UC Recruit Day

Invitation to UC Graduate School Information Session

We are pleased to invite prospective graduate students to attend our comprehensive University of California Graduate School Information Session. This virtual event will showcase all ten University of California campuses and their respective graduate programs.

Event Highlights:

Gain valuable insights from UC admissions experts
Explore cutting-edge research opportunities across various disciplines
Discover diverse programs offered throughout the UC system
Learn effective strategies for crafting a competitive application
Network with current students and faculty members

The University of California system offers world-class education and research opportunities for aspiring scholars and professionals. Whether your goals include groundbreaking research or innovative contributions to your field, the UC system provides an ideal environment for academic and professional growth.

We encourage you to join us for this informative session to learn more about UC graduate admissions and find the program that best aligns with your academic and career aspirations.

Schedule of the day (PDT):

10:00 am - Opening Presentation
10:30 am - UC Santa Barbara
11:00 am - UC Berkeley
11:30 am - UC Irvine
12:00 pm - UC Santa Cruz
12:30 pm - Break
1:00 pm - UC San Francisco
1:30 pm - UC Davis
2:00 pm - UC Merced
2:30 pm - UC Los Angeles
3:00 pm - UC Riverside
3:30 pm - UC San Diego

Register Now!

	UC Berkeley UC Berkeley boasts old-school architecture and Bay Area beauty. It’s known for its consistently top-ranked graduate programs and for programs and labs led by some of the world’s most brilliant thinkers, including more than 100 Nobel laureates. It is the place where the Free Speech Movement was born and a pivotal hotspot in the Disability Rights Movement — and it continues to influence and evolve through over 200 trailblazing graduate programs. Students: Approximately 45,000 (32,000 undergraduates; 13,000 graduate) Fun Fact: UC Berkeley was the first campus in the University of California system and has led the way in scientific discovery ever since. Scientists at UC Berkeley have discovered 16 elements on the periodic table, including californium and berkelium, which was named after the university itself! UC Berkeley's campus is home to a colony of peregrine falcons, which nest atop the iconic Campanile tower and have been closely monitored by researchers and enthusiasts since 2017, becoming local celebrities with their own webcam and social media following.
	UC Davis UC Davis offers world-class research opportunities and advanced degree programs across a diverse range of disciplines, with particular strengths in agricultural sciences, environmental studies, and veterinary medicine. The university's state-of-the-art facilities, collaborative research environment, and partnerships with industry leaders provide an ideal setting for graduate students to pursue groundbreaking research and develop expertise in their chosen fields. Students: Approximately 39,000 (31,000 undergraduates; 8,000 graduate) Fun Fact: UC Davis is home to the world's only university-based brewing program! The UC Davis Brewing Program, part of the Food Science and Technology Department, offers courses in beer brewing science and has its own pilot brewery. This unique program has been instrumental in training many professionals in the craft brewing industry, making UC Davis a significant contributor to the world of beer science and production.
	UC Irvine UC Irvine, founded in 1965, is a hub of academic excellence and innovation. The campus, designed in a unique circular layout, is ideally situated just miles from iconic Southern California beaches like Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach, offering students a perfect blend of coastal living and urban amenities. UCI's graduate programs are highly regarded, with over 120 master's and doctoral programs across various disciplines. The university's Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences is the only independent computing school in the UC system, while the School of Law, established in 2009, has quickly risen to rank among the top 35 in the nation. UCI's commitment to research is evident in its three Nobel laureates from the Chemistry department. The university has consistently been recognized for its academic prowess, ranking among the top 10 public universities in the U.S. according to U.S. News & World Report. UCI is also known for its sustainability efforts, with more than 20 LEED-certified buildings on campus. Students: Approximately 37,000 (30,000 undergraduates; 7,000 graduate) Fun Fact: The university's unique mascot, Peter the Anteater, reflects its distinctive character. In terms of accolades, UCI has been designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, highlighting its student body. UC irvine is one of the only universities to guarantee housing for doctoral and MFA students.
	UC Los Angeles Located in Los Angeles, a major metropolitan area known for its cultural richness and global influence, UCLA offers graduate students a transformative experience. Students work closely with world-renowned faculty across top-ranked programs spanning cutting-edge research in the sciences, innovative approaches in the arts, and groundbreaking work in social sciences and humanities. The campus reflects this dynamic spirit, blending Romanesque, modern, and mid-century architecture. Just minutes from the ocean, mountains, and desert, UCLA provides access to diverse natural landscapes and real-world learning. Deeply connected to Los Angeles' communities, students engage meaningfully beyond campus, shaping change locally and globally. Students: Approximately 46,000 (32,000 undergraduates; 14,000 graduate) Fun Fact: UCLA is home to the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, a 7.5-acre living museum that features over 3,000 species of plants from around the world. What makes this garden particularly unique is its tropical and subtropical collection, which includes rare plants that are difficult to grow in Southern California's climate. The garden has a stream and several ponds, creating a serene oasis in the middle of the bustling campus. It serves not only as a beautiful spot for relaxation and study but also as an important resource for research in botany, ecology, and environmental science. Graduate students often use this living laboratory for their studies, making it a hidden gem for both leisure and academic pursuits.
	UC Merced Nestled in California's Central Valley, just 90 minutes west of the iconic Yosemite National Park, UC Merced stands as the newest jewel in the University of California system. The mission of UC Merced is embodied in its pride in being the first American research university of the 21st century and UC’s first campus in the state’s San Joaquin Valley. In 2025, UC Merced assumed its place in the top echelon of research institutions in the nation by earning R1 status from Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UC Merced strives for excellence in carrying out its mission of teaching, research and public service. As a key tenet of this mission, UC Merced promotes diversity on campus and in its various communities. Here, you'll find the intimate feel of a small college combined with the resources and prestige of a world-class university system, providing an unparalleled setting for academic growth and personal development.    Students: Approximately 9,000 (8,000 undergraduates; 1,000 graduate) Fun Fact: UC Merced is home to the largest solar power production facility on any university campus in California. The campus has a 5-megawatt solar array that spans 8.5 acres, consisting of 16,896 solar panels. This impressive installation generates about 14 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is enough to power roughly 1,700 homes for a year. This commitment to renewable energy not only supports UC Merced's sustainability goals but also serves as a real-world example for students studying environmental science, engineering, and related fields, providing hands-on learning opportunities in clean energy technologies.
	UC Riverside Known for its inclusive excellence, UCR offers a diverse array of academic programs and groundbreaking research opportunities. Home to the world-renowned Citrus Variety Collection and a leader in environmental and agricultural sciences, UCR also boasts strong programs in engineering, business, and the arts. With a commitment to student success and a vibrant campus life, UCR provides a transformative educational experience that prepares graduates to tackle global challenges and make meaningful contributions to society.  Students: Approximately 26,000 (22,000 undergraduates; 4,000 graduate) Fun Fact: UC Riverside's Bell Tower, a campus landmark, houses a 48-bell carillon that plays music daily. It's one of only five carillons in California and is played live by university carillonneurs, making UCR one of the few places in the state where you can hear this unique instrument regularly.
	UC San Diego UC San Diego, a coastal powerhouse of innovation and research, is perched above the Pacific in La Jolla. Known for its unconventional spirit, UCSD is organized into six undergraduate colleges, each with its own unique philosophy and style. The campus is a hub for cutting-edge research in fields ranging from oceanography and climate science to biotechnology and engineering. With its distinctive architecture, including the iconic Geisel Library, UCSD offers a vibrant academic environment that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration. Students benefit from world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to sustainability. Whether you're exploring the nearby beaches or diving into groundbreaking research, UCSD provides a dynamic setting for academic excellence and personal growth.   Students: Approximately 42,000 (31,000 undergraduates; 11,000 graduate) Fun Fact: UC San Diego's campus features a unique outdoor art collection called the Stuart Collection, which turns the entire university into an open-air museum. One of the most striking pieces is the "Fallen Star" by Do Ho Suh - a small blue house perched precariously atop the seventh floor of the Jacobs School of Engineering building. The house is fully furnished inside and appears to have crashed onto the building at an odd angle. It's not just for show; it's a functional space that can be visited. This whimsical installation challenges perceptions of space and balance, embodying UCSD's commitment to blending art, science, and unconventional thinking in everyday campus life.
	UC San Francisco UC San Francisco (UCSF) stands out among the UC campuses as a graduate-level university dedicated exclusively to health sciences. The Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs is the home of graduate education and postdoctoral training at UCSF. We offer 20 PhD programs in basic, translational, and social/population sciences; 13 master's degree programs; and two professional doctorates. More than 1,000 postdoctoral scholars add to the robust research community on campus. Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs programs are housed within all four of the professional schools and Global Health Sciences at UCSF. The programs are almost all inter-disciplinary, creating a dynamic and synergistic atmosphere for research. Our award-winning faculty members deliver engaging courses and provide personalized mentorship for every student and postdoc. UCSF is among the top universities of its kind in the world and a key contributor to the Bay Area's well-deserved reputation as a hub of innovation, technology, and progressive influence. Our graduate students, postdocs, and faculty take advantage of year-round opportunities to learn from and engage with leaders and ground-breakers in the community and in the region. Located in the heart of San Francisco, UCSF is a world-renowned leader in biomedical research, patient care, and health professional training. The university comprises top-ranked professional schools in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and nursing, as well as a graduate division for PhD programs. UCSF is consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the nation and is known for its innovative research in areas such as neuroscience, cancer, and precision medicine. The university operates several major health centers, including UCSF Medical Center, which is recognized as one of the best hospitals in the country.     Students: Approximately 2,900 Fun Fact: UCSF is home to a unique art installation that combines science and creativity in an unexpected way. The "Spiral of Life" sculpture, located in the atrium of Genentech Hall, is a massive DNA-inspired artwork that doubles as a functional musical instrument. Created by artist Ned Kahn, the 55-foot-tall sculpture consists of thousands of suspended stainless steel cables arranged in a double helix pattern. What makes it truly remarkable is that visitors can play the sculpture like a harp, creating ethereal sounds by running their hands along the cables. This interactive piece not only represents UCSF's focus on genetic research but also embodies the institution's belief in the interconnectedness of science and art, providing a moment of wonder and reflection in the midst of cutting-edge research facilities.
	UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Barbara, nestled along the picturesque California coastline, offers a unique blend of academic excellence and natural beauty. Known for its stunning campus, which includes its own beach, UCSB is a world-class research institution with particular strengths in physics, engineering, and environmental studies. The university is home to six Nobel laureates and is renowned for its collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to education. The campus culture is characterized by a strong commitment to sustainability, a vibrant arts scene, and a laid-back coastal vibe. With its bike-friendly paths, beautiful lagoon, and proximity to the Santa Ynez Mountains, UCSB provides an unparalleled environment where groundbreaking research meets an active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle. Students: Approximately 26,000 (23,000 undergraduates; 3,000 graduate) Fun Fact: UC Santa Barbara is home to a unique natural phenomenon that occurs in its campus lagoon. During certain times of the year, typically in the summer and fall, the lagoon waters glow an ethereal blue at night due to bioluminescent dinoflagellates. These tiny marine organisms emit light when disturbed, creating a magical display often referred to as "blue tears" or "sea sparkle." Students and visitors can witness this spectacular light show by simply walking along the lagoon's edge or kayaking through its waters after dark. This natural wonder not only provides a stunning visual experience but also serves as a living laboratory for UCSB's marine biology students, who study these bioluminescent organisms and their ecological impact. It's a perfect example of how UCSB's coastal location enhances both the student experience and scientific research opportunities.
	UC Santa Cruz The graduate programs at UC Santa Cruz encourage close working relationships among students and faculty in an atmosphere conducive to rapid learning and professional growth. State-of-the-art facilities and outstanding faculty engage graduate students in research and scholarly discovery, producing influential results with impact on global scholarship and inquiry. Resources include the Long Marine Laboratory, a leader in marine mammal research, and the Center for Adaptive Optics, integrating astronomy and vision science. The Digital Arts Research Center’s advanced facilities enable collaboration between the arts and engineering. The Institute for Humanities Research supports research in history, gender studies, cultural studies and other fields. Students: Approximately 19,000 (17,000 undergraduates; 2,000 graduate) Fun Fact: UC Santa Cruz researchers were the first to assemble the complete human genome sequence, which they put on the Web to encourage global, collaborative research. Today, its Genome Browser gets millions of hits every week. UC Santa Cruz also manages the nationwide warehouse of cancer genomic data for the National Cancer Institute. UC Santa Cruz’s Genomics Institute is fast-tracking its Genome Browser with SARS-CoV-2 data, supporting biomedical research aimed at developing treatments and a vaccine for COVID-19.