The Application for the Chicago Scholars Class of 2031 is Open!
Who is eligible for Chicago Scholars?
- Juniors in high school who will graduate in 2027
- Students who live in and attend high school in Chicago
- Students who will be a first-generation college student (neither parent graduated from a four-year college in the US) and/or students who come from a low-income household
- Students who are academically-ambitious, motivated, and believe in the possibility of their unique superpowers
- Students who are demonstrated leaders in their schools, communities, or homes
- Students who are committed to furthering their education and have a strong desire to attend a four-year college
- Mature students who can fully commit to a rigorous academic and leadership development program
- Students with a minimum GPA of 3.0*
*If you are a student with an academic profile that does not meet this criteria and would like to apply, please continue on with the application. There will be a space in the essay portion of this application that allows you to provide proof of an upward trajectory in your academic performance.
Important dates and deadlines
We’ve extended our deadline! Applications are now due February 11, 2026.
Announcing Chicago Scholars Virtual!
New for the Class of 2031, we’re excited to announce a fully virtual version of our program.
Chicago Scholars Virtual (CSV) is a new, fully remote, and asynchronous version of Chicago Scholars Classic, our traditional program. That means that you can access all the learning and information of Chicago Scholars Classic anywhere, anytime through REACH, a web app owned by Chicago Scholars.
This might be a good option for you if:
- Your schedule changes a lot, like if you have an unpredictable work schedule or often have family responsibilities pop up at the last minute
- You live or go to school far away from the Loop and are worried that you might not be able to attend workshops in person
- You have a lot of commitments and want to be able to move through your college and career journey when you have free time
- You learn best when you can move at your own pace, repeat lessons, and take breaks whenever you need them
CSV Scholars are part of the Class of 2031 just like their in-person peers.
It’s important to know that Chicago Scholars Virtual is not exactly like the in-person Chicago Scholars program. CSV Scholars will not:
- Attend the Onsite College and Leadership Forum
- Have cohorts or mentors
- Attend orientation, workshops, or interview and writing labs in person
- Have a Chicago Scholars college counselor
CSV Scholars will be able to take advantage of other Chicago Scholars benefits, including:
- College application support and career and leadership development opportunities
- Chicago Scholars’ exclusive, in-person College Fair
- Chicago Scholars’ exclusive scholarships and internship job board
- Virtual scholarship, college, and internship information sessions
- Access to emergency funds and leadership development funds in college
- Full college partner benefits
Again, the 375 Chicago Scholars Virtual slots are in addition to the 500-600 seats in the Chicago Scholars Classic program. That means there are more opportunities to join the Chicago Scholars community than ever before!
To be considered for CSV, complete the Chicago Scholars application for the Class of 2031. If you are selected for an interview, you will have the chance to let us know whether you prefer the in-person or virtual version of the program.
Want to know more? Save the date for our CSV Webinars: February 24 at 6 p.m.; February 25 at noon; and February 28 at 10 a.m. More details and links to come!
Application Timeline
Why should I apply to Chicago Scholars?
We stick with our Scholars from their first day in our program through their first job after college — and we never really leave. We don’t say “once a Scholar, always a Scholar” for nothing!
Scholars come from all over the city of Chicago to get the resources, training, and opportunities to navigate the college application process, graduate, and transition into a professional career.
Our Scholars are the next generation of leaders who will transform our communities, city, and world. So, when it comes to questions about college, sharpening your leadership skills, or emerging as a young professional—we’re your people.
As a Scholar, you’ll get support with:
Getting to College: During the first part of our program, Scholars receive support and guidance as they navigate the college application process to enroll in a best match-fit college.
Succeeding in College: Scholars receive experiential learning and leadership development opportunities that will help them become the visionary leaders they want to be.
Transitioning from College to Career: We prepare our Scholars for their careers by supporting them with resume building, internship opportunities, interviewing skills, networking, and much more.
FAQ
If you submit your completed application by the priority deadline and meet all our stated requirements, you will be guaranteed an admission interview. This is a big deal, as only a certain number of students who apply will be asked to move forward to this phase of our application process.
Please note that if you meet the priority deadline, your counselor and recommender still have until the standard deadline to submit your letter of recommendation and transcript.
Chicago Scholars staff members take a big-picture approach to reviewing applications. We’re looking for students who are committed to their postsecondary success and will demonstrate their commitment through full participation in our program. As we read applications, we give careful consideration not just to a student’s academic profile, but also to his/her/their character, leadership qualities, academic goals, and potential contributions to the Chicago Scholars community.
When reviewing applications, we consider many aspects of students’ academic profile. We understand there are a multitude of reasons why a student may have a GPA that falls below our academic threshold. Test scores are only used to supplement a student’s academic profile. If in doubt, you may contact the Chicago Scholars Community Engagement Team directly at join@chicagoscholars.org to discuss any concerns.
See more FAQs here.
Chicago Scholars does not share information with third parties, including consent or phone numbers to contact you by SMS.