Resources for Future Graduate Students
Graduate Preparation Programs at UC Davis
Graduate Studies is home to a number of programs designed to prepare first generation or economically disadvantaged undergraduate students for success in graduate education. These programs include the McNair Scholars Program, the Guardian Professions Program, UC LEADS, and Envision. Learn more about these programs by visiting our Graduate Preparations Programs page or view a comprehensive list of sponsored research programs on the Undergraduate Research Center website.
Envision UC Davis
Envision UC Davis is a program aimed at creating a more diverse and talented workforce at UC Davis, in the State of California, and the nation. Participants learn about the graduate programs at UC Davis, engage with current graduate students and faculty, and receive helpful tips about the graduate school application process. Accommodations, meals, and transportation subsidies will be provided for all accepted participants. Learn more by visiting the Envision UC Davis website.
Resources for Incoming and New Graduate Students
Holistic U
Holistic U 2026 is a vibrant, in-person orientation for new graduate students to build meaningful connections across disciplines, cultures, and communities prior to the start of the academic year.
Join fellow incoming students for a day of engaging conversations about topics that are central to the graduate student experience that include navigating graduate school, unconscious bias, impostor syndrome, wellness, belonging and academic success. You'll also learn about campus resources, practical strategies for thriving in your first year, and opportunities to build a strong support network.
Whether you're looking to make new friends across campus, expand your professional network beyond your department or gain tools to help you succeed, Holistic U is a welcoming space to start your graduate journey at UC Davis. All new graduate students are encouraged to attend! Register HERE!
Student and Community Groups
Graduate Student groups are a great way meet other graduate students and to pursue targeted networking through social and community affiliations. If you don’t see a graduate student group listed here to meet your needs or interests please see the Center for Student Involvement website to search through a complete list of current students groups.
UC Davis Resource Centers
- Undocumented Student Resource Center (USRC)
- Cross Cultural Center (CCC)
- Graduate Center
- Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Asexual Resource Center (LGBTQIA)
- Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS)
- Student Disability Center (SDC)
- Student Recruitment and Retention Center (SRRC)
- Women's Resources and Research Center (WRRC)
Resources for Continuing Graduate Students
Professional Development and Mentorship Support
Making the most out of your educational experience at UC Davis includes taking advantage of many opportunities for professional development offered on campus. These opportunities informational workshops, lectures and seminars by professionals across a variety of fields, and certifications programs to add valuable skills to your professional CV. These opportunities are offered through a range of University departments intended to foster graduate student success. We recommend by starting with GradPathways, our premier professional development program for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
Resources for Postdoctoral Scholars
Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The UC Davis Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers postdoctoral research fellowships, faculty mentoring, and eligibility for the UC-system hiring incentive to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at the University of California.
President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program was established in 1984 to encourage outstanding women and minority Ph.D. recipients to pursue academic careers at the University of California.
Resources for UC Davis Faculty and Staff
Mentoring Programs and Initiatives
At UC Davis, we believe that mentorship is a priceless investment in student and institutional success. UC Davis Graduate Studies supports and advances graduate faculty-student mentoring through a variety of efforts. A comprehensive list of resources for both faculty mentors and student mentees can be found on the Graduate Studies mentoring pages.