Who is the California Predoctoral Program for?
For undergraduate and graduate students in the California State University.
The California Predoctoral Program is designed to increase the diversity of California State University students who will continue their studies at the doctoral level and be eligible for faculty positions. A special emphasis will be placed on increasing the number of CSU students who enter graduate programs at one of the University of California institutions.
What the Program Provides
Travel funds for the student and faculty sponsor to visit U.S. Ph.D.-granting institutions and also for them to attend a professional meeting appropriate to the student’s development
Opportunity to apply for a fully funded Summer Internship for the student to participate in doctoral level research
Funds for other related activities, such as membership in professional organizations, special research costs, and graduate school application and test fees
Application Instructions
Interested students should submit their application to Dr. Amanda Lathrop, Dean of Graduate Education, lathrop@calpoly.edu by February 1st.
Selected scholars will be notified in June each year.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled at a California State University campus (2026-27 academic year)
- Be matriculated at a California State University campus as an upper-division undergraduate or master’s student for Fall 2026.
- Plan to pursue a research doctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent).
Note: Professional programs such as law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or the MBA are not eligible. - Have a CSU faculty mentor to support research training and scholarship.
Note: Previous Sally Casanova Scholars are not eligible to reapply.
Criteria
Applicants will be selected through a holistic review process by CSU faculty members considering the following criteria:
- Potential for success in doctoral study.
- Clarity and feasibility of their budget proposal and plan for educational enrichment.
- Alignment with the California Pre-Doctoral Program’s goals to increase access to advanced education for California’s future faculty.
Tips for Successful Completion
Criteria
- ACADEMIC RECORD – indicators suggest that admission to and success in a doctoral program are likely.
- ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES – student had sufficient preparation for doctoral study, including theoretical sophistication and research experience.
- WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS – of sufficient quality for success in a doctoral program.
- FACULTY CAREER – student has interest in and potential for a faculty career, and willingness to teach a diverse student body.
- LETTER FROM THE SPONSOR – indicates realistic confidence in the student and a willingness to provide necessary mentoring.
- Meet regularly with instructor of the assigned course
- PLAN, BUDGET, AND TIMELINE – realistic and appropriate.
Avoid
- Long, rambling essays that are usually off topic.
- Essays don’t demonstrate necessary experience in areas of research, community service, diversity, interest in teaching, etc.
- Research interests are described too generally or not described at all.
- Applicants’ education and experience do not match the discipline they want to pursue in doctoral studies.
- Poor writing skills (i.e. grammar, syntax, spelling errors, etc.).
- Applications are incomplete and may be missing statements, faculty signatures, faculty recommendation letters, transcripts, budget, etc.
- Low GPAs that are not explained by faculty mentor.
- Activity plan and budget don’t correlate; budget exceeds $3,000; inappropriate activities/expenditures such as international travel or purchase of major computer hardware.
- Applicants do not meet qualifications to apply (must be junior, senior, master’s degree student at time of application and award).