The University of Chicago has quietly introduced a unique Early Decision round for this admissions cycle: The Summer Student Early Notification (SSEN), which we at Ivy Coach like to call ED 0. This new round, which precedes the university’s ED I and ED II rounds, adds a secretive fifth option to the existing admissions rounds. The question arises, why the secrecy around ED 0? It’s not even listed on Chicago’s website detailing the various rounds! A closer look reveals an intriguing answer.

In their ED 0 announcement, the UChicago Summer Session states, “Starting fall 2024, students who complete any of our UChicago Pre-College Summer Session Programs may apply through our binding early notification option in their final year of high school.” 

They continue, “Students who have completed a UChicago residential or online UChicago Pre-College Summer Session program are eligible to apply to UChicago through our binding UChicago Summer Student Early Notification option under the Early Decision I plan. This early notification option is available to eligible students among our four standard application plan options for first-year applicants, including Early Decision I, Early Action, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. Students are eligible if they are in their final year of high school and have participated in a UChicago Summer Session program during any of their high school summers. Eligible students may apply using this option from September 1 to October 15, and will receive an admissions decision three weeks (or prior to November 1) after completing their full application during this time frame.”

The Real Reason UChicago Introduced a New Early Decision Round for 2024-25 Applicants

The University of Chicago loves its ED applicants more than any other school. Hence, it has the highest yield among elite colleges — even higher than Harvard University — because it fills its campus with many Early applicants. We at Ivy Coach can’t say we blame UChicago for this strategy. Why wouldn’t admissions officers want to admit highly enthusiastic students who know without a doubt that UChicago is the school for them? 

However, this new ED 0 round takes this admissions priority to a new level. High school seniors can apply to UChicago by October 15th and receive an admissions decision before submitting applications for other Early rounds! So if a student gets a rejection letter on October 31st (spooky!), nothing stops them from applying to another school’s binding Early Decision round on November 1st. It sounds like a win-win: UChicago admits a cohort of exuberant future Maroons, and these fortunate high schoolers get to breeze through senior year with an elite college acceptance under their belt. 

So what’s the catch? The only students eligible for ED 0 are those who completed a UChicago Pre-College Summer Session Program. We at Ivy Coach have little stomach for these sorts of programs. Families will shell out thousands of dollars to participate in what amounts to a revenue-generating ploy for the host university that fails to incur significant admission advantages. Moreover, when admissions officers from other schools see that you’ve done a summer program at a rival school, they’re bound to feel scorned that you didn’t attend their school’s program and likely applied elsewhere in the Early round. It’s a risky move, often resulting in a substantial financial burden with few tangible benefits. So, how is UChicago’s version any different?

SSEN is UChicago’s Attempt to Give Summer Session Students a Genuine Advantage

For the students who know early on that UChicago is where they are meant to be, we see no issue with enrolling in a summer session and applying for ED 0. You’ll be extra enticing to UChicago’s admissions officers, but should you be rejected, you’ll still have a competitive advantage by applying to another institution during the ED I round. 

But don’t kid yourself that your Summer Session is anything other than a revenue-generating ploy. Admissions officers at other schools won’t be impressed if they see a UChicago summer session on your resume (even if they have a convenient blind spot about their own summer programs). So, if this new-fangled ED 0 program is enticing to you, be sure to leave it off your other college applications and fill up the remainder of your summer with competitive activities that advance your singular admissions hook — which is what admissions officers like to see!