Graduate FAQs
- What Is My Application Status? Is My Application Complete?
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Your application status is available on the UCSB Graduate Application page. You can login using the email address you used and the password you created when you started your application.
- Where Can I Get Answers to my Graduate Admissions and Application Questions?
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The Graduate Division Admissions FAQ page has answers to questions about the online application, fees, test scores, admissions decisions and more. For general admission and application questions you can contact the Admissions & Outreach team at (805) 893-2277 or email: gradadmissions@graddiv.ucsb.edu. For Department specific questions you can email: grad_assistant@geog.ucsb.edu.
- What is the Difference Between the Statement of Purpose (SoP) and the Personal Achievements/ Contributions Statement?
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The Statement of Purpose
Give a brief statement outlining your reasons for undertaking a graduate program, your particular area of specialization within the major field, your past academic work, and your plans for future occupation or profession. Also include any additional information that may assist the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UC Santa Barbara.
Personal Achievements / Contributions Statement
UC Santa Barbara is interested in a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. Please describe any aspects of your personal background, accomplishments, or achievements that you feel are important in evaluating your application for graduate study. For example, please describe if you have experienced economic challenges in achieving higher education, such as being financially responsible for family members or dependents, having to work significant hours during undergraduate schooling or coming from a family background of limited income. Please describe if you have any unusual or varied life experiences that might contribute to the diversity of the graduate group, such as fluency in other languages, experience 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.
There is no page length requirement for the Statement of Purpose and the Personal Achievements/Contributions Statement.
- When is the Application Deadline?
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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. We will grant a two-week extension for receipt of GRE scores provided that all other materials have been received by the December 1 deadline.
- When Will I Be Notified If I Was Admitted to the Graduate Program?
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Most admission decisions will be finalized by the end of February or early March. 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. The Statement of Intent and Financial deadline is April 15th.
- Do I need to submit GRE scores?
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GRE scores are not required.
