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 journey 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 Orientation To-Do List for you to follow throughout the summer and first quarter. 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 Orientation 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.
- Log into your Canvas portal to access your Online Orientation course beginning Tuesday, May 27.
- Create your CNetID and set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) by Saturday, May 31. Don’t forget to also download your list of 10, one-time passcodes. Once you’ve created your CNetID, access your UChicago email account through the Microsoft Outlook Portal.
- Complete all initial Placement Exams by Friday, June 20. All incoming students must take a math placement exam. Students interested in taking courses in language, chemistry, or computer science may also elect to take placement exams in these areas based on their interests and/or intended areas of study. Placement exams will be available beginning the week of May 5. Please note, the first round of computer science placement exams are held specifically on June 17 and 18.
- Submit your request for official AP/IB Exam results to be sent directly to UChicago by CollegeBoard/International Baccalaureate no later than Friday, June 20. UChicago's institution code is 1832. Please submit all official scores, regardless of whether you previously self-reported through the admissions application.
- Transfer students must submit course information and final transcripts by Friday, June 20.
- Complete the Career Interests Form by Friday, June 20 to share your career interests with Career Advancement to help match you to your career adviser.
- Submit your official ID photo by Monday, June 30. To upload your photo, please visit https://myphoto.uchicago.edu.
- Complete your housing application by 11:59 PM on Monday, June 30. You will need your CNetID and an approved University ID card photo to complete your application. If you have trouble accessing the application or questions along the way, contact Housing & Residence Life at housing@uchicago.edu, 773-702-7366, or via the myHousing portal live chat feature (when available).
- Log into your my.UChicago student portal and review all personal, emergency, and family contact information. Students will gain access by mid-June. Update any information that is missing or incorrect by Monday, June 30. For more information, visit the Registrar website.
- 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.
- Schedule your appointment with your Assigned Academic Adviser between July 21 and the deadline of Friday, August 15. Failure to do so will impact your ability to participate in Pre-Registration.
- Complete Autumn Quarter course Pre-Registration taking place the week of August 18 – August 22. 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.
- Complete part one of the mandatory online Prevention Modules that launches on September 3 and are due by Monday, 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 Monday, September 22.
- Download the UChicago Orientation App to access the full orientation schedule and your mandatory appointments (app released in September).
- Complete the Registrar Annual Responsibility Confirmation form in your my.uchicago portal before the start of Autumn Quarter. The form will become available in your portal the week following Labor Day.
- International students (F or J status) are required to submit the Online Check-In Form within five business days of arriving in Chicago.
- Enroll-in or waive the University's Student Health Insurance (USHIP) by Friday, October 17. 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. Students will have access to the form beginning the first week of August.
- Submit proof of all required immunizations through the Student Wellness Portal by Friday, October 24. For more information about what is required, visit the Required Immunizations website.
- Complete the College Orientation Survey emailed to all incoming students by Friday, October 24.
- Complete part two of the mandatory online Prevention Modules that launches on Monday, October 20 and is due by Monday, October 27. Failure to complete modules will result in a hold on your account for spring quarter registration.
- Carefully read the Orientation emails sent out weekly between May - October.
- Apply for the UChicago Pre-Orientation Programs that take place in September. Applications close on Monday, June 9 at 12:00 PM CDT.
- Look for your introduction email to the UChicago Mentoring Program (UCMP) the week of June 16 and follow the instructions to get involved!
- Learn about the Career Exploration Week programs and the First Year Career Cohorts. Students can apply using one simple application form, due Friday, June 20.
- Schedule an appointment with your Career Adviser via Handshake between August 18 and September 12.
- Join the Class of 2029 Facebook Group to connect with peers and receive timely updates from the College.
- Review all the information provided by Student Disability Services and begin the accommodation request process as needed.
- Don't Be Shy - Self Identify! Complete the Campus Dining Disclosure Form if you have any food allergies or eating habits you’d like to disclose. We'll connect you with our Campus Dietitian, Mackenzie Much.
- Carefully read the Student Wellness Checklist and complete all steps necessary to prepare for your transition to living on campus and establishing wellness care with UChicago Student Wellness.
- Review the UChicago Office of the Bursar Incoming Student Checklist for resources to prepare yourself financially for your College career.
- Incoming international students, be sure to review the OIA International Student Checklist for additional information.
- Register to vote! For those who are eligible, registering to vote is a simple, easy step to engage in our democracy. You can register to vote using your home address or your on-campus address. If you have questions, please email uchivotes@gmail.com and visit uchivotes.com for all your voting needs!
- Download the UChicago Safe Mobile Safety App.
- Sign-up for the cAlert System, the University’s electronic emergency mass notification system.
- Bookmark the Orientation website for more information about virtual summer programming, O-Week, incoming student communications, and the monthly To-Do Lists.
- 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.
- Stay plugged in on all things happening in the College: Follow @uchicagocollege on Instagram and Facebook.
- Join the UChicago Parent Support and Networking Facebook groups (UChicago Parents and/or the UChicago Parents 2029).
- 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.
- 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.
- Save the date for Family Weekend, November 7-9, 2025! Registration will open in September.
- Bookmark the Orientation website for more information about virtual summer programming, O-Week, incoming student communications, and the monthly To-Do Lists.
- 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.