On a sunny afternoon, the SOAR Director and SOAR Graduate Fellow sat down with students from the Graduate Access Preparation Program (GAPP) to discuss their experiences and success in the program. GAPP is designed to demystify the graduate school application process for historically underrepresented, undocumented, low-income, and other underserved populations to increase their enrollment, retention, and graduation rates in graduate programs. Here are some highlights from our conversation:

 

Q: Please introduce yourselves and current majors at UCI? 

Kayla: Hi I am Kayla Serrano, double major in Education Sciences and Psychological Science, she/her/hers

Andrea: My name is Andrea Vargas, and my current major is psychological science and criminology and my pronouns are she/her/hers.

Alexandra: Hi, everyone. My name is Alexandra Martinez. I go by Alex, I'm a fourth-year majoring in Psychological Science, and my pronouns are she/her and ella.

Michelle: Hi, I'm Michele Torrico. I use she/her pronouns, and I will be graduating with a degree in Public Health Sciences.

Q: What inspired or influenced you to apply to graduate school?

Michelle: "I initially came in as a Bio Sci major as a first-year student during the pandemic. The year was heavily focused on public health, which made me decide to switch my major to Public Health. With the Public Health major, the curriculum is very superficial as an undergrad. This influenced my decision to go into Epidemiology and Biostats, which would give me a better idea of how pandemics work, how other people attain these illnesses, and how we could address health disparities. Being accepted into this concentration within Public Health will help me achieve this goal."

Alex: "I had no plans of going into graduate school, and I had no idea how to get there. I'm a first-generation student here at UCI. Although my sister went to college, she's just two years older than me and was navigating the system at the same time. My first year was during COVID, so it was online. Fortunately, I joined LPSA, the Latinx Student Psychological Association, and got connected with the advisor, Dr. Castellanos. She began asking me about post-grad plans, which ignited the idea of graduate school. Dr. C helped me get connected with a lot of resources on campus, along with experience in her lab and other opportunities. Being involved in spaces like SOAR and the Basic Needs Center increased my confidence and solidified my decision to go to graduate school. Once I joined the GAPP course with the help of Jennifer and Paulina, I solidified my decision at the beginning of my fourth year. Their help was amazing, and I was lucky to get into a program at CSU Long Beach."

Andrea: "The GAPP program influenced my decision to go to grad school; I wasn't considering it before entering the program. Doing the research assignments during the course helped me look at programs and the main things I wanted to study. Another major influence was my internship at the Department of Homeland Security at the end of my third year. Shadowing special agents made me decide I wanted to go into law enforcement. Researching grad programs and finding a forensic psychology program that fit perfectly with my goals was the final piece."

Kayla: “I aspire to be a math teacher so I wanted to pursue a graduate degree to be the best educator I could be.”

Q: What impact did GAPP have on your grad school applications?

Kayla: “The GAPP helped me get a sense of what program I wanted to pursue, therefore allowing me to research what materials I had to compile and who I had to contact beforehand. It was especially helpful being that I was in my junior year.”

Andrea: "The GAPP provided us with great examples of questions for the personal statement, helping me stay organized and structured. It prepared me for what to expect during the application process, which reduced my fear of answering application questions. I also appreciated the sessions on both written personal statements and interviews, as my program required an interview."

Alex: "The GAPP course offered numerous benefits, especially the connections with Paulina and Jennifer. Their mentorship was crucial, providing insights and advice on navigating the application process. The office hours where Jennifer reviewed my personal statement were incredibly helpful. Practicing interview sessions and receiving feedback was also valuable, helping me feel more confident and prepared."

Michelle: "Similar to Alex, the GAPP was instrumental in my success. Without it, I might not have been accepted on my first try. The program clarified the differences between undergrad and grad school applications and provided a vital support system. Having someone to discuss my worries with made a significant difference, especially as the first in my family to apply to grad school."

Q: What criteria did you consider when applying to your graduate programs and which programs did you get into?

Michelle: "I'm going to USC for my MPH in Biostats and Epidemiology. USC's strong networking system and its integration with the School of Medicine were major factors. The program’s location in a lower socio-economic area of LA, where public health is critical, also influenced my decision."

Alex: "I was accepted into CSU Long Beach's Counseling Psychology program. The hands-on experience at their on-site clinic, close advisor connections, and focus on diversity were key factors. The program's flexibility, offering both a thesis and an exam option, was also important to me."

Andrea: "I chose California Baptist University because it offers hands-on fieldwork rather than just computer-based learning. The integration of a religious aspect in law enforcement and the support system provided were also significant factors. I appreciated that they eliminated the thesis requirement."

Kayla: “I had originally planned to apply to UCI and UCLA but ended up only applying to UCI after realizing the deadline for UCLA passed. So really, the decision was made for me. But I chose these two programs because I wanted a master’s in education but also wanted my teaching credential, and they both offered that in SoCal for a reasonable timeline. These were essentially my criteria.”

Q: How did you balance your time between preparing for grad school applications and other commitments while still being a student?

Alex: "It was challenging. Senioritis and burnout hit hard, but the GAPP course motivated me to continue. Setting boundaries with family and friends, focusing on self-care, and making time for myself were crucial strategies."

Andrea: "I managed my time by prioritizing my application early in the quarter when my coursework load was lighter. Touring the campus and asking questions helped me prepare, and I recommend knowing deadlines and pacing yourself."

Michelle: "Balancing was tough with my required practicum, but the GAPP kept me on track. Breaking down the application process into smaller tasks and having supportive friends were key. Rewarding myself for completing tasks also helped."

Kayla: “GOOGLE CALENDAR. I put everything on my calendar, from classes to planning movie nights. It helped me keep track of everything. I wouldn't always make it to every event, but I became okay with that because I knew I was working towards something.”

Q: What advice would you give to other students considering applying to grad school?

Andrea: "Tour the grad schools. Meeting people and networking on campus were influential in my decision."

Alex: "Build connections early, use all available resources, and research the programs thoroughly. Make sure the program is a good fit for you."

Michelle: "Be selfish and a little annoying. Prioritize your application and research thoroughly. Connect with current students to get honest opinions about the programs."

Q: What are you most looking forward to in grad school?

Kayla: “I am most looking forward to the students teaching because I want to experience working within a high school classroom.” 

Michelle: "I’m looking forward to a change of environment and focusing on what I love. Creating my own research within epidemiology, especially on Latinx communities and health disparities, is exciting."

Alex: "I'm excited to focus on counseling psychology, connect with experienced faculty, and meet my diverse cohort. Pursuing a Ph.D. in the future is also something I’m considering."

Andrea: "I’m excited about the new environment in Riverside, starting at a new school, and the hands-on experience the program offers."

Q: What three words would you use to describe your grad school journey?

Kayla: “Sleepless, consuming, unbelievable”

Andrea: "Scared, nervous, and excited."

Alex: "Nervous, proud, and excited."

Michelle: "Challenging, supportive, and rewarding. I just want to add It was mind-blowing to see I did it and as a group, WE did that! "

These students’ experiences highlight the transformative impact of the GAPP in preparing them for graduate school, demonstrating the program's success in supporting underserved populations through their academic journeys. 

If you are interested in joining us for Cohort 6 of the GAP program. Applications will open on June 5, 2024, on our website and will require a two-quarter commitment of Fall 2024 and Winter 2025.