News | College and Career Readiness

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.

11/21/2019

The Office of Special Programs Helps Students Access UChicago Internships Within the Computer Science Department

The Office of Special Programs helps students like Ryan Wong access unique learning experiences and expand their academic perspectives.

11/21/2019

The Office of Special Programs: It's a Family Affair!

The Office of Special Programs goes beyond just teaching high-school-level skills! Marguerite Faulkner shares why she believes her grandchild will continue to succeed with help from the Office of Special Programs.

07/04/2019

2 sets of twin black girls are CPS valedictorians this year — a ‘powerful example’

Naomi and Nannette Beckley, twin valedictorians from the South Side's Gwendolyn Books College Prep and participants in the Office of Civic Engagement's high school preparation programs, are headed to Yale and Princeton on full scholarships from the Gates Foundation in the fall.

06/24/2019

Twins Bound for Ivy League after UChicago College Readiness Programs

South Side Twins Naomi and Nannette Beckley are bound for Ivy League schools after participating, respectively, in the Collegiate Scholars Program and Office of Special Programs-College Prep, UChicago college readiness and access programs.

06/11/2019

Remembering Tashonda Sanders

Shavon Edmond remembers his peer Tashonda as “an uplifting spirit" and "the glue to many friendships.” Mekhia Harris said Tashonda was “a problem solver” who “never liked to see someone angry.”

01/04/2019

Celebrating 50 Years of College Access

This week, UChicago celebrated 50 years of groundbreaking programs led by the Office of Civic Engagement to help low-income, high-potential Chicago high school students gain admission to, pay for, and thrive in college.

08/03/2018

Chicago High Schoolers Make the Most of Summer at UChicago

The Office of Special Programs-College Prep (OSP) and Collegiate Scholars Program (CSP) are two college readiness programs operating under the Office of Civic Engagement at the University of Chicago., both of which have supported Chicago-area high schoolers this summer as they continue to prepare for college and all that comes with it.

01/10/2018

UChicago Upward Bound Receives $2.5 Million Grant

A new $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education will allow UChicago to continue the Upward Bound Program through the Office of Special Programs-College Prep (OSP) for five more years.

11/02/2017

When Internships Don’t Pay, Some Colleges Will

The New York Times reports on colleges and universities that offer grant funding to defray the costs of taking an unpaid summer internship. Odyssey Scholar Shira Eisenberg '20 was interviewed about her experience in the Metcalf Internship Program at the University of Chicago.

09/19/2017

Student Civic Engagement Pathfinder Provides One Stop for Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities

On September 17, the Office of Civic Engagement launched Student Civic Engagement Pathfinder, an online portal to all of the jobs and volunteer positions offered through its programs and initiatives. Just how many there are might be surprising.

08/03/2017

Collegiate Scholars Program Welcomes Largest Cohort, Prepares for Future Growth

When Michael Quan learned he had been accepted to the Collegiate Scholars Program at the University of Chicago, he was shocked. For good reason: only 14 percent of about 300 applicants were accepted.