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Graduate Application Mentorship Program (GradAMP)

GradAMP 2025 applications are open!

The priority deadline for both applications will be September 14, 2025. We will begin reviewing applications and accepting candidates on a rolling basis through November 3, 2025.

What is GradAMP?

GradAMP was begun by Jacobs School of Engineering graduate student Alex Chen in 2019 who directed the program for 3 graduate application cycles. Since graduating in 2022, Alex Chen passed on the program to OAR² to institutionalize this opportunity for UC San Diego undergraduate and graduate students. 

The goal of GradAMP is to help make graduate education more accessible by helping undergraduate students with the application process. GradAMP is a free mentorship program that offers help with to undergraduate students interested in applying to graduate degree programs!

The program pairs together graduate school applicants with a current Ph.D. student in their field in order to help them with both concrete aspects (essays, fellowships, interviews) and abstracts aspects (decision-making, time management, planning) of the application process. 

Recruitment

Recruitment for UC San Diego undergraduate mentees and graduate mentors begins in September of each year. UC San Diego graduate mentors can expect to mentor 1-2 UC San Diego undergraduate mentees. 

Program Overview

GradAMP applications will open on yearly cycle in the month of September until the end of the graduate programs application cycle-- usually Winter or Spring quarters. Applications are open to all academic fields of study. Priority deadline to be reviewed and considered for the GradAMP program is the month of September for both mentors and mentees.

Our goal is to match students as soon as possible considering that graduate programs applications tend to have deadlines between October 31st to December 1st. 

The GradAMP staff will begin matching mentors and mentees in the month of September or October to select a cohort of 25 mentors and 25 mentees. Once mentors and mentees are matched, GradAMP will do check-ins, provide workshops for mentees as needed, and share UC San Diego campus resources and events to support the mentees during the application process.  

Mentors and mentees will be able to set their own meeting schedules and have the option for remote or in-person or hybrid. 

Application Instructions

Applications

Priority Deadine: September 14, 2025

We’ll be accepting mentee applications on a rolling basis through November 3, 2025.

GradAMP currently holds applications for student mentors and mentees through a google form. We kindly ask that students fill out the form completely. Students will provide general information about their area of study and graduate programs application interest. We hope to have student matches no later than the end of October; however, please keep in mind that we may not accept students if we cannot find a match in time for the student to submit their graduate program application. 

Eligibility and Selection

Eligibility

Mentee Applicant must be:

  • Enrolled UC San Diego student not enrolled in a PhD program. 
  • U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents. International students, AB 540, or DACA students are also
    eligible.
  • Applying to UCSD graduate programs in the current application cycle (2025-2026)
  • UC San Diego Master's and Bachelor Alumni are eligible.

Selection

Mentee Applicants will be evaluated based on:

  • Year applying to graduate program 
    • Preference to those applying in the current application cycle
  • Available match 
  • Type of graduate program application
    • Preference to those applying to UC San Diego graduate programs
  • Priority deadline 

Mentor Applicants will be evaluated based on:

  • Workload and availability
  • Available match
  • Soft and hard skillset
  • Mentoring experience
  • Priority deadline 

GradAMP FAQ

How many students are participating?
In the 2020 application cycle, there were ~67 mentees and 55 mentors. The ratio is significantly more reasonable in 2021. The goal each year is to maintain a ratio closer to 1:1 with all mentors having at least one mentee. The GradAMP program reaches out to departments to ensure that the program has enough participants to balance out mentorship opportunities. 
When will the mentor-mentee pairings be released?
Mentor-mentee pairings are typically released within a couple of weeks after the application deadline. However, depending on the matching process, it may take longer as the program works to ensure everyone is paired.
Will the program take place the entire academic year? 
Acceptances are released on a rolling basis until November. The program continues until the application season is fully completed, including graduate program interviews after applications are submitted.
Do all majors follow the same steps for applying to graduate school?
Generally, yes for PhD programs. However, it's important to note that departments and graduate programs may have additional or varying requirements. While there may be a standard graduate application, some programs may require more or less. For example, some graduate programs do not require the GRE. Applicants should carefully review the department's website to ensure they submit all required documents.
Should I include my GRE scores? 
Check the degree program and department website or contact the graduate program coordinator. Not all graduate programs require the GRE.
Should I reach-out to potential faculty members before I apply? 
Yes, and your GradAMP mentor can help you navigate this process. 

All eligible students are encouraged to apply. GradAMP does not consider race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories as part of the application and selection process.

 

 

 

Non Discrimination Statement: In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. More information about Proposition 209 can be found here. More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.