<p>How well would visiting UChicago in the summer work? My son's spring break doesn't work, and we are far enough away that taking time off during senior year is going to be a real stretch. Could he meet with folks in the computer science/math departments? He is thinking about a dual major in CS/Math, and definitely is more interested in CS theory than either programming or 'wires and pliers' engineering.</p>
<p>I visited last June, like the week after Spring Quarter let out. There were lots of people on campus, probably not as many as during the school year though. The admissions office was open, so I had an interview, info session, and tour. I got to walk around a bit, eat lunch in Hutch, bought a T-shirt, etc. All very stereotypical college-visit activities. As for talking to professors, I couldn’t tell you. I failed to take advantage of that opportunity. But if you go close enough to the school year, so mid-June or mid-September, there ought to be a few profs on campus. I’d think you could probably get an appointment with one or two of them.</p>
<p>There are classes during summer quarter, but I don’t your if son will be able to attend these as a prospective student. As the earlier post suggests, the teachers for these courses aren’t top tier.</p>
<p>Lasermouse9: Western Civ teachers not top tier?</p>
<p>Hey, I’m a current U of C student and I’m gonna be around taking classes in the summer. Just send me a private message and i’ll be happy to show your son around campus and maybe take him to one of my classes to sit in.</p>
<p>The admissions office is definitely open during the summer. We have information sessions M-F at 9:30 am and 12:30 pm, and tours at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. Starting July 25 we have additional Saturday information sessions at 9:30 am and tours at 10:30 am. Additionally, you and your son might consider signing up for a Friday program day. In addition to a tour and information session you will also sit in on a 45 minute student panel, where usually about 5 current students will be on hand to field questions. </p>
<p>Go to collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu for more info. </p>
<p>And one further note about visiting during the summer: U of C does have a summer quarter so students are still very much on campus. There are hundreds of UChicago kids who live and work in Hyde Park or Chicago over the summer so you’ll also see them walking around the neighborhood/eating at all the good restaurants, etc. And the weather is really nice in Chicago during the summer, so you can also walk to the beach/visit the Museum of Science and Industry which are both located at the easternmost part of our neighborhood.</p>
<p>The Math Dept. at U.Chicago has a summer program for undergraduate math majors called VIGRE REU, which includes coursework unavailable during the regular school year, work with graduate student mentors in the production of a paper, and (in the upper levels) work as a counselor with high school kids or public school teachers. I believe, therefore, that the Math Department remains open for business during the summer (although I don’t know how accessible the profs involved in the program would be for meetings with prospective students).</p>
<p>We have been visiting our son at the beginning of the summer since he started doing that program, and it’s a very nice time to see the campus. I would really recommend that you walk out to the lake and along the lakeshore, as well as the neighborhood on the north side of campus, to get a feel for the surrounding area. And if you can fit it in and your son is agreeable to the idea, the Oriental Institute has an amazing collection.</p>
<p>nemom - since UChicago is on the quarter system, school is still in regular session during early June (check the academic calender). Alternatively, he could apply and then attend the accepted students weekend next Spring and make his final decision after that visit</p>