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Dine / Coffee With a Prof

Last Updated: October 14, 2024 9:12:07 PM PDT
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Meet with a professor or graduate teaching assistant (TA) of your choice, and learn more about your course or area of study.

UCSD Dine with a Prof program logoCoffee-With-a-Prog Logo

The Dine-with-a-Prof and Coffee-with-a-Prof programs allow you, the student, to meet, dine or have coffee, with an esteemed faculty member or graduate teaching assistant in order to gather insight concerning a course or career opportunities in your field of study. This is a complimentary program provided by the undergraduate colleges.

Guidelines

Undergraduate students may participate in the Dine-with-a-Prof and Coffee-with-a-Prof programs once per quarter for each program during the academic year. Neither program is available through summer sessions.

How to participate

  1. Contact your professor or graduate teaching assistant and extend a meeting invitation. Work together to choose a date, time, and location to meet over coffee or a meal. Please note that all meetings should be scheduled between weeks 5-10 of the quarter.

    • See lists of approved dining and coffee locations below
    • Use the invitation example below, if needed

  2. After your professor or TA has confirmed the details, complete and submit the online application below by Week 5 to sign up for one of the programs.

  3. Your college will contact you once your application is complete, and let you know when you can pick up your voucher.

    • The voucher will look like a gift card and is your “ticket” to complimentary coffee or meals for you and your professor/TA.

    • Your professor or TA will need to be present to redeem your coffee or meals at a participating location.

    • Vouchers will be available for distribution at your college between week 3-4. If you do not pick-up your voucher within 2 business days after your college has let you know it was ready, your voucher will be forfeited.

    • Note that each college has varying hours of operation and a slightly different process for distributing vouchers. Wait for the instructions from your college — they will let you know when your application is approved and your voucher is ready:

  4. After you pick up the voucher, confirm the meeting time with your professor/TA and then meet up! Redeem your voucher at one of the authorized locations. Your professor or TA must be present. Turn in the voucher to the attendant to receive the funds for your coffee and/or meal.

Application

After your professor or TA has confirmed they can attend with you, complete the online application below by Week 5.

Dine-with-a-Prof Locations

Check the appropriate website for hours of operation.

Revelle College Neighborhood

John Muir College Neighborhood

Thurgood Marshall College Neighborhood

  • OceanView (offers Glatt Kosher Certified meals)

Earl Warren College Neighborhood

Eleanor Roosevelt College Neighborhood

Sixth College Neighborhood

Seventh College Neighborhood

The Village at Pepper Canyon

School of Medicine

Coffee-with-a-Prof Locations

Check the appropriate website for hours of operation.

Example Invitation

Dear Professor or TA,

I am currently a student in your X course. Would you be interested in meeting me for coffee or a meal this quarter? I would like to learn more about your research and how you got started in your field. There are two great programs, Dine-with-a-Prof and Coffee-with-a-Prof, which allow us each a complimentary meal or coffee while we meet. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

Your name

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate?

  • Student eligibility: The program is open to all currently enrolled UC San Diego undergraduate students. If more than one student (up to 3 students) would like to join a meeting, each student must complete the application and pick up a separate voucher at their college.
  • Faculty eligibility: The professor or graduate teaching assistant must be currently employed by the University. They cannot be staff, administrative advisors, or counselors.

Can multiple students take the same professor out to lunch or coffee together?

Yes, students may coordinate up to 3 people per meeting. Each student must complete the application in order to obtain their own voucher from their respective college to participate.

Can I participate in the program more than once per academic year?

Undergraduate students may participate once in the Dine-with-a-Prof and once in the Coffee-with-a-Prof programs per quarter during the academic year. Neither program is available through summer sessions.

Is there a deadline to register or use the voucher?

Register using the online form by Week 5 of each quarter. Redeem your voucher by the last Friday of the quarter.

What if I am not currently enrolled in a class with a professor or TA that I am interested in meeting — can I still invite them?

Yes, the professor or TA must be currently employed by the university.

Something came up and I need to reschedule. What should I do?

As long as you use the voucher before the end of the quarter, there is no issue. If you are not able to reschedule during the quarter, contact your College to make arrangements.

My voucher has been lost or stolen — can I get a replacement?

No, we cannot give out replacement vouchers, as they are limited.

How should I decide at which location to dine or get coffee?

Ask your professor or TA if they have a preference and also select a location based on your comfort level.

My professor/TA and I can't meet anymore. What should I do with the voucher?

If you're unable to use the voucher with your professor or TA, please return it to your College to allow another student the opportunity to use it.

If you have questions, email your college: