PREP scholar with axolotls

PREP@UCD applicants must…

Summer researcher at UC Davis
  1. hold a bachelor’s degree in a biomedically-relevant science from an accredited US college or university awarded no more than 36 months prior to applying
  2. have a GPA of at least 3.0.
    • if your overall undergrad GPA is greater than 3.0, you're good to go.
    • if you have an overall undergraduate GPA < 3.0 and a master’s GPA > 3.0, we can consider you, provided that you will not have a master's degree during your tenure as a PREP@UCD scholar (UC Davis does not allow use of the Junior Specialist title with the MS degree).
    • if your undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0 and you lack graduate coursework, we cannot review your application. This criterion cannot be waived.
  3. be citizens or permanent residents of the US
    • We do not have institutional funding that allows us to support a DACA recipient or student who qualifies for AB540. Please see https://prep.ucdavis.edu/resources for a (partial) list of sites that have this capacity.
  4. intend to pursue doctoral study in the biomedical sciences. Please note that the PREP@UCD program is not appropriate for dual degree aspirants; other programs might be a better fit. Please see the FAQ page for details.

Application elements

  • a statement of purpose of no more than 2 single-spaced pages that includes descriptions of (1) past research experience; (2) your current scientific interests, career goals.
  • a statement of no more than one page that describes how your life experiences (including any obstacles that you have overcome) have brought you to apply to PREP@UCD. Obstacles might include but are not limited to being an individual who lacked financial resources, lacked sufficient social or environmental resources, faced cultural or racial adversity, or faced challenges due to a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
  • a statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion of no more than one page.
  • three letters of reference, with at least two from faculty in the sciences. If you’ve done research, please include a letter from a research supervisor.
  • transcripts (or unofficial copy) from all college or universities attended. For students currently enrolled in classes, please provide transcripts with grades through the end of Fall 2024. For students who have completed a bachelor’s degree, please include your final transcript.
  • a list of five PREP@UCD faculty with whom you would like to work. Please include a one-line description of how you learned about PREP@UCD.

We do not require GRE scores.

To increase their breadth in biomedical research, UC Davis graduates (or other students who have a prior connection to UC Davis) admitted to PREP@UCD will be placed in labs other than ones in which they did undergraduate research.

Questions?

Please note that we address a number of common questions on our FAQ page. If your question isn't addressed there, please don't hesitate to email Academic Coordinator Connie Champagne (email info below in the blue section).To apply

Please go to https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06864. and provide the information requested. All documents described above need to be uploaded to this website. IMPORTANT: READ (1) BELOW. Some notes:

  1. The upload site allows upload of only two documents from the applicant (letters are separate): the DEI statement and one other. Therefore, please consolidate your statement, statement of eligibility, list of faculty, and transcripts into one .pdf. Go to a website like https://download.cnet.com and search for software that will do this.
  2. UC Davis also uses recruit.ucdavis.edu for folks applying for faculty positions. Thus, it asks for things like name of your PhD advisor. Just write "not applicable".
  3. Similarly, if you haven't yet graduated, list your expected/anticipated graduation date.

Application review will begin on 17 February. We will continue to review applications thereafter until all positions have been filled; for full consideration, please apply promptly.

Please note: we encourage you to apply widely; we receive many more qualified applicants than we can support. Please see our Resources page for links to other opportunities.