How to apply

The Summer Workshop is open to college students from all over the United States interested in promoting public intellectual life—whether through journalism and cultural criticism, nonprofit work, politics, science and technology, or the arts. We welcome students with diverse educational backgrounds and perspectives to apply. Participants will be selected based on their enthusiasm for public discourse and their commitment to open dialogue.

Applications for our two Summer 2025 workshops (Democracy and the Elites, Art and Immorality) are now open.

Note: there is no application fee for the Summer Workshop.

Deadline to submit your application: March 5, 2025.

Application Requirements

  • Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college or university.

Required Materials

  • Basic personal and educational details (name, address, email address, citizenship, extracurriculars etc.)

  • Academic transcript from your college or university

  • Writing sample/clip (academic or otherwise)

  • Responses to supplemental application questions

  • No letter of recommendation required

  • No application fee

How to Apply

  • Click here to be taken to the UChicago Summer Session website.

  • In the dropdown menu, select “Featured Public Thinking Classes.” You are welcome to click on the course numbers for each workshop to explore the two workshop offerings: (1) Democracy and the Elites, and (2) Art and Immorality.

  • Click “Apply” to begin an application.

  • If you are a first-time user, click “Create an account” and follow the steps to register with the Summer Session website, then begin the application process.

  • You will not be subject to the $50 Summer Session application fee.

Questions?

Check out our FAQ or contact us directly at publicthinking@uchicago.edu.