In the Grad Apply application, there is a section for requesting letters of recommendation. A link will be sent to letter writers for them to upload the document to your application. Make sure to contact the letter writer first and get their confirmation before sending the request through Grad Apply.

Please note the following when it comes to requesting a letter:

• Select professors who have personally come to know your abilities from your written work and your active participation in their course or a campus group to write your letter of recommendation (earning a good grade in a course is not enough for a professor to write a persuasive, detailed letter of recommendation).
• Students should give recommenders plenty of time to complete the letter of recommendation--the more time, the better. 
• Please make sure to provide any specific instructions or questions that may be requested by the program/position.

Applicants will be required to pay the application fee or to request a fee waiver at the end of the online application.

Current application fees can be found here.

For additional application fee information visit the Graduate Division Application Fee Questions page.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents may request a waiver for the application fee. Applicants must provide supporting documentation within three weeks of the application submission date.

Applicants may qualify for a Fee Waiver upon verification of one of the following:

• Need-Based Federal Aid - FAFSA report, Financial Aid Award Letter, or document posting Federal need-based aid.
• Financial Hardship - Most recent state or federal tax forms, exhibiting the number of dependents and the adjusted gross income or Federal 1040 forms. See the "Income Eligibility Guidelines" link for more information.
• U.S. Military Service - Copy of DD 214 (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy) or if active duty, send an email with your legal name, date of birth, and branch of service.
• Graduate Prep Program Participation - UC San Diego provides a fee waiver for applicants who have participated in specific graduate programs. Note: Not all graduate preparation programs are eligible for the fee waiver. On the "Additional Information" page of the online application select the program in which you participated. The name and business email address of the program director are required for the UCSD Graduate Admissions staff to verify your participation. If this verification cannot be completed, you will be asked to provide additional information or pay the application fee.

How to apply for a fee waiver:

1. Complete the online application. The option to request a fee waiver is provided before the official submission of your application.

2. Review the "Apply for Fee Waiver" section, sign, and submit. This action submits your final and official application to UCSD Graduate Admissions.

3. Check your email.  A confirmation email with be sent with further instructions for submitting your verification.

Please note: Application Fee Waivers can only be processed after Steps 1 and 2 have been completed.

For additional questions on the application fee, visit the Graduate Division Application Fee Questions page.

Students who already hold an advanced academic degree may be admitted to UC San Diego to pursue a second advanced academic degree at the same level only under limited circumstances, and only with the consent of the Graduate Council.

If you hold an advanced degree and are unsure if it is at the same level as the degree for which you will be applying, please email us at gradadmissions@ucsd.edu.

The program begins to review applications within two weeks of each admissions deadline and aims to send decisions out within one month of this deadline. 

The official notification of admission will come from the Graduate Admissions office. Your Application Status page will update as soon as a decision has been made.

Students will need to provide a decision by April 15th.