Admitted Students

I have provisional admission status even though I submitted documents. When will my status change?
The UC San Diego Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs will start processing official documents in June. Provisional admission status will not affect your ability to register for your first quarter of classes. Students who are given provisional admission to the school are required to complete their prep requirements in order to formally enroll in their classes. Provisional admission status is also acceptable for visa application purposes.

Who can I talk to about my visa questions?
The International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO) has advising and FAQs for international students.

Will summer prep courses be offered online or in-person?

Summer prep courses will only be offered in-person. There will not be remote, hybrid, or asynchronous learning options.

Where can I find more information about summer prep classes?
Check out our prep webpage for information. Details about specific deadlines and times will be updated periodically. Further details about these courses will be sent by the GPS admissions at the end of June.

When are summer prep payments due?
Summer prep payments are due June 1 unless you request a fee deferral. Those who requested fee deferrals will receive an email from us or Student Affairs in late June to early July. For concerns about making payment by the deadline, please contact GPS Student Affairs.

Are graduate apartments open?
Yes. Many GPS students have been living in graduate apartments on campus this year, and the HDH Graduate and Family Housing office will continue to clear the housing waitlist as fall approaches.

When can I start my student health insurance?
The earliest start date for student health insurance will depend on your start date. If you have summer Prep, you may begin your health insurance as early as July. If you are not required to start Prep, you may begin your insurance in mid-September. Admissions will provide you with enrollment information in early June.

Where can I learn more about Academic Student Employment (GSR, TA, Reader and Tutor positions)?
You can read more about Academic Student Employment here. Using your TritonLink account, you can browse open positions here. The school recommends that you focus on coursework during your first fall quarter and wait to take any employment until winter quarter. Additional information about Student Employment will be shared at GPS Admit Day and Orientation.

Consider just a few of UC San Diego’s many advantages:

World-class professors. Engage with world-renowned scholars who are shaping their respective fields. Explore their research interests and publications directly through faculty profiles.

Career-focused curriculum. The GPS curriculum strategically prepares students for their career goals by combining coursework with opportunities to develop and pursue customized, professional research.

Real-world application. Gain invaluable hands-on experience through case studies, simulations, and a focus on analytical development. Inside and beyond the classroom, your learning will revolve around relevant, contemporary challenges, preparing you for a success as a global leader.

Global expertise. GPS is the premier West Coast school for global studies on the Americas and Asia, as exemplified by the work done through our many research centers, including our 21st Century China Program, Japan Forum for Innovation and Technology and Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies.

Accelerated career development. GPS students pursue dynamic, innovative internships, which can lead directly to job offers. Our expert Career and Professional Development Center will help answer your job-search questions and transition you into your next chapter.

A network for life. Even after graduation, you will remain connected to the vibrant GPS community. Our strong alumni network, fostered by dedicated class agents and an active Alumni Board, offers invaluable resources and mentorship opportunities. Leverage the power of the GPS and UC San Diego alumni networks to navigate your career and expand your professional reach.

We’re happy to offer our admitted students a number of resources for answering questions on matriculation. The calendar and topics below guide you from your acceptance through your first days on campus.

For more admitted student resources visit UC San Diego's Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA).

March

• Check your email for links to online admitted student events
• Fill out the FAFSA (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens) to be considered for need based financial aid
• Check our events page for opportunities to connect with admissions and current students
• Apply for housing
• Register and attend our Admitted Student Panels and GPS Online Preview Day

April

• Attend GPS Discover Days on April 17, April 24, or May 1
• Merit aid awardees accept award and confirm acceptance by submitting your seat deposit by April 15. Seat deposit is non-refundable.
• Make plans to attend orientation and prep program (if applicable)

May

• Confirm acceptance by submitting your seat deposit by May 1. Seat deposit is non-refundable.
• Begin registration for prep program
• View these sites for dates and deadlines:
  • Financial Aid for Graduate Students
  • Academic and Administrative Calendar
  • Student Billing Information
• Complete “What To Do Immediately” tasks from Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA)

June

• Review computer services and laptop requirements
• Activate and check your UC San Diego email regularly for university information
• Complete Prep Program and Career Orientation registration and payment (if applicable)
• For those in Prep, submit Health Insurance Information
• Obtain the necessary documents and medical documents to complete provisional requirements from GEPA and Student Health Services (i.e., official transcripts, transcript translation, TB testings, etc.)
• Apply online for a campus card

July

• Familiarize yourself with UC San Diego TritonLink
• Instruction for enrollment in Fall core courses will be provided by GPS Student Affairs
• Attend info sessions about general degree requirements and MIA, BA-MIA language requirements in mid-July
• If you have Prep requirments, prepare to move to San Diego

August

• Attend our Prep Program and Career Orientation (if applicable)
• For U.S citizens, permanent residents, green card holders, and eligible non-citizens: Review your financial aid status, view and accept awards using the Financial Aid Tool (end of August)

September

• Review academic policies
• Attend mandatory orientations
• Attend orientations – GPS, GEPA, ISEO (International Students only)
• Pay summer health insurance fees and fall tuition and fees
• Complete 3 mandatory student trainings: (Academic holds will be placed on your account if you do not complete any trainings) Academic Integrity, Sexual Assault Prevention for Graduate Students, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for Students

All incoming students are required to attend orientation prior to the start of the academic year. During orientation, various School and campus representatives will encourage students to make the most of the graduate experience by providing information about the campus and its resources. Orientation also provides students an opportunity to meet classmates, talk with faculty, receive academic advising and complete language placement exams.

2025 Schedule (mandatory unless specified):
*Schedule is subject to change per Prep Program webpage

Parking: The majority of orientation activities will take place within the Robinson Complex. Recommended parking locations are the Hopkins parking structure and the Pangea parking structure. Day permits can be purchased from machines located in each parking structure.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to apply for California residency for tuition purposes. Out of state students cannot apply for California residency until after their first year.

Full details about eligibility and the residency process are published here.

Merit-based fellowship offers are made each March and must be accepted by April 15. If you are applying for need-based aid as a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA eligibility can be reviewed on the Financial Aid and Scholarships website.

UC San Diego’s FAFSA School Code is 001317.

Many students work as research and teaching assistants. In addition, our staff keeps a continually updated fellowship funding page. International Students can visit ISEO's guide for financial assistance.

Students seeking on-campus employment to help offset their graduate education expenses should begin by reviewing the available opportunities listed on the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) employment website. If you have further questions after reviewing the website, please contact your GPS Student Affairs Advisor for additional assistance.

Technology is an integral part of the curriculum. All students are required to have their own laptop (notebook) computer. We recommend the purchase of a new computer with an extended warranty.

The campus is a cross-platform computer environment and supports Mac and Windows computers. The specifications below outline the minimum hardware and software we recommend you purchase. Laptops may be purchased from any supplier. The UC San Diego Bookstore Computer Center sells many laptop models at very competitive prices, including special models that meet the minimum requirements listed below.

Questions? Contact gpshelp@ucsd.edu.

Specification	Minimum Windows	Minimum Macintosh
Processor	Intel Core i9 2.4Ghz or greater	Intel Core i7 (Late 2023 Model or Newer) or Apple M2 chip
Screen	13-in display	13-in display
Memory (RAM)	8 GB or more 16 GB preferred	8 GB or more 16 GB preferred
Storage (Hard Drive)	500 GB minimum or any online backup solution	500 GB minimum or any online backup solution
Videoconferencing	Camera required	Camera standard
Warranty	2-5 year warranty coverage	2-5 year warranty coverage
Operating System	MS Windows 11 Note: Windows 7 is no longer allowed at UC San Diego	MacOS X 13 (Sonoma) or greater
Productivity	Microsoft Office O365 (provided by campus and free for students)	Microsoft Office O365 (provided by campus and free for students)
Backup Drive	500 GB minimum  or any online backup solution	500 GB minimum  or any online backup solution
Virus Scan	Any current software	Any current software

Note 1: MS Office includes Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. Microsoft Office 2016 is free for students. 

Note 2: The School will supply free or specially licensed software and assist with installation: UC San Diego VPN, WePa printer drivers and anti-virus software.

Note 3: Some classes will require you to purchase specialty software. See each course syllabus for specific requirements.

Note 4: To meet the UC San Diego Network Connection Minimum Standards, the operating system, anti-virus software and anti-spyware software must have current updates installed. A firewall program must be installed and activated. All accounts on the computer must have strong passwords.

Note 5: Please be aware that “thinner, light weight” laptops may have thermal difficulties especially when running load heavy software such as Stata and “R” and may tend to overheat causing the CPU to burnout. Make sure to have a well-ventilated laptop than can handle long sessions of heavy load processing.

Note 6: Linux and Chromebook devices are not acceptable and will encounter issues in certain courses.

On-campus housing is available for single graduate students, couples and families. Please visit the HDH Graduate and Family Housing website for more information and the application process. Apply early for a better chance of securing a space. You can apply for housing as soon as you receive a confirmation to the program from Admissions.

There are many options available if you choose to live off campus.

View this site for international students when considering both short-term and long-term housing options.

All international students are required to register upon arrival to the U.S. Detailed information about the registration processes and the documents you need to present can be found at the UC San Diego International Services and Engagement Office website.

Please note that international students are also required to attend the mandatory New International Student Orientation sessions as well as the School’s orientations.

Once an international applicant has received an offer of admission, they must indicate in a financial statement the amount and source of the funds they will use for graduate study in the U.S. This form is forwarded to international applicants upon their admission. Written evidence of sufficient financial resources must be provided before visa forms will be issued. Questions regarding the international applicant financial statement should be addressed to the Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA).

Parking permits are required every time you park a car on campus. Hourly and one-day parking permits are available for purchase through vending machines. Annual parking permits and other transportation needs such as bus passes can be purchased online or at the Gilman Parking Structure. There are considerable savings over the daily permit rate with pre-purchased permits, and the UC San Diego Transportation Services Office has a list of commuting alternatives, including public transportation.

In addition to the city's Metropolitan Transit System, the university is served by a network of campus shuttles. Except for the campus loop shuttle and San Diego Metro bus 101, most shuttle and bus stops are approximately a 10 – 15 minute walk from our complex. Some shuttles have limited summer service during the time of our Prep Program. For more information on transportation see the UC San Diego Transportation Services Office website.

Students who live off campus may take advantage of the free shuttle to campus from UC San Diego’s Medical Center in Hillcrest or by taking the recently expanded MTS Blue Line Trolley.

All students enrolled for the current school quarter are entitled to a Triton Card. This is your official university ID card. You are issued just one active card.

You will need your student ID card for verification across campus and to access certain areas within GPS such as the student lounge.

TritonLink provides information for current students, including links to events, academic announcements and deadlines, and ways to get involved at UC San Diego. TritonLink is also where you will enroll in courses, submit payments, view your grades and track your degree completion. Familiarize yourself with all the TritonLink Tools.

To register for classes, view your billing, and a variety of other TritonLink online tools, you will need a personal identification (PID) number. Your PID is available on the application status page of the online application. Once you have your PID, you can create your Single Sign-On account.