Competitive Edge

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:

competitive edge photo collage

SUMMER PROGRAM DATES

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

The Competitive Edge program is open to all eligible students. The Competitive Edge program does not consider race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories as part of the application and selection process.

Program Content

Participants are required to attend workshops to acclimate them to the campus environment. Workshop facilitators are members of the UC San Diego community and serve as faculty, staff or continuing graduate students in various academic fields. In addition to the workshops, participants are expected to attend an orientation at the beginning and a luncheon at the conclusion of the program.

Please direct inquiries to the program manager:

Edgar Beas
eabeas@ucsd.edu

Proposition 209 Compliance

In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. All programs and initiatives coordinated by the University of California Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs are designed and implemented in full compliance with Proposition 209 and the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy.

More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.

More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.