Summer Institute Residency: Student Information

Summer 2022 Schedule

Classes meet Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with an hour lunch break each day. There are also mandatory workshops on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Note: All Figure Drawing, Figure Painting, Painting, and Drawing classes and evening workshops use nude models hired by the School. Other classes may use them as well to a lesser degree. Class and evening workshop attendance is mandatory.  

Payment

The payment deadline is May 2, 2022.

If you have not made payment by this date you are at risk of being dropped from your selected courses.

• If you need to drop a class, all drop requests must be submitted in writing to ecp@saic.edu and include the student's name, ID number, and course information.
• One hundred percent of the tuition charge, not including the $100 nonrefundable tuition deposit, is refundable if courses are dropped by June 15, 2020.* If a course is dropped after the deadline, no refund will be granted.*

*Note: this date applies for all sessions. You may complete your payment online at saic.edu/cspayment. You may also submit your payment by mailing a personal check or money order with the student's full name and ID in the reference section to: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, SAIC Bursar's Office, 37 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 245, Chicago, IL 60603 For any financial questions, please contact Student Financial Services at 312.629.6600 or saic.sfs@saic.edu.

Orientation

All ECPSI students are required to attend the ECPSI orientation in SAIC's ballroom at the MacLean Center at 112 South Michigan Avenue. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend, and materials including a class schedule, calendar of planned social activities, and campus map will be available. 

• Session 1: TBD
• Session 2: TBD
• Session 3: TBD
• Session 4: TBD
• Session 5: TBD

ARTICard

All students must obtain an ARTICard, SAIC's mandatory identification card. This card permits access to School facilities and the Art Institute of Chicago museum. Failure to present the card will prevent students' access to School facilities on all but the first Monday of each session.

Students who send in the required items will receive their ID at the residence hall move-in or at orientation. Student who are unable to attend the residence hall move-in and/or orientation will receive their IDs on the first day of class, and should still send in their photo for an ID.

ARTICard FAQs and refund information

Students may deposit cash into their ARTICard Account and use it to make copies, print projects, do laundry, purchase books and supplies, and buy food on and off campus. Because funds can be added at any time, a spending estimate of $50–75 per week is recommended as a starting point. For more information, call 312.629.9362, email articard@saic.edu, or visit saic.edu/articard.

Transportation To and From the Airport

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from either airport. We recommend students use Airport Express and call 1.888.2THEVAN or visit airportexpress.com to make a reservation. Airport Express operates beginning at 4:00 a.m. daily from O'Hare, every 15 minutes daily from Midway, and will take students directly to Jones Hall, 7 West Madison Street, from either airport.

O'Hare: Pick up GO Airport Express van across from baggage claim in the domestic terminal by doors 1E, 2D, or 3F, and 5E.

Midway: Pick up GO Airport Express van lower level across from baggage claim by door 3.

Students may also use a taxi service or public transportation from either airport. Cab fare is approximately $40–50 and public transportation is $2.25–5.00 one way. For public transit maps, visit transitchicago.com.

Hotel Information

There are several hotels convenient to campus housing (Jones Hall), the final exhibition location, and the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, including:

For a complete list, including those with SAIC preferred rates, please visit saic.edu/hotels.

Demands of the Program

SAIC's Early College Program Summer Institute (ECPSI) is a rigorous academic program for independent, highly motivated students. To be successful in the program, students must be able to perform at the college level by, among other things, assuming responsibility for getting to and from class on time and managing their obligations with respect to classes, workshops, activities, and homework assignments. Residential students must also be able to adapt to dormitory-style living, while attending to their own needs (i.e., getting appropriate amounts of sleep, eating properly, and requesting medical attention when necessary). Finally, students must be able to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates self-regulation and self-discipline at all times, especially during unsupervised free time.

Supervision and Safety

SAIC is located in the center of downtown Chicago, a vibrant setting conducive to great art making. Despite the many attributes of the location, the urban setting and factors that are associated with staying in any large city should be taken into consideration when prospective students and their parents are deciding whether to register for the program.

ECPSI students are allowed free time for lunch, between classes and curfew (curfew is for residential students but the city of Chicago also has a curfew), and on the weekends. Students and parents should discuss self-regulation and self-discipline, and students are highly encouraged to travel in groups in and around the campus area. We do not recommend using the public transportation system (CTA) during free time unless travelling in groups with at least one person who is familiar with the Chicago area. If parents or students are looking for a program with one hundred percent supervision, they should consider the nature of this program thoroughly before registering. Instructional staff supervises use of the CTA system during class and there are also supervised outings coordinated by residence life evenings and weekends so students may explore the city.

ECPSI students are required to check in/out for the times/events listed below:

Note: lunch times may differ slightly if classes are on a field trip, need to alter the time due to a project, etc. Teaching Assistants still keep attendance during these times.

Insurance
 

All ECPSI students are required to have health insurance coverage while participating in the program. If you do not already have health insurance, short-term coverage may be purchased through Edusure, a marketplace offering multiple student health insurance options. Coverage may also be purchased through Patriot, a travel plan for international and study abroad students.

ECPSI students are responsible for making these arrangements, including payment of the premium. Edusure can be reached at 1.800.338.3924 and Patriot can be reached at 1.800.628.4664.

Security

Security guards are stationed at the entrance of all SAIC buildings 24 hours a day. All students must show their ARTICard to access campus buildings.

Homework

Additional work will be required of all students outside the classroom. The ECP Summer Institute is an advanced program granting college credit upon successful completion. Students are expected to complete assignments outside of class and therefore should plan to spend approximately two hours each evening in the studios. Students are here first and foremost for an intensive academic experience in the visual arts.

Incidentals/Personal Spending

Students are advised to use an ATM card or Traveler's Checks for personal spending in an effort to avoid carrying around large amounts of cash. Many banks and automated teller machines are located within a few blocks of the residence hall (Citibank, Chase, and First Chicago, among others) for withdrawals.

SAIC cannot cash personal checks, nor will most banks. If you need to wire money to a student, the closest Currency Exchange to the residence hall is located at 100 West Randolph Street (312.236.4811).

Supplies

Supplies are the responsibility of the student. While ECPSI may provide some basic materials for the first class meeting and instructor demonstrations, students should expect to purchase additional supplies estimated at $300-$450.

Supply lists will be available in late May for Session 1 courses, with Sessions 2, 3, and 4 distributed shortly thereafter via our ECPSI Supply List Website. All enrolled students will be emailed a link to the website, so make sure to provide us with an active email. Students are encouraged to bring any materials they would like to use not on the supply list, and students that live out of town can purchase everything they need when they arrive. Instructors will go over supplies on the first day as well.

Blick Art Materials is located at 42 South State Street and is open on Sundays from 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Visit dickblick.com or call 312.920.0300 for store information.

Note: Blick Art Materials accepts ARTICard purchases.

Student Exhibition

An exhibit of student work and reception open to all ECP Summer Institute students, faculty, parents, and friends is held on the final class day of each session. 

• Session 1: TBD
• Session 2: TBD
• Session 3: TBD
• Session 4: TBD
• Session 5: TBD

Transporting Artwork Home

Students are responsible for transporting their artwork home at the end of the session. SAIC will NOT store, pack, or ship student work.

ECP Summer Institute instructors and teaching assistants will help students prepare work for transport at the end of the session. Keep in mind that work that cannot be transported can be photographed and destroyed.

Students who are unable to carry work home should decide how their work will be transported ahead of time, and purchase materials for packing work prior to the last class.

Below is a selection of packing suppliers and shipping locations in the immediate area. We recommend calling or visiting websites in advance to confirm days/times of operation. Note: Some shipping locations are not open on Saturdays.

College Credit

Juniors and seniors, ages 15 to 18, enrolled in an ECPSI course will be eligible to receive college credit upon successful completion. This credit may be applied towards an undergraduate degree at most colleges or universities. 

Students enrolled for credit are expected to attend all classes at the scheduled time, arrive prepared, and successfully complete all homework and assignments.

Transcripts

Transcripts will not be available until mid-September. Transcripts are not sent automatically; requests can be made online, in person, and by mail or fax. Consult our Transcript Requests page for full details.

Questions

All inquiries regarding academic matters should be directed to the Early College Program Summer Institute during regular business hours. Inquiries regarding residency/housing issues should be directed to Residence Life at 312.629.6870 or stulife@saic.edu. In the event of an emergency outside of business hours, please call security at 312.516.5300; security will then contact the appropriate staff member.