Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Students.

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Application 

  • How do I apply?
  • The application opens every September for the following academic year. Check the UC Davis Graduate Studies application page for more information.

    You may find information about the Computer Science application requirements at our How to Apply webpage.
  • Who can I contact if I have a question?
  • Please contact the Graduate Group in Computer Science (GGCS) at csgradadmit@ucdavis.edu with any questions related to the program or application.

    For more general questions about the application process, please contact UC Davis Graduate Studies at gradadmit@ucdavis.edu.
  • Can I request an application fee waiver?

  • There are two ways by which an applicant may qualify to request an application fee waiver: participation in Graduate Preparation Programs, or by applying through the COE Equity Program. These are the ONLY ways an applicant may qualify for an application fee waiver. Unfortunately, if you do not qualify for either of these programs, then an application fee waiver cannot be granted to you. Details for each qualifying program are listed below.

    Graduate Preparation Programs:
    UC Davis Graduate Studies offers application fee waivers only to applicants who have participated in or are affiliated with one or more of the programs listed at this site: https://grad.ucdavis.edu/graduate-preparation-programs-eligible-fee-waivers. Applicants who are affiliated with these programs are required to indicate their participation AND must provide a name and contact information for their program coordinator in the relevant section of the online application system to receive an application fee waiver. 

    COE Equity Program:
    The UC Davis College of Engineering Dean’s Office is happy to offer application fee waivers for domestic PhD applicants through the COE Equity Program! 

    COE Equity Program Fee Waiver Eligibility:
    - Fee waiver applicants must seek Fall admission to the PhD program. Applicants for MS programs are not eligible for a fee waiver through this program.
    - Only US citizens or current permanent residents are eligible to receive a fee waiver through this program.
    - Applicants who have participated in other Graduate Preparation Programs listed here already qualify for a fee waiver through that program. In these cases, a COE Equity will not provide a waiver.

    Details About the Fee Waiver Request Form:
    - Please see the COE Equity Program website to access the fee waiver request form: https://engineering.ucdavis.edu/graduate-students/admissions/coe-equity-program
    - Applicants will need to provide brief demographic information, as well as provide short responses to two questions.
    - Those who qualify for a fee waiver will receive an email with directions on how to use the waiver.

  • I don’t have the application fee. Can I pay the fee after I have been admitted?
  • No, we cannot process any application until we have received the application fee.
  • When is the deadline to submit the application? (UPDATED for Fall 2024)
  • The deadline to submit the application for admission to the graduate program in Computer Science is December 15th.
  • I see the application deadline is December 15th. Is there a priority deadline?
  • No. 
  • Is there a Spring admission application for study beginning Winter or Spring quarter?
  • No. Our program accepts applications for Fall quarter admission only. Applications should be submitted between mid-September and the deadline of December 15th.
  • What kind of supporting materials are required?
  • See How to Apply for more information on the supporting materials.
  • How can I determine if my application materials have arrived?
  • You can check your application by logging back into where you applied.
  • I have sent my test scores to UC Davis, however they are not appearing on my application. What should I do next?

  • It can take the University up to 4-6 weeks from the date the scores were sent to receive test scores from the testing center. If after this length of time the University still has not received your scores as shown on your application status page, please contact us at csgradadmit@ucdavis.edu so that we may investigate further. Please keep in mind that the name on your application must match exactly the name on your exam in order for the test scores to match to your application.

    You may check your application status online if you log back into your application in the admissions system where you originally applied. Applications will be marked completed once all required documents are processed.

  • How long will it take to find out if I have been accepted into the program?
  • Once a completed application and all supporting materials have been received, the application will be submitted to the our admissions committee. Based on a review of application materials, a recommendation is made to accept or decline an applicant’s request for admission. That recommendation is forwarded to the Dean of Graduate Studies for verification of admission requirements.  Notification of admissions decisions will be communicated in writing by Graduate Studies. Neither Graduate Studies nor the CS graduate program will respond to telephone or email inquiries for admissions decisions.

    The Admissions Committee does not begin reviewing applications until January. Most decisions are communicated by early Spring.
  • How can I check the status of my application?
  • You can check the status of your admissions application by logging back into the webpage where you originally applied. Graduate Studies reports decisions through email after they have been communicated by the department.
  • Can you tell me the status of my application if I contact your program?
  • No, we cannot communicate admissions decisions via email or phone. Admission decisions can only be communicated by UC Davis Graduate Studies via the admissions system. If the status of your application is "Submitted", then an admission decision has not yet been made to your application. 

    You may check your application status online if you log back into your application in the admissions system where you originally applied. Applications are marked completed once all required documents are processed.

Admissions

  • What qualities do you look for in a good candidate?

  • Our primary goal in selecting students for our graduate program is to find individuals who have demonstrated academic achievement, a solid academic background in computer science via completion of an undergraduate program comparable to the undergraduate program at UC Davis, and the potential to tackle the complex thinking and writing that graduate study requires. However, we also welcome outstanding students from a variety of backgrounds, as long as they have a good grounding in computer science. We evaluate this by looking at specific coursework in computer science. We also use your statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and resume/CV.

  • How do I know if my Bachelor's degree is eligible for graduate study at UC Davis?

  • This website has specific information related to expected level of study for international applicants to be eligible for graduate study at UC Davis: https://grad.ucdavis.edu/expected-level-study. You will find answers regarding degree eligibility at this site.

  • My undergraduate degree is in another major not in Computer Science. What options do I have to get into the GGCS program?

  • The GGCS admissions committee is primarily looking for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement in computer science. However, students with a related major (electrical engineering, mathematics, physics, so on) may have the ability to do well in our program. In addition, truly exceptional students with a background in a field not related to computer science have been admitted to our program. These students demonstrated their academic potential through their undergraduate experience, resume/CV, statements of purpose, and letters of recommendation. The likelihood of admission to the program in any year depends on the applicant pool. In recent years, the applicant pool has become increasingly competitive. Very few students without a solid academic background in computer science through completing the undergraduate proficiencies for their intended degree, M.S. or Ph.D. However, completion of this list of courses alone is rarely sufficient to gain admission.

  • Although I don’t have an academic background in CS, I have considerable professional experience. Will this improve my chances for admission?

  • While work experience will augment your application materials, the application review is concerned mostly with your academic qualifications, and your preparation to succeed in a rigorous, theoretical, research-based academic program.

  • Can you give me an idea of my chances for admission?

  • Because the applicant pool varies from year to year, we are unable to do this. The answers to some of the following FAQs will help you determine if you meet the requirements for admission. In general, if your undergraduate record is excellent, we would encourage you to apply. Please remember that in a large and competitive applicant pool, some applicants who meet all requirements will not be offered admission.

  • What are the prerequisites for graduate study in Computer Science at UC Davis?

  • The GGCS requires that students demonstrate a high level of proficiency in five key areas: Theory, Architecture, Operating Systems, Programming Languages and Mathematics. For specific UC Davis courses that fulfill these requirements, see the undergraduate proficiencies for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.

  • I don’t have the necessary undergraduate preparation for admission. Can I still be accepted?

  • All students accepted into the GGCS are screened for fulfillment of undergraduate proficiencies for their intended degree, M.S. or Ph.D. Few applicants are admitted prior to completion of the majority of these courses. However, these students may complete outstanding requirements during their graduate study at UC Davis.

  • If I have professional work experience in the computer industry, can I use that to fulfill my undergraduate proficiencies?

  • Students who are prepared through professional experience may take a graduate-level course to fulfill both the undergraduate proficiency and satisfy a graduate-course requirement. Approval to do this is made after consultation with the faculty graduate adviser. In general, industry experience does not replace academic preparation.

  • How competitive is admission?

  • Admission to the Graduate Group in Computer Science is highly competitive. We review more than 2,000 applications every year and admit only the top 10%.

  • Can I apply as a part-time student?

  • We do not have a part-time program, however part-time registration status can be approved in certain situations. You may read more about part-time status and eligibility on the Registrar's website.

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) & English Language Examination Requirements

  • Is the GRE required? 

  • The GRE is no longer required or accepted.

  • If I send my GRE scores, will they be considered as part of my application anyways?

  • No. GRE scores will not be accepted or reviewed during the application review process.

  • Do I need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score with my application?

  • The UC Davis Graduate Studies policy regarding the TOEFL or IELTS is that if a student receives a degree from a university whose sole language of instruction is English, then submitting the TOEFL or IELTS score is not required. We recommend that you visit this website for additional information: https://gradstudies.sf.ucdavis.edu/english-language-examinations. 

    Please keep in mind that the name on your exam must match exactly the name on your application in order for the test scores to match to your application.

  • I have sent my test scores to UC Davis, however they are not appearing on my application. What should I do next?

  • It can take the University up to 4-6 weeks from the date the scores were sent to receive test scores from the testing center. If after this length of time the University still has not received your scores as shown on your application status page, please contact us at csgradadmit@ucdavis.edu so that we may investigate further. Please keep in mind that the name on your application must match exactly the name on your exam in order for the test scores to match to your application.

    You may check your application status online if you log back into your application in the admissions system where you originally applied. Applications will be marked completed once all required documents are processed.

  • If I don’t provide original TOEFL or IELTS scores with my application, will I still be evaluated for admission?

  • The department can review an applicant’s file based on self-reported scores submitted with the application. However, we must receive original scores sent directly from the testing center before an admission decision can be communicated to you.

  • What are your institution and department TOEFL codes?
  • The ETS institution code for UC Davis is 4834. You must use the correct institution code for UC Davis (4834) but it is not necessary to use a specific department code. Regardless of what department code you enter, your TOEFL scores will still be matched to your application.

Financial Aid and Assistance

  • How do I apply for financial aid?

  • All domestic applicants must file a FAFSA. This application is essential in order to qualify for many types of financial assistance including any departmental or campus fellowship. The application can be filled out online at the FAFSA website. This application is necessary to qualify for many types of financial assistance including most departmental awards. Information about student loans and Cal Grants can be obtained from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

    The application for admission also automatically considers the applicant for fellowships. There is no separate fellowships application. 

  • What forms of financial assistance are available?

  • The standard form of Ph.D. graduate student support is a combination of a 50% TA position, 47% GSR position, and fellowship for the first six quarters, and either a 50% TA or 47% GSR position for the remainder of a student’s academic career. It has become increasingly difficult to provide funding for M.S. students. The amount and type of aid that the department can offer varies from year to year depending on the number of TA and GSR positions that are available, the fellowships that the department is authorized to award, and the number of students requesting financial assistance.

    In addition, there are also external fellowships. We strongly encourage all qualified applicants to apply for external fellowships offered by both government and private agencies. Recipients of fellowships such as NSF, NPSC, and DOE fellowships are highly regarded as applicants. However, the deadline for some of the most prestigious and highly competitive fellowships is generally the first week in November, so an early start on the application process is essential. A complete list of external fellowships and their respective deadlines can be found on Graduate Studies’ website.

  • How competitive is financial aid?
  • Financial assistance for graduate study generally comes in the form of Fellowships, Teaching Assistantships (TAs) and Graduate Student Research (GSR) positions. Approximately 98% of Ph.D. students who choose to attend receive an offer of support which guarantees financial support for at least 2 years. Master students generally do not receive an offer of support.
  • What are the estimated yearly expenses for a graduate student?

  • The estimated expenses for graduate students may be found on the Tuition and Fees website.

  • Are Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Graduate Student Research (GSR) positions available?

  • Many graduate students serve in one of these two positions for all or most of their graduate student career. These positions offer professional development, research opportunities and significant financial rewards. In addition to a monthly salary, these positions provide a full or partial fee waiver. We currently offer most qualified graduate students a TA position during the first year of study. Students entering with a strong background in computer science may be offered a GSR position if there is a good match between a research program and a student’s background. The increase in Ph.D. enrollments in the past two years has significantly decreased the likelihood of TA or GSR funding for M.S. students.

  • How do I apply for a Teaching Assistantship?

  • If a student is admitted and accepts the offer to attend UC Davis, a TA application will be sent at the end of the summer. This online application is the only way to apply for a TA position. Email applications are not accepted.

  • Is there funding available for non-resident tuition?

  • Students at the University of California who are not California residents are required to pay non-resident tuition. Each year we have a limited number of non-resident tuition fellowships (NRTFs) to award. In order to be a competitive candidate for this type of fellowship, all your application materials must be filed no later than December 15th. Domestic applicants must file a FAFSA to be awarded a NRTF.

  • Is it possible to establish California residency?

  • Domestic students (US citizens and permanent residents) are usually eligible for California residency after one year if certain requirements are met. After residency is established, a student no longer pays non-resident tuition. All students, regardless of residency status, pay educational fees. All questions regarding California residency must be directed to the Residency Deputy in the Office of the University Registrar. For more information, see the Registrar’s webpage on residency. Certain non-resident students may qualify for in-state fees and a waiver of non-resident tuition if they attended at least three years and graduated from a California high school. International students on F-1 or J-1 visas cannot establish California residency and therefore are assessed non-resident tuition the entire time they are a graduate student. Some students on H-1B visas may qualify for California residency after 12 months, but full time student status may violate visa provisions. All visa questions should be referred to Services for International Students and Scholars.

For additional questions, please see our programs information or contact our Graduate Advisors: csgradadvising@ucdavis.edu.