Welcome Rural Scholars!
We're thrilled to have you as a part of our UChicago community! Join us for summer programming before coming to campus to kickstart your career and meet our dedicated rural career advising team!
Explore Indianapolis! Summer Trek
Rural Career Trek
Join us to Explore Indianapolis! This is an exciting opportunity for incoming Class of 2030 rural students! Spend 3 days traveling to a new location, exploring career paths, meeting UChicago alumni and employers, and making new friends in your class.
Registration Closed.
Dates: August 17-19, 2026
Arrival & Departure: Students will need to arrive in Indianapolis, IN on Sunday, August 16. The final employer visits will take place during the morning of August 19, and students will be able to depart that afternoon.
Rural Internship Matching Program
Join our Rural Internship Matching Program and our Rural Career Advising Team will reach out directly to employers that fit your interests so you can gain professional experience in your hometown!
Rural Career Competition
The Rural Career Competition is generously sponsored by ADM and provides students across the STARS Network to work with peers and create a pitch in response to one of 4 prompts developed by industry experts at ADM. Top teams will then travel to Chicago to present their pitch to ADM expert judges at the ADM Global Headquarters downtown!
Prompt Topics:
Commodities Trading
Corporate Finance
Operations & Supply Chain
Sustainability & Energy
Career Competition Timeline:
December 1: Competition Sign Ups open for first year rural scholars from STARS partner institutions
January 27: Sign-Up Deadline & Team Matching Finalized
February 1: Competition Virtual Kickoff with ADM & Prompt Introduction
February 1-19: Students complete competition prompts
February 22-26: Preliminary judging by ADM experts
March 5: Top Teams announced and travel coordinated
April 9: Final Presentations at ADM