TTIC New Student Update 

New Student Orientation

Monday, September 21 – Thursday, September 24

TTIC is excited to invite you to orientation. Please report to TTIC for the New Student Orientation on Monday, September 21.  Contact Student Services if you have any conflict with attending orientation. We cover registration, student services, the PhD program, health insurance, stipend, and you’ll have a chance to interact with the TTIC community. You will meet with your advisor and fellow PhD students during the week. You will get details on how to get your TTIC-UChicago campus ID cards, navigate the 2-school registration process, and you will get information about things happening in the city, the neighborhood and the campus as the new academic year begins. More details and events will be shared throughout the summer. 

The Autumn Quarter will officially begin Monday, September 28.

New Student Website

Ongoing information updates for new students can be found on the New Student website. Updates will appear on this site throughout the summer and will additionally come in summer emails. To help you keep track of what needs to be done before September enrollment, the website has a handy checklist.

New Student Laptops/Notebooks + TTIC Email

Please be in touch with Adam Bohlander, TTIC’s Director of Information Technology asb@ttic.edu. to set your ttic.edu address name. This is the first step in the matriculation process.

As you were notified in your admit letter, new students have a “computing equipment fund” of $3,500. Please start thinking about what specifications you may request for your new laptop and equipment. Adam asb@ttic.edu will work with you (in consultation with your advisor) on getting a machine and equipment that will serve your needs. To give him time to process all requests before your arrival, please email him by July 31.

Slack Groups

TTIC uses Slack to communicate institute-wide announcements and reminders, as well as to connect with the rest of the TTIC community.

To help you get acquainted with both your fellow incoming class and current TTIC students, we will add you to all TTIC’s general channels and to the #housing channel. This second channel may be helpful as you search for housing and/or answer any questions you may have about living in Chicago.

You will receive a Slack invitation once your TTIC email address is created and will be added to the channels after.

Student ID# and cNet ID Registration

TTIC students will have IDs in two systems: TTIC and UChicago. In early August, TTIC Student Services will be sending you your UChicago student ID and system login information. (You must have your TTIC email already set with the IT Director.) The ID and login info will allow you to access registration, various TTIC and University of Chicago student systems, buildings, and on-campus services including Wi-Fi, transportation, and wellness center & services. ID# and account access will be sent to your TTIC email address.

In early September, you will receive the invitation to TTIC’s system, Populi, and that email will come to your ttic.edu email account as well.

Registration for courses will take place during orientation week, using these logins.

Immunization Records

The State of Illinois law requires all students to provide proof of Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) and Tetanus/Diphtheria vaccination. We recommend you ask your doctor to use the UChicago Immunization form, a downloadable PDF of the form is linked here. TTIC accepts this form, as does UChicago. You may use a form your hospital provides as well (if the form is in English and includes the immunizations required for IL State law).  Any information not in English needs to be translated and certified. Completed Immunization records should be uploaded to TTIC and UChicago by October 2. The New Student website has more details on immunizations, how to upload records, and further health matters for students. Incomplete or missing immunization records will result in registration and account holds at both TTIC and University of Chicago.

The website also has more details on U-SHIP student health insurance, which is open for enrollment starting in September.

On-Campus Transportation

The University of Chicago has very convenient bus, shuttle, and rideshare services that serve the campus and Hyde Park/ Kenwood neighborhoods. It's FREE for TTIC students! As you choose your housing, this information may be useful. You can find campus routes and bus information here. (For general Chicago Transit Authority mass transit information, please go here: www.transitchicago.com. The New Student Website has page just on Transportation.

First Stipend Payment after Arrival

New students’ initial stipend checks will be given on the last weekday of October (October 30, 2026). Please make sure you bring enough money into the US to support yourself until you receive your stipend check. 

Please remember, we’re happy to answer any questions you have, so just reach out if there’s anything we can do.

We will send out another monthly update in July. Have a great summer!