Programs and Opportunities

Apply-A-Thon

The Apply-a-Thon is a one-day event designed to help you work towards completing a single graduate school application. Through a series of guided activities, you'll receive support and dedicated time to work on your application materials.

Who Can Participate:

Current or former UC Davis students (Aggies) applying to graduate programs for Fall 2026 enrollment.
Participants who attend and actively participate will be eligible to apply for a graduate application fee payment up to $140.
We especially encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds in graduate education to apply.

Note: This event is for pre-graduate Aggies only. Space is limited.

How to Apply: The application for the 2025 Apply-a-Thon will open at the end of summer. If you'd like to be notified when it becomes available, please complete our Interest Form.

As part of the application, you’ll be asked to share your progress on your graduate application, including a draft of your personal statement, a few weeks before the event.

Questions?
Contact us at pregradadvising@ucdavis.edu for more information.

Dates & Links

Interest Form Link
Application Deadline: TBD
Program Date: Saturday, October 11

Summer Research Fellowship, hosted by Pre-Graduate/Law Advising

Our Summer Research Fellowship program is a 10-week summer research program that allows students to develop and conduct a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. It is intended to introduce students to independent research and help prepare them for graduate or law school.

We welcome applicants from all majors and fields; however, priority will be given to applicants whose research explores the following topics: social sciences, humanities, arts, food insecurity, housing insecurity, first-generation experiences, low-income/economic barriers, and educational inequity. Participants receive a stipend ($5,000 in total) to support their full-time research.

Eligibility:

Must be a continuing student (alumni are not eligible). Seniors who aren't graduating in spring and juniors are prioritized.
3.0 GPA. If you don't have a 3.0 GPA, you may still apply and explain why your GPA isn't a good indicator of your academic potential.
Must be in good academic standing.
Limited research experience.
Must be available to work full-time in person in Davis on research during the duration of the program, June 25 - August 28.
You do not need to have identified a faculty mentor at the time of application; we will support your efforts to connect with a mentor if you are accepted to the program.

Application Requirements

500-word personal statement: Please describe your academic and personal background, research interests, graduate school goals, and how participation in the program will support these goals.
One (1) letter of recommendation from a professor, graduate student TA, supervisor, advisor, etc.

Online Application

The application for Summer 2025 is closed.

Application Deadline: Sunday, March 2 at 5:00 PM
Letter of Recommendation Deadline: Wednesday, March 5 at 5:00 PM
- Please share the following link with your letter of recommendation writer with a reminder that it is due Wednesday, March 5 at 5:00 PM. Without the letter, your application is considered incomplete.

Please join our pre-grad listserv or pre-law listserv to stay up-to-date about the fellowship program and other opportunities.

Writing Program: Statement of Purpose for Grad School

Are you applying to graduate school this fall and unsure how to begin your statement of purpose? Join our remote summer writing program designed to help you start from scratch! Facilitated by the Pre-Graduate Advisor, this program offers a structured approach to help you develop a strong, targeted statement.

Eligibility

Open to current students and alumni applying to Master’s or Ph.D. programs in any field.
This program is specifically for graduate school applicants. (A separate program is available for law school personal statements.)
- Note: Participants will benefit most if they have already identified specific programs of interest by the start of the program.

Program Overview

Week 1: Group Writing Sessions

Group meetings: 1–2 PM and 3–4 PM
Solo writing time: 2–3 PM
Additional writing exercises and assignments will be provided for completion in the evening or morning.

Week 2: One-on-One Coaching

Participants will meet twice with a writing coach to receive feedback on full drafts.
Note: Only participants who fully participate in Week 1 will be eligible for Week 2.

Dates

July 14 - July 25

The application is now open. Priority will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants until capacity is reached. Additional applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
Applicants will be notified of their status in early July.

Stay Connected

For questions, contact Chelsi Florence at ccflorence@ucdavis.edu.
To receive updates about this program and other pre-graduate opportunities, join our Pre-Grad Listserv.

Writing Program: Personal Statement for Law School

Are you applying to law school this fall and feeling stuck on your personal statement? Join our remote summer writing program designed to help you start your statement from scratch! Guided by the Pre-Graduate/Law team, this program provides a structured framework to help you craft a compelling and targeted personal statement.