Incoming PhD Student Guide
Welcome, new Bren PhD students!
Use this page to reference important information, dates, deadlines, and resources to help you as you prepare for the first day of orientation on September 20, 2021. Orientation is required so please plan to accordingly. If you are completing the Economics and Environmental Science emphasis (more information below), Math boot camp starts August 23, 2021.
If you still have unanswered questions after you've reviewed this page, please contact the Student Affairs & Admissions team at admissions@bren.ucsb.edu.
covid-19 and fall instruction:
UCSB is planning for faculty, staff, and students to be in-person beginning in Fall Quarter, pending approval by Santa Barbara County Public Health and the UC administration. Therefore, the Bren School will likely hold portions of new student orientation at Bren Hall so please plan on moving to the area before the start of orientation on September 20.
On Apr 22, the UC released a proposed policy on COVID-19 vaccination standards. If approved, the university would require students, faculty, staff, and academic appointees who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against SARS-CoV-2 beginning in Fall Quarter. If you live in California, you are eligible to be vaccinated now; schedule your vaccination through the MyTurn California Vaccination Scheduler. If vaccines are unavailable at your current residence, we anticipate that UCSB will have vaccination clinics for returning students prior to the start of Fall Quarter.
Additional information about COVID and vaccination is available on the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department website. View UCSB campus-wide COVID updates on the UCSB COVID Information page. We are grateful to those on the front lines who have been working to protect the health and well-being of our community, and develop, manufacture, and distribute the vaccines to keep our community safe.
Summer Timeline
May 2021
- Submit your student housing application by May 13 if you want to live on campus. Explore more housing options under Campus Resources.
- Submit your Statement of Legal Residence (SLR). Failure to do so may result in additional out-of-state fees and issues with financial aid. You will need your UCSB Net ID and password to log-in. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar at Residency@sa.ucsb.edu or 805-893-3033.
- Send in your official documents. Please send your official transcripts to the UCSB Graduate Division if you were asked to do so in your official admission letter. See the Graduate Division’s Admitted Applicants page for detailed information about where to send them and special instructions for international students (UCSB graduates are not required to submit official final UCSB transcripts).
- International students, please visit the UCSB Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS)'s Newly Admitted Students page to start your visa process and make sure you're on track to matriculate this fall. Also, click here for COVID-19 FAQs for international students.
- Review the vaccine requirements. All incoming UCSB students are required to receive the vaccinations and tuberculosis screening noted in the immunization requirements outlined on the UCSB Student Health website.
- If you are hoping to pursue the Economics and Environmental Science emphasis, please consult with your faculty advisor, notify Kristine Duarte (kristine@bren.ucsb.edu) and sign up for the required Fall courses.
June 2021
- Begin registering for classes (see the Registration page for details)
Review your MyUCSB Student Dashboard for important links to UCSB Housing, Financial Aid, Billing Office information, U-Mail, Registration, and more. - Register for your UCSB student email service, U-Mail, if you haven’t done so already.
Secure your housing for the upcoming year (see the Housing section under Campus Resources) and make sure you move to the area in time to attend orientation on September 13, 2021. - If you are hoping to pursue the Economics and Environmental Science emphasis, please consult with your faculty advisor, notify Kristine Duarte (kristine@bren.ucsb.edu) and sign up for the required Fall courses.
- International students, please visit the UCSB Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS)'s Newly Admitted Students page to start your visa process and make sure you're on track to matriculate this fall. Also, click here for COVID-19 FAQs for international students.
July 2021
- If you filled out a FAFSA application, it is likely you will receive your financial aid packet by the end of July. The Bren School does not have access to your financial aid information so if you do not receive your packet by the end of July, please contact the UCSB Financial Aid Office at (805) 893-2432.
- Submit your immunization records per UCSB requirements (see Student Health page for information).
- Submit your health insurance waiver if you do not wish to use UC SHIP.
- If you need your health insurance coverage to start up to 14 days prior to the start of school (starting 9/05/21), you may request an early start at no extra charge. Please send an email with your UCSB student ID (perm) number, UCSB email, street address, date of birth, and gender to kristine@bren.ucsb.edu by August 3, 2021, to submit a request.
- Connect with Bren’s Compute Team if you have any questions about information technology at the Bren School (computing@bren.ucsb.edu). Visit their FAQ knowledge base for general computing questions.
August 2021
- Begin taking the appropriate steps necessary to establish residency (if applicable; for more information visit the Registrar's website regarding residency status and "Understanding Residency" from UC. Additional questions about this process are best directed toward the Residency Deputy: Residency@sa.ucsb.edu)
- International students, complete the first step toward your Culture, Academics, Laws and Immigration (CALI) training online. There will also be a training during Orientation on Wednesday, September 13, 2021. When planning your arrival, please note that you cannot enter the U.S. sooner than 30 days before the start of the PhD program.
- Submit your health insurance waiver if you do not wish to use UC SHIP (deadline September 1, 2021).
- If you need your health insurance coverage to start up to 14 days prior to the start of school (starting 9/05/21), you may request an early start at no extra charge. Please send an email with your UCSB student ID (perm) number, UCSB email, street address, date of birth, and gender to kristine@bren.ucsb.edu by August 3, 2021, to submit a request.
- Economics and Environmental Science (EES) Students: Math Camp with the Economics Department starts on Monday, August 23, 2021. Mark Patterson from the Econ department will be in touch with more information.
September 2021
- Explore Santa Barbara before classes start!
- International students, complete the first step toward your Culture, Academics, Laws and Immigration (CALI) training online. There will also be a training during Orientation on Wednesday, September 14, 2021. When planning your arrival, please note that you cannot enter the U.S. sooner than 30 days before the start of the PhD program.
- Acquaint yourself with the UCSB campus by reviewing a map or by taking a virtual or in-person tour.
- Purchase your student ACCESS card and then complete the Bren School after-hours building access form (this form can only be completed once you've purchased your UCSB ACCESS card; see Campus Resources for more information).
- Submit your Bren School New Student Bio by (deadline TBD). Please submit your bio AFTER you have had it peer-reviewed in the writing workshop, a link will be provided.
- Read the Bren School Graduate Student Handbook.
- Attend the Bren School New Student Orientation, beginning Monday, September 20, 2021.
- Participate in the Annual Bren School PhD Student Retreat. (details coming soon!)
- Fall quarter classes begin Thursday, September 23, 2021.
INTRODUCTION & TIMELINE
What should you be doing now?
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
PhD core courses and registration timeline
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATIONS
Orientation events for the Bren School, including the PhD Retreat, lab safety training, Graduate Division orientation, and activities for international students
FINANCIAL & RESIDENCY RESOURCES
Cost of attendance, paying your bill, BARC, FAFSA, establishing residency, and TA/GSR positions
CAMPUS RESOURCES
ACCESS student ID cards, computing, email, health insurance, housing, transportation, campus resources, and more
