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CPDP ~ California Pre-Doctoral Program

Program Components

Mentorship Experience
Scholars are matched with UC faculty members whose special expertise and interests matches those of the student's research interest and career goal. Faculty members serve as advisors and mentors, and assist the scholars in developing and completing a research action plan.
Graduate School Preparation Enrichment Opportunities

Scholars participate in academic enrichment programs to provide them with special training in areas critical to academic success; this may vary for the California Pre-Doctoral scholars. These programs include:

  • fellowship workshops
  • preparation courses for the GRE (if the student has not already successfully completed the GRE)
  • scientific writing seminars
  • preparing academic presentations workshops
  • academic career planning seminars
  • one-on-one meetings with program coordinator for specific research skills assessments
Summer Research Program Symposium

Scholars participate in the Summer Research Program Symposium. The event features:

  • opportunities to meet current graduate students, faculty mentors, UC alumni leaders and scholars from other diversity programs
  • scientific and academic presentations by fellow scholars
  • opportunities for scholars to present and receive feedback on their individual work
Expectations of Student Participants
  • Scholars will be required to reside in assigned University housing provided by UCI.
  • Scholars will be required to attend and participate in all scheduled activities.
  • Scholars must commit to working full-time in their assigned labs (40 hours per week) for the full eight weeks of the program.
  • Scholars will have individual academic and research obligations with their faculty mentor/advisor.
  • Scholars should expect to meet at least once a week with their research mentor/advisor, or more often, depending on the project and the mentor's arrangement.
  • Scholars will be expected to meet with the program coordinator during regularly scheduled meetings to discuss the progress of the research project.
  • Scholars will be required to submit a research outline, abstract and final paper in accordance with the program timeline.
  • Scholars will be required to present their research at the University of California, Irvine Summer Research Program Symposium at the end of the program in August.

Program Timeline

The Program Timelines from last summer, list a schedule of activities organized by the UCI Office of Graduate Studies for participants in the 2005 Summer Research Program. The sample Program Timeline for CPDP students who are currently preparing to apply to graduate school give a good overview of what to expect for the upcoming Summer Research Program. The sample Program Timeline for CPDP students who have been accepted to a Ph.D. program differs slightly based upon our past experience students’ needs.
For a list of other events relating to academic and industry conferences, meetings and symposiums, please visit Events.
Frequently Asked Questions

APPLICATION PROCESS
Do California Pre-Doctoral scholars need to complete additional UCI Summer Research Program application?
No, California Pre-Doctoral scholars do not need to complete any additional applications beyond what is required of the CPDP program. However, check with your program directors to make sure a copy of your program application has been forwarded to UCI’s Summer Research Program Coordinator.
FACULTY MENTOR
How do I select a faculty mentor?
Prior to contacting your Summer Research Program Coordinator, applicants are required to identify and assist with obtaining a faculty mentor with whom they are interested in working. To learn more about faculty member at UCI, visit the UCI Faculty Profile System. The database can be searched by name, department, key word or any term that appears in the research/scholarship description. Scholars will either assist the faculty member in an ongoing research project or work collaboratively with their mentor in designing a new project of mutual interest.
SUMMER PROGRAM
How long is the Summer Research Program?
Participants are required to complete the entire eight week program.

Who will pay for my stipend and housing?
Participants will be awarded a research stipend, as well as on-campus housing, which will be paid by your home campus. The Summer Research Program Coordinator will work with your home campus program director to finalize your expenses.

I live locally; will I be required to live in on-campus housing during the summer program?
Living on-campus is a required component of the summer program and contributes significantly to the overall experience. Special consideration will be given to scholars with special situations on a case-by-case basis.

Are the research opportunities only available to a specific school or major?
Research opportunities are available in virtually all academic fields (e.g. arts, humanities, social sciences, social ecology, biological sciences, engineering, computer science, physical sciences, etc.)

What are the student's objectives during the eight week program?
The research objectives of the program are substantial and require full-time student commitment (five days a week/ 40 hours per week). In conjunction with the requirements of the faculty mentors, all participants are required to submit a minimum 12-page research paper, a 1-2 page abstract describing his/her research and give a presentation at a research symposium during the last week of the program. Each participant must attend all required workshops, presentations and monthly student/staff meetings.