| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Winter Quarter 2025 | Dec. 03, 2024 |
| Summer Quarter 2025 | May. 15, 2025 |
| Autumn Quarter 2025 | Sep. 03, 2025 |
The application portal is now open! For more information on upcoming application deadlines and program news, please get in touch with us today to connect with an enrollment advisor.
Admission Information
We encourage applicants to the Graduate Student-at-Large Returning Scholar bridge program to complete their application by the day of the app deadline to be considered for admission. Admission decisions are rolling, and applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Late applications will be reviewed the following quarter. We recommend late applicants email admissions staff at gsgsadmissions@uchicago.edu.
How to apply
Start your application with our online application form. You'll set up an account with your email address and give us a little more basic information about yourself.
The following materials are required to complete the online application:
- Statement of purpose
- Current resume
- Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
- Official documentation of bachelors degree or equivalent if not included on transcripts
- $75 non-refundable application fee
The GSAL Director, Esther Pandian-Riske, and team will carefully review your application and, should you meet the general application standards, will invite you for either a telephone or in-person interview. The interview is a time for you to share your main objectives and goals for participating in the GSAL, GSALB, or RS programs and an opportunity for the interviewer to help contextualize your academic performance thus far, and make collaborative plans for your academic future. During this time, you will have the opportunity to review courses in the upcoming quarter.
Applicants will be informed of the admissions decision by the end of the interview.
Esther Pandian-Riske, MA, MAPSS
Program Director, Graduate Student-at-Large
Esther Pandian-Riske is the Program Director of the Graduate Student-at-Large Program. Originally from Singapore, she came to Chicago as an international student and has two Master’s degrees from the University of Chicago: a MAPSS from the Graduate Division of the Social Sciences and an MPP from the...
Once you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts to:
The University of Chicago Professional Education
Attention: GSAL
455 North Cityfront Plaza Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
Or via email to gsgsadmissions@uchicago.edu. Transcripts must be submitted by the end of the first week of classes as a GSAL, GSALB, or RS student. Failure to do so may result in the inability to register for courses and disciplinary action.
Applicants to the Graduate Student-at-Large who do not meet the English Language Proficiency criteria must submit proof of English language proficiency. The program requires a minimum TOEFL 104, no less than 26 on each subsection, or IELTS 7, no less than 7.0 on each subsection. Only the TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic tests are accepted as proof of proficiency. Please review score requirements posted on the UChicagoGRAD website for more information.
Meet Your Admissions Counselor
Do you have questions about the GSAL program? The UCPE admissions office is here to help you through the enrollment process. Create your online application as early as possible so that we may create your file and help you track additional materials as they arrive. Contact our admissions adviser if you have any questions along the way through email.
Alexandra Case, MS
Associate Director of Recruitment
Alexandra Case, Associate Director of Recruitment, has over fifteen years of recruitment, admission, and marketing experience. She started her career in higher education at the New York Institute of Technology as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission, then served seven years at Illinois Tech...
Revisit Your Passion Where it Started
Maintain your rigorous academic pace by enrolling in courses through the Returning Scholars program at the University of Chicago.
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