Advancement to Graduate Education (AGE) Conference
Date: Saturday, September 20th
Time: 9:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Location: Via Zoom
Registration link: TBD
Thinking about pursing a master's or doctoral degree?
The AGE conference is an all-day event where CSUN students learn about graduate school—both master’s and doctoral degrees. The conference begins with our distinguished keynote speaker, followed by a variety of workshops to assist students with applying to graduate school.
If you would like to view the featured workshops, please select the tabs within the accordion below.
Dear AGE Participants,
Welcome!
We’re delighted to have you with us today at the Advancement to Graduate Education (AGE) Conference. This event is designed to help you explore and better understand the path to graduate school.
Throughout the day, you’ll hear directly from our outstanding faculty, staff, current graduate students, and alumni. Whether you’re actively applying to graduate programs for a 2026 start or simply beginning to explore your options, today’s sessions will provide valuable insight into the graduate school experience.
We encourage you to make the most of the workshops offered today—and to take advantage of additional resources available year-round through the Office of Graduate Studies.
Please don’t hesitate to visit our office or explore our website to learn more about how we can support your graduate school journey. We wish you continued personal success and professional growth as you pursue your academic and career goals.
Sincerely,
Dr. Amy Levin
Assistant Vice President of Graduate Studies
Updated 6/6/25
About the Keynote Speaker
Dr. Maria Akopyan is an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biology at the University of California, Riverside. A proud CSUN alumna, Dr. Akopyan graduated in 2017 with her Master's degree in Biology before earning her PhD from Cornell University in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Her research explores the genomic and evolutionary patterns and processes underlying biological diversity. While at CSUN, she held leadership roles in
multiple student organizations and received several departmental and university-wide awards for her academic excellence and research. Her journey from community college to research scientist exemplifies the pathways to success in STEM that this conference aims to promote.
Zoom links will be sent to attendees before the event.
9:00 AM Welcome Remarks
9:05 AM Keynote Address
10:00 AM
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Applying to Graduate School: Choosing Schools, Creating a Strategy, and Identifying your Brand
11:00 AM (select one of the following workshops below)
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Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Business & Economics, Health & Human Development, and Social & Behavioral Sciences,
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Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Engineering & Computer Science and Science & Mathematics
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Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Arts, Media, & Communication, Education, Humanities, and University Library
12:00 PM LUNCH
12:30 PM Workshops (select one of the following workshops below)
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Financing a Graduate Education
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Application Components: Letters of Recommendation, Transcripts, Resume, GRE, Writing Sample, Interviews
1:30 PM
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Panel: Grad Health and Wellbeing During the Application Process and Beyond
2:30 PM
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Closing Remarks and Resources for Additional Support
Applying to Graduate School: Choosing Schools, Creating a Strategy, and Identifying your Brand
Presenter: TBD
Workshop Description: In this workshop, students will learn about selecting a graduate program, application timelines, application fee waivers, and how to make application materials come together to convey a clear message to graduate programs. We will also explore the concept of creating a “brand”—conveying a clear message to schools about who you are as an applicant and why they need you in their program.
(select one of the workshops below)
We’ve created three groups for this workshop based on similarity in expectations for the document, so you’ll receive information targeted to your general field. The first two SOP workshops have the same workshop description.
Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Social & Behavioral Sciences, Business and Economics, and Health & Human Development
Presenter: Dr. Nayan Ramirez , Department of Criminology and Justice Studies
Workshop Description:The Statement of Purpose (SOP), sometimes called a Personal Statement, Objectives Statement, or something similar, is often the most important part of your graduate school application. The Personal or Diversity Statement works alongside it, helping you reflect on how your background and lived experiences have shaped the goals you outline in your SOP. In this workshop, we’ll break down both statements, what they should include, and how to connect your academic and work experiences to your future goals. We’ll also talk about how to show that the programs you're applying to are a strong fit for your interests. Finally, we’ll go over what schools expect and how to make your statements stand out in a thoughtful and authentic way. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of both documents and how to get started on a first draft.
Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Science & Mathematics and Engineering & Computer Science
Presenter: TBD
Workshop Description:
Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Humanities, Arts, Media & Communication, University Library, and Education
Presenter: TBD
Workshop Description:
(select one of the workshops below)
Financing a Graduate Education
Presenter: TBD
Workshop Description: In this workshop, you will hear about the various types of financial assistance available for graduate students and we will explore the specific kinds of funding packages offered to PhD students across the country, including teaching assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships, and grants.
Application Components: Letters of Rec, Transcripts, Resume, GRE, Writing Sample, Interviews
Presenter: TBD
Workshop Description: In this workshop, we will discuss the components of an application package which includes the GRE, requesting transcripts, formatting your CV or resume and the kinds of things to include in both. We will also review who to ask and how to ask for letters of recommendation, discuss the different kinds of writing sample programs are looking for and key things to know about interviews.
Panel: Grad Health and Well-being During the Application Process and Beyond
Presenter: Dr. Casey terHorst, Department of Biology
Graduate Student Panel: TBD
Workshop Description: In this workshop, we will discuss approaches to stress management during the application process, and how to prioritize self-care while you are a graduate student. We will also hear from a panel of former CSUN graduate students who will share how they balance graduate school with other responsibilities to make their well-being a priority.
- Advancement to Graduate Education Workshops
Who: Students interested in graduate school
When: Fall and Spring semesters
This series of workshops is designed to help students explore, prepare for, apply to, and transition into graduate school.
- GRAD Center Faculty Mentoring Program
Who: Students applying to graduate programs who want to be paired with a faculty mentor.
When:Applications are accepted on a rolling basis (deadline is Friday, October 11th).
This program provides support to students preparing or applying to graduate school. Students are paired with a CSUN faculty member and receive one-on-one mentoring.
- The California Pre-Doctoral Program
Who: Students interested in pursuing a PhD (must be enrolled at CSUN next year).
When: Fall semester
This program is designed to increase the pool of potential CSU faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of CSU students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages. Once selected as a Sally Casanova Scholar, students are supported by a faculty mentor as they explore and apply to PhD programs. Students will also receive financial support for application fees, travel to visit doctoral programs, and other activities.
- The Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program
Who: PhD students who want to teach in the CSU (may apply before you leave CSUN)
When: Fall semester This program prepares faculty to teach in the CSU and is the largest pipeline program in the nation. PhD students who are interested in teaching in the CSU are mentored by a faculty member, receive financial support through travel and research funds, and have access to an optional loan which is forgiven if the CDIP Fellow obtains a faculty position in the CSU. CSUN students can apply for this program while they apply for PhD programs.