FAQs

Undergraduate Program

Who should apply?
CSU and California Community College undergraduates majoring in physics/astronomy, computer science/computer engineering, or mathematics/statistics who are interested in pursuing a PhD in those or any related discipline.

Why should you apply?
The Cal-Bridge program provides vital support to help undergraduate scholars successfully matriculate to a PhD program in the discipline of their choice. Financial support allows scholars to stop working and focus on school work; joint, intensive mentoring by both CSU and UC mentors provide encouragement and guidance through through the sometimes hidden and often complex path to successfully apply to PhD programs; professional development workshops provide needed skills to succeed in applying to PhD programs as well as providing a space for community building; and research experiences provide a chance to develop and demonstrate research skills to assess one’s interest in research and to demonstrate it to PhD programs. Best of all, Cal-Bridge undergraduate scholars join a community of support consisting of hundreds of like-minded people with similar goals and backgrounds.

Expectations
Cal-Bridge undergraduate scholars are expected to fully commit to all elements of the program including biweekly mentorship meetings; 3-4 weekends devoted to professional development and community building; summer research internships; and participating in the PhD application process. Upon admission into the program, scholars sign a Cal-Bridge undergraduate contract outlining these obligations in detail.

How to apply?
Applications are open in April of each year to begin in the following fall. Details on how and when to apply can be found here: Apply Now

The Cal-Bridge undergraduate program currently supports students majoring in physics/astronomy, computer science/computer engineering, and mathematics/statistics. Other disciplines may be added in the future

Yes, students who plan to switch to one of the eligible Cal-Bridge majors can apply

To be eligible, applicants must be attending a California State University by the fall of their year of entry into the Cal-Bridge program and for the remainder of their undergraduate career; this includes California Community College students transferring to a CSU

Personal and professional development workshops are one of the elements of success for the Cal-Bridge undergraduate program. Topics of these workshops include but are not limited to writing personal statements, statements of purpose, creating CVs, applying to internships and graduate schools, etc.

There are three in-person weekend-long workshops for Cal-Bridge undergraduate scholars, including the Fall Conference. Additional virtual workshops on Zoom are held throughout the year, about one per month. All workshops are mandatory for all Cal-Bridge undergraduate scholars

Cal-Bridge increases exposure to internship opportunities. In addition, as part of being a Cal-Bridge undergraduate scholar, you are required to apply to summer research opportunities including Cal-Bridge Summer, which provides research opportunities at UC campuses as well as nationally

Financial support is one of the four elements of success for Cal-Bridge undergraduate scholars. Students who are citizens or permanent residents and have completed a FAFSA, as well as AB540 students who have completed a California Dream Act Application are eligible to receive up to $15,000 of financial support per academic year. In addition, the Cal-Bridge undergraduate program provides financial support to pay for GRE testing fees, transportation costs to and from workshops, and graduate school application fees

Cal-Bridge has offered up to one year of financial support for Cal-Bridge undergraduate scholars entering a Master’s program after completing two years in the Cal-Bridge undergraduate program and who plan to reapply to PhD programs in the first two years of their Master’s program. However, such support is dependent on program funding and is not guaranteed

The Cal-Bridge Doctoral program offers a Cal-Bridge Fellowship (currently $40,000) to support Cal-Bridge undergraduate scholars who matriculate to a University of California PhD program and become Cal-Bridge doctoral scholars. For more information about the Cal-Bridge Doctoral program visit that program’s webpage

The Cal-Bridge undergraduate program offers (1) mentoring via two mentors, one from your home CSU campus and one from a University of California campus; (2) financial support of up to $15,000 per academic year for qualifying students; (3) professional and personal development workshops; and (4) exposure to summer research experiences, primarily through the Cal-Bridge Summer program

If I participated in a summer internship this year through the Cal-Bridge Summer program, should I talk about it in my application for the Cal-Bridge undergraduate program?
Absolutely! While previous research experience is not required to apply to the Cal-Bridge undergraduate program, including it in your application will certainly help, especially with assigning mentors and/or understanding your interests

Are graduate students (e.g., Master’s students) eligible to apply?
Graduate students are not eligible to apply

What are the requirements for students that are transferring from a California Community College to a California State University? 
Requirements are the same for all applicants: you must be enrolled at a California State University in an eligible major in the fall of the year you enter the program and have two years left to complete your undergraduate degree

What constitutes a strong letter of recommendation? 
The best options for a strong letter of recommendation are faculty who have seen you succeed in an academic setting or research experience and can attest to your interest and curiosity in the field.

Who is appropriate to ask for a reference letter? 
Cal-Bridge applicants are encouraged to obtain recent letters of recommendation from faculty at institutions and research advisors. Up to one letter from a non-academic writer will be accepted. Letters of recommendation are most beneficial when the recommender can attest to the applicant’s character inside and outside of the classroom and can describe the applicant’s academic and technical skills.

How can I adequately describe my motivation and intent to pursue graduate education?
The Cal-Bridge undergraduate program hosts a “How to Apply to Cal-Bridge” workshop each year, so make sure to attend! In general, be honest, express your interests, tell your story and focus on your strengths

How can I learn more about the application process?
Cal-Bridge offers two workshops each year before the application deadline that cover the program elements, the application process, tips on asking for recommendation letters, and writing personal essays

How do I create a graduation plan for my California State University?
Each California State University has a coursework catalog for students in a given major. More specific questions regarding when to take courses are best discussed with your department’s academic advisor. Applicants can also obtain a graduation plan directly from their academic advisor. If you are transferring from a Community College to a California State University, you are not required to submit a graduation plan until your transfer.

Is a GitHub account a requirement for students applying as computer science and/or computer science engineering majors? 
This is a common practice in the field. It looks nice and it elevates applications. So even though it’s not required, it is highly recommended since the more projects on GitHub, the better the person will look.

Are international students eligible to apply?
Yes!

Are undocumented students eligible to apply?
Yes!

What financial support is available for international or undocumented students?
Undocumented (AB 540) students are fully eligible for financial aid. International students are eligible to apply but may be considered for financial support on a case by case basis. All Scholars are eligible for financial support for GRE fees, transportation costs, and graduate school application fees. Additionally, some summer internships offer financial support for all students. This also applies to AB540 or Dreamer students.

Summer Program

The Cal-Bridge Summer program is open to all STEM majors from any CSU or California Community College. There are two separate programs under the Cal-Bridge Summer program op:

  1. Research at the UC sites is open only to scholars from the main Cal-Bridge academic year program. Research opportunities in all areas of physics and astronomy, computer science and engineering, and mathematics are available
  2. Research at Caltech, Carnegie Observatories, Penn State University, SETI Institute, Stanford, UC Merced Physics REU, University of Wyoming is open to all CSU and CCC applicants. The research at those sites is in all areas of physics, astrophysics, planetary science, and astrobiology. For additional information about each research site, click on the names of the programs above

To learn more about these research opportunities, view our options, here with links to descriptions of each program.

The Cal-Bridge Summer program is an excellent way to gain research experience. Emphasis is on providing experience necessary to assess interest in and successfully apply to PhD programs, but interest in pursuing a PhD is not a requirement of the program. In addition to gaining research experience, each site in the Cal-Bridge Summer program provides professional development and community building activities, and you will join a large and growing community of Cal-Bridge scholars across California and the nation. Many Cal-Bridge Summer scholars who are not already part of the main Cal-Bridge undergraduate program apply to that program to get support for applying for a PhD in a STEM discipline.

Applications are due February 1 of each year for participation the following summer. Acceptance decisions are sent out on March 1. Details on how and when to apply can be found here.

Cal-Bridge Summer scholars are expected to fully commit to all elements of the program and to learn how to plan, design, and conduct high quality scientific programming research. They are expected to actively communicate with their mentors, engage in the projects, and report on their work. At the end of the program, Cal-Bridge Summer scholars are required to submit abstracts on their research and present their work at the Summer Research Symposium during Cal-Bridge’s annual Fall Conference.

Doctoral Program

The Cal-Bridge doctoral program is open to Cal-Bridge undergraduate scholars majoring in physics/astronomy, computer science/computer engineering, and mathematics/statistics who matriculate to a PhD program, as well as UC LEADS undergraduates in those same majors who matriculate to a UC PhD program. All UC Cal-Bridge doctoral scholars receive financial support, mentoring, community, and professional development programming. Non-UC doctoral scholars are eligible for the professional development programming and community building events as funding allows.

The Cal-Bridge doctoral program extends financial support, mentoring, and professional development programming to Cal-Bridge undergraduate and UC LEADS scholars enrolled in UC PhD programs as well as opening the professional development aspects of the program to Cal-Bridge scholars enrolled in non-UC PhD programs nationwide.

Cal-Bridge currently offers a $40,000 Cal-Bridge Fellowship to each Cal-Bridge and UC LEADS undergraduate scholar who matriculates into a UC PhD program, allowing them to focus on mastery of their field’s canon and embark earlier in their graduate career upon doctoral-level research projects. These fellowships also make the scholars more attractive to UC PhD admissions committees.

Professional development workshops are offered focused both on the development of effective pedagogical skills as well as research skills. These workshops follow a four-year arc through the scholars’ tenure as doctoral students, and, perhaps as importantly, provide opportunities for the community of scholars to remain in close contact with one another, furthering the peer-to-peer community and its development opportunities, which is known to be an essential factor in support of students from non-traditional groups.

Cal-Bridge UC doctoral scholars are expected to fully commit to all elements of the program including the 4-year Doctoral Professional Development Program (DP2) consisting of:

  1. Four week-long in-person Summer Institutes that take place at a UC campus in late July each year. The cost of travel, housing, food, and activities for each Summer Institute is covered by the program.
  2. A series of on-line meetings during the academic year as part of an ongoing learning community.
  3. Mentored classroom teaching or other hands-on experiences.

In addition, Cal-Bridge UC doctoral scholars expected to attend the Cal-Bridge Fall Conference each, at the program’s expense.

Non-UC doctoral scholars are given the opportunity to participate in the professional development aspects of the program, depending on funding.

Acceptance into the doctoral program is contingent on scholars signing a Cal-Bridge doctoral contract outlining these obligations in detail.

All Cal-Bridge undergraduate scholars who matriculate to any PhD program are eligible for the Cal-Bridge Doctoral Program, along with UC LEADS undergraduate scholars majoring in Cal-Bridge disciplines who matriculate to a UC PhD program. The financial benefits of the program are available only to scholars who matriculate to a UC PhD program and other benefits are available to all Cal-Bridge doctoral scholars.

Cal-Bridge currently offers a $40,000 Cal-Bridge Fellowship to each undergraduate scholar who matriculates into a UC PhD program, allowing them to focus on mastery of their field’s canon and embark earlier in their graduate career upon doctoral-level research projects. Acceptance of the Cal-Bridge Fellowship has certain requirements attached.

The PhD program accepting the Cal-Bridge scholar will determine the use of the funds in a manner designed to benefit the scholar’s PhD studies. Departments are required to have their proposed use of funds approved by the Cal-Bridge Doctoral Program following guidelines created by the program.

The funds from the Cal-Bridge Fellowship can be used at any time during the scholar’s time in their PhD program.

There are a few requirements of acceptance of the Cal-Bridge Fellowship:

The PhD program accepting the Cal-Bridge scholar will determine the use of the funds in a manner designed to benefit the scholar’s PhD studies. Departments are required to have their proposed use of funds approved by the Cal-Bridge Doctoral Program following guidelines created by the program.

The funds from the Cal-Bridge Fellowship can be used at any time during the scholar’s time in their PhD program.

There are a few requirements of acceptance of the Cal-Bridge Fellowship:

The Cal-Bridge Doctoral Professional Development Program (DP2) consists of a four-year cycle of professional development workshops and related activities, which starts on odd years (2023, 2025, 2027, etc.). Doctoral scholars start the program in the summer after their 1st or 2nd year in the PhD program. The workshops follow a four-year arc through the scholars’ tenure as doctoral students, focused both on the development of effective pedagogical and communication skills as well as research skills.

In addition, as importantly, the DP2 provides opportunities for the community of scholars to remain in close contact with one another, furthering the peer-to-peer community and its development opportunities, which is known to be an essential factor in support of students from non-traditional groups.

The DP2 has three major components:

  • Four week-long in-person Summer Institutes that take place at a UC campus in late July each year. The cost of travel, housing, food, and activities for each Summer Institute is covered by the program.
  • A series of on-line meetings during the academic year as part of an ongoing learning community.
  • Mentored classroom teaching or other hands-on experiences.

Participation is required in all elements of the program, though specific accommodations can be made in some cases based on the interests of the participants.

In addition to covering the financial costs of participating in the program, Cal-Bridge will provide each scholar stipends of $1000 after the Summer Institute and $1000 in the following academic year. These stipends are dependent on the scholar’s continued involvement and full participation in the program, and are compensation for the time spent in this professional development work.

The professional development workshops are open to all Cal-Bridge doctoral scholars. Participation of all UC doctoral scholars is required as part of the acceptance of the Cal-Bridge Fellowship. Participation is open to non-UC doctoral scholars but may be limited by available funding.

There are a few additional benefits to participating in the Cal-Bridge Doctoral program:

  • The Cal-Bridge Doctoral Program is a support community of like-minded scholars with similar professional goals that a scholar can draw on for advice, support, and professional advancement
  • The Cal-Bridge Alumni Council holds events at each Summer Institute and Fall Conference to which all doctoral scholars in attendance are invited
  • The Cal-Bridge Doctoral Program is developing a mentorship program to supplement the main mentorship of the scholar’s PhD advisor and other faculty in their department. In addition to any formal mentorship offered by the Cal-Bridge program, doctoral scholars can also reach out to program leadership for support

Cal-Bridge and UC LEADS scholars who matriculate to a UC PhD program are automatically eligible for the doctoral program. Once a scholar accepts entry into a UC PhD program, they must indicate their interest in participating in the doctoral program by filling out this form.

Postdoctoral Program

All graduates of the Cal-Bridge doctoral program (UC or non-UC) are eligible to apply to the Cal-Bridge postdoctoral program in the year they will complete their PhD. Applicants must complete their PhD before beginning their Cal-Bridge postdoctoral fellowships.

  • A Cal-Bridge postdoctoral fellowship will help you prepare to become a competitive faculty candidate.
  • UC Cal-Bridge postdocs will conduct world-class research experience and by participating in the UC PPFP program will gain access to an additional community of peers.
  • CSU Cal-Bridge postdocs will be given the opportunity to teach as instructor of record at least once per year to gain experience to make them competitive faculty candidates for teaching-focused faculty jobs
  • Cal-Bridge postdocs will devote the majority of time to basic research with CSU postdocs additionally teaching one course per year as instructor of record to gain teaching experience
  • All Cal-Bridge Postdocs are expected to devote a substantial portion (10-15%) of their time to supporting the broader impacts of the Cal-Bridge program (e.g., through participation in the Cal-Bridge mentorship program). As part of the application process, applicants will have to write a short statement of how they fulfill this requirement
  • All Cal-Bridge postdocs are expected to attend the Cal-Bridge Fall Conference, held at a UC campus each September or October. In addition, they are expected to attend the PPFP Annual Fall meeting. Funding is provided for attendance at both these events

Applications are open in September of each year for positions starting the following summer/fall. Before applying, a candidate must identify a faculty member at the UC or CSU campus where they will hold their postdoctoral position who will act as their professional sponsor and mentor. The mentor must provide a letter of support; expectations of the faculty mentor and guidelines for the letter of support can be found here. Applications for both Cal-Bridge UC and Cal-Bridge CSU postdocs are processed through the portal for the UC Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP). Applications are due November 1 each year for positions beginning the following fall. Details on how to apply for the Cal-Bridge postdoctoral positions can be found here: Postdoctoral Program: Application Instructions

General Career

The amount of work that is involved in pursuing a PhD depends on the student. Each student is faced with different obstacles and has different strengths which could hinder or reduce the amount of time they work per week. Students can attend workshops on time management to learn how to allocate time per week for studying. Some students participate in extracurricular activities on campus. These are just a few variables that students must balance as they pursue a PhD

As a future scientist, there is plenty one can do outside of school while you pursue your career in science. For example, a student can join amateur science groups. Cal-Bridge provides research opportunities to help students gain experience outside the classroom. Students can stand out by participating in extracurricular activities such as clubs, organizations and societies. Another way for a student to stand out is by becoming mentors, and/or volunteer their time. There are many avenues outside of school that can assist students in the pursuit of their scientific career

A successful path from a community college to a college or University is strongly tied to the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). First, students should make an appointment with an academic advisor to discuss the appropriate IGETC plan for the student’s chosen career. The IGETC plan is a 2-year transfer plan designed for transfer to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The plan also schedules multiple meetings with an academic advisor to make sure the student stays on the right path to graduation. The student can use this time to build a portfolio of schools that are a good fit for them. During this time, it is recommended that the student seeks internships and joins extracurricular activities to increase their chances of acceptance into a good bachelor’s program. If the student is selected for a bachelor’s program, then the student can seek out more internships as well as research groups to join. Upon graduation, the student can choose to pursue higher education such as graduate school or join the workforce by seeking employment in the field of astronomy. These are just some of the things suggested to pursue a career in STEM as a community college student.

As a Cal-Bridge undergraduate scholar you will begin discussing PhD options with your research advisors and mentors as you approach your final undergraduate year. The Cal-Bridge undergraduate program also offers multiple workshops regarding the requirements for the graduate school application process. PhD programs are competitive; therefore students are encouraged to find ways to stand out in a field of hundreds of applicants. For example, scholars can join organizations and societies to boost their scholastic resume. Scholars are also encouraged to contact professors to get information about different university PhD programs. Furthermore, there are a couple of essays that universities ask for within the application and the applications also require multiple letters of recommendation

The Cal-Bridge undergraduate program provides workshops, including panels with graduate students, that answer questions about what it is like to be a doctoral student. The program also provides tours of campuses so that scholars can see the laboratories and get to know the researchers. During the campus tour students get a basic idea of the type of research performed at the institution. These things can help a student decide whether a PhD is a path they would like to take.

Participating in summer research as a Cal-Bridge Summer scholar will play a key role in exposing you to real research which will help you decide if a PhD is right for you.

Crucially, as part of the Cal-Bridge Program, scholars are paired with two mentors who can provide information about PhD programs. Each PhD program presents different financial obstacles. The cost of living is different from state to state so it is difficult to pinpoint a specific figure, but most STEM PhD programs provide full funding support to their PhD students. Additionally, the Cal-Bridge doctoral program provides all UC doctoral scholars with a Cal-Bridge Fellowship (currently $40,000)

 Research During an Undergraduate Program
  • Undergraduate research generally consists of a student providing assistance, ideas, and improvements to an already existing project. The projects are primarily led by a faculty member, graduate student, or postdoctoral researcher
  • Undergraduate research can encompass various subfields within your discipline. For example, physics-related undergraduate research may be related to – but not limited to – the fields of condensed matter, optics, nuclear physics, thermodynamics, and astronomy.

Research During a PhD Program
The daily life of a PhD student will differ vastly from what students may be used to during their pursuit of an undergraduate degree. Creating original research independently within a student’s discipline is the bulk of a PhD program. Although publications of a student’s work are typically expected, each discipline will have different requirements for the number of these publications. During the later half of a student’s PhD degree, they will likely dedicate over 90% of their time to their research work. Compiling research publications in a PhD “thesis” and “defending” one’s work by sharing the research while faculty in related fields ask questions is integral to obtaining a doctoral degree

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