Overview

Many of our enrolling students pursue their academic training at Harris to strengthen their skills in data analytics and other evidence-based tools, and some may not have the background in these areas prior to enrollment. The core curriculum at Harris exposes students to economic theory, game theory, statistics, calculus, and algebra.

The Jumpstart Program provides a refresher on these mathematical principles and concepts needed to successfully navigate the Core. It is a two-week customized program designed specifically for enrolling students that have a limited quantitative background prior to joining Harris. Students will work one-on-one with lecturers, tutors, and second year Harris student teaching assistants during the program.

The program is intended to prepare students ahead of time for the larger Harris Math & Coding Camp that begins in prior to the start of the Autumn academic quarter. All enrolling students, regardless of prior quantitative strengths, are encouraged to participate in Math Camp.

Registration

Acceptance into the program is based on invitation, and there is no cost to participate in Jumpstart. Invitations to participate will go out in early summer.  If you believe you could benefit from the program but do not receive an invitation, please contact the Harris Admissions Office.

Testimonials

Interested in hearing from former Jumpstart attendees? Check out these testimonials from the last three years of Jumpstart participants.

Schedule

The Jumpstart Program will be from August 16 through August 27, 2021. The schedule includes academic course work, TA support, professional development opportunities, and social programming. 

In 2021, we will offer both in-person and virtual options for participants, barring changes in public health requirements. The schedule will consist of a daily lecture and TA session. When registering, participants will choose from one of two options:

• Section 1, In-Person: 1:00-2:30pm Chicago Time (lecture) & 2:45-3:45pm Chicago Time (TA session)
• Section 2, Virtual-Only: 1:00-2:30pm Chicago Time (lecture) 7:00-8:00pm Chicago Time (TA Session) – the virtual-only section will take place entirely over Zoom.

The lecture each day will be dual-modality, with the option for Section 1 students to participate in-person while Section 2 students participate virtually through a Zoom meeting. Space in Section 1 will be limited to ensure proper social distancing in classrooms.

Students interested in participating in Section 1 (In-Person) of Jumpstart must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and submit proof of vaccination by August 1 to the University. Unvaccinated students with an approved exemption, or who are in the process of being fully vaccinated, will be subject to weekly testing and may be required to follow additional mitigation measures. Students who are in the process of being vaccinated should email a copy of their vaccine appointment confirmation to studentwellness@uchospitals.edu by August 1. UChicago’s COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs can help answer additional questions about vaccination requirements.

Instructional Mode Definitions:

• Dual-Modality: Combines in-person and virtual participants in one synchronous environment. For Jumpstart, students in Section 1 will be in the classroom with the instructor during the Math Lecture while students from Section 2 login via Zoom to participate in the same lecture.
• In-person: Teaching and participation both occur live and in the classroom.
• Virtual only: Teaching and participation occur entirely remotely and over Zoom.

Additional orientation programming will also be offered during the program to ensure that participants have a smooth transition into Harris.

Curriculum

The Jumpstart curriculum incorporates elements of algebra and an introduction to calculus to prepare you for success in Harris Math & Coding Camp, the mandatory Math Exam, and the core curriculum. Curious what skills will be included in Jumpstart? Check out the topic list below.