Notes of Guidance for University of Chicago - University of Edinburgh

Notes of Guidance for Exchange Students University of Chicago, USA

Facts      

Language of instruction: English Number of students currently enrolled: 15,000+ Fall quarter: September – December Winter quarter: January – March Spring quarter: March - June Important information: https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/applicants/studentsatlarge

About the University The University of Chicago is a private research university located eight miles (13km) south of downtown Chicago in the historic Hyde Park neighbourhood. The University was founded in 1890 with the financial support of John D. Rockefeller and remains an institution renowned for its graduate and undergraduate programs of study. Currently there are 5,027 undergraduate and 10,122 postgraduate students studying in the following divisions: Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Humanities. The College, the liberal arts undergraduate division of the University, serves as the administrative and academic home for international exchange students. Website: http://www.uchicago.edu/index.shtml

Academics Course/credit load:

3 classes per quarter, 9 classes for a full year

Courses available:

http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/

Course enrolment:

Students register for classes on the first day of each quarter

Academic restrictions

Business/Engineering courses are not offered at the University of Chicago. Students may petition to take one course in the Graduate School of Business per quarter. All other course subjects are available to students based on availability. Economics, Stats and Public Policy not available for exchange students. Limited studio space for Visual Arts, portfolio would be required. Students can take any of the undergraduate classes they have the prerequisites for. In addition, with the proper pre-requisites and approval, they can take one professional school class per quarter.

Your final course selection must be agreed and approved with your Exchange Coordinator and any course changes made whilst you are away must have their approval.

Notes of Guidance for Exchange Students University of Chicago, USA

Accommodation

http://ihouse.uchicago.edu/

University accommodation:

University accommodation is available but not guaranteed.

Application process:

Students can apply on the above website, and those interested in living in IHouse should apply as soon as they accept their offer.

Private accommodation:

Students can also choose to stay in private accommodation.

Costs Estimated costs of living:

Estimated costs of living are around $17,000 for the academic year. Please note all students must pay a Student Life Fee or approximately $340 per quarter.

Insurance:

Student’s must either have their own insurance or pay for the University’s Health Insurance. The cost of University of Chicago insurance is around $1000 per term and $3000 for the academic year – subject to change.

Banks:

Opening a bank account is not difficult. The minimum opening deposits range from $0 to $100 and, in some, no minimum balance is required. A number of banks have branches close to the University. (Citibank, in fact, has an office right on campus.) You will not be permitted to accumulate an overdraft. Money can be transferred to an account in the US, but this will take around 48 hours and carries a charge. You should take sufficient travellers cheques to cover expenses during your first month and sufficient cash in dollars for your first few days. Your UK bank should be able to recommend counterparts in Chicago, so seek advice from them. A credit card such as Mastercard or Visa will prove useful for emergencies and you might consider increasing your credit limit. In addition to shops and services, credit cards can be used at certain banks (or in the case of American Express at their offices) to obtain money immediately from a British bank account.

Work opportunities:

Students holding F-1 or J-1 visas are eligible to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during vacations. This is allowed on campus only

Orientation

The 2015 orientation day will take place on September 20th. Students are strongly encouraged to attend.

Notes of Guidance for Exchange Students University of Chicago, USA Visas

Chicago provide further advice about the visa application process on the following website: http://internationalaffairs.uchicago.edu/page/students All students should check the US Embassy/Consulate website for up to date information: http://london.usembassy.gov/ On no account should students enter the USA on a tourist visa. Students with Green Cards, a US passport, or Canadian nationals do not need to apply for a visa. Canadian’s will still need an I-20 or IAP-66 OR DS-2019, which will be issued automatically. All students must attend a US Embassy for an interview. For visa purposes, students on exchange from Edinburgh are required to show proof of approx $17,000 (£10,875) - $18,000 9 (£11,515) for the academic year to cover such costs as housing and board, health insurance, books, personal expenses, and health fees (the latter if the student purchases the University’s health insurance.) This sum does not include tuition fees as these are covered under the terms of the exchange agreement. Suitable documentation might include:   

A letter notifying you of the award of a maintenance grant and/or student loan A letter from a bank stating your current financial situation A letter from a parent or friend’s bank stating their current financial situation, coupled with a letter from the bank account holder confirming their willingness to provide a stated level of financial support.

Disability Statement Some destinations may be more accessible than others for disabled students. If you require any adjustments due to disability or specific learning difficulty and you wish to study abroad please contact Thomas Ozers in the International Office ([email protected]). We will work together with you to explore the help available at your host institution. It might also be helpful if you discuss this with your Personal Tutor and the Disability Office as well.

These notes are for guidance only. We have tried to keep them up to date, but it is very difficult to do so without your input. So, if you can keep notes of any inaccuracies in this information we should be glad to hear of them on your return to Edinburgh. Any other observations and impressions about your stay will also be useful and will help those students who participate in the exchange in future years.

Notes of Guidance for Exchange Students University of Chicago, USA Edinburgh student’s advice to future students at University of Chicago: Accommodation: “Use marketplace, and secure a flat before arrival.” “Be aware signing up to classes is stressful and you will have to shop around a lot in the first 2 weeks. if there is a class you really want to take, email the professor as far in advance as possible so they have a record that you were interested, as classes fill up very quickly and as exchange students you do not have access to class signup until the first day of term.” General Advice: “Be aware signing up to classes is stressful and you will have to shop around a lot in the first 2 weeks. if there is a class you really want to take, email the professor as far in advance as possible so they have a record that you were interested, as classes fill up very quickly and as exchange students you do not have access to class signup until the first day of term.”