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The University of Chicago (UChicago) is one of the world’s premier private research university located in Chicago, Illinois on a 200+-acre campus just seven miles outside of the downtown area. Incorporated in 1890 with its first classes opening in 1892, UChicago was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a sizeable donation from John D. Rockefeller, the wealthiest man in history. Committed to free and open inquiry with an interdisciplinary approach to research that spans arts, to engineering, medicine to education, scholars at UChicago lead the country in scientific and technological innovations. Nearly 90 Nobel laureates have been affiliated with the university – the fourth most of any institution in the world, – and alumni of the school include Rhodes Scholars, Marshall Scholars, Fields Medalists, National Humanities Medalists, members of the United States Congress, heads of foreign nations, and several billionaires.
Academic Programs
Accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1913, UChicago offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs through its five divisions, six professional schools, and the Graham School of Continuing Liberal arts and Professional studies. Schools and Graduate Divisions include the Biological Sciences Division; Chicago Booth School of Business; The College Divinity School; Harris School of Public Policy Studies; Humanities Division; Law School; Institute for Molecular Engineering; Oriental Institute; Physical Sciences Division; Pritzker School of Medicine; School of Social Service Administration; and the Social Sciences Division.With an emphasis placed to teaching students not what, but how to think, UChicago seeks to create an atmosphere of free and open inquiry where students and professors are able to debate, collaborate, investigate, and challenging assumptions. UChicago is partnered with a number of affiliate laboratories, including the Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Student Life
Over 15,000 students are enrolled at UChicago, including nearly 6,000 undergraduates. Over 10 undergraduate residence halls are located on the UChicago campus and housing is guaranteed for all four years, though only about 60% of undergrads live on campus. For graduate students, nearly 30 apartment buildings owned and operated by the university in the nearby community provide available housing options.As an NCAA Division III school, UChicago is a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and since its early days has been committed to producing scholar-athletes whose primary focus is on academic achievements. UChicago sponsors 19 intercollegiate sports with over 500 participants who compete in more than 300 competitions annually. UChicago has a wide variety of clubs and organizations – over 400 – known collectively as the Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs). These include cultural and religious groups, academic clubs and teams, and common-interest organizations. A few notable groups among the RSOs include the Model United Nations team, the top ranked team in North America; Doc Films, the nation’s longest continuously running film society; and the University of Chicago College Bowl Team which has won over 100 tournaments and more than 10 national championships.