First Steps
Students with Disabilities
If you would like to read about the University's responsibilities to and resources for students with disabilities, go to the web pages at Disabilities Accommodation and read a letter from the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities: Letter for Students with Disabilities (PDF)
Domestic Partnership
In order to sign up a same-sex domestic partner for housing, health insurance coverage, and other University privileges, students must first submit a Domestic Partnership Statement (PDF) to the Benefits Office in University Human Resources Management. For information about eligibility criteria and available benefits, go to the Domestic Partnership section of the Human Resources Management web site.
Student Loans
You can find information, including deadlines and application forms for student loans and the Federal Work/Study Program by going to the Student Loan Administration site. If you apply by the mid-May priority deadline, your loan will be processed in time for the beginning of the academic year in late September, but you may apply for student loans beyond that deadline.
Housing
Applications are being accepted for living in Graduate Student Housing (apartments in the Hyde Park neighborhood), the New Graduate Residence Hall (rooms, most with private bathrooms, and a common kitchen), or International House (single rooms, programmed activities). You will find information about on-campus housing options by going to Housing for Graduate Students. You will not need your UCID number to apply for housing (just leave the UCID space on the application form blank). Good sources for locating non-University housing are craigslist.org (key word "Hyde Park" if you are interested in living close to campus), the University's Marketplace, and the Hyde Park Herald newspaper.
Claiming the CNetID
Students who accept their offers of admission will receive their University of Chicago student ID (UCID) numbers by mail toward the end of May. Once you have been assigned your UCID number you may get a CNetID at Claiming your CNetID. Your CNetID is your account name on the NSIT system; it is used as your email address (i.e., where the CNetID is "janedoe," janedoe@uchicago.edu is the email address on the University system); it is also used as your account name or login ID when you connect securely to your UNIX account at harper.uchicago.edu, when you read your email using Thunderbird or Webmail, when you authenticate to the University modem pool from off campus, when you use the wireless network, and in most situations where an account name of some sort is required. Please claim your CNetID as soon as possible after getting your UCID number from us.
Getting the Visa Process Started (international students only)
International students, including those currently studying at another U.S. institution, who accept their offers of admission should immediately visit the website of the Office of International Affairs and follow the steps to secure a student status. Please note that documents that you must provide to the University in order to be issued the paper work for getting a student visa (I-20 or DS-2019) should be mailed to Sarah Tuohey, Assistant Dean of Students for Admissions, at Walker 111, 1115 E. 58th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637. You should send 1) the printed out Financial Resources Statement; 2) documentation of financial support when appropriate (such as a letter from a sponsor and a copy of the sponsor's bank statement); 3) a copy of the picture page of your passport. Students who are transferring their student status from another US university should follow the instructions at Changing Status in the U.S.