Pre-Doc Online Application Instructions

Submit an online application by the CSU Deadline:  

1.     Start at the CSU Pre-Doctoral Program "How to Apply" page.

2.     Register for a Smartsheet account to begin the "2026-27 California Pre-Doctoral Program Application." 

3.     To start using your Smartsheet account, check the email address you used to register, and then confirm your email address.

4.     On Smartsheet, you will be asked to fill out a Pre-Application Questionnaire, which includes what year you are in your undergraduate or graduate studies, your contact information, your campus, and your Faculty Mentor's name, rank (assistant, associate or full professor) and other required information, including email address.

5.     Indicate on your application whether you are applying to the California Pre-Doctoral Program or the Health Professions Scholars Initiative (HPSI).

5.     Login to your Smartsheet application to work on your application until the submission deadline. You may save your work and return to complete your application.

6.  Note that is your responsibility to ensure that the recommendation has been uploaded timely. If your Faculty Mentor fails to do so, your application will not be considered. Your recommender must submit their recommendation by the application deadline of February 13, 2026.

7.     Fill out all other required required fields. 

8.     For questions on the HPT program or application process, please contact the Pre-Doc Health Professions Track Program Director, Dr. Arnab Mukherjea: Arnab.Mukherjea@CSUEastBay.edu. 

8.     Download a fillable Application Budget Sheet. 

9.   In consultation with your Faculty Mentor, fill out and upload to your online application a pdf of your Application Budget Sheet, ensuring that the total is exactly $5,000. Use this document to fill out the online itemized budget proposal 

11.  Compose several drafts of your application essays, preferably in consultation with your Faculty Mentor and the Campus Coordinator.

12. Prepare an CV (academic resume), in consultation with your faculty mentor and/or campus coordinator.

13. Upload a pdf of your CV.

14.  Upload pdfs of each of your three application essays.  Health Professions Scholars Initiative (HPSI) track applicants will also upload a Collaborative Plan of Support. See essay prompts and formatting requirements below.

15. Meet with the Campus Coordinator if you would like feedback on your application materials. This is highly recommended. Email Dr. Viveros to schedule a meeting to take place  at least two weeks before the CSU deadline of February 13, 2026.  

14. Before your meeting with Dr. Viveros, please email her drafts of your essays, CV, and budget form.

15. Submit the online application on or before 5:00PM, February 13, 2026.

16. Please do email Dr. Viveros a copy of your final application essays.

Documents to be Uploaded as PDFs to Online Application:

Student Budget/Plan

Develop a proposed budget for how you will spend your Pre-Doctoral funds during the award year. The activities should total exactly $5,000.  

Download a fillable Application Budget Sheet

Application Essays 

The Pre-Doctoral Program application is supported by three essays, of 300-600 words each, in which applicants address:

1. Describe a field of study you would like to pursue for a doctoral degree. What are the specific research questions or theoretical perspectives that interest you? What activities or achievements from past experiences have helped you develop important knowledge and skills related to these research interests? Be specific about your interests, but please use language that someone outside of your discipline would understand. 
2. Describe a field of study you would like to pursue for a doctoral degree. What are the specific research questions or theoretical perspectives that interest you? What activities or achievements from past experiences have helped you develop important knowledge and skills related to these research interests? Be specific about your interests, but please use language that someone outside of your discipline would understand. 
3. Describe a field of study you would like to pursue for a doctoral degree. What are the specific research questions or theoretical perspectives that interest you? What activities or achievements from past experiences have helped you develop important knowledge and skills related to these research interests? Be specific about your interests, but please use language that someone outside of your discipline would understand. 

Health Professions Scholars Track applicants address the following prompts, in three essays of 300-600 words each:

1. What activities or achievements from past experiences have helped you develop important knowledge and skills contributing to your interest in and preparation for pursuing a research-oriented career in the health professions?
2. Describe the discipline in the health professions in which you would consider pursuing a research-based doctoral degree. What area of research or conceptual frameworks interest you in this field? How do you envision becoming a scholarly leader in the field you wish to study?
3. Many areas of the health workforce in California are experiencing a shortage. How do you envision your career in helping address some of these gaps? Describe how your professional interests would help contribute to protecting and promoting the health of California’s communities. Please include any interests in training and developing the next generation of state’s health workforce.

        Health Professions Scholars Track applicants submit an additional document:  

4. A Collaborative Mentorship Plan that describes (at a minimum) activities the student will engage in for the duration of the scholarship, and the frequency of communication between student and faculty mentor.

Formatting Instructions 

      Header (within your document): Your Name, Essay Number (1, 2 or 3) and/or (set forth the) Prompt. EXAMPLE:  J SMITH--ESSAY 1

      PDF file name: Initial of your First Name and your entire Last Name, Essay Number (1, 2, or 3). EXAMPLE: J. Smith, Essay 1

Transcripts

Be sure to upload a transcript from each institution you have attended, including community colleges (if you received a degree there) or other colleges or universities. Although unofficial transcripts are allowed, if possible please submit official transcripts. If sent you to by U.S. mail, you will have to open the envelopes in which the official transcripts are sealed in order to scan and upload them. 

Faculty Recommendation

Remember to keep in touch with our Faculty Mentor to ensure that they upload the online recommendation no later the CSU application deadline of February 13, 2026.