For many UChicago students, Convocation doesn’t mean saying goodbye to campus—it just means moving to a different building. As of May 5, 15 percent of the class of 2025 plans to continue their studies at UChicago, according to Meredith Daw, executive director of Career Advancement.
The University currently has more than 100 postgraduate degree programs, including 63 doctoral programs and 35 master’s programs, several of which actively encourage current undergraduates to apply through special programs.
For example, the University offers a variety of “4+1” master’s programs, which allow undergraduates to take graduate-level courses during their fourth year and earn a master’s degree with just one additional year of study.
The Pritzker School of Medicine allows UChicago undergraduates to apply to the Accelerated Medical Scholars program, which invites “outstanding” undergraduates to begin medical school during their fourth year, and the Law School offers the Chicago Law Scholars program, a binding admissions option for current UChicago students and alumni that guarantees $150,000 of merit-based financial aid to all participants.
According to Ellie Steger, a graduating fourth-year, the Chicago Law Scholars scholarship was a large part of her motivation to apply early decision to the UChicago Law School. Steger added that she is also excited about the teaching style at the Law School, which she said reminds her of her undergraduate experience.
“The UChicago Law School continues the Core-focused, Socratic seminar–esque teachings that you would experience in a hum or sosc class, which I did enjoy a lot, so compared to other [law] schools, which are more lecture-focused, I liked the idea of that,” Steger said. “Law is an argument. It would be good to start getting into that in class rather than having to jump right into it when you start working.”
UChicago Law’s small student body was another selling point for Steger; its total J.D. enrollment for the 2024–25 academic year is just 620 students. “I like the kind of small atmosphere, and the UChicago Law School is just one little building,” she said. “I also like that the UChicago Law School [class] is pretty small, and apparently [it] has one of the less competitive atmospheres [compared to] other law schools.”
“They also have a lot of very interesting clinics dealing with immigration and housing and small business, specifically in Hyde Park,” she added. “I think [it’s] really cool to be able to… directly help the community that I clearly like.”
“A lot of my friends are actually also staying for [their] master’s. I’m also excited to put off leaving campus and final senior FOMO for three more years,” Steger said.
Steger added that her friends and peers have been supportive of her decision to stay in Hyde Park for law school. “Most of [my friends] have been really happy for me,” she said. “I’ve talked about law school all four years and finally got it. They’ve helped me with apartment hunting and such, and [have] been really great about it.”
Jarvis Zhang, another graduating fourth-year student, also plans to remain in Hyde Park after graduation, albeit on a slightly different path. Zhang, an astrophysics and mathematics double-major, will be completing the 4+1 Master’s Program in Computer Science, earning an S.M. in computer science after one year of additional study instead of the typical two.
For Zhang, the 4+1 program serves two purposes: it allows him to earn a master’s degree while also giving him the time and space to apply to Ph.D. programs. “I have several research projects going on, so I need one more year to wrap it up and get publications,” Zhang said. “I am continuing another project this summer which will help me get my third letter of recommendation, so, at the end of this year, I should be prepared to apply for Ph.D. programs.”
Zhang said that, while the decision to stay an extra year was a practical one, it won’t be easy staying in Hyde Park as many of his friends move on. Still, he knows a few others who are staying for their master’s degrees. “I’m happy to [meet] new people too,” he added.
Both Zhang and Steger are excited to continue their education at UChicago from both a practical and social standpoint, even as many of their peers leave campus after graduation.
“I’m excited to return to my favorite restaurants and areas here next year,” Steger said. “I’ve become familiar with [this community] over the past four years… [and] not having to adjust to a new place while going through such a big change as law school is a relief.”
