University of Chicago

Find Pixel Journal’s interview with Neeti Jain, Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago, below.

Pixel Journal: Can you tell us a little about what makes your school unique?

Neeti Jain: UChicago has always been known as a home for students and scholars who bring a deep appreciation for knowledge and intellectual curiosity to campus. The students and faculty at UChicago are constantly asking questions, making interdisciplinary connections, and engaging with fields of study even outside of their major or primary subject of interest. It is ultimately a community of scholars and doers—one in which you can learn something about molecular engineering, or literary theory, or the chemical composition of Cheetos, from the next person you run into in the hall. Our Scavenger Hunt makes us unique too! It’s a four day hunt in May with hundreds of items to build and piece together (including, in the past, a zeusaphone, an anti-gravity cat, and a fully functional self-sustaining nuclear chain reactor).

PJ: How is OHS evaluated in the admissions process? Is there any bias against an online education in your university’s admissions process? What are their biggest concerns?

NJ: Through the holistic review process, admissions officers always think carefully about the context each student brings with them in their application. There is no bias against online schools or any kind of schools; we learn as much as we can about the program and the kinds of courses offered, and evaluate students within that environment. For students at Stanford OHS, we want to know whether students are taking rigorous classes, engaging in the community at large, and striving to make the most of the resources offered to them.

PJ: Do admissions officers take into account the rigor of our classes relative to those of other schools?

NJ: Absolutely—this is where the relationships we form with your high school and guidance counselors come in handy! We read up on your classes and think about how they would translate to the level of rigor we have at UChicago.

PJ: How much are senior year classes and grades a part of the admissions process?

NJ: Each year of high school is part of your academic story, and so senior year classes are just as important as any other year of classes. We look at the transcript, mid-year report, and final report transcript throughout the admissions process to ensure that students remain excited and engaged in their classes even after they may have applied or been admitted to colleges.

PJ: What are the research opportunities that are available to undergrads at your school?

NJ: Research in all forms, and in all fields! About 80% of students on campus participate in some kind of research, whether through professors and labs on campus, through our affiliated national laboratories and institutions (now 160+ of them), or through a funded independent research project or thesis. Students are encouraged to get involved as soon as they want to, and meet with our career advisors in their first week on campus to determine which research positions are available. Positions can range from working in an oncology lab at the Cancer Center, to digging up dinosaur bones with the Paleontology department, to conducting public policy research with the Pozen Center for Human Rights, and anything in between.

PJ: What program is your school most proud of?

NJ: It’s hard to pick, and that’s the great thing about being a liberal arts college. Rather than specializing in just one or two areas of study, we really emphasize the idea of learning across disciplines. Some of our more recent majors are a great example of that—in particular, Molecular Engineering, which brings together STEM and fields in Social Science to think about solving global issues on the molecular scale.

PJ: What is one thing that every undergrad at your college needs to know about?

NJ: Career Advancement, the largest and most comprehensive office on campus for students to access for really anything job, internship, research, or career-related. They offer some truly invaluable resources—full-time career advisors, subsidized treks to meet with alumni and professionals around the world, fully paid Metcalf internships over the summer and academic year, pre-professional career preparation programs, and lifelong career support for alumni.  

PJ: What resources are available to your students on campus? (writing center, counseling, etc.)

NJ: Support and resources are available to students at all times—four-year academic and major advisors, four-year career advisors, financial advisors, residential staff, student health and wellness centers, and your House community: all these people are here to help students find a home and thrive on campus. UChicago is proud to have students from all backgrounds, including all socioeconomic backgrounds, and we work hard to offer resources such as extensive financial aid, additional scholarships for low-income and first-generation students, counseling and support from peer mentors and full-time advisors, and a Center for Diversity and Inclusion specifically designed to offer a space for students to come together and be a part of a welcoming community.

PJ: What’s one piece of advice on the admissions process at your university for prospective students?

NJ: Really do your research as you do your college search. When you look into a college, make sure you know what you’re looking for in your college experience, and whether or not you can find it there. Then, when you write your essay about why you want to attend, be specific and sincere about what you’re excited for when you get onto campus. And don’t be afraid to reach out to your regional admissions officer with any questions!