GRADUCon 2026

Are you interested in bringing your skills to an industry position? Considering applying to work at a startup? In tech? Consulting? Quantitative finance? The arts? Are you still figuring out potential career paths? On Friday, March 27, attend GRADUCon, the university’s annual career exploration conference exclusively for graduate students, postdocs, and recent graduate alumni. Learn more and register!

IGSAB Tax Filing Drop-in
Tuesday, March 17, 4:00–6:30 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ

It's tax season! Feel free to join us for a drop-in session to meet fellow international graduate students like you and gain some company while filing taxes together. Light refreshments will be provided. This is a space for us to gather as we file taxes—there will not be any individual tax advice.

Submissions Due: Three Minute Thesis Competition!
Submit application form online by Tuesday, March 17, 5:00 p.m.

In a 3MT competition, participants prepare a three-minute presentation about their research using only one static slide. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your work to a broader audience and practice your public speaking skills. A judging panel will award $1,000 to the first-place winner, $500 to the runner-up, and $200 for the third-place winner. The competition will happen May 1. Submit your abstract today!

Go abroad with Fulbright
Thursday, March 19, 9:30–10:30 a.m., Zoom

What exactly is 'the Fulbright'? How can a Fulbright help my career? Would I be a competitive applicant for this well-known fellowship? Join GRAD for an info session designed to answer these questions and more. Please note that only U.S. Citizens are eligible to apply for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. If you can’t make this session, there’s an in-person session on Tuesday, March 24.

Career30: Networking Best Practices
Thursday, March 19, 4:00–4:30 p.m., Zoom

Improve your professional skills in 30 minutes or less! This presentation will provide attendees with essential information on networking best practices. You will learn how to make networking work for you, how to identify and connect with potential networking contacts, and how to conduct informational interview conversations. A Q&A session will follow. This session is appropriate for graduate students and postdocs in all disciplines.

GRAD Help Tax Filing Drop-In
Monday, March 23, 4:00–6:30 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ

Tax season is here, but it doesn’t have to be dull! If you were in the U.S. in 2025, you’ll need to file your tax forms—so come hang out with fellow residents for tax purposes and work on them together. Along with Graduate Council, we’re hosting two drop‑in sessions with light refreshments and snacks to keep things cheerful. This is a peer‑support space, not a tax‑advice clinic, but it’s a great place to get motivated, stay accountable, and avoid navigating the tax process alone. RSVPs are encouraged.

Campus Tour for Families
Tuesday, March 24, 10:30–11:30 a.m., meet at UChicagoGRAD Admissions Suite

Enjoy a guided springtime walk on campus! Each family will receive a drawstring backpack with traveling snacks. RSVP to lmacgregor@uchicago.edu. And this Friday, March 13, join us for a special Crafternoon celebrating Pi day! All welcome, with or without kids.

Schmidt Science Fellows Info Session
Tuesday, March 24, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 noon, Zoom

Led by Dr. David McAllister, Director of Selection and Outreach, this session will provide a comprehensive overview of Schmidt Science Fellows: covering our program goals, selection process, community, and tips for applying. We will be joined by one or two Fellows for the Q&A session who will share insights from their experiences and respond to questions. Students considering applying this year or in the future are strongly encouraged to attend.

Domestic and international graduate students are eligible to apply for on-campus jobs.

Wellness Ambassador - UChicago Student Wellness - UChicago Student Wellness

Documentation Specialist - UChicago Social Sciences Division

Arts Publications Research Assistant - Department of Art History, University of Chicago

Math REU Tutor - University of Chicago - Department of Mathematics

Teaching Assistant for Philosophy Logic Class at UChicago - Department of Philosophy, University of Chicago

Summer Grader - Summer Quarter and September Term - The University of Chicago Summer Session

Spring Break Shuttles
Friday–Saturday, March 13–14, O’Hare & Midway (with select Gleacher Center stops)

Graduate Council Express is back for Spring Break!

Fri 3/13: 9:00 a.m. shuttles to O’Hare & Midway (with Gleacher stops); 2:00 p.m. shuttles to O’Hare & Midway (direct from campus)

Sat 3/14: 9:00 a.m. shuttles to O’Hare & Midway (with Gleacher stops); 2:00 p.m. shuttles to O’Hare & Midway (direct from campus)

Morning O’Hare shuttles depart campus at 9:00 a.m. and reach Gleacher ~9:40 a.m. Morning Midway shuttles stop at Gleacher ~8:10 a.m., then depart campus at 9:00 a.m.

Get your tickets fast! Tickets are free for students and available until 11:59PM CT TONIGHT!

Looking Ahead: Brick & Ivy Ball

Spring quarter will bring plenty to look forward to, including Graduate Council’s signature Brick & Ivy Ball on Friday, April 18. Keep an eye out after break for more details on one of Graduate Council’s signature spring events. It’s a great date to keep on your radar now as you start planning for next quarter. Follow @gc_uchicago on Instagram for real-time updates—more details and signup information coming soon!

Run ‘N Brunch
Saturday, March 28, meet at I-House at 10:00 a.m.

Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, come enjoy a friendly run with the long-standing I-House tradition of Saturday runs! What's better to do on a Saturday morning anyway? Let's hit the pavement together, kick off the weekend on a healthy note, and enjoy great company! We will meet Saturday at 10:00 AM in front of I-House.

Peru Forum 2026: Toward a New National Consensus
Monday, March 30, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Sky Suite, Keller Center

Peru Forum 2026 convenes policymakers, scholars, civil society leaders, and students to discuss Peru’s future ahead of the 2026 elections. Through conversations on democratic institutions, macroeconomic stability, purpose-driven investment, and culture and social inclusion, the forum seeks to generate ideas and dialogue toward a renewed national consensus.

Nowruz: Persian New Year Celebration
Saturday, March 14, 1:00–4:00 p.m., ISAC, 1155 E 58th St

Celebrate Persian New Year at the ISAC Museum! Paint and decorate spring eggs, create your own royal headband, and take a picture around the Haft Seen table. Explore the galleries with family-friendly talks from ISAC scholars and try your best to complete interactive scavenger hunts and gallery puzzles around the museum. Drop in anytime from 1:00–3:00 pm for hands-on activities and gallery experiences, then join us at 3:00 pm for live music.

Love Is Not Enough Film Screening
Wednesday, March 18, 7:00 p.m., Logan Center, 915 E 60th St

Screening of a poignant documentary that captures the essence of resilience and activism at the street level, a critical struggle for change in the heart of Chicago. A panel discussion with filmmaker Valerie Goodloe follows the screening. Light refreshments will be served.

Mindful Art and More Spring Break Programs
Thursday, March 19,1:00–4:00 p.m., Ida Noyes 034, 1212 E 59th St

Join us for an extended Mindful Arts Session, with extra supplies and snacks. Follow our instagram for other programs running over break!

Mindfulness Meditation: Level 1 Course
Registration deadline: Thursday, March 19

Join UChicago Student Wellness' Level 1 Mindfulness Meditation course, Tuesdays (March 24–April 14), 3:00–4:00 p.m. This course provides an introduction to mindfulness meditation that includes instruction and practice of mindfulness meditation and other mind/body techniques to help reduce stress, deepen awareness and strengthen resilience.

ELI Spring Course! Unlocking Academic Writing Conventions: Academic & Professional English Skills
Registration ends Friday, March 27

Turn strong ideas into clear, confident writing. In this course, you’ll learn how to write effectively for a North American academic audience. Build skills in organization, word choice, and tone while practicing revision and source integration. Gain practical tools to edit your work and produce polished academic and workplace writing.

Ten Hundred Word Challenge
Submit online by Friday, April 10

How would your research change if you could only use the 1,000 most common words in the English language? UChicagoGRAD invites grad students and postdocs to submit rewritten, simplified abstracts alongside their more technical originals. All applicants will be eligible to present at a live competition on April 22—food and prizes included!

Spring Meal Plans are Here!

UChicago Dining offers off-campus meal plans for grad students. Choose between four different plans that offer a combination of swipes and maroon dollars.