About the College
The University of Chicago College is a place for rigorous inquiry. From the Core curriculum to advanced study in the majors, students learn to think critically, question assumptions and lead thoughtfully in small, discussion-based settings alongside faculty whose work defines their fields. Shaped by diverse perspectives and steeped in tradition, our community creates a campus culture uniquely UChicago.
Under the leadership of Dean Melina Hale, a team of dedicated staff is committed to helping undergraduates learn and thrive during their time in the College. Distinguished faculty and scholars teach students how, not what, to think.
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Leadership and Staff
Our History & Traditions
Since 1890, the University of Chicago has followed a distinctively different path. The founders defined what they believed would build an enduring legacy: a commitment to rigorous academics for people of all backgrounds.
In an address marking the University’s decennial in 1902, Harper reminded his audience of a crucial tradition: “Complete freedom of speech on all subjects,” he declared, “has from the beginning been regarded as fundamental in the University of Chicago.” Harper also viewed the UChicago community as an engine for doing good in the world, both through its pursuit of scientific innovation and its commitment to liberal education.
Today, the principles espoused by the University's founders are embedded in work at all levels. Read more about the history and traditions that make the UChicago experience unlike any other.
Photo courtesy of The Chicago Maroon, 1982.
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For Parents & Families
A student’s college years are time of transformation—for both academic and personal growth. The team in the College is committed to making each stage of their pursuit enriching and memorable.
Throughout this journey, parents and families are essential members of the UChicago community, playing a vital role in students' success. From Orientation to Convocation, and everything in between, find important resources to support undergraduates here.
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Alumni
Discover Chicago
Chicago: our home, classroom, laboratory, and inspiration.
One of the defining aspects of study at UChicago is its setting in the city of Chicago and the Hyde Park neighborhood. Here, opportunities to interact with the city’s cultural institutions, neighborhoods, and more are woven into student life. Chicago offers countless experiences—in every field imaginable—that connect learning on campus to the world outside the classroom.