Pre-Doc Application Overview

Overview of the California Pre-Doctoral Program Application Process:

1. Review or download a copy of this year's (2025) application guide;

   If you are applying for the California Pre-Doctroal Program Health Professions Track (HPT), review or download a copy of this year's (2025) HPT application guide;

2. Seek a Faculty Mentor (an SF State faculty member in your field — an assistant, associate or full professor, but not a lecturer or visiting professor from another institution) who knows you well and is willing to support your application to the Pre-Doctoral Program, and to serve as your mentor during the award year;
3. Ask your Faculty Mentor to provide you with an in-depth recommendation.
4. Complete an online application (see Application Instructions). 
5. Invite your Faculty Mentor, through the online application, to submit a reference on your behalf. Note:Your Faculty Mentor will not be able to upload their recommendation until you have submitted your application. Your mentor must submit their recommendation by the CSU application deadline: February 14, 2025.
6. In collaboration with your Faculty Mentor, develop an Application Budget for the funded activities you will engage in to prepare for entering a doctoral program;
7. Compose your application essays in consultation with your Faculty Mentor;
8. The program also encourages you to seek support from the Campus Coordinator. If you would like feedback on your application essays, seek a meeting with Dr. Joy Viveros, SF State's California Pre-Doctoral Program Campus Coordinator, by emailing her at fellows1@sfsu.edu.
9.  At least two weeks before the online deadline of February 14, 2025, schedule a meeting with Dr. Viveros to review and approve your application.
10. Upload your transcripts and essays to your online application; conform your documents to the "Formatting Instructions" on our Application Instructions.
11. Submit your online application by the CSU online application deadline of February 14, 2025.
12.  Follow-up with your Faculty Mentor to ensure that the recommendation is submitted timely. Note: Your Faculty Mentor will not be able to upload their recommendation until you have submitted your application, and thus they have up to the Friday following the CSU deadline to submit the recommendation.