Autumn 2026 New Student Information

Autumn 2026 New Student Information 

Welcome to the University of Chicago 

We look forward to welcoming all of our incoming MS and PhD students to the University of Chicago for the 2026-2027 academic year. Incoming students should review the information below, including guidance on preparing for Autumn Quarter and orientation activities.

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Preparing for Autumn Quarter

Locate and Bring Key Documents

  • Immunization Records: all students joining in-person programs are required by the State of Illinois and the University of Chicago to provide proof of required immunizations. Please make sure to have access to your immunization records. Students may begin uploading these records in early August.
  • Documents for onboarding (PhD students): PhD students should bring documents that satisfy the I-9 verification requirements for onboarding. PhD students will receive individualized onboarding information and deadlines.PhD students should bring documents that satisfy the I-9 verification requirements for onboarding. PhD students will receive individualized onboarding information and deadlines.
    • MS students who anticipate seeking on-campus employment should also bring these documents

Submit Proof of Prior Degrees

New students must submit proof of degree conferral from their prior institutions by September 1, 2026. More details and contacts by program are available here.

Review the 2026 Divisional Online Orientation materials available via Canvas (available in September) 

New students will receive an email invitation sent to their UChicago email addresses to access Divisional Online Orientation materials. These materials can be reviewed at your own pace and will remain available to you.

Review the New Student Checklists for MS and PhD Students

New students should review the tasks and reminders on the the New Student Checklists. 

Divisional Orientation Activities 

Wednesday, September 23

9:00 - 10:00 am

Logan Center for the Arts (915 E 60th Street)

The Division will host an in-person orientation event at the Logan Center for the Arts on September 23, 2026 from 9:00 – 10:00 am.

The Dean of Students Office staff will welcome incoming students and provide key information and resources.

This event is not required, but attendance is strongly encouraged.

Department/Program Orientation Activities 

Departments and programs may hold additional orientation activities. Contact information for each program is below. 

Department/Program Contact
Applied Data Science MS Applied Data Science
Astronomy & Astrophysics PhD Laticia Rebeles
Biophysical Sciences PhD Adam Hammond
Chemistry MS and PhD Aram Sarkisian
Computer Science PhD Kiko Harney
Data Science MS and PhD TBD
Environmental Science MS Adelaide Grosse
Financial Mathematics MS Meredith Hajinazarian
Geophysical Sciences PhD Adelaide Grosse
Masters Program in Computer Science MPCS
Mathematics PhD  Laurie Wail
Physics PhD Putri Kusumo
Statistics MS and PhD Keisha Prowoznik

University-wide Orientation Activities 

Visit the UChicagoGRAD Graduate Student Orientation page for details about University-wide orientation events for incoming graduate students.

Housing Information 

UChicagoGRAD offers resources on finding housing online.

If your potential landlord or leasing company requests a verification of student status as part of your application, please reach out to the Dean of Students Office for assistance.

Onboarding (PhD Students)

PhD students may need to complete onboarding in advance of Autumn Quarter. 

Onboarding is individualized, so the best way to stay informed is to regularly check your UChicago email (and ensure you can both send and receive messages from it). Onboarding requirements depend on your position type, residency for tax purposes, whether you are an F-1 or J-1 student, and more.

Timeline: most onboarding activities will take place throughout the month of September and in early October. If you are asked to present documents for I-9 verification, you will receive information about the dates and times that you can present those documents on campus.

We recommend that you have easy access to documents that you can use for I-9 verification.

International students on an F-1 or J-1 visa should also ensure that they have easy access to copies of their I-20 or DS-2019 and I-94 from their most recent entry to the US.

Course Registration 

Graduate student registration for Autumn Quarter opens in September. Questions about course selection can be sent to your Student Affairs Administrator.

August 24: Graduate Schedule of Classes published on CourseSearch

September 14: Registration opens for Applied Data Science students

September 21: Registration opens for all graduate students

September 28: First day of Autumn Quarter | Add/drop period opens

October 16: Final day of add/drop period