Admissions Selection Process and the Importance of Diversity

The University of California, San Diego offers admission to those applicants who have the highest potential for graduate study and who, with the benefit of graduate education, are most likely to contribute substantially to society and to their academic or professional fields through teaching, research, or professional practice.

Because the academic and professional community benefits from a diverse membership, and because the educational experience is enhanced by a diverse student body, the university views as a high priority the enrollment of men and women from different social and economic backgrounds and from different cultural and demographic groups. Successful efforts at overcoming socio-economic, educational, or physical disadvantages are viewed, in combination with other factors, as indicators of future performance.

The graduate admission process provides a great deal of autonomy to individual degree-granting programs. The faculty in each program reviews the applications and recommends admission or denial to the graduate dean.

Admission decisions are based on the quality of the applicant's academic degrees and record, the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation from professors or others familiar with the applicant's academic work, performance in aptitude and achievement tests as appropriate, relevant work experience, preparation in the proposed field of study, the fit between the applicant's goals and the program, and between the applicant's research interests and those of the program's faculty. Some programs have additional admission criteria that applicants must meet.

By the time they enroll, successful applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution in the United States or from a recognized university-level academic institution abroad. At least a B average or its equivalent is normally required for admission. Satisfaction of minimal standards does not, however, guarantee admission, since the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of places available. As a consequence, many well-qualified applicants cannot be accommodated.

Academic Requirement

U.S. Applicants - Applicants for graduate admission must present official evidence of receipt of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education or the equivalent, with training comparable in standard and content to that provided by the University of California. This must be provided by the beginning of the first academic year of study at UCSD. A minimum scholastic average of B (or its equivalent, if the letter grade system is not used) is required for course work completed in the final two years of undergraduate study and any post baccalaureate study.

International Applicants - An international student whose postsecondary education is completed outside the U.S. must hold the equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree, with above average scholarship, granted by a non-U.S. university or university-level institution

Notification of Admission

Only the official "Certificate of Admission" from the dean of Graduate Studies constitutes formal approval of admission to a graduate program at the University of California, San Diego.

Official notification by the dean of Graduate Studies normally will be e-mailed well in advance of the beginning of the quarter for which application has been made. Applicants should contact their prospective major department if formal notification is not received four weeks prior to the beginning of the quarter for which they applied.

Applicants admitted by March 15 must respond by April 15. Applicants admitted after March 30 have three weeks after the date printed on your Certificate of Admission to respond. Admission to graduate standing does not constitute registration for classes. A student is not officially registered for classes until the entire registration procedure is completed each quarter. Information and all necessary registration materials for entering graduate students will be available at department offices approximately two weeks before the opening of the quarter.

Denial of Admission

The dean of Graduate Studies or the prospective major department may deny admission if an applicant's scholastic record is undistinguished, if the preparation is judged inadequate as a foundation for advanced study, if the program does not meet the applicant's area of interest, or if the program facilities are already filled to capacity.

Applicants who are denied admission must submit a new application together with required documentation in order to be considered for admission in the next or in a subsequent academic year.

Deferring Admission

Applicants who are admitted but are unable to register for the quarter to which they were admitted, may request a Deferral fpr the following year or the following quarter within the same academic year.  The department must pre-approve the deferral request. A deferral ils not a guarantee of admission. The deferred application will be considered along with the next year's applicant pool.

To activate the application for admission in the subsequent academic year the applicant must notify the department and submit a statement of activities and official transcript for any academic work taken since the first application.  No application fee will be required.

Deferred application files are retained for approximately one year from the quater to which the applicant was admitted.  Deferred appliants are allowed on reactivation of the application. Reapplication for admission after this period may be made only by completing a new application and providing all necessary documents, including payment of the graduate application fee.  Use the same email and password to facilitate the application process.

Applications not reactivated within a year will need to reapply.

Readmission

NOTE: If you have previously registered as a graduate student at UCSD at any time, whether or not you completed any course work, DO NOT FILE A NEW APPLICATION. Obtain a petition for readmission from your former department, group, or school graduate office.

When to Apply

All applicants should observe the deadline dates listed under Degree Programs. Deadlines vary by department. Please note that most departments will consider applicants for the fall quarter only, which begins in September. For this reason, a prospective applicant should begin the application process during the fall quarter of the preceding year. Additionally, most applicants should plan to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) in the fall to ensure that scores are received by the major department in a timely manner. Check your department listing to determine which tests are required.

Applicants need not have completed their undergraduate programs in order to apply. However, when an applicant's grades or preparation appear to be marginal, the department or Office of Graduate Studies may defer action on the application until a supplementary record or evidence of the receipt of a degree becomes available.

International applicants are advised to submit their completed applications as early as possible, but at least one month in advance of the deadline to allow sufficient time for evaluation of their credentials, and for communication regarding missing documentation.

Part-Time, Half-Time Study

Graduate students who enroll in fewer than twelve graduate or upper-division units each quarter are considered part-time students. Students who are approved by their major department and by the dean of Graduate Studies for enrollment in a program of half-time study (maximum of six units or fewer) for reasons of occupation, family responsibilities, or health may be eligible for a reduction in fees. All other part-time students must pay the same fees as full-time students.

A general petition for half-time study must be completed by admitted students who wish to enroll for half-time study at UCSD. The petition is obtained from the graduate coordinator in the major program. The form must be filed with and approved by OGS on or before the first day of registration. Formal approval for half-time study must be granted prior to any fee reduction.

Less than full-time study may be pursued in several master's programs and a few Ph.D. programs at UCSD. In all instances, students must satisfy the same admission requirements as full-time students and are eligible, at the discretion of the department, for a maximum 25 percent time appointment as a teaching assistant or graduate student researcher. International students on student visas are not eligible for part-time study.

Non-Degree Study

There is no student-at-large classification at UCSD; application for admission must be made to a specific department. Applicants who wish to take course work only within a department for non-degree study to satisfy a particular need or stated purpose, must have departmental approval before submitting an application.

Admission as a non-degree student is for one year; a second year of non-degree study may be approved by the dean upon recommendation of the department. Applicants for non-degree study must satisfy all graduate admission requirements and, under campus policy, are not eligible for graduate student support. Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the dean of Graduate Studies in certain instances. Non-degree students are eligible for graduate student privileges.

Duplication of Advanced Degrees

Normally, duplication of advanced degrees is not permitted. A professional degree is not regarded as a duplication of an academic degree.

Holders of a master's degree in one field may be considered in some circumstances for admission into a Master's degree program in another field. Holders of the Ph.D., in any field, are advised not to apply for admission.

Ethnic Survey

The Office of Graduate Studies is required to provide reports to various federal and state agencies on the ethnic composition of the applicant population. Therefore, we ask that U.S. citizens and permanent residents answer the questions concerning ethnic identity on the application form. The university holds such information on individuals confidential and uses it only for statistical purposes. You may decline to state your ethnic identity.

Social Security Number Disclosure

Social Security Number (SSN) disclosure is mandatory for those applicants who currently have an assigned number (SSN). The University is required by federal law to report your SSN and other pertinent information to the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to the reporting requirements imposed by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. The University will also use the SSN you provide to verify your identity. This notification is provided to you as required by the Federal Privacy Act of 1974.

Academic Records/Transcripts

One set of official transcripts of record from each university level institution attended must be provided for each application submitted. A summary of credit transferred from an institution previously attended and recorded on the transcript issued by the school granting the degree will not suffice.

Applicants should request that official transcripts of all previous academic work, including certification of degrees received or documentation of status upon leaving each institution, be forwarded to their prospective department. Only official records bearing the signature of the registrar and the seal of the issuing institution will be accepted. Applicants with academic work in progress who expect to complete a degree program before the intended date of enrollment at UCSD must provide evidence of degree conferral and a final academic transcript as soon as it is available.

Note: Transcripts and all other application materials cannot be returned to applicants under any circumstances. Plan to order sufficient copies of your academic records to meet projected needs.

Applicants who attended any campus of the University of California, including UCSD, must provide official transcripts of the UC course work. Transcripts from UCSD may be ordered by an applicant from the Office of the Registrar. There is no charge for UCSD transcripts of record sent to departments in support of an application for graduate study.

Graduate Record Examinations Scores

Check your department GRE requirements to determine which tests are required.

Some programs require additional tests or other alternatives. Applicants should arrange to take the required examination as early as possible to insure the timely receipt of their examination results. GRE score reports are mailed to the university four to six weeks after the test is administered.

The GRE test is offered only on computer in the U.S. and in most locations around the world. Subject Tests continue to be offered in the paper-based format. It is essential that applicants check for complete and accurate information on either the GRE web site or in the GRE General Information booklet. The computer test is offered more frequently and by appointment only at selected test centers as listed in the GRE booklet.

Consult the GRE booklet for full information. Applications may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service on the World Wide Web at www.gre.org. GRE scores must be sent to your intended department.

To expedite the consideration of your application, please forward a copy of your GRE scores to the graduate program(s) to which you are applying as soon as you receive them.

Applicants are advised to take the GRE in the fall prior to the fall term for which admission is sought. Full consideration of the admission application can take place only after all required elements and documents including test scores, have been received.

Information on the CBEST may be obtained at their website www.cbest.nesinc.com or by calling (916) 928-4001.

Information on the CSET may be obtained at www.cset.nesinc.com or by calling (916) 928-4003.

Information on the GMAT may be obtained at their website www.gmac.com/gmac.

Statement of Purpose

The Statement of Purpose is part of the online application. An applicant's Statement of Purpose is very important and is given careful consideration in the selection process. Be concise and specific in preparing your statement, giving information which will aid the selection committee in evaluating your potential for completing a graduate program of study at UCSD.

The online application allows you to upload your Statement of Purpose file. This file must be in PDF format and is limited to 2MB in size. You should check with your department for specific Statement of Purpose requirements and guidelines. Some Department/Program Specific Requirements are listed on the Statement of Purpose Guidelines page. For some departments/programs you may choose not to use the online statement of purpose. In this case use the form linked here, attaching additional sheets if needed.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required by most programs. Check your department recommendation guidelines for department requirements. The most important aspect of letters of recommendation is that they be completed by individuals who are in a position to analyze your ability and academic promise.

Use of the online letter of recommendation process is encouraged by UCSD Graduate Studies. The online recommendation process has the following advantages: 

• Your application and letters of recommendation can be joined together and transmitted to the graduate program to which you apply as one package, greatly facilitating the processing of your application.
• You can easily track the status of your recommendations, knowing when each letter is submitted or if some are still outstanding.

If you wish to waive your right to inspect the letters of recommendation, mark the space on the recommendation website. Enrolled students of UCSD are only permitted to inspect letters of recommendation for which they did not waive their right to access. Letters of recommendation cannot be released to the applicant and cannot be forwarded to other institutions.  

For paper letters complete the form linked here and provide it to the individual who is asked to submit a recommendation on your behalf. Completed paper letters are to be sent by the recommender directly to the major department indicated by you on the recommendation forms. To avoid misdirection of the forms, enter your name and the name of your proposed major department together with the campus mail code in the space provided on each recommendation form. You can expedite the process by also giving each recommender an addressed, stamped envelope to return the letter.