We're Excited to Meet You!

The faculty and students of the Integrative Genetics and Genomics (IGG) Graduate Group are looking forward to your visit! During your visit, you will have an opportunity to learn more about us—the people, the interdisciplinary research, the extensive research facilities, and the collaborative academic environment that make UC Davis a great place to undertake graduate studies. We hope this event will help you ascertain whether study at UC Davis is a good fit for you, and vice versa.

This page contains a lot of information. Please read fully and carefully to ensure you are prepared for your visit!

Arboretum Bridge

Summary of Events


Sunday, March 1st

Arrive to Davis by 5:00pm (ideal flight arrival to Sacramento Airport by 4:00pm). Check in to hotel, unless you are local to the Davis area. 

If you end up having to choose a flight that gets you here before hotel check-in time (3:00pm) on Sunday, or have some down time between the end of our event (1:30pm) and your outgoing flight on Tuesday, this is a great thing to consult with your student host about when you are introduced to them via email. If you were not able to interview with one of your preferred faculty members, perhaps they can meet with you in the downtime you have between arriving in Davis and checking in to the hotel. Your student host can also provide you with restaurant suggestions!

Monday, March 2nd

8:00 - 9:15am: Breakfast and welcome remarks from Mark Winey, Dean of the College of Biological Sciences
9:30 - 10:15am: Orientation presentation by John McPherson, Chair of the Integrative Genetics and Genomics Graduate Group
10:00 - 10:15am: Break
10:15 - 10:45am: Student Outreach, Mentoring and Life at Davis Presentation (Presented by Current IGG Students)
10:45am - 11:45am: IGG Student Research Talks
11:45am - 1:15pm: Lunch and Resource Fair
1:15pm - 1:30pm: Break
1:30pm - 3:15pm: Areas of Excellence Presentations (Presented by IGG Faculty)
3:15pm - 4:00pm: Graduate Student 101: Cost of Living in Davis and Student Employment at UC Davis
4:00pm - 5:45pm: Campus Tour and IGG Student Panel
6:00pm - 8:00pm: Dinner and Return to Hotel

Tuesday, March 3rd

9:00am onwards - Breakfast at the Hyatt Place, Depart Davis

Travel Information

Please note that we are only able to provide travel reimbursement to prospective PhD students at this time!

It is your responsibility to arrange all travel between your home to/from UC Davis. Depending on your current physical address, the program may be able to provide payment to offset the cost your lodging and travel expenses. Please check you email for specific travel payment limits.

If you are booking travel, it is recommend you select tickets with some flexibility. UC Davis is unable to reimburse incomplete travel (i.e. cannot reimburse flight if student cannot attend event due to illness).

Travel payment checks are typically received 6-8 weeks after your visit to campus.

Hotel Accommodations

Students travelling from beyond Sacramento, Solano, or Yolo County will be provided a hotel room at the Hyatt Place for the nights of March 1st and 2nd.

Your hotel room will be shared with another prospective student. You will be given an opportunity to let us know any additional needs or preferences for your hotel stay, although we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate all of them.

Getting to Campus

UC Davis policy requires students to select the most cost-effective method to getting to campus, which usually entails taking a flight, train or bus. You will find some travel options below:

Amtrak: This is the most cost-effective option for prospective students travelling from the Bay Area, Northern California, or Reno, Nevada. The Amtrak station is conveniently located in Downtown Davis, approximately 5 minutes away from the hotel on foot.

  • Non-reimbursable:
    • Train points, redeemed miles, or gift cards
    • Business and first-class train tickets
    • Rental cars
  • Reimbursable (with receipts):
    • Train/bus tickets paid for with credit/debit card

Flying: This is usually the most cost-effective option for students traveling from Southern California or other states (see Travel FAQ below). Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the closest airport. You will be responsible for securing a rideshare or taxi from SMF to Davis; we take this cost into consideration when offering you a reimbursement limit.

  • Non-reimbursable
    • Airline points, redeemed miles, or gift cards
    • Business and first-class airlines tickets
    • Flight upgrades (priority boarding, additional leg room, etc.)
    • Rental cars
  • Reimbursable (with receipts):
    • Flights paid for with credit/debit card
    • Upgrades made specifically for the purpose of getting a refundable flight, such as Southwest Airlines' Wanna Get Away Plus; proof required
    • Baggage fees
    • Rideshares to and from the airport

Driving: The current mileage reimbursement rate is $0.67 per mile* for people driving a personal vehicle to campus.

  • Non-reimbursable:
    • Gas
    • Rental cars
    • On-campus parking
  • Reimbursable:
    • Tolls (with receipt)
    • Mileage

Travel Reimbursements

All reimbursements are up to the limit stated in your personal invitation email. Costs beyond the stated reimbursement limit are non-reimbursable. Receipts are required for all reimbursable expenses EXCEPT gas.

Once you have booked your travel, please uploaded all receipts HERE.

Please make sure that your receipt includes your travel itinerary. Reimbursement checks will be mailed to the address you provided in your original RSVP. Checks may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive after the recruitment event. Please let your graduate program coordinator know as soon as possible if this is a significant financial burden to you. 

Other Details

Dress

This event is business casual. There will be considerable walking, so bring comfortable shoes/clothing.

Weather

In early February, rain is always a possibility, so bring an umbrella or rain jacket. Day-time temperatures are usually in the mid-50s to low-60s. 

Reimbursements

The Graduate Program Coordinator will email you a reimbursement certification once your reimbursement report is ready for submission. You are required to sign and return this form; your reimbursement check cannot be mailed until you return the form.

Admission and Financial Offers

Admission and financial offers are typically extended between March 1 and March 15. If you have not heard back from the program by March 15, please reach out to your graduate program coordinator.

UC Davis is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), and per the Council of Graduate Schools Resolution, you are under no obligation to accept financial offers from UC Davis prior to April 15

FAQ

  • I will be travelling to Davis from City A but travelling from Davis to City B. What do I do?
  • This is a common situation when students are travelling from one recruitment event to another. The same reimbursement guidelines and limits are in place: you must select the most cost-effective travel to/from each location, and all reimbursements require receipts.
  • I want to extend my time in Davis. Can I do that?
  • You may stay extra days in Davis at your own expense. Lodging, food, parking, etc. for dates beyond the recruitment event will NOT be reimbursed. Your return travel is still reimbursable; make sure to follow the guidelines and limits listed above.
  • My partner and/or family would like to join this event. Is that allowable?
  • This program is for invited applicants only. If partners/families join your visit, they must book and pay for their own travel accommodations and may NOT join any graduate group events. 
  • I have family/friends in the Davis area. Can I stay with them?
  • Yes! Please let the Graduate Program Coordinator know you will not be needing hotel accommodations for your visit.