​​​Welcome New Students!​​​

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Welcome to The Chicago School! You are about to begin an exciting educational journey, which is the first step on a lifetime of learning, service to the community, and professional development.

Now, what do you need to know to make your transition to The Chicago School as smooth as possible? To help aid in your transition and set you up for success moving forward into your first semester, please look over the information provided in the tabs below.​

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​New Student questions:

StudentLife@thechicagoschool.edu ​

 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

New Student Orientation

All registered incoming students are required to attend a New Student Orientation. This year, New Student Orientation consists of a mix between asynchronistic elements in Canvas, in-person Academic sessions, and synchronous Zoom Student Resource sessions. 

By engaging in New Student Orientation activities, students will:

  • Receive a student ID or take an ID photo (depending on your location)
  • Learn about important campus resources
  • Make connections with fellow new students
  • Engage with faculty and future instructors
  • Learn about financial aid options
 
New student orientation is normally scheduled for the week prior to the start of classes; students attend on a particular date depending on their academic program. Be sure to check your student emails regularly for additional information on your campus's New Student Orientations.
 
International students must attend an additional orientation to address their particular needs/information.

Spring 2024 New Student Orientation Schedule

International Student Orientation: Wednesday, January 3rd

Wednesday, January 3rd from 11 AM – 3 PM CST RSVP HERE

International Student Orientation for all the ground campuses will occur online. For questions, contact [email protected]



Virtual Student Resource Presentation:
Thursday, January 4th 

New Students are required to attend one of the following virtual presentations to learn more about the support resources available to them at The Chicago School. Students can sign up for their preferred session using the links below:


New Student Orientation Dates by Location (In-Person)
New Students are also required to attend their in-person orientation to learn more about their academic program and university resources. Please note, students must be logged into their Chicago School account to access the RSVP form.  

Chicago

When: Friday, January 5, 2024

Time: Student Check-in 9:30 AM; Orientation Start time: 10:00 AM

Click HERE to RSVP! 

*The Bachelor of Arts, Psychology program will now hold their orientation virtually on Friday, January 5th. Students enrolled in this program do not need to attend the in-person orientation and will receive an email with details on the virtual orientation session. 

*PhD Business Psychology and PhD Organizational Leadership students will have their orientation on the first day of classes, and do not need to RSVP using the form above. Please follow up with your academic department for more information.

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: Friday, January 5, 2024

Time: Student Check-in 9:30 AM; Orientation Start time: 10:00 AM

Click HERE to RSVP! 

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] 



Los Angeles

When: Friday, January 5, 2024

Time: Student Check-in 9:30 AM; Orientation Start time: 10:00 AM

Click HERE to RSVP! 


*The Bachelor of Arts, Psychology program will now hold their orientation virtually on Friday, January 5th. Students enrolled in this program do not need to attend the in-person orientation and will receive an email with details on the virtual orientation session. 

For questions, contact Student Life at [email protected] 



Anaheim

When: Friday, January 5, 2024

Time: Student Check-in 9:30 AM; Orientation Start time: 10:00 AM

Click HERE to RSVP! 


For questions, contact StudentLife at [email protected] 



San Diego

  • When: Thursday, January 4, 2024
    • Time: 10AM
    • ​MA in Marriage, Couples, & Family Therapy only
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, Industrial & Organizational Psychology, BA Psychology, and Applied Clinical Psychology programs will host virtual academic orientations. Students in these programs do not need to attend an in-person orientation. 

Click HERE to RSVP! 

For questions, contact Student Life at [email protected] 


DALLAS 

When: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Time: Student Check-in 9:30 AM; Orientation Start time: 10:00 AM

Click HERE to RSVP! 

*The Bachelor of Arts, Psychology program will now hold their orientation virtually on Friday, January 5th. Students enrolled in this program do not need to attend the in-person orientation and will receive an email with details on the virtual orientation session. 

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 ID Cards

Getting Your Student ID

Chicago

Incoming new Students will have the opportunity to your photo taken at orientation for your Student ID.  However, if you would like to expedite the process, please email [email protected] with the following information:

  • Your full name
  • Your student ID number
  • Your Program
  • A headshot of yourself with a plain background (please note there cannot be anyone else in the photo with you and this cannot be a photo of a photo)

Dallas

Due to COVID-19 we are currently developing a contactless process to distribute student ID badges. Once this process has been finalized you will be contacted by your Student Support Counselor with more information

 
Online

Incoming new students can send a request to their advisor to request an ID card. You can reach out to [email protected].

SoCal

New students are asked to upload a photo for their student ID when they RSVP to attend New Student Orientation. You will receive information about the student ID process in New Student Orientation communication.

Washington DC

Incoming new students are asked to email a photo to [email protected]. Your request will be recorded, and you will be able to receive your ID as soon as in person classes have resumed. In the meantime, if you need proof that you are a student, email dcfacilities to request an official letter. 


 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 for Fall 2023. Your student account will be charged $131.00 per Fall or Spring semester for 15 weeks of unlimited rides

***Normally, the U-Pass program does not include students in executive-style PhD programs in Business Psychology, Organizational Leadership, or Applied Behavior Analysis (BP PhD: Consulting Track, OL PhD, ABA PhD).  However, the CTA is allowing more flexibility for the 2023 Fall semester and these programs will qualify to enroll in the U-Pass program!  Again, if you do not want the U-Pass for the Fall semester, you can simply opt-out.

If you do not opt-out, your student account will be charged $131.00 for the Spring semester for 15 weeks of unlimited rides.

**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 Friday, January 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 per Fall or Spring semester 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 for Spring 2023. 
 

You will be notified by your Chicago School email when your U-Pass is ready to be picked up on campus. 
 
If you do not opt-out, your student account will be charged $111 for the Fall semester for 15 weeks of unlimited rides. If you have any questions related to the U-Pass, please email [email protected].  ​


View the DC UPass FAQ here!​​​

Contact Us​

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