​​​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.


​​​

​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

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. 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 in-person 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.


Summer 2024 New Student Orientation Schedule



Virtual Student Resources Presentation

​Tuesday, April 30 , 2024 at 4PM PDT/ 6PM CDT/ 7PM EDT

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
  • Office of Student Writing and Learning
  • University Library


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 Orientation Day. Please remember to log into your Chicago School account to access the RSVP form!
​

Chicago

When: Friday, May 3, 2024

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

Click HERE to RSVP! 

*PhD Business Psychology and PhD Organizational Leadership students will have their orientation on t​he 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, May 3, 2024

Time: 10:30 AM

All programs at the DC location will be hosting their Orientation Day virtually; students starting a program at the DC location are not required to come to campus on Orientation Day. Further details will be provided directly to students via email. 

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, April 26, 2024

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

Click HERE to RSVP!  

*The following programs will be hosting their Orientation Day virtually. Students in these programs are not required to come to campus for their Orientation Day:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (MA and PhD)
  • Forensic Psychology (MA and PsyD)
  • Marriage, Family, and Therapy (MA and PsyD)

For questions, contact Student Life at [email protected] 

​



Anaheim

When: Friday, April 26, 2024

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

Click HERE to RSVP!  

*The following programs will be hosting their Orientation Day virtually. Students in these programs are not required to come to campus for their Orientation Day:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (MA and PhD)
  • Forensic Psychology (MA and PsyD)
  • Marriage, Family, and Therapy (MA and PsyD)

For questions, contact StudentLife at [email protected] 

​



San Diego

When: Friday, April 26, 2024

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

Click HERE to RSVP!

*The following programs will be hosting their Orientation Day virtually. Students in these programs are not required to come to campus for their Orientation Day:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (MA and PhD)
  • Marriage, Family, and Therapy (MA and PsyD)

  

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

DALLAS 

​When: Friday, May 3, 2024

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

Click HERE to RSVP! ​

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 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​

[email protected]
Instagram: @thechicagoschoolstudentlife​