Statistics Orientation Week
September 21–25, 2026
Important Deadlines
Diagnostic Exam
Deadline: Friday, September 18
All new students will receive the take-home diagnostic exam by email beginning September 14. Please complete the exam and email it to your faculty advisor by Friday, September 18. Your advisor will review your exam before approving your course registration.
If you are unable to identify your advisor, please email your completed exam to Keisha Prowoznik at kprowoznik@statistics.uchicago.edu.
Required for: All new students
Course Registration
Deadline: Friday, September 25 at 12:00 PM
Meet with your faculty advisor, register online, and email your advisor-approved registration form to Keisha Prowoznik no later than 12:00 PM on Friday, September 25.
Required for: All students
Monday, September 21
Orientation Meeting for Incoming PhD Students
10:15–11:15 AM
Location: Jones 303
Professor Mary Sara McPeek and Student Affairs Specialist Keisha Prowoznik will provide an overview of the PhD program and a brief tour of the student office.
Required for: All new PhD students
Please note:
- PhD students will receive their office desk assignments during orientation.
- MS students may pick up a key to the MS student office at any time during Orientation Week or afterward.
Orientation Meeting for Incoming MS Students
11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Eckhart 133
Professor Mei Wang and Student Affairs Specialist Keisha Prowoznik will provide an overview of the MS program.
Required for: All new MS students
Library Resources Information Session
2:00–2:30 PM
Location: Eckhart 133
Jennifer Hart, Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science Librarian, will introduce library services and resources available to students.
Required for: All new students
Second-Year PhD Student Orientation
2:30–3:00 PM
Location: Jones 111
Professor Mary Sara McPeek will discuss academic expectations and important information for returning second-year PhD students.
Required for: All second-year PhD students
Tuesday, September 22
IT Information Session
12:00–12:30 PM
Location: Eckhart 133
John Zekos will provide an overview of the department's computing resources and campus technology services.
Required for: All new MS students
Lunch with Department Chair Matthew Stephens
12:35–1:35 PM
Location: Jones 303
Join Department Chair Matthew Stephens for lunch as we kick off the academic year.
Required for: All new students
Wednesday, September 23
Physical Sciences Division Welcome & Orientation
9:00–10:00 AM
Location: Logan Center for the Arts
University-wide Graduate Student Orientation hosted by the Physical Sciences Division.
Friday, September 25
Course Registration Deadline
12:00 PM
Advisor-approved registration forms must be submitted to Keisha Prowoznik by noon.
UChicagoGRAD: Career Development & Fellowships
1:00–1:30 PM
Location: Eckhart 133
Presenter: Crystal Camargo, Master's STEM Advisor
Required for: All students
PSD Career Services
1:30–2:00 PM
Location: Eckhart 133
Presenter: Alma Ceballos
Required for: All students
Fire Safety Training
2:00–2:30 PM
Location: Eckhart 133
Megan Utley, Laboratory Safety Specialist, will provide required fire safety training.
Required for: All students
Tuesday, September 29
First Day of Classes
Please refer to the Course Search for your class schedule and classroom locations.
Thursday, October 8
Start of the Year Party
5:00–7:00 PM
Location: Searle Quad (Outdoors)
Celebrate the beginning of the academic year with fellow students, faculty, and staff. Food and refreshments will be provided.
