Visiting Graduate Researcher (VGR)

A scholar who is currently enrolled in a degree program at his/her home institution and wishes to visit UCLA to pursue independent research, usually in preparation of the doctoral dissertation, or to participate in a prescribed course of study such as a mentored or independent research project or master's research collaboration with a faculty member, may request Departmental sponsorship as a Visiting Graduate Researcher [1].  Such visits may range from 3 weeks to twelve months.  The maximum stay is 24 months.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send the following materials via e-mail (as attachments, in either *.pdf or *.doc formats) to Jennifer Choy, UCLA Urban Planning Admissions Officer at: Jchoy@publicaffairs.ucla.edu [2].

• A cover letter of no more than two pages describing (1) your background and qualifications, (2) your reasons for wanting to visit UCLA, (3) the program of study you intend to pursue while at UCLA, (4) the Urban Planning faculty member or members who you would like to serve as your sponsor(s), and (5) your expected means of support during your visit.
• An academic curriculum vitae.

Should both a sponsoring faculty member and the Urban Planning Chair recommend your appointment, the Department of Urban Planning will issue a letter of invitation for a specific term or terms and the department will submit an on-line VGR Request Form. 

• You will then receive an e-mail inviting you to apply to the Graduate Division for VGR status [3].  
• You will be asked to complete an on-line VGR application and submit your curriculum vitae and transcript providing proof of current registration at your home institution.  You will also receive instructions on how to pay non-refundable fees. 
• For international visitors, after the Graduate Division provides provisional approval of your application, the department will work with you to submit the DS 2019 Request Form for Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 visa status.

In order to insure adequate time for review, it is recommended that you submit your request for departmental placement 4 to 6 months in advance of the first academic quarter you plan to study at UCLA.

FEES:

The Department of Urban Planning charges a Visiting Graduate Researcher fee.  UCLA Graduate Division charges separate fees [4].   Total combined fees will be $3,000 per quarter. (For example an international visitor with health insurance would pay the Graduate Division fee of $1,626 for the first quarter plus the Urban Planning fee of $1,374 for the first quarter.  For each additional quarter the Graduate Division Fee would be $1,109 and the Urban Planning fee would be $1,891.)  The Departmental fees and the UCLA fees must be paid separately.  These fees cover costs currently charged by the university to process visa applications and Bruin Card applications as well as faculty and staff time in facilitating and advising visiting researchers with their research/study program while at UCLA, administration of the departmental Visiting Scholar program and overhead charges on facilities and equipment.   This is not tuition.