News | College and Career Readiness

05/26/2021

Chicago Citizen: First-Generation College Student Headed to MIT

Marcus Russell, a Jones College Prep High School Senior and participant in the University of Chicago’s Collegiate Scholars Program, will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a first-generation college student in the fall.

05/26/2021

After an unprecedented year, Chicago Public Schools students graduating from UChicago college readiness programs prepare for their next chapters

This year, all 77 graduates of UChicago's Office of Civic Engagement’s college readiness and access programs were admitted to post-secondary institutions, receiving a total of $13 million in financial aid.

12/15/2020

New class of Collegiate Scholars helps readiness program reach largest ever enrollment

It looks a little different in the remote era, but with its just-admitted cohort, the Collegiate Scholars Program is supporting more high-achieving CPS high school students than ever

11/16/2020

A life-changing surprise: Two South Side high school seniors earn early admission, scholarships to UChicago

Mia Rodgers of South Chicago and Zenin Miller of Hyde Park learned they’ve been admitted to the University of Chicago College Class of 2025 and will have their tuition fully paid.

08/18/2020

Picturing the possibilities at PME: UChicago Collegiate Scholars get a virtual introduction to molecular engineering

For the first time, Collegiate Scholars Program classes were taught virtually, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering's Introduction to Molecular Engineering course where students learned through at-home projects like building circuits.

06/04/2020

The Examined Life: Winning Words prepares high schoolers for an epic ethics competition

Winning Words mobilizes its interns, mostly College students, to foster philosophical conversation among students as young as second graders, with a focus on underserved communities on the South Side.

03/03/2020

Twin Alumni Achieve MBAs and Thank OSP for their Positive Impact

The Office of Special Programs-College Prep has incredible alumni who have achieved undergraduate degrees and beyond. Twins Renard and Ronald Talley are two of these exemplary individuals who joined the Office of Special Programs family in the Spring of 2010.

03/03/2020

Summer Internships with the Center for Data and Applied Computing

Over the summer, we had students from the OSP who participated in amazing research-internship opportunities. Christine Jacinto is one of our bright scholars that interned at the Center for Data and Applied Computing (CDAC), where she experienced machine learning and ethics first-hand.

01/30/2020

Programs prepare Chicago’s future scholars for college success

Collegiate Scholars are high-potential, underrepresented students at Chicago public high schools who participate during the school year in enrichment activities geared toward college readiness, leadership development, cultural awareness, and civic engagement.

01/21/2020

Office of Special Programs Increases Student Confidence Through STEM Internships

Julio Ramirez reflects on the growth he’s experienced with help from the Office of Special Programs and how it has turned him into a more confident and prepared student.

12/19/2019

Chicago Sun-Times: Student who aced AP Spanish test surprised with full ride to UChicago

Arturo Ballesteros, a senior at Back of the Yards College Prep and participant in the University of Chicago's Collegiate Scholars Program, recently learned of his admission to the University of Chicago with a full-ride scholarship.

12/19/2019

Surprise ceremony welcomes student into University of Chicago's incoming class

Chicago high school student Arturo Ballesteros, a member of the Collegiate Scholars Program, recently learned of his acceptance into the University of Chicago at a surprise ceremony and celebration at Back of the Yards College Prep.