MERR 35APathways to Graduate School Phase 1
Guides students in utilizing relevant and timely information, tools, and strategies to embark on the path to graduate school exploration and preparation, including strategies for addressing challenges and opportunities related to diversity within graduate education. Students explore their values and motivations for pursuing graduate school, network with guest speakers (current graduate students, faculty members, graduate school admissions professionals); and prepare to continue their development as scholars and researchers in order to deliver outstanding graduate school application materials (personal statements, CV/resumes, letters of recommendation requests). Through these course activities, students cultivate their scholarly identity and sense of self-efficacy as future graduate students. Enrollment is restricted to sophomores and juniors in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences divisions and by instructor permission. Students in the EOP program are given priority.
- All students: No instructor consent required to enroll in the course. If you have any issues, please reach out to summer@ucsc.edu.
- Explore graduate school possibilities, including funding. Develop a plan to succeed in graduate school, from gaining admission and navigating the “hidden curriculum” to pursuing a career. Students from any college can enroll. Students in the EOP program are given priority.
Find a section and add it to your scheduleLive seat counts, time-conflict checks and the walk from your previous class.
When it runs
Summer 2026Open Summer 2026
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Seminar | Mon Wed 1:00pm–2:30pm | Cowell Clrm 131 | K. G. Silva | Open 18/61 |
Spring 2026Open Spring 2026
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Seminar | Tue 11:40am–1:15pm | Merrill Acad 002 | K. G. Silva | Closed 20/20 |
| 02 | Seminar | Thu 11:40am–1:15pm | Merrill Acad 002 | K. G. Silva | Closed 20/20 |
Who teaches it
| Instructor | Rating | Difficulty | Would take again | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denise Silva | 3.4 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 | 45% | 43 |
From RateMyProfessors, which is student-submitted and not a survey. Small review counts move a long way on one bad quarter.
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