Incoming Student Drip Letter - 2025 - First Steps for New Admits

Sep 16, 2026

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Congratulations on admission to the University of Chicago and instructions for completing key onboarding tasks before the upcoming fall term. The letter explains how starting in May, orientation communications will be delivered and where to find resources over the summer. It details steps to claim a CNet ID, set up Two-Factor Authentication, access UChicago email via Microsoft Outlook, and upload a Photo ID, including impacts on Housing, ID card, and U-Pass timelines. It also shares an orientation webinar schedule and Orientation Week move-in timing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Welcome and orientation overview

Orientation emails and resource website

College welcome webinar

Pre-arrival tasks checklist

1. Claim your CNet ID

2. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

3. Access Your UChicago Email

4. Upload Photo ID Submission

Dates to mark on your calendar

Orientation Week start and move-in check-in

UCID: Dear First Name Last Name, Congratulations on your admission to the University of Chicago! We are excited by your decision to join our undergraduate community and look forward to supporting your academic journey. Starting in May, you will begin receiving orientation emails from College Programming and Orientation (CPO) that are designed to properly onboard and introduce you to resources and support services available to you as a student. All communications sent to incoming students will also be available [at](at orientation.uchicago.edu. This website will)[ ](at orientation.uchicago.edu. This website will)[orientation.uchicago.edu](at orientation.uchicago.edu. This website will)[. This website will](at orientation.uchicago.edu. This website will) serve as your primary resource throughout the summer, as you prepare for your arrival and acclimation to campus. Additionally, please save the date for the College’s welcome webinar hosted by Melina Hale, Dean of the College, on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM CDT. This webinar is open to all incoming students and their families, we hope you can join us! Before you join us on campus next fall, there are several important tasks you’ll need to complete. Below you will find the first of these tasks, which should be completed in order and as soon as possible. 1. Claim your CNet ID Your CNetID (Chicago Network Identifier) is a username that you select and will use to access most online services at the University. Your campus email address contains your CNetID and services such as wireless access, my.UChicago, and Canvas all use your CNetID and password for access. It also allows you to receive important information from the Registrar, student services, and other University administrative offices. You can choose any available CNetID, but since your CNetID cannot ever be changed, we strongly recommend choosing something you’ll want in the future. Think of this as the email address you’ll use to apply for a job someday. To create your CNetID, visit [cnet.uchicago.edu/claimacct/index.jsp](cnet.uchicago.edu/claimacct/index.jsp. You will need your)[. You will need your](cnet.uchicago.edu/claimacct/index.jsp. You will need your)[ ](cnet.uchicago.edu/claimacct/index.jsp. You will need your)birthdate and student ID number, which can be found on the upper right-hand side of this letter. If you do not have access to your ID number, please contact College Programming and Orientation at [college-programming@uchicago.edu](college-programming@uchicago.edu) or by text at 773-702-8616. 2. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Once you have created your CNetID, you will be prompted to set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA); please do not use your high school email address. We encourage you to register two devices if possible, as well as claim 10 one-time-use passcodes in the event you lose or break your registered device(s) . For more information on 2FA, please visit [cnet.uchicago.edu/2FA/faq](cnet.uchicago.edu/2FA/faq). 3. Access Your UChicago Email Once you have created your CNetID, access your UChicago email account through Microsoft [Outlook:](Outlook: portal.office.com/. UChicago email accounts)[ ](Outlook: portal.office.com/. UChicago email accounts)[portal.office.com/](Outlook: portal.office.com/. UChicago email accounts)[. UChicago email accounts](Outlook: portal.office.com/. UChicago email accounts) are created in Microsoft Outlook and must be accessed via Outlook first. You can also forward your UChicago email to another account, such as the Google suite. Learn more about email forwarding here: uchicago.service [now.com/it?id=kb_article&kb=KB06000213](now.com/it?id=kb_article&kb=KB06000213) 4. Upload Photo ID Submission To upload your photo, [please visit](please visit myphoto.uchicago.edu. Failure)[ ](please visit myphoto.uchicago.edu. Failure)[myphoto.uchicago.edu](please visit myphoto.uchicago.edu. Failure)[. Failure](please visit myphoto.uchicago.ed

FAQs

When do incoming students begin receiving orientation emails, and where are resources hosted?

Orientation emails begin in May. The website at orientation.uchicago.edu serves as the primary resource throughout the summer.

What are the required steps before arriving on campus?

The letter lists four tasks: claim your CNet ID, set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), access your UChicago email via Microsoft Outlook, and upload Photo ID submission.

What happens if a student does not upload a photo for ID submission?

Failure to upload a photo will delay the Housing application submission when it opens in May, as well as delay receiving the University ID card and U-Pass.

Sep 16, 2026

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