In the summer prior to your first quarter, you will receive many emails from Harris Orientation which prepare you for the Harris student experience. Starting in late spring, we will compile the information and resources included in those emails below for you to reference as needed. 

Visit this website often, and continue to check your personal and UChicago email accounts for important action items and due dates as you make your transition to Chicago and Harris. 

May 1: Summer 2024 Communications Roadmap

Welcome to the Harris community!

We’re excited to share information about the Harris experience with you in advance of the fall quarter.

In the coming weeks, you will begin to receive three weekly digest emails. These emails will be sent until classes officially begin on September 30.

On Tuesdays, you will receive the Preparedness Digest. This series will outline key steps, actions, and tasks you need to complete over the summer to be set up for success when the fall quarter begins.

On Sundays, you will receive the Events Digest. Use these emails to plan your week, register for events, build your network, and get involved with your UChicago community. These emails will also include information about Harris Orientation programming.

On Thursdays, you will receive the Career Advancement Digest from our Career Development Office ("CDO"). This digest will feature advice, tools, and opportunities designed to help you reach your career goals.

Outside of those digests, we will also send you important emails about academics, orientation, resources, advising, etc., throughout the summer. We will also catalog each Preparedness Digest as well as other communications you may want to refer back to on the Admitted Students Portal. We recommend you review those previous communications and action items in the portal.

And remember, please email us at harrisorientation@uchicago.edu with any questions.

May 3: UChicago Harris Pre-Enrollment Checklist

We are excited that you will be joining Harris this fall! As you begin receiving messages from the Harris Orientation team (harrisorientation@uchicago.edu), we recommend familiarizing yourself with the following resources:

Prepare to apply for your visa. Information about the process, the financial cover sheets, and steps to secure the required documents are sent out via email.

Review the Pre-Enrollment Checklist—this page outlines the important dates and tasks that will set you up for success at Harris.

Scholarship and Financial Aid information will be updated in your my.UChicago account (CNet required) in June. The most accurate scholarship information is available in your application status account.

Learn more about Orientation Programming. Harris offers several pre-matriculation programs to help students acclimate to academic life.

We hope that you will take advantage of the great opportunities Harris has to offer as you prepare for your graduate studies.

Sincerely, 
Your Harris Admissions Team

May 6: Welcome from the Harris Dean of Students Office

Welcome to the Harris community!

I’m Kate Biddle, and I serve as your dean of students at Harris.

The goal of the dean of students office is a simple but important one—to help and support you during your time at Harris. Our team oversees several of the areas that make up your student experience, including:

  • Academic advising
  • Course registration
  • Disability accommodations
  • The Writing Workshop
  • Tutoring for core courses
  • Academic support programs, including Math and Coding Camp and Jumpstart
  • Student policies and conduct
  • Student support and advocacy

The guiding values for my whole team are support and advocacy for students. Our academic advisors work directly with students to provide holistic and comprehensive advising on academic and personal matters. Our Writing Workshop ensures that policy students learn how to tell their story and communicate effectively to address pressing policy challenges. Our financial aid team supports students with financial questions and issues. Our registration team strives to offer students equitable access to the classes that will make them successful. My team and I frequently advocate for students to faculty and instructors, assist students with emergencies, and help you navigate and maximize your Harris experience through hands-on support and resources.

You will be hearing much more from me and my team in the coming months, but you can learn more about the dean of students team here and the academic support we offer, including academic advising.  

At the beginning of August, you will receive an introduction to your assigned academic advisor. At that point, your advisor will be your go-to person and first point of contact throughout your Harris experience. In addition to helping you select classes inside and outside of Harris and tracking your progress toward your degree, academic advisors also support you for both academic and personal concerns and can help resolve most day-to-day issues. They will be your point of support and your advocate for academic success.

Of course, as your dean of students, my most important role is supporting and advocating for you. I encourage you to come to me at any time during your Harris journey to seek help with a problem or emergency or to share feedback about your Harris experience. You are welcome to set a meeting with me, drop in to my office for a quick chat, or talk with me when you see me around Keller. Students are the best and most important part of my job.

I am so excited to meet you and to help you make the most of your time at Harris!

Sincerely,

Kate Shannon Biddle
Dean of Students, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy

May 8: Claim Your CNet and UChicago Email

Our records indicate that you have not claimed your CNet ID, which is a critical step to joining Harris this fall. Without your CNet ID, you will miss out on important communications and orientation activities.

If you still plan to join us in the Autumn 2024 class, please claim your CNet ID and UChicago email address immediately. You will need both to access many important systems starting this summer. Additionally, starting on August 12, 2024, all official Harris and University communications will be sent only to your UChicago email. You are responsible for reading all email correspondence.

If your plans have changed and you do not plan to attend Harris, please confirm that via the enrollment update form.

Your CNet ID and UChicago email are essential for access to all UChicago systems. Systems you will have access to once you claim your CNet ID include:

  • UChicago email: your UChicago inbox
  • Virtual private network (cVPN): secure access to university network resources
  • Dataquest: online learning platform for interactive instruction in coding and data science (access will be shared in July with students who have claimed their CNet ID)
  • Harris Link: our virtual career center
  • Slack: the online instant messaging platform for Harris students
  • Canvas: the learning management platform for orientation modules, course materials, and assignments

Once you claim your CNet ID, your UChicago email address will be automatically created.

If you have questions about setting up your UChicago email account, please email HarrisOrientation@uchicago.edu.

May 13: Your Orientation Roadmap

We know you are curious about upcoming orientation programming and when you should arrive in Chicago. Below is a quick roadmap of some important events and times to look out for. Please note that you are welcome to attend all events, whether or not you are participating in our various pre-orientation academic programming.

Additionally, make sure to check the preenrollment checklist for more information about important deadlines as you get ready for the start of classes.

May 15: Take the Math and Coding Self-Assessments by June 10

The Harris core curriculum assumes proficiency in both algebra and calculus and requires students to use statistical coding. Additionally, all master’s students are required to pass the mandatory math exam, which will be administered at the beginning of Welcome Week on Monday, September 23, 2024.

All students should take the math and coding self-assessments and report their scores to Harris Orientation by Monday, June 10, to help you gauge your current level of mastery and determine whether you should attend Math & Coding Camp. The self-assessments also help our staff understand your current skill level and plan academic support for summer programs and autumn quarter.

Please complete each self-assessment in one sitting (note that the math self-assessment has a time limit), then submit your scores using the forms linked below. We will follow up with targeted recommendations based on your results and share more information about Math & Coding Camp.

Please note that the self-assessments are not officially graded and will only be used to make sure you have access to the right math and coding preparation during orientation.

Follow these links to learn more about the Math Exam and Math & Coding Camp!