New Student Orientation

Students admitted as nonresidents who are eligible for California residency must establish residency for tuition purposes to avoid paying supplemental nonresident tuition after their first year.

International students must contact the International Students and Scholars Office to complete visa paperwork.

If you completed a FAFSA, please read Financial Aid Packaging Policy for Graduate Students.

The MFA graduate coordinator will forward job announcements for 2011/2012 positions to new students starting in March.

The application packet for a TAship or Readership consists of a cover letter, resume, and academic writing sample.

The MFA Program will provide application tips and a sample cover letter. Also, we will be happy to give you feedback about your application materials if you request it.

New students can submit applications to academic departments (Literature, Anthropology, Linguistics, History, etc.) at any time. It is not necessary to wait for a job announcement. The graduate coordinator will provide a department contact list.

The Writing Programs (WP) are an exception. The WP have a unique hiring process. Applications for WP TAships are submitted through a Clearinghouse during by the last week of April. The WP do not accept applications before their deadline.

Students who live out of the area and cannot come to campus will be interviewed by phone.

Graduate Student Tuition and Fees and Full-Partial Fees (Remissions)

Campus housing: Graduate Housing, International House

Off-campus or short-term housing: OGS Website, Resources, Craigslist, Local Apartment Complexes, Commuter Student Services

TIP: Rent in the UCSD Bus Zone or shuttle route and ride a bus to campus for free.

Plan to be on campus Sept. 12-21, 2011 to attend mandatory orientations.

Academic Calendar
Registration Calendar

NOTE: UCSD's academic year has four quarters: Fall (Sep-Dec), Winter (Jan-Mar), Spring (Mar-Jun), and Summer (Jul-Aug).

Quarters are 11 weeks long. The MFA Program is on hiatus during Summer quarter.

If you were admitted provisionally, remember to clear provisions by the deadline stipulated in your admission notice. All provisions have to be cleared by the start of Fall quarter.Questions about provisions should be directed to gradadmissions@ucsd.edu.

Read before arriving at UCSD:

Job Opportunities for Graduate Students (PDF)
Office of Graduate Studies Student Handbook
Center for Teaching Development TA Handbook (PDF)
2011 MFA Student Handbook [available Sept. 2011]