College Programming and Orientation

Orientation To-Do Lists

Orientation Main Page

The summer before your first quarter in the College will go by more quickly than you can imagine. As you prepare to begin your new academic career with us, there is important information for you to review and several important tasks to complete. To ensure that you don't miss anything, we have developed the Incoming Student To-Do List for you to follow throughout the summer. Some items may be able to be completed ahead of time. Others items will have specific windows of time during which you must complete the assigned task. 

The Incoming Student To-Do List includes three types of tasks.

  • Mandatory: These tasks must be completed by the deadline listed in order for you to be prepared for Orientation and the start of classes.
  • Strongly Recommended: These items will complement the required tasks and will help to ease your transition into the College.
  • Encouraged: These items will assist in ensuring that you have the best possible start to your time in the College.

If you run into problems or have questions along the way, College Programming and Orientation is here to help. You can contact us via email at college-programming@uchicago.edu or by phone and text at 773-702-8616. 

    May

    June

    • Complete pre-registration for your autumn quarter Humanities sequences course between June 17-21. Please review the Online Orientation Module #2 (found on your Canvas site) for detailed instructions on how to select and rank your preferred HUMA sequence.
    • Complete all Placement Tests by Thursday, June 20. All incoming students must take a math placement exam. Student interested in taking courses in language, chemistry, or computer science may also elect to take placement exams in these areas. Placement tests will be available beginning the week of May 6. 
    • By Thursday, June 20 request AP/IB Examination scores to be sent to UChicago upon their release in July. AP scores can be requested through the College Board (institution code #1832). IB scores can be requested through the International Baccalaureate. Submit all scores, regardless if you self-reported through the admissions application. 
    • Transfer students must submit course information and final transcripts by Friday, June 21.
    • Submit your official ID photo by Sunday, June 30. To upload your photo, please visit https://myphoto.uchicago.edu. 
    • Complete the  Housing Application by Sunday, June 30. You will need your CNet and a successful ID photo submission in order to complete your housing application. If you have trouble accessing the housing application or questions along the way, please contact Housing & Residence Life at housing@uchicago.edu, 773-702-7366, or via the Live Chat Feature (when available) within the myHousing portal. 
    • Log into your my.UChicago student portal and review all personal, emergency, and family contact information. Update any information that is missing or incorrect by Sunday, June 30.  For more information, visit the Registrar website. Students will gain access to this portal in June.

    July

    • Submit transcripts to the College Admissions Office by Monday, July 1. Transcripts can be submitted via email to collegeadmission@uchicago.edu, Naviance, Parchment, or any other method your school prefers. Have questions, contact College Admissions.
    • Complete the Career Interest Form by Monday, July 8 to share your career interests with Career Advancement to help match you to your Career Adviser. This form will become available in June. 

    August

    • Schedule your appointment with your Assigned Academic Adviser between July 22 and the deadline of Friday, August 16. Failure to do so will impact your ability to participate in Pre-Registration.
    • Complete round two of class Pre-Registration taking place the week of August 19 – August 23. Pre-Registration will open at 9:00 AM CDT on Monday, August 19 and remain open through 5:00 PM CDT on Friday, August 23. If you will not have internet access during this window, contact your Adviser or College Advising.

    September

    • Complete the Financial Responsibility Agreement, located in your my.uchicago portal, by September 1. Students will have access to the form beginning August 1.
    • Complete part one of the mandatory online Prevention Modules that launches on September 4 and are due by Sunday, September 22. Students who fail to complete all three will result in a hold placed on your account for spring quarter registration. Check your email for instructions on how to access and complete the modules.
    • Complete all other required Online Orientation Modules that are released each month via the Online Orientation Canvas course by Sunday, September 22. 
    • Download the UChicago Orientation App to access the full orientation schedule and your mandatory appointments (app links released in September). 

    October

    • Review and pay your Autumn 2024 electronic bill which will become available September 4 and due by Friday, October 4.
    • Enroll-in or waive the University's Student Health Insurance (USHIP) through August 1 – October 18. After that deadline, students who do not take action are default enrolled in USHIP for the year and assessed the quarterly premium on their student account.
    • Submit proof of all required immunizations through the Student Wellness Portal by October 25. For more information about what is required, visit the Required Immunizations website.
    • Complete the College Orientation Survey emailed to all incoming students by October 25.
    • Complete part two of the mandatory online  Prevention Modules that launch on October 21 and due by October 28.  Failure to complete modules will result in a hold on your account for winter quarter registration. 
    • Complete the Registrar Annual Responsibility Confirmation form in your my.uchicago portal by the end of the fifth week. The form will become available in your portal during the third week of classes. 
    • Save the date for Family Weekend, October 25-27, 2024!
    • Bookmark the Orientation website for more information about virtual summer programming, O-Week, incoming student communications, and the monthly To-Do Lists.
    • Stay plugged in on all things happening in the College: Follow @uchicagocollege on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
    • For Jewish identifying students, please complete this Jewish Life survey if you wish to be contacted by campus Jewish Life partners. 
    • Sign-up for Blueprint and begin exploring RSOs (Recognized Student Organizations) that might be of interest to you.
    • Begin buying or renting your textbooks from the UChicago Bookstore or the Seminary Co-op Bookstore once you have your class schedule. 
    • Ensure your student updates their family contact information within their my.uchicago portal (students will gain access in June). For more information, visit the Registrar website. 
    • Subscribe to the Phoenix Forum, the quarterly College newsletter.
    • Join the UChicago Parent Support and Networking Facebook groups (UChicago Parents and/or the UChicago Parents 2028).
    • If your student received learning / living accommodations in high school, please have them visit Student Disabilities Services website to register for accommodations as soon as possible. 
    • Register for the Family Webinar Series hosted at the end of the summer. 
    • Get set up as an authorized user to your students account (billing). 
    • Create a communication plan with your student this summer. Set expectations on what you’d like to be kept in the loop about and how often you expect to hear from them (daily, weekly, calls, or texts). 
    • Help your student prepare for move-in. Make sure your student talks with their roommate(s) before arriving to ensure they don’t bring the same items like TV, rugs, etc. (housing assignments will be released mid-August). Housing and roommate assignments will be released mid-August. 
    • Save the date for Family Weekend, October 25-27, 2024. Registration will open in September.