The Chicago Academic Achievement Program (CAAP) is a year-long program that provides early exposure to scholarly and social life at the University of Chicago to a group of academically talented incoming first-year students, many of whom are the first in their family to go to college or from lower-income backgrounds.
Through an intensive four-week program the summer before their first year, three of which will be residential, CAAP students engage in Core-level coursework, develop social networks, connect with campus resources, and explore the city of Chicago.
During the first year, students continue their personal development and leverage their strengths through resource workshops, social events, and individual advising with College staff.
CAAP Summer Academy
Monday, July 31 through Friday, August 25, 2023
During the course of the CAAP Summer Academy, scholars get a “head start” by becoming acquainted with the expectations of classes, meeting their peers, and learning about the campus, local neighborhoods, and the city of Chicago at large.
- The Humanities courses and accompanying writing workshops are based on the UChicago Core sequences. These classes are centered on small group discussion and are capped at 20 students.
- Course descriptions and syllabi will be available in July for admitted scholars.
- Math class offerings include introduction to proof-based calculus or statistics.
- Scholars will take an online placement exam to determine their CAAP course and will be advised if calculus is needed for their intended course of study.
CAAP Scholars will receive instruction in the following areas: math, humanities, and writing. All books and course materials will be provided by the program. The program will begin with a week-long virtual component prior to transitioning to the three-week residential component on campus.
Humanities and Writing
Math
CAAP Scholars are expected to attend all course sessions and workshops plus a range of social and community building events and opportunities. Below is a sample weekly schedule for the on-campus portion of CAAP.
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday/Sunday |
|
Writing 9:00-10:30 a.m. |
Humanities 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
|
Writing 9:00-10:30 a.m. |
Humanities 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
|
Humanities 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. |
Chicago Exploration Activities (TBD) |
|
Math 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
Math 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.. |
Math 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
Math 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
Math 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
|
|
Lunch 12:20 - 1:30 p.m. |
Lunch 12:20 - 1:30 p.m. |
Lunch 12:20 - 1:30 p.m. |
Lunch 12:20 - 1:30 p.m. |
Lunch 12:20 - 1:30 p.m. |
|
|
First Year Transitions (Select Topics and Resources) 2:00-3:30pm |
First Year Transitions (Select Topics and Resources) 2:00-3:30pm |
First Year Transitions (Select Topics and Resources) 2:00-3:30pm |
First Year Transitions (Select Topics and Resources) 2:00-3:30pm |
Chicago Exploration Activity 2:00-5:00pm |
|
|
Campus Partner Engagement 3:30-5:00pm |
Small Group Check in 3:30-5:00pm |
Instructor Drop in Hours/Review Sessions 3:30-5:00pm |
Small Group Check in 3:30-5:00pm |
||
|
Community Building Activity 7:00-8:30pm |
Study Hall 7:00-8:30pm |
Community Building Activity 7:00-8:30pm |
Study Hall 7:00-8:30pm |
Community Building Activity 6:30-7:30pm |
Developing a strong community and support network is a key component of the program. CAAP Scholars will still be supported by Graduate Assistants (GAs), CAAP Interns, and professional program staff members. The CAAP Interns and GAs serve in a mentoring capacity and also coordinate experiences to help CAAP Scholars learn about residential life, campus resources, and the City of Chicago.
CAAP Scholars take part in weekly resource workshops and community building initiatives, in addition to house meetings, study breaks, and fun social activities. Scholars connect over group chats, support each other in study groups, and develop lasting friendships.
There is no charge to participate in CAAP! Travel, room and board, and course materials are provided for the Summer Academy.
Academic Year Program
During the academic year, CAAP Scholars will maintain eligibility by attending required meetings with program staff, quarterly workshops and events, and engaging additional experiential opportunities to augment their college experience. CAAP Scholars may also receive loans of required first-year math, science, humanities, and language textbooks.
Application Process
Applicants must be admitted to the University of Chicago as first-year students in the College. We look for participants who want to take advantage of early exposure to the University of Chicago to leverage their strengths in a rigorous academic program during the summer, as well as continue with CAAP academic year supports and engagement components.
Students currently living in the U.S. are eligible to apply, including students who are undocumented or DACAmented. International students and transfer students are not eligible to apply.
Applications will be available through the UChicago Admissions portal on February 13, 2023. Selected students will be notified April 28, 2023.
Timeline
| Application Opens | Application Deadline | Notification |
|---|---|---|
| February 13 | March 27 |
April 28 |
Program FAQs
If you would benefit from taking preview courses, learning about campus resources, and developing relationships with peers, then CAAP might be a good option for you. Students who say they have gotten a lot from from the program have been first-generation college students (e.g. students whose parents have not completed a bachelor's degree); students who will receive need-based aid; students from very small towns or rural areas; and students whose high schools had few or no options for IB Higher Level and/or AP exam preparation.
The CAAP Summer Academy is free of charge. Students may also benefit from available textbook loans offered through the program for all first-year humanities, math, science, and language books.
No, CAAP courses do not grant credit. The grades received in CAAP courses do not appear on the transcript or factor into the GPA. The preview courses DO, however, prepare students for the pace and intensity of the quarter system.