GiGS Mentees

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Being a GiGS Mentee

GiGS is open to all students and is dedicated to assisting first-generation, low-income, transfer, and other students historically underrepresented in higher education. Mentees are UC Berkeley students graduating after December 2025 who work with graduate student mentors throughout the academic year to learn about the research landscape, graduate school, becoming a competitive graduate school applicant, and develop goals for post-graduation plans.

Benefits

Create application materials

Receive assistance from mentors on writing personal statements, resumes/CVs, and other graduate school/internship application materials.

Form a plan

Create a timeline for post-graduate plans, and get help selecting a research program, graduate program or create an alternative plan. GiGS staff will also provide students with a “Life After College” workshop.

Workshops and resources

GiGS will provide workshops throughout the year on applying to competitive summer research opportunities, writing a personal statement, GRE preparation, funding opportunities and much more.

Requirements

Be a UC Berkeley undergraduate

Must be a student who will not graduate before Fall 2025 and commit to the GiGS program for the full academic year (Fall and Spring). GiGS classes take place Fridays from 1-3PM.

Submit an application and add yourself to the waitlist

For consideration, mentees must submit an online application and add themselves to the course waitlist. Please note that space is limited and not all mentees will be selected, although it is our intention to enroll as many students as possible. After selection, mentees will sign a contract stating they will fulfill the requirements.

APPLICATION

Online Mentee Application
Add yourself to the waitlist

Please note: Selected students must attend the first class on Friday, August 30 at 1PM

Application Deadline: Friday, August 2, 2024 at 5PM
Notifications: Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Meet with your mentor

Required to meet with a mentor for a minimum of three times per semester, and are also welcome to meet with the GiGS team.

Attend workshops and ceremonies

There is no GPA requirement or other academic requirements to join as a mentee.