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Q
What ages are Lab students?
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A
The Laboratory Schools are organized as follows:
Nursery School and Kindergarten: N3, N4, and K (ages 3-6)
Primary School: Grades 1-2 (ages 6-8)
Lower School: Grades 1-4 (ages 8-10)
Middle School: Grades 5-8 (ages 10-14)
High School: Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)
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Q
What are the age requirements for entry?
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A
All applicants should begin the application process in fall of the year prior to enrollment. Thus, Nursery 3 applicants are two years old when they apply and are three years old when they enter Lab.
Nursery 3 applicants must be 3-years-old before September 1 of the year of entry
Nursery 4 applicants must be 4-years-old before September 1 of the year of entry
Kindergarten applicants must be 5-years-old before September 1 of the year of entry
Grade 1 applicants must be 6-years-old before September 1 of the year of entry
Grades 2 – 12 applicants who are younger than their grade-level peers may be asked to consider application to the age-appropriate grade.
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Q
When should I begin the application process?
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A
Lab's application process begins in the fall of the year prior to enrollment. For example, entering 9th grade students begin the application process in September of their 8th grade year. Similarly, Nursery 3 (three year old children) applicants are two years old when they apply, and are three years old when they enroll at Lab.
Please click the section marked "Apply" to the left, and follow applicable deadlines for the desired grade of entry.
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Q
When are the application deadlines?
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A
Nursery 3: Online application submission by 11:59 p.m., September 28, 2012.
9th Grade: Part one of the application process should be completed by no later than 11:59 p.m., November 30, 2012.
Application deadlines for all other grade levels are located under the applicable grade levels under the section marked "apply".
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Q
What are the best "points of entry" into the Laboratory Schools?
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A
Nursery 3 and Grade 9, typically, are the best points of entry into Lab. Nursery 4, Kindergarten, Grades 1 – 7 and Grades 10 – 11 typically have openings only through attrition. Special circumstances determine the consideration of applications to Grade 8 and Grade 12.
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Q
Do you accept applicants who are not affiliated with the University of Chicago?
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A
Yes! Every class level contains a diverse group of families, including many who are not affiliated with the University of Chicago. Lab welcomes all applicants, both affiliated and non-affiliated, into its community.
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Q
What is the application process at the Laboratory Schools?
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A
Please click on the link to the left, marked "Apply", for detailed information about the application and admissions process. If you have questions as you apply, please feel free to contact the Admissions Office, at 773-702-9451.
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Q
How do I access necessary forms to complete the application process?
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A
Please click on the link to the left, marked "Apply", for detailed information about the application process, as well as all application forms.
In an effort be environmentally conscious, we are no longer mailing printed application materials. If you find that you cannot download the forms on our website, please contact us at 773-702-9451 or at admissions@ucls.uchicago.edu.
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Q
Will my child be interviewed as a part of the application process?
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A
Yes!
We believe that each child is unique, and can shine in ways not captured by test scores or paper applications. Our Admission Team looks forward to personally meeting all applicants to Lab!
Our youngest applicants (Nursery 3, Nursery 4, Kindergarten and Grade 1) will be invited to attend a playgroup involving a small group of children led by our faculty in our classrooms at the Laboratory Schools. Nursery children may be accompanied by one parent during the playgroup.
Applicants to grades 2, 3, and 4 will be invited to participate in an age appropriate classroom visit. During the visit, applicants will engage in classroom activities while working with and being observed by a teacher from our Admissions Committee.
Middle School (grades 5-8) and High School (grades 9-12) applicants will meet individually with a member of the Admissions Committee. Additionally, these applicants may experience a day at Lab while "shadowing" a current Lab student.
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Q
How do I schedule a visit to the Laboratory Schools?
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A
All applicants to Lab will have an opportunity to tour the Schools and meet with a member of the Admissions Team. Specific tour/open house dates and procedures will be provided to all applicants as part of the application process. Unfortunately, Lab does not offer tours to non-applicant families.
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Q
When will I receive an admission decision?
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A
Grade 9 notifications for the 2013-2014 academic year are scheduled to be mailed in March, 2013.
Admissions notifications for all other grade levels will be mailed in Spring, 2013. Please check the specific grade level for details on the notification mailing date.
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Q
Is there a waiting list?
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A
Lab does not maintain a formal wait list. Instead, it is Lab’s practice to establish a wait pool for admissible applicants* to open grades. Wait pool applicants are not ranked, and the Admissions Office cannot provide families with an applicant’s number or position within the pool. Wait pools are only open/active for the current admissions season. Students who wish to be considered for admission the following year must reapply.
If you are interested in a grade level that is currently full, Lab encourages you to join the Interest Pool. To learn more about the Interest Pool, please open the drop down menu on the "Admissions" tab, and click the link marked "Interest Pool".
*Admissible applicants are those students who have completed the application process, and have been determined to be admissible by the by the Admissions Committee.
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Q
What is the Laboratory Schools connection to the University of Chicago?
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A
The Laboratory Schools are a division of the University of Chicago and, like the University of Chicago Hospitals, the Law School or the Chicago Booth School of Business, we are an integral part of the University community. Nearly half of our families are employed by the University and many more have connections to it, past and present. University of Chicago faculty and prospective faculty receive priority attention in the application process.
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Q
Where are the Laboratory Schools located?
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A
Our address is 1362 E. 59th Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
For detailed directions to Lab, please click on the link to the left, marked “Directions and Parking”. The Admissions Office is located in Judd Hall, room 120.
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Q
How do I contact the Laboratory Schools Admissions Office?
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A
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Admissions Office, Judd 120
1362 E 59th St Chicago, IL 60637
Telephone: 773-702-9451
Fax 773-702-1520
Email: admissions@ucls.uchicago.edu
Website: www.ucls.uchicago.edu/admissions