Doctoral Checklist

Step 1: Apply to the university through UCI Online Application System
Step 2: Submit required documents to UCI Graduate Admissions
Step 3: Submit required documents to SDSU Online Interfolio Application System

As part of the admissions process, all applicants will be required to apply first through UCI and submit all official documents to the Graduate Division at UCI. All applicants will be reviewed by a joint committee consisting of members from both UCI and SDSU.

Required Items as Part of Application:
1. Identify a minimum of three potential faculty advisors, including at least one from each campus from the JDP faculty list as potential research advisors. These potential research advisors must be mentioned in submitted statement of purpose. JDP Faculty Advisor List
2. Three Letters of Recommendation with at least one from someone who can address your academic life as a student.
3. Official University Transcripts.
4. Current Resume or CV.
5. The GRE (General) – REQUIREMENT WAIVED FOR FALL 2024 ADMISSION
6. Applicants whose primary language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

To be admitted to the Joint PhD. Program, an applicant must have received a baccalaureate degree in one of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, with background in Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Statistics, and Programming in a language such as C or Fortran. Applicants are expected to be able to take advanced Mathematics courses. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their prior academic record and their potential for creative research and teaching, as demonstrated in submitted application materials. These materials will include official university transcripts from an accredited institution, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, Resume or CV, and Statement of Purpose. The applicant must have an undergraduate Grade Point Average of at least 3.0 and of at least 3.50 in any prior graduate course work. The applicant must, in addition, have attained such a scholastic record and present such confidential recommendations as to indicate they are well qualified to pursue, with distinction, advanced study and research.

The GRE General is a requirement for admission (GRE REQUIREMENT WAIVED FOR FALL 2024 ADMISSION). Scores on this exam must be less than five years old. Applicants whose primary language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English for admission consideration. A minimum score of 80 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. The IELTS minimum overall score is 7, with no less than 6 on any individual module. Please note that all international students, including those with Permanent Resident status, who wish to or will be expected to serve as a Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate must pass an English proficiency exam approved by UCI. Please visit English Proficiency for Teaching Assistantships | Graduate Division | UCI for more information.

Your answers to these questions will help the faculty and admissions committee gain an understanding of your readiness for this doctoral program, your academic motivation, and your understanding of and commitment to the field of computational science.

1. What are your short and long-term goals? Include your career objectives and goals for graduate study.

2. Describe your research interests, including research you have completed and how your preparation, experiences, and interests match the specific resources and characteristics of the SDSU/UCI joint doctoral program in computational science. If you have been involved in several research projects, please choose the one that most interests you or to which you made the greatest contribution and discuss how it aligns with our program. Identify three specific faculty affiliated with the joint doctoral program in computational science with whom you would like to work and explain how their interests align with your own.

3. Our students must be tool makers as much as tool users. Please tell us your experience writing computer codes in C, C ++, FORTRAN.

4. Understanding that your goals may change over the course of your graduate study, at this time, would you like to work in industry, a national laboratory or an academic institution? Explain your reasons why.

5. Accurate and effective communication is a vital part of the research process. What can you tell us about your communication skills, both written and verbal? Are you an author on any papers? If so, please list them. Have you presented your research at any conferences? Were they poster or oral presentations? Have you taken any science or technical writing classes?

6. If necessary, briefly explain any deficiencies or inconsistencies in your records. (optional)