Admitted Students

There will not be remote, hybrid or asynchronous learning.

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

World-class professors. Perhaps you’re familiar with our distinguished faculty? If not, take some time to read their bios, research interests and authored articles. We’re excited about the work they do and think you will be too.

Focused academics. The GPS curriculum is strategically crafted with your career goals in mind. We combine coursework with the opportunity to develop and pursue customized professional research projects.

Hands-on experience. Class modules, case studies and a strong focus on analytical skills prepare you for the real-world challenges you’ll face as global leaders. Inside the classroom and out, your discussions, papers and projects will be based on practical contemporary issues.

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, many of which lead directly to job offers. Our expert Career Services team will help answer your job-search questions and transition you into your next chapter.

Connected alumni and resources. Wherever you find yourself after graduation, you’ll be near GPS alumni. Our graduates retain strong ties to the school, with class agents and an Alumni Board to help you optimize the GPS and UC San Diego alumni groups and networking opportunities.

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 FAFSA (U.S. citizens or permanent residents only)
• Check our events page for opportunities to connect with admissions and current students
• Apply for housing
• Register for virtual admitted student events

April

• Attend GPS Admitted Student Day on April 10
• Merit aid awardees accept award and confirm acceptance by submitting your seat deposit by April 15
• Make plans to attend orientation and prep program (if applicable)

May

• Confirm acceptance by submitting your seat deposit by May 1
• Begin registration for prep program
• View these sites for dates and deadlines:
  • Financial Aid for Graduate Students
  • Enrollment and Registration Calendar
  • 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
• Check your UC San Diego email regularly for university information
• Complete your Prep Program registration and payment (if applicable)
• Obtain the necessary documents (official transcripts) and medical documents to complete provisional requirements from Graduate Division and Student Health Services (i.e., official transcripts, transcript translation, TB testings, etc.)
• Apply online for a campus card
• For those in Prep, submit Health Insurance Information

July

• Familiarize yourself with UC San Diego TritonLink
• Register for fall core courses

August

• Attend our Prep Program (if applicable)
• For U.S citizens, permanent residents, and green card holder only: Review your financial aid status, view and accept awards using the Financial Aid Tool

September

• Review academic policies
• Attend mandatory orientations
• Attend orientations – GPS, Graduate Division, ISPO (International Students only)
• Pay summer health insurance fees and fall tuition and fees

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.

2023 Schedule (mandatory unless specified):
*Schedule is subject to change

GPS Career Services Orientation: Please refer to the Career Services – Career Development Program for dates.

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 U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Eligible Noncitizens, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please note that fellowship offers from the School may negatively affect need-based aid offers.

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.

Students who would like to work on campus to offset their graduate education expenses are encouraged to meet with the Student Affairs staff.

Technology is an integral part of the curriculum. All students are required to have their own laptop (notebook) computer. The cost of a computer can be included in your budget for financial aid. 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? Contacts gpshelp@ucsd.edu.

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.

On-campus housing is available for single graduate students, couples and families. Please visit the graduate and professional student housing site 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 Students and Programs 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.