The University of Chicago

An educational ideal

Chartered in 1890, the University of Chicago is home to a community of approximately 7,000 exceptional student scholars who chose UChicago  for its rigorous liberal arts curriculum, small discussion-style seminars, and 5:1 student-faculty ratio. Students prepare for challenging careers and competitive graduate schools through professional and recreational opportunities on campus and throughout Chicago.

An educational ideal
Focused on careful reading, analytical writing, and critical thinking, UChicago’s Core Curriculum is the perfect foundation for any major—and all future endeavors. With over 50 majors and more than 40 minors, students can double-major, create their own major, or explore interdisciplinary opportunities. Undergraduates choose their electives from more than 3,000 courses offered at the College each year, and over 40% of students study abroad through nearly 60 faculty-designed and taught programs. 

UChicago sponsors a wealth of undergraduate research opportunities in programs ranging from Economics and Psychology to Astrophysics and Sociology. More than 160 institutes and centers provide a home for true innovation. Our new Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering provides students a unique opportunity to pursue molecular-level science in both an academic and research context. 

Campus life
The residential housing system is a vital element of the College community. Modeled after the British house system, our 39 College houses eat together at shared dining tables, explore Chicago at sporting and cultural events, and compete against each other in intramural sports. Each student is guaranteed housing for four years, and though it’s only required for first- and second-year students, many remain to enjoy the houses’ perennial traditions.

Undergraduates actively participate in more than 400 student organizations encompassing athletics, the arts, community service, and Greek life. Our varsity teams compete at the NCAA Division III level, and more than 70% of the student body participates in UChicago’s extensive intramural and club sports programs.

Molecular Engineering at UChicago
The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) educates the next generation of leaders in the fast-growing field of molecular engineering by integrating science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. Through interdisciplinary research themes in health care, information processing and storage, sustainable energy, and water resources, our Engineering students apply molecular-level science to the design of advanced devices, processes, and technologies. Any student admitted to the School may pursue either a major or minor in Molecular Engineering.