Chicago & Residential Life

Students are responsible for transportation to and from either of Chicago's airports (O'Hare or Midway). 

Students are responsible for transportation to and from either of Chicago's airports (O'Hare or Midway). We recommend students use Airport Express. To make a reservation, call 1.888.2THEVAN or visit airportexpress.com.

• O'Hare: Meet the GO Airport Express van across from baggage claim in the domestic terminal by doors 1E, 2D, 3F, or 5E.
• Midway: Meet the GO Airport Express van on the lower level across from baggage claim by door 3.

Students can use taxi services from either airport, with fares generally ranging from $50 to $65. Rideshare services and public transportation are also available options. We recommend that an adult accompany students or that they use an Uber teen account. Public transportation fares range from $2.25 to $5.00 for a one-way trip. For public transit maps, please visit transitchicago.com.

• Best Western
• Blackstone
• Chicago Athletic Association
• Four Seasons
• Hotel 71
• Palmer House
• Renaissance
• Silversmith
• Hampton Inn

A list of parking options can be found on our Directions to Campus page. 

Please be aware that protests and other events may impact travel to and from our downtown Chicago campus, and some may occur unexpectedly.

Visit the Enrolled Students Next Steps page for more details. 

• Kitchenette with stove, full-size fridge, and microwave
• Private bathroom
• Internet
• Air Conditioning
• Laundry Room, open 24 hours
• Spectacular city views!

See Room Configurations

Summer Resident Advisors (SRAs) live in the residence halls with ECPSI students to provide day-to-day support and assistance in the event of a crisis. They are present to help students learn about Chicago, SAIC resources, and what it's like to be a student at SAIC, and are supported by the residence hall director, a professional staff member who lives on-site.

SRAs are current SAIC undergraduate or graduate students who are excited to spend their summer working with the ECP Summer Institute. They are eager to get to know residents through planning social activities during non-class times.

Students typically share a room with one or two of their peers, and may also request to live with a specific person when filling out registration info, or they can email the residence life team at least three weeks prior to arrival so that we may try to accommodate you.

The following is provided in rooms during your stay:

• Kitchenette
• Bathroom
• Drafting tables
• Desk chairs
• Window blinds
• Closet space with closet organizer
• Two trash cans and one recycling bin
• Beds on the floor are extra-long twins; lofted beds are double-sized mattresses (Students with loft beds will be notified two weeks before move-in.)

Students are not permitted to have supplies shipped to their dorm before their arrival. Anything shipped to the residence hall before the start of a student's stay will be returned to the sender. Please note that Residence Life cannot hold items for you before or after your class sessions.

While their class is in session, students may have supplies shipped to the following address:

School of the Art Institute of Chicago
7 West Madison Street 
[Room Number] 
Chicago, IL 60602

During the move-in window, drive to State and Madison Streets (across from Target) to begin the check-in process.

• The student will exit the car to check in while the driver is directed to an unloading spot along Madison Street. The student should bring their government-issued photo ID and their cell phone.
• Carts and speed pack boxes will be available for use. Limited staff will be available to assist in unloading. 
• Take all of your items to your room, returning any carts as quickly as possible.
• The driver will move the car to a permanent parking spot. 
• Unpack your belongings and settle in!

Bring the following:

• Weather-ready clothing: rain jacket, umbrella, sweatshirt, or light jacket
• Hangers
• Pillows, sheets, blankets
• Art supplies and a backpack
• Toiletries: soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, towels
• Prescription meds
• First aid supplies like Band-Aids®, aspirin, neosporin

Items can also be purchased after you arrive in Chicago. Target is steps from the residence hall.
 

Optional:

• Mattress pad
• Kitchen items: plates, bowls, cups, glasses, silverware, etc. (there is a microwave provided)
• Cleaning supplies
• Desk lamp and/or table lamp (no halogen lamps are allowed)
• Laundry detergent and laundry basket or bag
• Storage containers for food
• Ethernet cord (wireless is provided)
   

Do NOT bring:

• TV (cable television is NOT available in individual student rooms; however, students may bring a TV for hooking up a computer or for video games—lounge spaces are equipped with TVs and cable)
• Shower curtain (all rooms have shower doors)
• Halogen lights of any kind
• Air conditioners or space heaters
• Candles or incense
• Firearms, fireworks, or other explosives
• Pets
• Hookahs
• Wireless internet routers
• Weapons of any kind

• 7:30 a.m. (every day): Earliest time students can leave the residence hall 
• 9:00 a.m. (Monday–Friday): Class attendance
• 12:00 p.m. (Monday–Friday): Lunch break
• 1:00 p.m. (Monday–Friday): Post-lunch attendance
• 6:00 p.m. (Tuesday & Thursday): Workshop attendance
• 10:00 p.m. (every night): Curfew (residential students only)

Teaching assistants keep track of student attendance during course meeting times, including field trips and evening workshops. During class time, instructors and teaching assistants supervise any travel on public transportation (CTA), and residence life staff lead optional, supervised evening and weekend outings. While students are encouraged to explore the city, students are not to use the CTA without supervision.

This program doesn't offer constant, 100 percent supervision, so if that’s what you or your family expect, it’s important to consider whether ECPSI is the right fit. If your student is responsible, open to some independence, and excited about making the most of their time in Chicago and getting a taste of a college experience, this would be a great program for you.