Frequently Asked Questions

I've been admitted to graduate study at UC Davis! How do I let you know I've accepted the admission offer?
At the bottom of the admission letter there is a link that will allow you to let us know if you are accepting our admission offer. This is called the Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). If you plan on accepting our offer, completing the SIR will allow you to see what other steps you must complete to enroll as a graduate student at UC Davis. Even if you plan on declining your admission offer we'd appreciate it if you complete the SIR to let us know.
Do I need to pay a deposit to accept my admission offer?
No - UC Davis does not require new graduate students to pay a deposit in order to accept their offer of admission.
What is the deadline to let you know that I have decided to accept my admission offer to UC Davis?
The university deadline to accept or decline your admission offer is August 1. If you have not responded by that deadline, UC Davis will assume you have decided not to accept our admission offer. However, some graduate programs may have an earlier deadline for you to complete a Statement of Intent to Register - we recommend checking with your graduate program to find out.
I've submitted my Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) accepting my admission offer to UC Davis! What do I do next?
After you've completed the Statement of Intent to Register online, you'll be taken to a page called "Next Steps". Review this information carefully - it includes information you will need to complete the process of preparing to enroll as a graduate student at UC Davis. If you have any questions about any of these steps, please feel free to contact us at gradadmit@ucdavis.edu.
Does UC Davis have an immunization requirement for graduate students?
Yes. Starting Fall of 2016, the University of California is requiring that all incoming graduate students provide proof of vaccination and Tuberculosis screening. Students who do not provide this information will be subject to a registration hold. For more information, visit this website or contact the Student Health and Counseling Services center: https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/resources/new-students
I'm a new graduate student, but when I try to register for classes I get a message that I have a transcript hold.
After you have been admitted and completed your Statement of Intent to Register, you will need to provide us with official copies of all of your college-level transcripts. Until all of your transcripts have been received, you won't be able to register for classes. For more details, visit https://grad.ucdavis.edu/official-transcripts.
I'm a U.S. citizen and have lived in California all my life. Do I need to submit the Statement of Legal Residence?
Yes, even if you have been a California resident all your life, you will still need to provide evidence of your residency. You do that by completing the Statement of Legal Residence, which is located on the Office of the University Registrar's website.
I am an international student, how do I report my financial support and obtain an I-20?
You will need to report your financial support and request the appropriate documents for obtaining a student visa from Services for International Students and Scholars, siss@ucdavis.edu or visit the Services for International Students website.
I am an international student and I heard that UC Davis is charging international students an International Student Administrative Fee every quarter - is that true?
All international students who are either sponsored by UC Davis for F-1 or J-1 status or would be sponsored by UC Davis for F-1 or J-1 status if physically present in the United States will be charged the International Student Administrative Fee. See the SISS website for information on the fee amount.
I know I need to submit my official transcripts and proof of an earned undergraduate degree. Should I wait to send in my official transcripts until I have actually earned my degree in the spring/summer?
We recommend that you send in your official transcripts as soon as possible, then follow up with an additional official transcript showing that your undergraduate degree has been earned once that degree has posted. Once you have earned your degree, it may still take your university weeks or even months to post the degree to your official record. Since you will not be able to register for your first quarter here at UC Davis until you have provided official transcripts, we suggest you provide those right away. You do not need to provide proof of degree until you are ready to register for your second quarter here.
I sent my official transcripts in to UC Davis Graduate Studies. How will I know if you received them?
You can check to see whether your transcripts have been received and processed by our office by logging back in to view your admission letter and clicking on the "What are the next steps" link at the bottom of the page. The "Next Steps" page displays all of the transcripts you are required to provide and shows whether each transcript has been received. All documents sent by mail or express courier are received by the UC Davis central mail office before being routed to specific offices. If you are tracking your package and it shows that it has already arrived at UC Davis, please be aware that it may still take 3-5 business days before it is delivered to the Graduate Studies office. Once Graduate Studies has received your transcripts/academic records, it may take approximately 5-10 business days for them to be entered into our system.
I need to defer my admission to a later term. What steps should I take?
First, contact your graduate program to see if they will approve a deferral of admission. If they support your request, they will need to submit the official request to defer to Graduate Studies. Once approved, you will receive confirmation of the new start term as well as instructions on how to get ready for your first term at UC Davis. Any request for deferral must be made BEFORE the first day of instruction of your current start term. Late requests may not be approved and if not approved, you will need to submit a new application in order to be considered for admission in a later term.
How long can I defer my admission?
Most students may defer their admission for one, two, or three academic quarters - up to a maximum of one calendar year. If you are entering the Peace Corps or are participating in the UC Davis PSTP or VSTP program, you may defer your admission for up to 2 calendar years. All requests for deferral (or extension of deferral) must be made BEFORE the first day of instruction of your current start term. Late requests may not be approved and if not approved, you will need to submit a new application in order to be considered for admission in a later term.