NDVS Onboarding Process

NDVS Onboarding Steps

Students who have been invited by a University of Chicago faculty member in the Physical Sciences Division to come to the University of Chicago as a Non-Degree Visiting Student (NDVS) should complete the following steps:

**Important note: students will receive emails directly from the Dean of Students Office to guide them through the process and should await instructions before completing any forms or applications.**

Application Phase

Faculty members inviting an NDVS student can notify the PSD Dean of Students Office, who will follow up with the faculty member to gather information needed to initiate the application process with the invited student. 

  1. Review the NDVS Dates and Costs prior to applying
    • Absent exceptional circumstances, NDVS students should select a visit start date that aligns with the start of a University of Chicago academic quarter. For international NDVS in particular, mid-quarter arrivals can lead to visa delays, administrative processing or questioning at the border specific to why the student is arriving after the quarter start date.
    • Touch base with the faculty member who invited you to discuss the program costs and how the costs will be covered
    • International students should plan their visit several months in advance of their preferred start date to allow for adequate time to complete the J-1 visa application process
      • If you are an international student currently in the U.S. with an I-20/DS-2019 issued by a different school, please notify Sierra Sterling
  2. Complete the NDVS application via Slate (you will receive an email with instructions)
    • For Degree, choose “Non-Degree”
    • For Program, choose “Non-Degree” (undergraduates should choose "Undergraduate Non-Degree")
    • Undergraduate NDVS must also provide the following materials with their application:
      • A brief statement (1-2 paragraphs) outlining your research goals while at the University of Chicago
      • A letter of recommendation from someone other than the University of Chicago faculty member who is inviting you. Your recommender can send this letter directly to Sierra Sterling
  3. Satisfy the University’s English language proficiency requirement
    • If you need to take the Academic English Proficiency Assessment (AEPA), please indicate this in your Slate application. You will be admitted after the Division receives AEPA results that meet our language proficiency requirement
  4. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a follow-up email with next steps within 1-3 business days of your submission. After your application has been reviewed and approved, you will receive an admit letter available in Slate
  5. When you have received your admit letter and your UCID number, create a CNET ID using the UCID number provided to you
  6. If necessary, complete the visa application phase (international students only)
  7. Review the onboarding phase (all students)

Visa Application Phase (International Students Only)

  1. Complete the J-1 visa application process (international applicants only; see below). You will need to claim a CNET ID to complete this step
  2. Submit an online NDVS check-in form within three business days of when you arrive in the United States

Onboarding Phase (all students)

  1. Familiarize yourself with your UChicago email account and regularly check this email account. You can set up email forwarding. 
  2. Research housing options in Chicago - you are responsible for securing your own housing. 
  3. Update your addresses and emergency contact information in my.uchicago.edu
  4. If you will be paying for any of the NDVS program costs directly, familiarize yourself with billing due dates and payment methods
  5. Communicate with the faculty member who invited you/their staff about any onboarding tasks that the department may need you to complete (e.g. safety training, lab overview)
  6. Notify the University that you have arrived