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 skills, enthusiasm for public discourse and their commitment to open dialogue.

Applications for our Summer 2026 workshops are open now.

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

Applications will be due in early March 2026.

Apply now

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 (see below)

  • No letter of recommendation required

  • No application fee

Open Response Questions

  1. What drew you to this program? What will you bring to it from your past experiences? What do you hope to take from the program? (Not to exceed 150 words)

  2. Name a book, artwork, essay or article (journalistic, academic, scientific, etc.) that has changed your mind. How did it change your mind, and why? (Not to exceed 150 words)

  3. What do you feel is the biggest challenge, for you personally or on your campus, for engaging in thoughtful conversation about the things that matter to you? (Not to exceed 150 words)

  4. Respond to one of the following two questions: (1) What is the most important resource—material, intellectual, psychological, etc.—for living a good life today? (2) Is technology a force for good or evil in your life? (Not to exceed 300 words)

How to Apply

Questions?

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