Ph.D. Admissions Bootcamp
Interested in pursuing a Ph.D, but not sure where to start — or which program is the right fit for your interest?
UC Berkeley’s Office for Graduate Diversity has created a series of virtual workshops to help prospective doctoral students understand how Ph.D. programs differ from other graduate degrees, and how to find the right program for their interests and goals. No travel or synchronous attendance required!
This free online bootcamp series was developed specifically for underrepresented individuals considering graduate school, though it is open to all who may benefit.
This program has ended, however, session recordings are available by request below.
Request access to session recordings (opens in a new tab)Eligibility
This bootcamp is for U.S. residents, U.S. citizens, or individuals who have attended or are attending an institution of higher education in the U.S. or U.S. territories. If you are interested in future, similar events regardless of citizenship or residency status, please complete our interest form.
Schedule
The Ph.D. Admissions Bootcamp will take place over six sessions, on a virtual platform. No travel or synchronous attendance required! View session descriptions below.
Bootcamp Session Descriptions
Demystifying the Ph.D.
Session 1Learn about how doctoral programs differ from other professional and graduate programs, and if a Ph.D. program might be right for you. We’ll demystify the funding process, discuss how admissions committees review applicants, and provide tips on how to identify and contact faculty in your program of interest.
Ph.D. Options for My Discipline: Developing a Competitive Application
Session 2-
Session 2a: Applying to STEM Programs
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Session 2b: Applying to Social Science and Humanities Programs
Learn about what types of graduate programs are possible for students in your discipline, and undergraduate major. Meet faculty, experts, current graduate students, and alumni in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields (Session 2A) or humanities and social sciences (Session 2B). Learn their recommendations for successfully navigating the application process and succeeding in graduate school.
How to Find Your Researcher Identity
Session 3Learn from current graduate students about how to develop your identity as a researcher, what tools and support you need to thrive in a research setting, and who to reach out to for support in identifying and pursuing your research focus.
Making Use of the Summer and Organizing for the Journey Ahead
Session 4The key to a successful graduate school application often involves making effective use of limited time. In this session learn how to organize your time to put together a competitive application, along with some hacks, tips, and tools to prepare your application.
Closer to Achieving the Dream
Session 5In this session, learn how to grow and strengthen your recommender relationship, organize and track admissions deadlines, write a strong diversity statement, manage rejection, and choose the right institution.
Live Discussion: Meet the Speakers
Session 6Questions remain or new ones developed? Join this live discussion to engage with fellow Bootcamp attendees, current UC Berkeley Ph.D. students, and special guest speakers. Guests include Dr. Alberto Ledesma (opens in a new tab), Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Division of Arts & Humanities and Meltem Erol (opens in a new tab), Director of Graduate Outreach in the College of Engineering.