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 mathematical principles, including basic algebra and foundations of calculus. 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 Camp that begins in September. 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 mid-May.  If you believe you could benefit from the program, please discuss this with the Admissions team.

Schedule

The Jumpstart Program will be held August 19 - August 30, 2019.

The scheduled includes academic course work, TA support, professional development opportunities, and social programming. Jumpstart 2019 will see an increase in academic training compared with previous years. Each day, there will be two 90 minute lectures, a review session, and a coding workshop. Additional orientation programming will also be offered during the program to ensure that participants have a smooth transition into Harris.

Testimonials

Laura Benrey (MPP '20) 

"I decided to participate in Jumpstart because I was not confident in my math background for the Core. I was moving to Chicago and deciding a million things at the same time, squeezing Jumpstart into my hectic life did not seem like not a priority then. However, I was SO glad I was able to move early enough so I could start attending the Algebra and Calculus classes. It would have been very hard for me to keep myself accountable to study on my own. One of the greatest things that I got out of Jumpstart was the community that formed out of that student group. It was a great bonding experience and it was also very healthy to know that I was not struggling by myself. I definitely recommend it: for the free food, the organization, the people, and all the resources!"

Kaitlin Lynch (MPP '20)

"I decided to participate in Jumpstart because I did not do as well as I had hoped on the self-assessments and wanted to take advantage of every opportunity to prepare myself for my classes. I am so happy that I was a part of Jumpstart, not only because it prepared me for the algebra exam, but because I met some of my best friends during it. Being able to meet and get to know a small group of people before the entire class came to campus for Math Camp made the transition back to being a student as seamless as possible. 10/10 would recommend." 

Lauren Manning (MPP '20) 

"My decision to attend Harris was deeply rooted in my desire to gain quantitative skills that I wasn't learning on the job. I had been working for five years and had not taken a math class since high school. I was extremely nervous about starting out behind. Jumpstart gave me the confidence to know that I could grow and thrive. I am so fortunate that my closest friends at Harris are the people I met during Jumpstart. The community of support that we built together is exactly what I was looking for from grad school."

Owen Rood (MPP '20)

"Jumpstart is a very well tailored program for incoming students who are concerned that their math toolkit is missing some essential pieces. The curriculum is targeted at the fundamental skills necessary for success in the Harris core. The class is structured in manner that allows for quick absorption of material, but also leaves personal time to settle into a new neighborhood or city. And lastly, the program provides a good opportunity to build confidence in a quantitative area before tackling the challenges of the core."

Sahrish Saleem (MPP '20) 

"I hadn't taken a math class in almost 10 years, so I initially chose to participate in Jumpstart because of the math support. However, I soon found there was value beyond just learning algebra! I was able to get acclimated to UChicago and Harris long before classes started, and got to know second-years who gave me great advice to make the most of my time here. I also made some of my best friends during Jumpstart! Don't pass up on the opportunity to participate!"