Graduate Program FAQs

Your application status is available online using the email address you used and the password you created when you started your application.

The Statement of Purpose consists of three parts:

• Statement of Purpose
• Personal Achievements/Contributions Statement
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

There is no page length requirement for the three components of the Statement of Purpose.

The Graduate Division Admissions FAQ page has answers to questions about the online application, fees, test scores, admissions decisions and more.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis beginning in mid-December. Most admission decisions will be finalized by the end of March or early April. We ask that applicants be patient during this period. You will be notified by email when a decision has been made on your application, and your Application Status Page will be updated with a decision letter.

Statement of Purpose

A brief statement outlining your reasons for undertaking our graduate program, particular area of specialization within the major field, past academic work and academic goals. You may also include names of UCSB EEMB faculty whose research field interests you most.

Personal Achievements / Contributions Statement

Should describe aspects of your personal background, accomplishments or achievements that you feel are important in your contribution to a diverse population at UCSB. For example, include any economic challenges experienced while achieving higher education, any unusual or varied life experiences that might contribute to the diversity of the graduate group like fluency in other languages, experience in living in bicultural communities, academic research interests focusing on cultural, societal or educational problems as they affect underserved segments of society or evidence of an intention to use the graduate degree toward serving disadvantaged individuals or populations.

Our application deadline is December 1. All application materials must be received by this date in order for you to be considered for admission as well as for campus-wide fellowships and departmental financial support. 

Spring and Summer

Prospective students should contact Faculty of Interest.

Late August/Early September

Graduate application available through UC Santa Barbara’s Graduate Division.

December

Departmental admissions deadline - December 1^st.

Late February/Early March

Admissions and financial notifications distributed to prospective students.

April

Statement of Intent and Financial Deadline – April 15^th.

Funding is individually dependent on the admitting faculty. When you apply you are automatically put into consideration for several campus multiyear fellowship competitions. We have very limited department funds, but we try to fund our students through their first year as much as we can. After that it is the responsibility of the student and their faculty advisor to find funding via employment or fellowship. There are several separate outside fellowships as well as department fellowships for which you can compete. For more information see the Graduate Division's Financial Support and Fellowships section.

The completed application for admission automatically serves as the application for financial support. Applications must be completed and submitted by December 15th to be considered for financial support. There are no exceptions for applications completed after the December 15th deadline.