STARS Application

Getting the STARS Application Started

Please note the STARS Application shares the Graduate Admissions Application Platform. Please disregard the notes on the page that state, "UC San Diego Graduate Application Management" and "The application for the Fall 2025 admission cycle is now active. If you cannot find the program you want to apply for, please contact your department of interest directly to confirm availability. If you experience any issues with the application during this time, please send an email describing the problem to gradadmissions." Please do not contact gradadmissions. Any questions or issues you may have should be directed to urstars@ucsd.edu.

Please scroll down to the page to where is says "First-time users" so that you can

1. Create Your Account
2. Register Your Account
3. Activate Your Account (by receiving an email with a Pin)
4. Then you can begin your STARS Application

If you do not finish your application you can log in at a later date as a "Returning User". You can also check on whether your recommenders have submitted their letters and the status of your application when you log in as a "Returning User".

Creating your STARS Application

Please follow these instructions to create your STARS application. We will provide step-by-step and some images to demonstrate how to get your STARS application ready. 

1. Follow our STARS application link by clicking our application button: STARS Applications Opened!
2. A new window will appear. You will click Create an account 
3. You will need fill in your name, email, and birthday and submit. 
   • Remember what email you choose because you will be sent a pin to verify your information upon submiting this information. The STARS program will also use this email for a possible grad program application fee waiver if you successfully complete the STARS program. Tip: we suggest using a gmail email. 
4. You will receive an email from Graduate Admissions with a pin number
5. Provide the pin number to complete your account.
6. Once verified, a new option will appear in the window to Create an application
7. A small window will pop-up indicating STARS application. Click STARS.
8. You will then be able to begin the STARS application. 

Eligibility

• Applicants must be 18 years of age
• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents. AB 540 or DACA students are eligible

• February 10, 2025: STARS Application Priority Deadline
  • STARS will have a rolling acceptance until vacancies are filled
• February 10, 2025: Letters of Recommendations Deadline
  • You can add who your Letters of Recommendations will come from in the STARS Application portal once you create your application profile and before you submit your application. We recommend you add your recommenders as soon as possible. They will receive an email and submission instructions once you add them to the application portal.
  • You can track whether your recommenders have submitted your recommendations in the application portal before and after you submit your application.
• April 30, 2025: Students will be notified about their status in the program

For questions or additional information please review the STARS Program FAQ or email urstars@ucsd.edu.

• STARS Application Priority Deadline: February 10, 2025

• You can add who your Letters of Recommendations will come from in the STARS Application portal once you create your application profile and before you submit your application. We recommend you add your recommenders as soon as possible. They will receive an email and submission instructions once you add them to the application portal.
• You can track whether your recommenders have submitted your recommendations in the application portal before and after you submit your application.
• Letters of Recommendation may be submitted no later than a week after the applicant has submitted their STARS application.