Collegiate Scholars Program

Founded in 2003 and operated through the University of Chicago's Office of Civic Engagement, the Collegiate Scholars Program (CSP) is a three year program designed to encourage high achieving and underrepresented Chicago Public Schools students to apply to and succeed at highly selective colleges and universities.

CSP is shaped around a core curriculum of humanities, social science, math, and science courses.
During the summer months, scholars are taught by University of Chicago faculty and PhD candidates.
Enrichment activities during the academic year are geared toward college readiness, leadership development, civic engagement and cultural exploration.

In light of the COVID-19 crisis and in an effort to protect the health and safety of our shared community, CSP Class of 2023 interviews will not be held this spring as originally planned. The CSP admissions and recruitment process has been postponed until the start of the Chicago Public Schools 2020-2021 academic year. We are now planning to host CSP in-person interviews with finalists throughout the month of September. The CSP team will reach out to applicants with additional updates as we know more. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time, and encourage you to contact us if you have any questions.

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Scholars

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved in helping Chicago Public Schools students find success through the University of Chicago Collegiate Scholars Program.

Current scholars

Prospective scholars

Profiles

Isaaq Khader
Collegiate Scholars Program

“I feel like CSP gave me a cheat sheet for college. Now I know how to take advantage of all the resources, I know that you have to get to classes on time, and that it’s always a good idea to talk with the TAs and go to profs’ office hours.”

Nneka Jones
Collegiate Scholars Program

“I think the number one aspect for me was the support. I gained a network of faculty, staff, administrators, and like-minded students who weren’t afraid to think critically and really learn. Early exposure to that was essential to my success — and my experience in diverse classrooms prepared me to have deeper conversations with professors and fellow students than what my peers were ready for. That’s a skill I’ll take through undergrad and graduate school.”

Raven Galloway
Collegiate Scholars Program

“All of us in CSP matured during the program and were more prepared for college because of it.”

More profiles

Social

@chicagobooth’s Civic Scholars Program is equipping nonprofit and public sector leaders with business and management skills that will help them to address challenges at their organizations, thereby bolstering Chicago’s civic sector.
The program provides these professionals with scholarships to Chicago Booth’s MBA programs, and it includes specialized programming that’s highly relevant to their fields. Click the link in our bio to learn more. #partnersinimpact

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Woodlawn Dental Gallery owner Dr. Ogbonna Bowden was forced to shut down all non-emergency operations, cut employee hours, and temporarily halt the Smiles of Tomorrow program - which provides dental care and education for underserved children across Chicagoland.

But a recent COVID-19 bridge grant from @UChicago helped Dr. Bowden pay his 10 employees, order additional personal protective equipment, and see a few more emergency patients pro bono. Now, he’s focused on keeping the practice up and running so its charitable work can resume when schools reopen. Full story in bio link! #partnersinimpact

During the pandemic, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club (@HPNClub) has pivoted from usual programming to providing emergency care for children of @uchicagomed frontline workers. Now, a bridge grant from @uchicago is helping HPNC cover operating costs and pay to move some programming online.
HPNC Director of Development Sarah Diwan says providing “academic support to school age youth is core to our mission,” so the organization is also using the funds to outfit its classrooms with laptops and tablets to ensure students have access to online learning once back at HPNC. Tap the link in our bio for the full story! #partnersinimpact

The at-risk young people served by the Woodlawn Restorative Justice Hub (WRJH) have had a particularly hard time adjusting to a new reality in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Executive director Catherine Jackson says a recent nonprofit bridge grant from @UChicago will help WRJH better meet youth where they are in this crisis - providing participants with stipends to help with rent and groceries among other needs, while also supporting staff. Full story in bio link! #partnersinimpact