Seize Your Superpower
Out of state students bring a unique perspective and bold spirit to UCSB by choosing to pursue their education far from home. By stepping outside of your comfort zone, you have already demonstrated self-reliance, autonomy, and flexibility—qualities that are highly valued by employers and graduate programs alike.
As an out of state student, you have access to resources that help you discover career options, gain experience through jobs and internships, get hired for meaningful opportunities, and explore graduate school to continue your academic journey after UCSB.
Career Services is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you are planning to launch your career in California, return to your home state, or explore opportunities elsewhere, we are committed to helping you clarify your goals and take action toward success.
Career Services is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you are planning to launch your career in California, return to your home state, or explore opportunities elsewhere, we are committed to helping you clarify your goals and take action toward success.
As an out-state student, here are three items you can quickly immerse yourself during your academic journey at UCSB:
- No wait and drop by anytime to the Career Resource Room - no appointment needed to see a career counselor to help with your career goals!
- Explore Handshake and look for an internship, on-campus, part-time or full-time job in California or within proximity to your hometown!
- Check out our calendar featuring career workshops and events this quarter to help prepare you to be career ready!
Key Campus Resources @ UCSB
Provided by Career Services.
Explore Grad School: Out of State Students
For complete information on graduate school search strategies and the application process, review our starter tips to Explore Grad School in all careers as well as the specialized tips on this page.
Deciding on Grad School
Earning your undergraduate degree away from home already shows your independence, adaptability and commitment to pursuing your goals in new environments. As an out-of-state student, you may now be considering whether graduate school is the next step in your journey.
When exploring this option, it is important to evaluate the specific value of the advanced degree(s) you are considering and how they connect to your long-term career goals. Many career paths do not require graduate degrees to reach success, while others require very specific programs with advanced planning of academic courses. Conducting career research early will help you understand what credentials are necessary for your field while also allowing you to consider important personal factors, such as managing student debt or gaining meaningful work experience first.
As you research programs, keep in mind that your options are not limited to UCSB or California. Consider whether you would like to remain in the state where you studied as an undergraduate, return to your home state, or explore a completely new location. Think critically about factors beyond prestige, such as curriculum, faculty mentorship, research opportunities, financial aid, career placement and alumni connections. Choose a program that best supports both your academic and personal goals while also making sure it is right fit for you.
Graduate school is best evaluated on a case-by-case basis, so be sure to check out our Grad School 101 page for more details to guide your exploration.
Resources for Applications
Applying to graduate school often involves multiple costs, including test fees, application fees, and travel expenses for interviews or campus visits. Fortunately, there are resources to help offset these costs. Fee reduction programs (such as the GRE Fee Reduction) and UCSB funding opportunities may be available to support you. Additionally, some graduate programs may offer virtual recruitment opportunities, making it easier for out-of-state students to connect with faculty and staff without additional travel expenses.
If you’re considering graduate school outside of California, start researching early to understand residency requirements, tuition differences for in-state vs. out-of-state students, and funding opportunities available specifically for non-residents.
Gap Years
Finally, keep in mind that pursuing one or more “gap years” after graduation can be a strategic decision. Working full-time to save money, gaining industry experience, or clarifying your career direction can all help strengthen your graduate school applications. For out-of-state students, a “gap year” can also be an opportunity to return home, explore new regions or remain in California to expand your professional network before committing to further study.
