​​​Welcome New Students!​​​

new students.jpgWelcome to The Chicago School, where you're not just embarking on an academic journey, but a transformative experience guided by our core principles of Education, Innovation, Community, and Impact. We're thrilled to have you join our vibrant community!

As you prepare to dive into this exciting chapter, we want to ensure your transition to The Chicago School is as seamless as possible. Engaging in our New Student Orientation is your key to unlocking a successful start to your academic career here. Take a moment to explore the information provided in the tabs below, designed to equip you with everything you need to thrive in your first semester and beyond.


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​New Student questions:

StudentLife@thechicagoschool.edu ​​
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Early Connect

​​Early Connect Program​​​

All incoming new students are given access to a course on Canvas, The Chicago School's online learning platform, which offers a broad range of resources intended to help new students in their transition to life as a Chicago School student.

The modules on Early Connect are designed to support your transition to The Chicago School by providing an overview of campus resources and a list of next steps. We encourage you to review the various modules we offer, with topics including:

  • Academic Support
  • Student Finance
  • Student Support
  • Admissions Requirements
  • Course Registration
  • Title IX Information
  • U-Passes (for Chicago and DC students)
  • University Contact Information
  • And more!

The Early Connect course also includes discussion boards, where you can interact with fellow new students before meeting them on Orientation Day!

Please note that the Early Connect course will stay in your Canvas platform indefinitely, so if you ever need to access that information again, it will be there for your convenience.​​​

Meet Your Student Support Counselor

Student Support Services

As a new student, you may be unsure of who to go to when you have questions. Student Support Services can help with that! 

Student Support Services is available to all students as they work to successfully complete their academic programs. Student Support Counselors can help with general questions, course selection and registration, student progress, course concerns/questions, graduation requirements, Turn-It-In, Canvas, available resources and support, and more! Students are encouraged to be in touch with the Student Support Counselors each semester.​ Learn more about Student Support Services here.


New Student Orientation

Fall 2025 New Student Orientation

We are thrilled to embark on this academic journey with you, and our  New Student Orientation program promises to be an essential and exciting start to your educational adventure.Fall 2025 New Student Orientation (NSO) will now be held the week of August 19. Your active participation in the orientation is not only mandatory but a key step towards setting the stage for your success at The Chicago School. 

New Student Orientation is a comprehensive program designed to introduce you to the campus community and essential resources. New Student Orientation is a blend of asynchronous elements available on Canvas (Early Connect), synchronous virtual Student Resources presentations, and virtual academic sessions (Orientation Day). Your participation in New Student Orientation is crucial for a smooth transition into college life and sets the stage for your success at our institution.


​Fall Ground students 2025 New Student Orientation Schedule



Virtual Student Resources Presentation

Tuesday, August 19th at 4 PM PST/ 6 PM CST / 7 PM EST​

Register Here!​​​​​​

​Embark on your academic journey fully equipped with essential knowledge and resources! Join us for the mandatory Virtual Student Resource Presentation, where you'll delve into the myriad of support services awaiting you at The Chicago School. Get ready to discover the wealth of opportunities provided by the following departments:

  • Student Support Services
    • Advising
    • Career Services
  • Student Life & Events
  • ​Student Wellness/Office of Disability Services
  • Student Success and Title IX
  • University Library
  • IT Support & Services


In-Person Orientation Day


Your participation in orientation sets the stage for a fulfilling and enriching college experience, and we're thrilled to have you join us on this transformative path.

During Orientation Day, you will:

  • Obtain your student ID or have your ID photo taken (depending on your location).
  • Acquire vital information about campus resources to support your academic journey.
  • Forge connections with fellow new students, fostering a sense of community.
  • Engage directly with faculty and prospective instructors, laying the groundwork for meaningful academic relationships.
  • Explore various financial aid options to help make your education more accessible.​

Information for Orientation Day for each Chicago School location can be found below. All new students are required to RSVP for their In-Person Orientation Day. Please remember to log into your Chicago School account to access the RSVP form or RSVP HERE​!​​

*If you've already completed the RSVP for New Student Orientation, please refrain from filling out the RSVP links on this page.
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Chicago

When: Orientation will take place from August 20-23

Time: 8:30 AM

Programs:

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • MA Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • PsyD Clinical Psychology
  • BA Psychology  
  • Forensic Psychology 
  • MA Counseling Psychology (check-in time determined by your faculty for your Professional Development course, see Early Connect for exact time). 
  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PsyD School Psychology
  • EdS School Psychology
  • PsyD School Psychology Post-Specialist 


*Note: Organizational Leadership & Business Psychology will hold NSO on the first weekend of the term. The Department Chair will contact you with more details.


To review your Orientation schedule and designated time, please visit:​ Early Connect NSO Orientation Day

 

 

U Pass

All Chicago Campus students are automatically enrolled in a transit pass through CTA and will be billed via your student account. Students will be emailed with information on picking up their UPass.  ​​

For questions, contact Student Life at [email protected] ​​


Washington D.C.

When:  Orientation will take place from August 20-21

Time: 8:30 AM

Programs:​

  • PsyD Clinical Psychology
  • International Psychology
  • Applied Behavioral Analysis
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling 
  • Behavior Analysis
  • Forensic Psychology 
  • Business Psychology/Organizational Leadership/ MA Industrial and Organizational Psychology

*Note:  DC Students check in at the North Building - address 901 15th St NW in the McPherson Building.


To review your Orientation schedule and designated time, please visit:​Early Connect NSO Orientation Day​


U Pass

All Washington, D.C. Campus students are automatically enrolled in a transit pass through the WMATA and will be billed via your student account. Students will be able to pick up their UPass at Orientation.  ​​

For questions, contact Student Life at [email protected] 

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Los Angeles

When:  Orientation will take place from August 20-23

Time: 8:30 AM


Programs:​

  • Applied Clinical Psychology (Ground and Online)
  • PsyD Clinical Psychology
  • Applied Behavioral Analysis
  • Behavior Analysis
  • Business Psychology/Organizational Leadership/ MA Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • Forensic Psychology
  • PsyD Marriage and Family Therapy
  • M.A. Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy


To review your Orientation schedule and designated time, please visit:​ Early Connect NSO Orientation Day


For questions, contact Student Life at [email protected] 

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Anaheim

When: Orientation will take place from August 20-23

Time: 8:30 AM ​​


Programs: 

  • Applied Clinical Psychology (Ground and Online)
  • PsyD Clinical Psychology
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Behavior Analysis
  • Buisness Psychology
  • PsyD Marriage and Family
  • MFT (Online)
  • ​MA Industrial and Organizational Psychology/Organizational Leadership
  • M.A. Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy


To review your Orientation schedule and designated time, please visit:​ Early Connect NSO Orientation Day


For questions, contact StudentLife at [email protected] 

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DALLAS 

​When: Orientation will take place on August 20​​

Time: 8:30 AM

​Programs:

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Business Psychology/Organizational Leadership/ MA Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Behavior Analysis


To review your Orientation schedule and designated time, please visit:​ Early Connect NSO Orientation Day

For questions, contact Student Life at [email protected] ​





Online Location New Student Orientation

Students enrolling in our Online programs participate in a virtual orientation. Online students are invited to participate in one of the New Student Webinars, as well as the asynchronous Orientation course available in Canvas once the student receives a login and password. Participation in orientation is mandatory and should be completed before the Add/Drop period of their first term. As part of the orientation, students will receive an overview of their program, Canvas tutorials and learn more about school policies and expectations. 

For more information, contact: [email protected] or 800-595-6938, option 1​​

Student U-Pass Information & FAQ (Chicago and DC Locations)

Getting Your U-Pass

Chicago

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) U-Pass offers unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains (not Metra or PACE) during the semester. The Chicago School will be enrolling everyone who qualifies, EXCEPT those who choose to OPT OUT. Your student account will be charged $131.00 for 15 weeks of unlimited rides.


The opt-out deadline is Monday, May 5th. If you do not opt-out, your student account will be charged $131.00.

**Please note, If you are enrolling in your first U-Pass, please email a clear selfie in front of a plain wall (i.e. nothing in the background, must be fully facing forward, from the shoulders up--think passport-style) to [email protected] by Monday, May 5th.

If you have any questions related to the U-Pass, please email [email protected].

View the Chicago UPass FAQ here!​


DC

The Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) U-Pass offers unlimited rides on all WMATA buses and trains (not VRE, MARC, LINK, or DASH) during the semester. During normal on-campus semesters, all full and part-time, campus-based students are automatically enrolled in the U-Pass program.  Your student account will be charged $111.00 for 15 weeks of unlimited rides.  
   
The Chicago School will be enrolling all full and part-time students EXCEPT those who choose to opt-out.
 

You will be notified by your Chicago School email when your U-Pass is ready to be picked up on campus. 
 
The opt-out deadline is Monday, May 5th.​ If you do not opt-out, your student account will be charged $111.00

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If you have any questions related to the U-Pass, please email [email protected].  ​


View the DC UPass FAQ here!​​​

Contact Us​

[email protected]
Instagram: @thechicagoschoolstudentlife​