a $19,000 stipend, or a tuition scholarship alone (with the promise of a $19,000 stipend in the third- through fifth-year if good academic progress is made). The fellowships provide a fifth year of funding, based on good academic progress; in the third through fifth year of these fellowships, a portion of the stipend award comprises teaching service for the College.
3. Are there teaching or research assistantships available?
The aid packages that we offer include a small teaching component in years three, four, and five. We discourage students from teaching in the first and second year of the program, before they have passed their oral exams. Beyond that, there are a wide range of teaching positions available to students. You can find more information about teaching on our Teaching Page.
We do not have a formal research assistantship program. Students who qualify for work-study funds can work as research assistants for department faculty who request them. You can learn more about the work-study program on our Funding Page.
4. What external fellowships are available? How do I apply?
It’s hardest to find external funding for graduate school in the first four years. After you’ve proven yourself by completing general course work and passing qualifying examination, there are more grant givers willing to fund your research and writing. That said, some corporations do offer fellowships for children of employees and private institutions may sponsor fellowships based on ethnic affiliations to help you begin your own research. I’ve selected funding sources that our students have successfully received in the past. Plan to begin your research in the summer before applying to graduate school – deadlines for some major fellowships occur a year in advance.
Jacob K. Javits Fellowship
Supports doctoral studies in selected fields within the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The four-year renewable award includes tuition, fees, and a stipend. United States citizens or permanent residents who are fourth-year college students or who have not finished their first year of graduate studies are eligible. Contact the Office of Graduate Affairs (773-702-0871).
Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities
Approximately sixty predoctoral fellowships awarded in a national competition administered by the National Academies on behalf of the Ford Foundation.
Foreign Language Area Studies (Title VI) Fellowship
For students concentrating in modern foreign language and international or area studies. There are separate fellowships for the academic year (nine months for study at Chicago only) and for summer (at Chicago or other United States or international institution). FLAS fellowships are contingent upon funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The nine-month award includes tuition, clinic and student activities fees, and a stipend. The separate summer award includes tuition and may cover some travel expenses. Interested students should contact the appropriate area center (East Asian, East Europe, Latin America, Middle East, or South Asia), Dean of Students Patrick Hall (773-702-8414), or the Office of Graduate Affairs (773-702-0871). Forms can be downloaded at the Office of Graduate Affairs.
National Science Foundation
For graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, including the history of science, international relations, and the social sciences. The thirty-six month fellowships include tuition, fees, and a stipend. United States citizens or permanent residents in their fourth-year of college, first year of graduate school, recent college graduates, or students in joint B.A./M.A. programs are eligible, but applicants who have earned any medical degrees are not. Contact the Office of Graduate Affairs (773-702-0871).
Soros Fellowship for New Americans
One-half tuition plus a maintenance grant for up to two years of graduate study in the United States. Fourth-year college students and persons up to age 30 in possession of a bachelor's degree who meet the foundation’s definition of a new American are eligible. A new American is a permanent resident, a naturalized United States citizen, or the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens.
Funding Sources for Foreign Students
At the time of applying to Chicago, you may wish to investigate whether your nation will help support your doctoral studies abroad, such as Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies, the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Conacyt) of México, or Thai Government Fellowships. Below are other sources of funding you may wish to explore:
Institute for International Education / Fulbright
The “Study America” program is for qualified students who are unable to afford graduate study in the United States without financial assistance. The IIE's Placement Unit advises over one thousand international students annually on appropriate college and university programs, arranges admissions, and seeks funding on behalf of students from both university and non-university sources.
International House Fellowship Program
Foreign students accepted for graduate study and who decide to live at the University’s International House may qualify for residential fellowships to help defray the cost of housing. The selection of fellows is based on need, merit, and leadership.
The Rotary Club Foundation
Since 1947, Ambassadorial Scholarships have helped more than thirty-thousand men and women from one-hundred nations to study abroad under its auspices. Today, it is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program.
5. Are student loans available?
The formal acceptance letter from the Dean of Students will include information on government work-study and loans programs, as well as private loans for foreign citizens. If you have only a small debt from financing your undergraduate studies, securing loans may be an option for you.
More information is available at the Student Loan Administration.
6. Do students work? What employment opportunities are available?
The curriculum in History’s graduate program requires full-time study, with the majority of courses held during the day, which precludes studying part time or remaining employed full time.
Many of our students do work part-time, especially through the Work-Study Program. The federally funded work-study program for United States citizens and permanent residents assist students with money that does not have to be repaid. Program eligibility is determined by various criteria established by the government and overseen by the responsible University officials, all whom are outside the Department of History. In general practice, an eligible student is from a family of modest means, or is “independent,” which is defined as not being claimed as an exemption on their parents’ federal income tax return. Based on past experience, over four-fifths of those who apply to the Department of History program fulfill one or both of these criteria.
From your perspective, there are probably three reasons for participating in work-study:- To earn up to $4,500 between October and June of the academic year.
- To see more closely how history is researched and written by working for a professional practitioner; or to work with faculty in other departments where you share a common research aim.
- To establish a more personal relation with a departmental professor than is usually possible in the class room or seminar.
Beyond the department, there are work-study and non-work-study employment opportunities available throughout the University. Please see the Student Employment Website for more details.
7. Will my spouse/partner be able to find employment in Hyde Park?
The University of Chicago’s Human Resources Department offers assistance in finding employment on campus to the spouses/significant others of our graduate students.
Email: employment@uchicago.edu
Address:
The University of Chicago Human Resources Office
c/o Spouses/Significant Others Program
956 E. 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
Please also see the University Job Listings.
Department and University Community | Top of Page
1. How many students are enrolled in the History Graduate Program? What is the composition of the student body?
We currently have 271 students in our PhD program--115 women and 156 men. Our incoming class in Autumn 2007 will be 29 students--10 women and 19 men. Of our current students, 68 are international students. Students come to our program at all stages of life. We currently have students who were born in 1946 and others born in 1985.
The University of Chicago is committed to working toward a more diverse community. The Department of History reflects that commitment in our student body. Our current student body includes 78 minority students. Our minority students are supported both through the Department and through the Office of Minority Student Affairs.
2. What sorts of events are offered through the Department? Through the University?
The Department is happy to sponsor a number of conferences and talks each year, in addition to several social events, including a spring picnic for students, faculty, and staff. Recent conferences have included: "State of War: Modern American Politics and State-Building" and "Translation in Colonial and Ethnic Studies." In addition, a symposium of graduate and undergraduate papers is held each spring.
The Department has a regularly updated Calendar of Events.
The University is host to a wide range of academic talks and conferences and artistic offerings such as music, theater, dance, and visual arts. There are several museums on campus which host exhibitions, including the Smart Museum of Art, and the Museum of Science and Industry is near campus.
The University also maintains a Calendar of Events and a Calendar of Student Events, although may events are advertised via email and not posted. The Department of History sponsors a grad student email list, which is generally a good way to find out about university events.
3. What do students do for fun?
The University of Chicago has the undeserved reputation of being an un-fun place to study. In reality, our students become adept at balancing hard work and fun.
We have an active History Graduate Student Association that sponsor a variety of activities for our graduate students. These include barbecues in fall and spring, regular happy hours, a winter gala, and intramural football, softball, and soccer teams.
University of Chicago students have access to the Gerald Ratner Athletic Center, which boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool, several gyms, weight room, and cardiovascular equipment. In addition, students can purchase discounted tickets to film , theater, and music presentations on campus. Students also volunteer in the community through the University Community Service Center.
And, of course, students love to explore Chicago and take advantage of its endless variety of places to explore and things to do. There are museums of every kind; avant-garde art galleries; dance, theater, and music venues; plus ethnic and cultural riches in food, music, and shopping. The City of Chicago also has an extensive system of city parks, including 18 miles of designated bike paths. Hyde Park is home to the lakefront Burnham Park, which boasts the beautiful Promontory Point.
4. Where do students live?
Most of our students live in the Hyde Park area near campus. Some of our students live in apartment buildings run by the University, although a very large number of non-University apartment buildings are also available.
You can learn more about various Hyde Park Housing options:
- University-Run Student Apartments and Housing
- Apartment Resource published by the U of C student government
- Craigslist Chicago- classified ads, helpful for all of Chicago, including Hyde Park
Some of our students also choose to live in other parts of Chicago, especially on the North Side of the city. Parking at the University can be difficult, but it is possible to take public transportation to Hyde Park from any part of the city.
5. What is the weather like in Chicago?
From weather.yahoo.com:
Month |
Avg. High |
Avg. Low |
Avg. Precip. |
| January | 32° F | 18° F | 2.17 in. |
| February | 38° F | 24° F | 1.77 in. |
| March | 47° F | 32° F | 3.01 in. |
| April | 59° F | 42° F | 3.65 in. |
| May | 70° F | 51° F | 3.70 in. |
| June | 80° F | 61° F | 4.30 in. |
| July | 84° F | 66° F | 3.68 in. |
| August | 83° F | 65° F | 3.86 in. |
| September | 76° F | 57° F | 3.21 in. |
| October | 64° F | 46° F | 2.71 in. |
| November | 49° F | 35° F | 3.32 in. |
| December | 37° F | 24° F | 2.63 in. |
Chicago is known for cold, windy winters and hot, humid summers, and that can certainly be the case. However, there are also beautiful temperate days in Chicago, especially in Spring and Fall, and Hyde Park's lakefront location takes advantage of the best Chicago has to offer.