Chicago has been given a number of nicknames throughout its history such as "The City of Big Shoulders," "Paris on the Prairie," and "The Windy City", each of which has attempted to sum up the essence of the city. But there is one name that we think might be more appropriate than any other: "home." For at least the next four years, you will be a Chicagoan, and Chicago Urban Explorers (CUE) is your introduction to important aspects of the city.
By day, you will travel the city in small groups, meeting with campus partners, touring important landmarks and cultural institutions, to develop a deeper understanding of the complexities of Chicago. At night, all of the groups will come together for dinner, discussions, and lots of fun activities. Housing, meals, and transportation are provided throughout the program.
- Registration will open in early May 2026
- Registration will close on June 30, 2026
- A waitlist will be created for each pre-orientation program
- Cancellation deadline (to receive a full refund) is July 15, 2026.
- Spots are limited
- Students should register for the program they are most interested in. If the program is full they can join the waitlist or register for a different pre-orientation program.
Dates: September 15-21, 2026
Spaces Available: 160
Cost: $500. Housing, meals, transportation, and any applicable admissions fees are included in the cost of the program. Students are responsible for incidental/personal expenses and transportation to campus before the start of the program.
CUE is a need-blind program—financial assistance is available for qualifying students and there is a place to request financial aid on the program application.
Timeline
General Information
All students participating in a Pre-Orientation program will stay in their room for the academic year. Students can bring all their belongings for the academic year with them on the 15th or their families can bring it on the 22nd. Families need to decide what works better for their student and family.
Dinner is the only meal provided to students on September 15th.
FAQs
- A History of Housing and Policy in Chicago
- Live improv comedy with the Second City
- The Folded Map Project
- Student Life Panel Q&A
- Social activities in the city like visiting local museums, neighborhood food tours, attending a professional sports game, and more
Past years of CUE have included the following programs:
You may still register without your CNetID. However, you should ensure that you claim your CNet ID and submit your UChicago Card ID photo before you come to campus for POP. You will receive information on both of these processes over the summer.
Students with questions regarding the Chicago Urban Explorers program should contact the Pre-Orientation staff via email at pre-orientation@uchicago.edu.