Pre-Professional Graduate Programs: Advising and Events

Student learning in classroom

What is Pre-Professional Graduate Programs Advising?

L&S Advising provides advising for undergraduates pursuing: 

  • Medical or health professions programs
  • Law School
  • Masters or PhD programs

We can help with:

  • Exploring and evaluating interests in graduate and professional school programs
  • Carefully considering undergraduate course choices to prepare for graduate and professional school programs
  • Identifying campus resources that provide opportunities and support in preparing for graduate and professional school programs and admissions
  • Providing advice about contacting professors for mentorship, advice, research opportunities, and letters of recommendation 
  • Processing decision-making for selecting graduate program areas and specific school choices

L&S Pre-Professional Graduate Programs Advising is an advising support resource that complements others available on campus, such as Berkeley Career Engagement, the Career Counseling Library, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships, the Graduate Diversity Program, and the Graduate Assembly, amongst many other campus resources, along with individual professors and current graduate students. 

Meet with a Pre-Professional Graduate Programs Adviser

Pre-professional graduate program advisers can provide general advising on all specialties. Their primary specialties reflect extra levels of expertise and focus. 

Primary Specialties:

  • Premedical advising: Javier Garcia, Tim Cahill, Greg Cera
  • Pre-health careers advising: Javier Garcia, Tim Cahill, Greg Cera
  • Pre-masters/PhD advising: Greg Cera
  • Pre-law advising: Melissa Calderon, Greg Cera

Schedule an Appointment

Weekly Small Group Advising Sessions

Every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. PT

Join on Zoom at: https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/5944965389

An L&S Pre-Professional Graduate Programs Adviser is available to answer your questions about premedical and pre-health careers programs, pre-law, and pre-masters/PhD preparation. Drop by for a quick question, or stay for the whole hour. Come and go as you please. 

Available: Summer, Fall, Spring

Fall 2023 Events

Premedical and Health Programs Advising Events:

Premedical and Health Professions Programs Planning and Preparation Session

Co-facilitated by L&S Advising and Berkeley Career Engagement

Tuesday, October 10th from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. PT: Zoom link for session

Come learn about planning for premedical and pre-health professions programs' course requirements, academic considerations, extracurricular expectations, advising services/resources, and other factors to keep in mind as you pursue your studies.

Pre-Law Advising Events:

Career Group Chats: Law School Application Planning

Co-sponsored by L&S Advising and Berkeley Career Engagement

  • Monday, September 11th from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. PT: Register here via Handshake

    Pre-law advisers will guide you in creating an action plan for the Fall 2024 law school application cycle. From understanding the application timeline to crafting a compelling personal statement, we'll cover essential topics to ensure you're well-prepared for success. This session is open to all majors.

Career Group Chats: Law School Application Support

Co-sponsored by L&S Advising and Berkeley Career Engagement

  • Monday, September 18th from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. PT: Register here via Handshake 
  • Monday, September 25th from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. PT: Register here via Handshake
  • Monday, October 2nd from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. PT: Register here via Handshake

    These hands-on, lab-style sessions provide a supportive space where you can receive personalized guidance on your law school applications. Please bring your laptop and any material you need to work on your applications during the session. Pre-law advisers will be available to assist you with various areas, including refining your personal statement, identifying potential recommenders, and navigating the research process for your target law schools. This event is open to students of all majors.

Law School Admissions Panel

Co-sponsored by L&S Advising and Berkeley Career Engagement

  • Friday, November 15th from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. PT: Register here via Handshake

    Hear from law school admissions officers about how to best prepare for law school and how to craft a strong law school application.

Early Pre-Law Planning and Preparation for 1st and 2nd Year Students

Co-sponsored by L&S Advising and Berkeley Career Engagement

  • Tuesday, October 24th from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT.
    Register here via Handshake
    Learn about on campus opportunities that will help you develop critical skills for law school and how to find opportunities outside of UC, Berkeley in the legal and adjacent fields. Gain clarity on the timeline for applying to law school.

Pre-Masters/PhD Advising Events:

Pre-Master's/PhD Planning and Preparation Session

Co-facilitated by L&S Advising, Berkeley Career Engagement, and the GiGS Mentors

A presentation designed to provide resources and advice to assist you as you plan and prepare to go on for a master's or PhD program after undergraduate school: How to prepare, course choice considerations, working with professors, and exploring academic graduate program options.

Berkeley Campus and External Events for Pre-Professional and Graduate Programs Advising

The Pre-Professional Graduate Programs advisers maintain a list of events that are put on by other offices or outside the university that still may be helpful in pursuing your goals. 

Berkeley Campus and External Events List

Quick Guides

Click on the links below for quick guides filled with valuable information as you pursue Premed/Pre-Health, Pre-Law, or Pre-MA/PhD pathways! These guides are a great way to get started and a helpful reference point throughout your time at Cal.

Quick Guide: Premed & Pre-Health
Quick Guide: Pre-Law Planning
Quick Guide: Pre-Master's & PhD