Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions to GGCS
We accept applications for Fall only beginning in September. The deadline for all applications and supporting materials is January 8th.
- Instructions for Applying
- Application Questions
- General Questions about Admissions
- Questions about the GRE/TOEFL
- Financial Questions
- I've just been admitted and I have questions.
Instructions for Applying
All applications must be submitted on-line and all transcripts must be received by January 8th. Applications received after January 8th may not be considered and the application fee will not be refunded.
We are no longer mailing paper applications, and we also no longer accept paper applications.
All applications must include the following materials in order to be considered complete. An application will not be reviewed until it is complete.
- The application fee is $60 for domestic and $80 for international applicants. We do not process any application materials until the application fee has been paid. The fee may be paid by credit card or e-check. The fee must be paid before the application will be considered as complete, and the fee must be paid for each application submitted.
- Completed application form including statement of purpose. The 2008 online application will become available to applicants mid to late August. The URL will be provided as soon as possible. In your online application, please explicitly state your area(s) of interest as we will use this information to distribute your application to faculty in these areas for review. Be specific - avoid entries such as "See hardcopy" or "Computer Science." Suggested (non-exclusive) areas may include: algorithms, architecture, bioinformatics, compilers, computational biology, computational geometry, cryptography, databases, data analysis, data management, data mining, distributed systems, e-commerce, graphics, information systems, knowledge representation, networks, operating systems, P2P, parallel computing, programming languages, security, scientific computing, scientific data management, software engineering theory, visualization, virtual reality, wireless networks. You may enter one or more areas. You may also enter more specific areas than what is listed above.
- Letters of Recommendation must be submitted electronically through the online application. Do not have recommenders send letters in hard copy.
- Transcripts from undergraduate and graduate level (if applicable) attended since completion of high school. DO NOT SEND SECONDARY OR HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS or certificates from practical training courses.
- Submit your transcripts AFTER your application has been marked complete and submitted.
- Submit only one transcript for each univeristy or college you have attended. Transcripts will be made available to faculty in each graduate program to which you have applied, as well as for the review of the fellowship application.
- Send your transcripts directly to the graduate program to which you have applied; in the case of multiple applications, applicants should send only one transcript to their first choice of graduate program or with the first completed graudate program application.
- GRE Score report. Since GRE scores must be included with your application, it will be necessary to take the exam prior to late November. If you cannot take the exam in a timely manner, we will be unable to process your application. I strongly encourage applicants to report GRE and TOEFL scores electronically directly to the institution.
- TOEFL is required from all international applicants except those who have been granted a post-secondary degree from a US college or university, or those who attended an international university where the language of instruction was English (this includes applicants from India).
- Mail all transcripts to:
Graduate Group in Computer Science
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA 95616 USA
If you wish to verify the receipt of these materials, please make arrangements with the mail courier you use to obtain confirmation of delivery from them.
Application Questions:
January 8th: Deadline for all applicants. Please note: our deadline is earlier than some other programs. All application materials must be RECEIVED by this date. Materials received after this date will not be returned.
NOTE: The graduate program in computer science accepts applications for Fall Quarter only. Applications for Fall can be submitted beginning in September. Admissions decisions will be communicated in early Spring. Admissions decisions are not communicated by email or telephone, but rather by an official letter from the Office of Graduate Studies.
How do I apply?
The application URL is: https://apply.embark.com/grad/UCDavis/30/
Besides an application form, what kind of supporting materials are required?
The supporting materials that are required for the graduate application are:
- Transcripts for all college or university courses taken. If your transcripts are not in English, Graduate Studies requires official translations of all transcripts. Do not send high school transcripts or certificates of training courses.
- Electronic submission of your GRE score report.
- Statement of Purpose: The statement of purpose plays a critical role in the review of an application. It should be well written and free from technical errors and second language interference. It should define your background, and the interests and experiences that qualify you for graduate study. It must explicitly state your areas of interest for graduate study and detail how the program at UC Davis will help you attain your educational and research goals. The statement should reflect that you understand the on-going research in computer science at UC Davis and explain why you are qualified to contribute to that research.
- Three letters of recommendation. All letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically by the referee. The online application will automatically notify the referee and provide instructions on how to submit their letter.
- TOEFL score: International applicants from countries where English is not the language of instruction generally do not need to provide TOEFL scores. TOEFL is not required from students who have earned a degree from a US institution. Scores must be submitted electronically.
- Application fee. We do not process any application materials until the application fee has been paid. The fee may be paid by credit card or e-check. The fee must be paid before the application will be considered as complete, and the fee must be paid for each application submitted.
How can I determine if my application materials have arrived?
You will receive a confirmation email once your application is complete.
I don't have the application fee. Can I pay the fee after I have been admitted?
We do not process any application until we have received an application fee.
How long will it take to find out if I have been accepted into the program?
Once a completed application and all supporting materials (transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, TOEFL (when required) and the application fee have been received, the application will be submitted to the GGCS admissions committee. Based on a review of application materials, a recommendation is made to accept or decline an applicant's request for admission. That recommendation is forwarded to the Dean of Graduate Studies for verification of admission requirements. Notification of admissions decisions will be communicated in writing by Graduate Studies. Neither Graduate Studies, or the graduate group will respond to telephone or email inquiries for admissions decisions.
The admissions committee does not begin reviewing applications until late January. Generally, most applications submitted by the January 8th deadline will be reviewed prior to mid-February, though some applications are held for later consideration. Most decisions are communicated by early spring.
[back to top]General Questions about Admissions
What qualities do you look for in a good candidate?
Our primary goal in selecting students for our graduate program is to find individuals who have demonstrated academic achievement (average undergraduate GPA of those admitted is 3.60), a solid academic background in computer science (completion of an undergraduate program comparable to the undergraduate program at UC Davis) and the potential to tackle the complex thinking and writing that graduate study requires. We evaluate this by looking at specific coursework in computer science and we also use your statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores.
Average GRE scores of those admitted are:
| Test | Average Score | Average % | Median | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal | 590 | 62% | 88% | 93% |
| Quantitative | 750 | 84% | 94% | 94% |
| Analytical | 739 | 92% | 91% | 97% |
| Written Analytical | 4.9 | 68% | ||
| CS Subject | 788 | 68% |
Admission to the Graduate Group in Computer Science is highly competitive. We reviewed more than 500 applications for admission in Fall 2007. 196 applicants were admitted, 70 accepted offers of admission. More than 270 applications were received from international applicants. 96 international Ph.D. applicants and 32 international MS applicants were offered admission.
My undergraduate degree is in another major. What options do I have to get into the program?
The GGCS admissions committee is primarily looking for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement in computer science. However, we know that a student with an undergraduate major in a related field (electrical engineering, mathematics, physics, etc.) may have the ability to do well in our program. In addition, in the past truly exceptional students with a background in a field not related to computer science have been admitted to our program. The latter students have demonstrated their academic potential through their undergraduate experience, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. The likelihood of admission to the program in any year depends on the applicant pool. In recent years, the applicant pool has become increasingly competitive. Very few students without a solid academic background in computer science are currently able to put forth a competitive application. At the very minimum, students without a degree in computer science must complete the courses listed in Appendix A of the Graduate Degree Requirements, though completion of this list of courses is rarely sufficient to gain admission.
Although I don't have an academic background in computer science, I have considerable professional experience. Will this improve my chances for admission?
While work experience will augment your application materials, the application review is concerned mostly with your academic qualifications, and your preparation to succeed in a rigorous, theoretical, research-based, academic program.
Can you give me an idea of my chances for admission?
Because the applicant pool varies from year to year, we are unable to do this. The answers to some of the following FAQs will help you determine if you meet the requirements for admission. In general, if your undergraduate record is excellent and your GRE scores are high (90th percentile and above for all tests) we would encourage you to apply. (See information above for admission statistics) Please remember that in a large and competitive applicant pool, many applicants who meet all requirements will not be offered admission.
What are the prerequisites for graduate study in computer science at UC Davis?
The GGCS requires that students demonstrate a high level of proficiency in five key areas: Theory, Computer Architecture, Programming Languages, Operating Systems and Mathematics. For specific UC Davis courses that fulfill these requirements, see Appendix A of the graduate degree requirements.
I don't have the necessary undergraduate preparation for admission (I haven't taken the classes listed in Appendix A).
All students accepted into the GGCS are screened for fulfillment of undergraduate proficiencies. Very few applicants are admitted prior to completion of the majority of these courses.
If I have professional work experience in the computer industry, can I use that to fulfill my undergraduate proficiencies?
In some instances, students who feel adequately prepared through professional experience may take a graduate level course (see Appendix B of the Graduate Degree requirements) to fulfill both the undergraduate proficiency and satisfy a graduate course requirement. Approval to do this is made only after consultation with the faculty graduate adviser. In general, industry experience does not replace academic preparation.
How competitive is admission and obtaining aid?
Admission to the Graduate Group in computer science is highly competitive. We reviewed more than 500 applications for admission in Fall 2007. 196 applicants were admitted, 70 accepted offers of admission. More than 270 applications were received from international applicants. 96 international Ph.D. applicants and 32 international MS applicants were offered admission.
Financial assistance for graduate study comes in the form of fellowships, Teaching Assistant (TA) and Graduate Student Research (GSR) positions. Approximately 70% of those PhDs who chose to attend in Fall 2007 have a guarantee of support for at least one year. MS students generally do not receive a guaranteed offer of support.
Questions about the GRE
Is the GRE required?
The GRE general test is required for all applicants.
Is the Computer Science Subject Test required?
The Computer Science subject test is strongly recommended, but not required. A strong computer science subject test score can enhance an applicant's chance for admission.
The GRE exam format changed in October of 2002. Will you still accept scores from tests taken prior to October 2002?
Beginning Fall of 2004, we require all applicants to submit GRE scores that include the new written analytical test score.
If I don't provide original GRE and/or TOEFL scores with my application, will I still be evaluated for admission?
The department can review and applicant's file based on photocopies of the examinee's score report sent to you by ETS. However we must receive original scores before an admission decision can be communicated to you.
What are your Institution and Department Codes?
GRE
Institution: 4834
Department: 0402
TOEFL
Institution: 4834
Department: 78
Financial Questions
How do I apply for financial aid?
All domestic applicants MUST file a FAFSA.This application is essential in order to qualify for many types of financial assistance including any departmental or campus fellowship. The application can be filled out on-line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. This application is necessary to qualify for many types of financial assistance including most departmental awards.
Information about student loans and Cal Grants can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office at http://faoman.ucdavis.edu/.
New Financial Aid Website:http://financialaid.ucdavis.edu
We also encourage all applicants to file an application for fellowship (http://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/ssupport/internal.html) prior to the January 8th deadline. This application is necessary to qualify for non-resident tuition waivers and other departmental fellowships.
What forms of financial aid are available?
The standard form of Ph.D. graduate student support in a 50% TA position for the first three quarters and either a 50% TA or 45% GSR position for the remainder of a student's academic career. The amount and type of aid that the department can offer varies from year to year depending on the number of TA and GSR positions that are available, the fellowships that the department is authorized to award, and the number of students requesting financial assistance. It has become increasingly difficult to provide funding for MS students.
Fellowships. We strongly encourage all qualified applicants to apply for many external fellowships offered by both government and private agencies. Recipients of fellowships such as NSF, NPSC, and DOE fellowships are highly regarded as applicants. However, the deadline for some of the most prestigious and highly competitive fellowships is generally the first week in November, so an early start on the application process is essential.
A complete list of external fellowships and their respective deadlines can be found at http://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/ssupport/external.html
What are the estimated yearly expenses for a graduate student?
Here are two websites that may offer information about the cost of attending UC Davis:
http://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/prospective/admissions.html#8
http://www.ormp.ucdavis.edu/studentfees/
Are Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Graduate Student Research (GSR) positions available?
Many graduate students serve in one of these two positions for all or most of their graduate student career. These positions offer professional development, research opportunities and significant financial rewards. In addition to a monthly salary, these positions provide a full or partial fee waiver.
At the current time, we are able to offer most qualified graduate students a TA position during the first year of study. Students entering with an advanced degree in computer science may be offered a GSR position if there is a good match between a research program and a student's background.
The rapid increase in Ph.D. enrollments in the past two years has significantly decreased the likelihood of TA or GSR funding for MS students.
How do I apply for an assistantship?
When you submit your application the department automatically considers all qualified full-time program applicants as candidates for TA positions. As applications are reviewed we begin to compile a list of potential TAs. We send offers to applicants that we feel certain we will have a position for and give a limited amount of time to make a decision to accept or decline our offer. Sometimes these awards are made in "rounds" with the most highly qualified students being made the first offers.
Is there funding available for non-resident tuition?
Students at the University of California, who are not California residents, are required to pay non-resident tuition. Each year we have a limited number of non-resident tuition fellowships (NRTFs) to award. In order to be a competitive candidate for this type of fellowship, all your application materials MUST be filed no later than January 8. Domestic applicants must file a FAFSA to be awarded a NRTF.
Is it possible to establish California residency?
Domestic students (US citizens and permanent residents) may be eligible for California residency after one year if certain requirements are met. After residency is established, a student is no longer required to pay non-resident tuition. All students, regardless of residency status, pay educational fees. All questions regarding California residency must be directed to the Residency Deputy in the Office of the Registrar. For information, visit:
http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/UCDWebCatalog/appendix/residency.html
Certain non-resident students may qualify for in-state fees and a waiver of non-resident tuition if they attended at least three years and graduated from a California high school.
International students on F-1 or J-1 visas cannot establish California residency and therefore are assessed non-resident tuition the entire time they are a graduate student. Some students on H-1B visas may qualify for California residency after 12 months, but full time student status may violate visa provisions. All visa questions should be referred to Services for International Students and Scholars (siss@ucdavis.edu).
I've just been admitted and I have questions.
I'd like to visit campus before I decide if I want to attend UCD. How do I arrange a visit?
We strongly believe one of our best recruiting tools is a visit to our campus, so we welcome visitors! The Graduate Group in Computer Science holds a graduate recruitment event in early March of each year for admitted Ph.D. applicants. The Department of Computer Science invites qualifying applicants who had been recommended for admission to spend a day meeting faculty and current graduate students, touring the research facilities and familiarizing themselves with the Davis community. The department reimburses some students for a portion of their travel expense. Information about this event is sent to invited students during mid-February.
If you cannot join us for our applicant visit event, we encourage you to contact us regarding a visit to UC Davis at another time. We try to arrange appointments with representative faculty and a tour of our research facilities for each interested candidate. In addition, we attempt to arrange some time for applicants to meet with current graduate students.
How do I register for classes?
In late June, the Office of the Registrar mails registration materials to each domestic student who has indicated their intent to register. International students receive registration materials when they arrive on campus. While most new graduate students will enroll in the graduate core courses offered in their first quarter, course selection should be made with consideration of the undergraduate proficiencies that must be fulfilled. For specific advise on your program of study for your first year, contact the graduate program coordinator.
What assistance is available for students looking for housing?
The following websites contains information about the housing market in Davis. Once you have narrowed your search, you can email the graduate Program Coordinator (stoller@cs.ucdavis.edu) who will ask for feedback on your choices from current grad students.
http://www.housing.ucdavis.edu/
Contacting Faculty
How do I contact faculty if I have questions or need some assistance before I arrive?
Send all questions to the Graduate Program Coordinator (stoller@cs.ucdavis.edu). From there, questions will be routed to someone who can adequately answer your query.
When should I plan to arrive in Davis?
Most leases in Davis begin the first of September, but the academic quarter does not begin until the end of September. It is strongly recommended that you arrive in Davis well before Orientation Week.You will need time to settle in to your new home, find a bicycle, figure out where things are, and, if applicable, spend some time preparing for your TA duties before classes begin.