Application Deadline: March 5, 2018

Application Deadline: March 5, 2018

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) program is designed to identify educationally or economically disadvantaged undergraduates pursuing courses of study in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics who are likely to succeed in graduate school. UC LEADS offers sophomores (or juniors planning to stay five years) with outstanding academic potential, an opportunity to conduct two years of faculty mentored research. The program provides students with educational experiences that prepare them to assume positions of leadership in industry, government, public service, and academia following the completion of a doctoral degree, preferably, at the University of California.

UCI UC LEADS scholars participate in research throughout the year. During the first summer, students begin their experience at UC Irvine (2018). The second summer research experience occurs at another UC campus (2019). Students will receive on-campus housing and stipends to cover expenses, which will be paid by UCI.

UCI UC LEADS also provides supplemental activities to enhance the research experience through Graduate Records Examination (GRE) preparation courses, the GRE exam, workshops, seminars for enhancing success in applying to graduate school, attendance of scientific conferences, and visits to other UC campuses.

The goal of the program is to increase the diversity of graduate students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at the University of California. Students must be committed to the program for two years.

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

Participants are required to complete the entire two years of the UC LEADS Program. Students will be assigned to ongoing research projects based on their defined area of research interest. Each student's specific research program will differ according to the faculty mentor/advisor and subject matter. Only in some cases will research undertaken by the student be "original." In all cases, however, students should be shown where and how their work fits the overall goal or direction of the mentor's research.

Students are expected to meet with the program coordinator during regularly scheduled meetings to discuss the progress of the research project and graduate application process. Each participant must attend all required workshops, presentations, events and student/staff meetings. Students can expect guidance about graduate school admissions, graduate work, career opportunities in research and teaching, and the nature of academic life from the faculty mentor research group and from the UC LEADS coordinator. Students will be asked to evaluate the program and their research experience at the end of each summer program.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be students from disadvantaged backgrounds (educationally or financially), enrolled at the University of California, Irvine as science, technology, engineering or mathematics majors. Students must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. permanent residents or AB540 eligible. In order for students to be considered for the program, students will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must plan to graduate no earlier than June 2020.

AWARD

Summer Award:

• Summer stipend and free on-campus housing during the first and second summers (2018 & 2019)
• GRE test preparation courses
• GRE exam vouchers
• Research stipend

Academic Year Award:

• Travel stipend to attend scientific conferences
• Travel stipend for UC campus visit(s)
• Research stipend (depending on summer use)
• Travel stipend to the annual systemwide UC LEADS Symposium

Scholars are required to complete an Action Plan along with their faculty mentor for each academic year, which would also include a budget of lab materials and supplies that will be needed for the scholars research. (minimal funds are available to support the scholars research and all funds provided for the scholar MUST be used for their research in the lab). *All UC LEADS related programming is subject to availability of funds.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Submit the followingONE envelope:

• Completed application form
• Two (2) page personal statement
• Unofficial transcript of all college coursework

One letter of recommendation from a faculty member who can best assess your ability for academic research and your motivation for graduate school. (this can be sent to Daniel Fabrega directly , Zot:3180)

Completed application packets must be received by the Graduate Division by March 5, 2018.

Admission to the UC LEADS program will be announced early spring quarter 2018. All applicants will be notified via email.

Submit application packets to:
Daniel Fabrega
Graduate Division
120 Aldrich Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-3180 / For additional information:

949-824-8730

STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: / (Last) (First) (Middle)
Local Address: / Cell Phone: ()-
City, State and ZIP:
Student UCI e-mail address: / Student ID #:
Permanent Address:
City, State and Zip:
Major: / Minor:
Year: Sophomore Junior
GPA in Major: / Overall GPA: / Expected Term of Graduation:
Gender: / Female Male / Ethnicity*:
Birthdate: / Citizenship: / U.S. Citizen Permanent Resident: A#
What is your first language (language spoken at home)?
What is the highest level of education attained by your parents or guardian?
Mother: Did not graduate high school High school graduate Some college, but no bachelor’s degree 4 year
college graduate
Master’s degree Professional degree Doctoral degree Unknown
Father: Did not graduate high school High school graduate Some college, but no bachelor’s degree 4 year
college graduate
Master’s degree Professional degree Doctoral degree Unknown
Guardian: Did not graduate high school High school graduate Some college, but no bachelor’s degree 4 year
college graduate
Master’s degree Professional degree Doctoral degree Unknown
* This information is collected for statistical purposes.
1. / Have you participated in any of the following pre-collegiate and collegiate programs:
MBRS CAMP/LSAMP MARC Hughes Upward Bound MESA/MAP
2. / Do you plan to apply to a graduate program? Yes No
If yes, what quarter/year?
3. / Which graduate degree are you considering? Master’s Ph.D.
4. / What field/subject are you considering pursuing an advanced degree in?
5. / What are your top three choices for universities for graduate school?
1.
2.
3.
6. / State your educational and career goals.
7. / Describe one extracurricular or community activity you participated in during the past year. Indicate your role and describe how the group benefited from your participation and how you benefitted.
8. / Indicate the courses you have taken that would qualify you to conduct research in the academic area of your choice.
Course Work / Term
9. / What topics in your major interest you most?
10. / Briefly indicate your specific experience with the following, if any:
Laboratory skills:
Computer languages or software:
Other foreign languages you can speak/read other than English:
11. / Have you ever conducted research before? Yes No
If yes, please describe:
12. / Are you currently applying to any of the following UCIrvine summer programs?
UROP Biological Sciences Minority Science Program Other:
13.
14. / How did you hear about the UCI UC LEADS Program?
List two UCIrvine faculty members whose research you are most interested in.
Note: These faculty members may not be those with whom you will actually conduct research. Visit for information on UCI faculty. Please also attach to the application any and all contact with faculty mentors
Department: / Phone Number:
Have you been in contact with this faculty member? Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Department: / Phone Number:
Have you been in contact with this faculty member? Yes No
If yes, please explain:
UC LEADS Scholars
1)UCI will select a minimum of five undergraduates who will be identified as UC LEADS Scholars.
2)Students will have an expected graduation date of June 2020.
3)Student must be from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds and have potential to enter UC graduate schools in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (minimum GPA of 3.0)
Each UC LEADS Scholar is required to partake in the following programs:
1)A summer research experience at UCI (Summer 2018)
2)A summer research experience at another UC campus (Summer 2019)
3)GRE preparation courses and GRE examination
4)Research skills training
5)Faculty mentoring during the summer and academic year
6)Participation in the annual system-wide UC LEADS Research & Leadership Symposium
7)Travel to a professional meeting and UC campus visits
I hereby certify to the best of my knowledge that all information submitted is complete and correct. I also certify that I have read the material regarding the UC LEADS Program and agree to abide by it if selected. I understand that failure to disclose accurate information is grounds for immediate termination from this program.
SIGNATURE______DATE:______
TYPE NAME:

Personal Statement

Please type out essay and do not exceed two typed double spaced pages, 12-pt font.

Please state your purpose in applying to the UCIrvine University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) program - include research experience (if applicable), educational goals, research area of interest, and future professional objectives. Also, describe your academic and career goals after receiving your degree. If you have encountered special personal situations in high school or college that impeded your studies: eg., 1st generation to attend college, working long hours while attending school, or other financial hardship, please discuss the ways in which these experiences have affected your academic opportunities. Also if relevant, please discuss how your prior life experiences - academic, professional, volunteer, etc. demonstrate commitment.

UCI Graduate DivisionTo Be Completed by the ApplicantRevision date: 1/2018

Page 1 of 6

THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT
Applicant: Complete this first section only. Please type. Give this form to a faculty member whom you have asked to recommend you.
Applicant’s Name: / (Last) (First) (Middle)
Recommender’s Name: / (Last) (First) (Middle)
Recommender’s Institution:
Recommender’s Department:
Recommender’s Email:
In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, you may waive your rights to inspect this recommendation by signing the statement below. Should you decide not to waive your rights, you will have access to the recommendation once you become a program participant.
I hereby waive do not waive my right of access to this document.
Applicant’s Signature: ______Date: ______
Return to: / Daniel Fabrega, Coordinator, UCI UC LEADS Program
Graduate Division
120 Aldrich Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-3180
ZOT: 3180
THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY RECOMMENDER
1. / How long and in what capacity have you known this applicant? ______
______
______
2. / Using a 10-point scale, please rate this applicant:
1-4 Poor 5-7 Fair 8-9 Good 10 Excellent
Past Academic Performance
Intellectual Potential
Individual Maturity / ______
______
______/ Creativity and Originality
Motivation for Graduate Study
Team Player / ______
______
______
3. / Please write a statement about the applicant on school letterhead. Please write candidly about the student’s qualifications and potential for research as well as academic success. In describing attributes such as motivation, intellect, and maturity, describe both strong and weak points.
Recommender’s Signature: ______Date: ______
Please send your letter to Daniel Fabrega Zot: 3180

UCI Graduate DivisionRevision date: 12/2016

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