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Chicago, IL · Private · Medium · Urban
4x the Regular Decision rate
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolling students
How much the school says contact matters
Deadlines, fees, testing policy, and recommendation requirements come from the Common App 2026-2027 First-Year Deadlines, Fees and Requirements file published August 28, 2026. Schools can still change a date after publication, so confirm anything you are close to with the school.
Rated Very important in the 2024-2025 Common Data Set this school published.
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolled students
Of enrolled students
Reported by the school to IPEDS for fall 2023 admission.
Tuition, housing, food, and fees
Sticker figures. What a family actually pays depends on income and aid, which is what the financial aid tools are for.
| Major | Degrees | Graduates here | Same major nationally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 622 | $157,181 | $82,686 |
| Mathematics | 181 | $146,679 | $69,562 |
| Computer Science | 156 | $227,147 | $107,009 |
| Biology, General | 127 | $68,610 | $57,214 |
| Political Science and Government | 111 | $88,531 | $63,293 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 99 | $84,957 | $55,695 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 90 | $99,986 | $73,721 |
| Chemistry | 87 | - | $65,120 |
Average net price paid by aided students in each family income band, after grants and scholarships. Usually far below the sticker price above.
Sources: this school's published Common Data Set, the Common App 2026-2027 member requirements file, and federal cost and outcomes data. See how our data works, or read the complete manual.
Add your GPA and test scores in Settings to see your estimated chances at University of Chicago.
Strong scores still help. Submit if you are at or above their middle 50%.
Common App personal statement (650 words) + 5 supplementals
Heavy supplemental load - start early.
For exact prompts, check the school's admissions page or the Common App once writing opens (Aug 1).
2 teacher recommendations required
This school does not consider interest. Don't burn time on it - focus on the application itself.
Per the school's own Common Data Set, applicant interest is rated considered.
$90
Fee waivers available if you qualify (Common App fee waiver, school waiver, or counselor request).
If a parent attended, mention it on the application. Some schools have ended this practice - verify with current admissions guidance.
Sticker price means almost nothing. University of Chicago's Net Price Calculator estimates what you'll actually pay after merit and need-based aid. Takes 10 minutes; needs household income and assets, plus a few academic numbers.
Open University of Chicago's Net Price CalculatorRead from University of Chicago's own admissions page on 2026-08-30 for the 2026-2027 cycle (source). Schools can still revise a prompt after publishing, so confirm before you submit.
The extended essay prompts are submitted each year by UChicago students and alumni, and the attribution under each one names the student who suggested it. There is no word limit: UChicago says to use as much space as you need. The final option lets you answer any past prompt or invent your own.
Why UChicago
Required“How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.”
Start essay with this prompt →How do thoughts eat?
OptionalExtended essay: choose one“Food for thought: How do thoughts eat?”
Start essay with this prompt →An artistic practice as a solution
OptionalExtended essay: choose one“The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, utilized origami-inspired techniques to compactly store and deploy its sunshield in space. Choose an artistic practice and use its principles to propose an elegant solution to a problem.”
Start essay with this prompt →A mixed metaphor
OptionalExtended essay: choose one“Sometimes metaphors get mixed up. For one reason or another, one could say, “we'll burn that bridge when we get there” or “the world is your china shop”. Make up your own mixed metaphor. Explain how it could make sense, be understood, or even applied.”
Start essay with this prompt →A mundane Olympic event
OptionalExtended essay: choose one“The Olympics have long celebrated the pinnacle of human athletic achievement. But what if they expanded to honor the mundane? Imagine a new Olympic event built around an everyday activity like speed dishwashing or competitive grocery bagging. How is it scored, officiated, and judged? Why is it a worthy addition?”
Start essay with this prompt →Mistaken identity of acronym
OptionalExtended essay: choose one“AI: Allen Iverson. NASA, or the North American Saxophone Alliance. Share a potentially confounding, comedic, or captivating example of MIA (Mistaken Identity of Acronym) and tell us its backstory.”
Start essay with this prompt →Choose your own adventure
OptionalExtended essay: choose one“In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun!”
Start essay with this prompt →Last verified 2026-08-30 · Cycle 2026-2027 · For the current cycle, double-check the school's admissions writing page.
This school explicitly does not consider demonstrated interest in admissions decisions. Don't spend time visiting, opening every email, or following on social purely for admissions. Those things won't move the needle here.
Where to spend time instead: the application itself. Strong essays, tight activities list, recommendations from teachers who know you well.
Research University
Yes
Co-op / Internship
Limited
Est. Net Price (You)
$70,662
Based on "none" need
Sticker tuition
$70,662
Before aid
Total Estimated 4-Year Cost
$282,648
Out-of-state pricing with estimated aid
Greek Life
Yes
Study Abroad
25%
Religious Affiliation
None
Debt-to-Income
22.1%
Average debt against 10-year earnings
Est. 10-Year ROI
$669,352
(10yr earnings x 10) - 4yr cost
Applying Early Decision would give you a 4.0x advantage (12% ED vs 3% RD).
This school gives legacy preference. If a parent or grandparent attended, highlight it.
This school is test-optional. Submit scores only if they strengthen your application.
Deadline (ED: November 2, 2026) / RD: January 4, 2027
113 days remaining (RD)
Application Platform: Common App
Supplemental Essays: 5
Interview: Optional
Recommendation letters needed
Test optional
Get candid student reviews, rankings, and additional data from these sources:
Data from US Department of Education College Scorecard, National Center for Education Statistics, and institutional disclosures.
| History |
| 70 |
| $64,082 |
| $50,680 |
| Philosophy | 61 | $72,246 | $54,455 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 59 | - | $62,451 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 53 | $54,643 | $48,590 |
Median earnings of this school's graduates in each major, roughly five years out, beside the national median for the same major.