Graduate Application Assistance Program (GAAP)
The Scripps Oceanography Graduate Application Assistance Program seeks to demystify the graduate application process and support students in pursuit of graduate education opportunities.
GAAP is open to all eligible students. The program does not consider race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories as part of the application and selection process.
- Program Background
As a leader at UC San Diego and in the fields of marine, earth & atmospheric sciences, Scripps Institution of Oceanography is taking proactive steps to support opportunities to broaden participation by offering a series of virtual workshops designed demystify the graduate application process and support prospective students in pursuit of graduate education opportunities.
GAAP is open to all eligible prospective students. Individuals who will be applying for Fall 2026 admission are strongly encouraged to RSVP, but we also welcome individuals considering graduate school in the future (beyond 2026) who are not sure whether graduate school is right for them to participate and learn more about the application process and graduate school experience in general.
In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.
These programs are designed to demystify the application and admissions processes as well as to create a more personal connection with prospective students.
These programs are brought to you by the Scripps Office of Organizational Transformation and Community Enrichment (Scripps CARES).
- Informational Workshops
2025 Workshop dates
All workshops are 11:00am -12:00pm PST
Nov. 5 - Research & Life at Scripps
- Explore the variety of research being done at Scripps, identify potential research projects, and hear firsthand from underrepresented graduate students about their experiences navigating research and life in San Diego
Nov. 6 - Applying to Scripps
- Learn tips and tricks to creating a strong application
Nov. 7 - Writing Workshop
- Learn how to craft a compelling Personal Statement and CV
Zoom links will be sent out to registered participants prior to the first workshop.
Participants who attend all 3 workshops may be eligible to receive an application fee waiver.
- 1:1 Introductory Meetings with Scripps Scholars
Students who participate in all of the workshops may be eligible for additional introductory meetings with Scripps scholars. Space is limited based on capacity, as well as research match and availability of the Scripps scholars. This 'warm hand-off' helps prospective students gain access to faculty who are often inundated with email requests from students interested in joining their labs. It also helps faculty identify prospective students they may have otherwise overlooked during the busy application process.
Space is limited and students applying to this year's application cycle are prioritized. Depending on capacity, we will also try to arrange introductory meetings for those students who are still exploring graduate school options, but are not planning on submitting an application this year.The Program is open to all eligible students. The Program does not consider race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories as part of the application and selection process.
The application for Fall 2026 opened on September 3, 2025 and closes December 3, 2025. The application will be accessible through the UC San Diego Graduate Division at connect.grad.ucsd.edu/apply. For more information about Scripps PhD, MS and MAS programs, please visit scripps.ucsd.edu/education.
General questions or comments can be sent to the Scripps Student Success and Summer Programs Coordinator, Dr. Anai Novoa at anovoa@ucsd.edu.