UC Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS)
The UC Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) program helps upper-division undergraduates majoring in science, engineering, or mathematics to pursue a Ph.D. degree.
The program also helps develop future leaders in the areas of government, industry, and academia by providing educational opportunities to eligible students.
To be eligible for UC LEADS you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Be seriously interested in pursuing the doctoral (Ph.D.) degree
- Be enrolled full time in a science, engineering, or mathematics major at UCSD
- Have a minimum UCSD GPA of 2.8
- Have at least 90 units by the beginning of the program
- Demonstrate educational disadvantage such as one of the following:
- Absence of a role model
- Absence of a family member who received a bachelor's degree
- Low-income status
- Graduation from a high school with poor financial or curricular support
- Other conditions, experiences, or situations that have adversely impacted your advancement in your field of study
Successful applicants must also demonstrate:
- Commitment to graduate school and a strong potential to succeed
- Outstanding potential for leadership
How to apply:
See the online application. As part of the application process, you must submit a letter of recommendation and a personal essay.