Competitive Edge

Competitive Edge: Summer Bridge Program for Incoming Ph.D. and MFA Students

The Competitive Edge program is a transformative, interdisciplinary summer bridge experience designed specifically for incoming Ph.D. and MFA students at UC San Diego. This four-week, in-person program, held just before the start of the Fall quarter, aims to ease the transition to graduate school by fostering an inclusive and supportive community.

At the heart of this program is the mission to empower students from different backgrounds, enhancing their academic, personal, and professional persistence throughout their graduate journey. By participating in Competitive Edge, students will not only gain critical skills in writing, teaching, and communication, but will also build lasting connections with their peers, strengthening their sense of belonging as they embark on their graduate studies at UCSD.

Key Benefits:

4-Week In-Person Program: A dynamic introduction to the graduate student experience, with a focus on academic and professional growth before the start of Fall quarter.
Introduction to UC San Diego Resources: Get an advanced overview of key resources on campus to support graduate student academic success and personal well-being.
Workshops & Lectures: Gain essential skills in writing, teaching, and communication through a series of specialized workshops and lectures.
Community & Support: Engage with a peer cohort of fellow incoming graduate students, supported by UC San Diego's Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Mentorship: Competitive Edge scholars will receive ongoing support throughout the summer and into their first full academic year, including mentorship, regular check-ins, and community-building activities to ensure continued success and connection.
Research Connections: While mentorship or specific research projects are not required during the summer, students are encouraged to explore potential research collaborations or faculty mentors with their home department.
$3,000 Summer Stipend: Participants receive a stipend to support their participation, and their transition to graduate life in San Diego.

The Competitive Edge program is more than just a summer session – it’s the launchpad for the success of incoming graduate students at UC San Diego. By the end of the program, students will build a network of peers and gained the tools to thrive academically and professionally throughout their journey at UCSD. Here are some pictures of our summer program last year:

SUMMER PROGRAM DATES

Summer program dates are August 11 through September 5, 2025.

HOUSING

Students are expected to find and arrange housing and secure an early move-in date. The stipend is designed to help students with housing and moving costs.

STIPEND

Summer stipend for participants will be $3000

ELIGIBILITY

To be considered for the Competitive Edge program students must:

Provide responses to at least three of the seven experiential questions found under the Additional Educational Experiences section of the online application for admission.
Must be admitted to a Ph.D. or MFA program for start in the 2025 Fall quarter
Be a US citizen or permanent resident. DACA and AB540 students are also eligible.

NOMINATE YOUR STUDENT

Here’s how your student can be sponsored to participate in this program:

TRADITIONAL COST-SHARE – Each Ph.D./MFA graduate program is granted 1 spot for 1 student to be in the program (additional spots will be granted based on availability and dept will be responsible for full sponsorship). This student’s summer stipend and health insurance will be funded through a cost-share model between their home department and GEPA.

Total due from the graduate program $1900, here’s the breakdown:

· Student’s $3000 summer stipend during the program ($1500 will come from GEPA and $1500 from the graduate program)

· Student’s Early Start SHIP Insurance during the summer ($400 will come from GEPA and $400 from the graduate program to pay for the cost of Early Start SHIP)

FULL SPONSORSHIP (limited spots available) – Graduate programs can fund an additional student to participate in the program.

Total due from the graduate program $3800, here’s the breakdown:

· Student’s full $3000 summer stipend

· Student’s full cost of Early SHIP Insurance $800

NOMINATE YOUR STUDENT HERE <-----

The priority nomination period is ends on April 15, 2025 but the regular nomination period will exnted until April 25, 2025.

NOTES:

You don’t have to check with the student before nominating them about their availability for the summer. After nominations come in, we will reach out directly to the students to see if they will be available to participate and in case they decline we will let you know so you can nominate a different student.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Edgar Beas | Program Director

eabeas@ucsd.edu