The Online Application will guide you through the preparation of a complete application step-by-step. Here is a quick overview of the application requirements. You can review this list again later.
Required Materials
The Graduate Admissions Committee will not be able to formally consider your application until all of the materials listed below have been received.
* A minimum TOEFL score of 60 in each subscore, or, on the computerized version of the test, a minimum score of 25 in each section and a total of 250 is required.
The materials other than the online application should be sent as part of a single supplementary materials packet. The firm deadline for completed applications is January 5. Note that we do not allow students to begin in the middle of the academic year. All material sent by mail should be sent in one single packet to
Laurie Wail
Department of Mathematics, Ph.D. Program
University of Chicago
5734 S. University Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637
USA
Under no circumstances should any material be sent to the
Dean of Students Office, or any University address other than
the one above.
It is recommended that you send your package by certified mail or express mail with delivery confirmation service. Due to the high volume of applications, we will not be able to confirm receipt. The Admissions Committee generally finishes making decisions by March 31. As soon as a decision on your application has been made, you will be notified either by first class mail or airmail (for foreign applicants).
Statement of purpose: This is an opportunity for you to explain the reasons behind your desire to pursue graduate study in mathematics. You may wish discuss any relevant facts about your education or experience with mathematics which are not apparent in the other material you submit, the kind of mathematics you find interesting or wish to pursue in graduate school, and what you plan to do after obtaining a Ph.D.
Letters of recommendation: These should be written by people who know your work well, and can judge your potential for success in graduate study. Recommenders who can offer a detailed and candid assessment of your qualifications and motivation for graduate study are preferred. Letters of recommendation should be accompanied by the University of Chicago Recommendation Form, which may be downloaded during the online application process. Recommenders should return the letters to you in sealed envelopes with signatures across the flap, to be included in a packet with the other material you send by mail. Also, electronic letters of recommendation is a new added feature to the on-line application.
GRE scores: We strongly recommend that you take the GRE exams prior to the last test date in December to ensure that your scores reach us in time. We will accept scores after the deadline, but the late arrival may hurt your chances for early acceptance. We do not require a minimum score on either of the exams. Include a photocopy of your GRE score report, if available; we will insert a copy of the official report in your file when it arrives. We review applications which do not include GRE scores, but please note that competition for admission is keen, and the strongest applications always include GRE scores.
TOEFL: The TOEFL or IELTS is required of all foreign applicants. Exceptions are made for students who are citizens of English-speaking countries (Canada, UK, Australia, etc.), and for foreign students who will receive a degree from an English-speaking university. The Mathematics Department requires an OFFICIAL copy of your TOEFL or IELTS scores if your native language is not English or if you have not completed more than one year of study in a U.S. college or university within the last five years. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years only. The TOEFL minimum for the Univeristy of Chicago is 600 (paper exam) or 250 (computerized exam), with minimum section scores of 60/25. (For the new TOEFL exam beginning in September 2005, the minimum score will be 100, with subscore of 26 each.) The IELTS minimum score is 7, with subscores of 7 each. No application below the minimum score will be considered. To expedite the application process, please include a photocopy of your TOEFL score report in addition to sending an official copy. All TOEFL scores sent to the University of Chicago are first directed to the Office of International Affairs, and then to individual departments. For this reason, we will not be able to confirm receipt of the official score report. For further detailed information regarding the university's TOEFL/IELTS requirements please visit: http://internationalaffairs.uchicago.edu/prospective/toefl.shtml.
Application fee: The application fee is $55. The University of Chicago does not refund or defer application fees. A waiver of the application fee can only be considered if an applicant is a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or refugee, and the applicant's undergraduate financial aid officer certifies that the fee payment would represent a substantial financial hardship. Waivers cannot be granted to foreign applicants. Applications will not be considered without the appropriate fee.
Financial aid: All students who are offered admission will also be offered a full financial aid award which includes a full tuition scholarship and a living stipend. There are no teaching duties during the first year. Financial aid is guaranteed to admitted students for up to five years, subject to satisfactory academic performance and satisfactory performance as a teacher. Aside from the Financial Data Form included with the online application, no special financial aid form or GAPFAS application is necessary.
Graduate catalog: The University of Chicago
has joined other
universities in the practice of charging for copies of its
graduate catalog. The charges are $6 for a copy mailed to
a US address, $11 for a copy mailed to a foreign address,
and $3 for a copy picked up at the University. To obtain
a copy, you must send a request and check for the required
amount to: Office of Graduate Affairs, University of Chicago,
5801 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637.
Questions? admissions@math.uchicago.edu