The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy offers in-depth policy programs with a distinct strength in the quantitative core.

Building on that strength, the Data and Policy Summer Scholar (DPSS) program equips students with an evidence-based approach to policy and social issues to use in their academic and professional endeavors.

92% of participants found the program to be helpful or very helpful in contributing to their academic and professional goals.

Advance Your Academic Goals

82% of participants are currently in undergraduate or graduate programs. Some examples include:

  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Stanford University
  • University of Chicago

Students pursue a wide range of graduate programs after completing the Data and Policy Summer Scholar program, including:

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Law
  • Math
  • Public Policy
  • Social Science 

Advance Your Professional Goals

Over 10% of workforce participants are in full-time roles with organizations including:

  • AmeriCorps
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
  • China Alliance of Social Value Investment
  • McKinsey and Company
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers

Build a Strong Network

Program participants include:

  • Undergraduate students at leading universities across the globe
  • Working professionals in various sectors and policy areas
  • Incoming Harris graduate students

Program participants are connected with:

  • UChicago faculty and researchers of different policy areas
  • UChicago alumni working around the world
  • University community members in Chicago

The 2020 program included students from:

  • 17 countries
  • 22 U.S. states

Alumni Success Stories

Read about alumni of the Data and Policy Summer Scholar program and see how the program moved their career forward.

    “DPSS participants walk away from the program with the ability to communicate their quantitative approach and data skills to their home universities as well as future graduate school faculty and employers. Decision-makers in academics and the workforce know exactly what they are getting by enrolling and hiring our alumni.”

    – Austin Wright, Faculty Director of DPSS and Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy

     

    The data on this page comes from 78 survey responses from 2018 and 2019 Data and Policy Summer Scholar program participants.