Exchange FAQ's

Discuss the opportunity with your Dean of Students office and academic adviser before starting an Exchange application. All students interested in participating in the Exchange must submit a completed application to GRAD Exchange before the start of the academic term. For each participating institution, please review the eligibility requirements and application deadlines on the Exchange application and institution's websites.

Once the course is completed at the host institution and a grade is assigned, the official transcript will be provided to the University of Chicago by the host university. If the host institution has another process for releasing transcripts, it will be the student's responsibility to request an official transcript. All credits earned by Exchange students are accepted by University of Chicago for the equivalent level credit upon receipt of grade reports or transcripts from the host university.

Students who decide to drop a course at a host institution should consult with the host school contact to determine if a course drop is allowed. If permitted, make a formal request to the host institution to drop the course. Notify the GRAD Exchange team that the course at the host institution has been dropped (only after the drop is confirmed by the host institution).

The Exchange programs are intended for currently enrolled PhD students studying at the University of Chicago or at one of our partner institutions. Master's students and other doctoral program students (J.D., M.D., etc.) are not eligible.

Auditing classes is not permitted through BTAA, CMEP, and Ivy Plus Exchange. All of our Exchange programs are intended for students who are taking courses for credit. However, a pass/fail grade may be arranged pending approval from the course instructor. Students must notify GRAD Exchange and their home institution's Exchange coordinator about these pass/fail requests prior to speaking with the course instructor.

Our Exchange programs are open only to currently enrolled UChicago PhD students and visiting PhD students from our partner institutions. If your university is not listed as a partner institution, you are not permitted to participate in any of the academic exchange programs supported by our office.