ucsb personal statement requirements

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Write Your Draft

Tell Your Story So Far  

Graduate schools ask you to submit admissions essays in an effort to get to know you better and understand your motivations for pursuing their program. Nearly every graduate program you encounter requires at least one essay, as it is an effective tool for them to gain key insights.

Fortunately, writing essays is something that should feel familiar to you by this point in your education, however, there can be more than what meets the eye in the various formats and prompts that are provided for application essays.

Use this page to compose a powerful draft for a Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, Research Statement, and other statements for graduate admission.

Three-Pronged Outline

To begin drafting your document, it can help to begin with an outline that covers the three fundamental topics of most admissions essays:

• Motivations: Why do you want to go to graduate school in your chosen field or discipline? Why do you want to attend the particular program to which you are applying?
• Qualifications: Why are you qualified to attend the graduate program? How do your academic performance, experiences, and extracurricular achievements demonstrate your suitability for that graduate program?
• Direction: Where do you see yourself heading professionally, and how will the graduate program help you accomplish this goal?

An Introduction That Captivates

Consider creating a storyline with an opening that is personal to you. Here are some strategies for creating a memorable opening to your essay:

• Place the reader into your story at a key moment in time
• Draw inspiration from a significant character in your story by beginning with something they once told you
• Provide a narrative, account, or observation about a current event that pertains to your story

Avoid an opening that states that you have wanted to pursue the field since a young age, as this is the most common way that applicants begin their admissions essays. You can certainly open this way, but know that it is frequently used, and your readers appreciate variety just like anyone else.

Writing Tips  

There are a few key considerations when writing, refining, and editing the body of your essay. Here are some essential tips.

Consider Your Audience

What will your audience want to learn about in order to better understand why you would be a great match for their program? If you are using significant space to tell a story that is not bolstering this point, you may want to edit it out. Keep your writing focused and concise.

Keep a Positive Tone

One of the biggest red flags that graduate programs see is an applicant who puts others down (i.e., another institution, organization, or individual) in an attempt to build themselves up. Your essay should not be judgmental in any way. This is unbecoming on a personal level and unprofessional.

Avoid Complimenting a Program’s Prestige

This is not an appropriate medium for you to make broad compliments about a program or explain why the program to which you are applying is better than your undergraduate college or university. Instead, focus on concrete aspects of the program that would add value to your career.

Condense Your Prose

Take any paragraph in your essay and calculate its word count. Now try to get the same message across in half as many words. You may not be able to do it, but the effort will show you where you can and cannot trim.

Proofread for Typos

Mistakes with grammar and spelling look unprofesional and undermine your credibbilty as a schollar. Don’t you aggree? :)

Get a Fresh Perspective

Enlist a friend you trust to read your essay. When they are done, go back to each paragraph and ask them to paraphrase what you wrote. Is what they remember the thing you wanted to get across? If not, rewrite so that it is.

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• You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Keep in mind

• All questions are equal. All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
• There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions. It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice.  
• Use the additional comments field if there are issues you'd like to address that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application. This shouldn't be an essay, but rather a place to note unusual circumstances or anything that might be unclear in other parts of the application. You may use the additional comments field to note extraordinary circumstances related to COVID-19, if necessary. 

Questions & guidance

Remember, the personal insight questions are just that—personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC. 

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn't necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family? 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career? 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? Things to consider: If there is a talent or skill that you're proud of, this is the time to share it.You don't necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that's geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you; just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you've faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today? 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced and what you've learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you're currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family? 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. Things to consider:  Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can't get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community? 8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? Things to consider:  If there's anything you want us to know about you but didn't find a question or place in the application to tell us, now's your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don't be afraid to brag a little.

Writing tips

Start early..

Give yourself plenty of time for preparation, careful composition and revisions.

Write persuasively.

Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.

Use “I” statements.

Talk about yourself so that we can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses.

Proofread and edit.

Although you will not be evaluated on grammar, spelling or sentence structure, you should proofread your work and make sure your writing is clear. Grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting to the reader and get in the way of what you’re trying to communicate.

Solicit feedback.

Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends can offer valuable suggestions. Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online and do not use anyone's words, published or unpublished, but your own.

Copy and paste.

Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.

This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. Your responses can only add value to the application. An admission decision will not be based on this section alone.

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All University of California campuses use the UC application. By starting your application, you're taking the first step toward applying for UCSB admission and scholarships all at once.

• The UC application opens each year on August 1 and can be submitted by November 30.
• The UC admissions website has detailed information on requirements, preparing to apply, and more. 

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For our full list of frequently asked questions, visit our FAQ page .

▸ What is the next available term that I can apply to UCSB?

The UC Application for the 2023-2024 cycle is closed for both freshman and transfer applicants. UCSB only accepts applications for the fall term. The next available term to apply is in fall 2024, for the fall 2025 year.

▸ How do I apply? How much does it cost?

You can fill out and submit a  UC application  on the University of California’s admissions website during the submission period. There is a $80 fee per campus for U.S. residents and an $95 fee per campus for international students.

▸ What are the requirements for the ACT and SAT?

UCSB will not use SAT/ACT scores in our admission decisions or scholarship selection process. If you are admitted and choose to enroll at UCSB, exam scores may be used for course placement. For details on the UC system, visit the  UC Exam Requirement page .

▸ I have questions about the UC application or Personal Insight Questions. Who can help?

We offer helpful webinars on the UC application and Personal Insight Questions for both high school and transfer applicants. Visit our Virtual Admissions Events page for more information. Our  UC Application Tutorial YouTube playlist also offers a step-by-step guide to each section of the UC application. We even have the UC Application Tutorial in Spanish !

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Graduate FAQs

No. The GRE is not required for the current application cycle.

Your application status is available online using the email address you used and the password you created when you started your application.

There is no page length requirement for the three components but we recommend 2 pages maximum for each.

The Statement of Purpose (SoP) should address your past research experience and accomplishments, your reasons for applying to our graduate program, and your particular areas of interest. For the research experiences, we are particularly interested in the questions you were addressing, how you chose your approach, and what you learned from the experience. We want to know why you want to pursue a graduate degree, how you know that (through your specific experiences), and why our program appeals to you. You may also include names of UCSB MCDB faculty whose research field interests you most.

The Personal Achievements and Contributions Statement (PACS) should describe aspects of your personal background, accomplishments or achievements that you feel will help you succeed in graduate school at UCSB and become an active contributor to the global scientific community. As an example, you may want to describe a particular challenge you faced in your educational journey or personal life and how you dealt with it. What did you learn from that experience about your own resiliency? How did that lesson better prepare you to be successful in a demanding graduate program? We are particularly interested in evidence of your problem-solving skills, resiliency, drive, community-building and leadership qualities.

The Graduate Division Admissions FAQ page has answers to questions about the online application, fees, test scores, admissions decisions and more.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis beginning the day after the admissions deadline. PhD applicants will be invited to interview during the recruitment weekend, held in early February. Most PhD admission decisions will be finalized by early March. Masters applicants will be notified by early April. We ask that applicants be patient during this period. You will be notified by email when a decision has been made on your application, and your Application Status Page will be updated with a decision letter.

• The deadline for PhD applications is Dec. 4, 2023.
• The deadline for MS applications is March (TBA) 2024.

All application materials must be received by these dates.

Spring and Summer

Prospective students should contact Faculty of Interest.

Late August / Early September

Graduate application available through UC Santa Barbara’s Graduate Division.

All PhD application materials must be submitted by December 4 th, 2023 . Applications are only considered for the Fall quarter of each year.

All MS application materials must be submitted by March (TBA), 2024 . Applications are only considered for the Fall quarter of each year.

Late February / Early March

Admissions and financial notifications distributed to prospective students.

Statement of Intent and Financial Deadline – April 15th, 2024.

The normative time for the PhD degree in MCDB is 5.5-6 years. MCDB PhD students take preliminary exams at the start of year 2, then advance to candidacy in year 3. Masters students typically complete their degrees in 2 years.

Financial Support

All rotating PhD students are fully supported through a combination of Research Fellowship/TAship in year 1. After that it is the responsibility of the student and their faculty advisor to arrange funding via employment from TAships, grant funds, or fellowship. There are several separate outside fellowships as well as department fellowships that are offered to students once they are advanced to candidacy. For more information see the Graduate Division's Financial Support and Fellowships section. Masters students can apply for TAships or arrange for employment as a student researcher with their faculty sponsor, but there is no guarantee of support.

The completed application for admission automatically serves as the application for financial support.

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To be considered for admission to UCSB, applicants must have received a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent (with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better) from an accredited university prior to the quarter for which admission is sought. Applicants apply online through the Graduate Division’s Web site at: www.graddiv.ucsb.edu under the Admissions heading. A completed application includes:

• An online application (located at www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp/ );
• Applicant's statement of purpose, personal achievements/contributions and résumé or curriculum vitae;
• A nonrefundable fee (An application fee paid to another University of California campus is not valid for application to UCSB);
• Three letters of recommendation from professors or others familiar with the applicant’s academic work (Electronic letters preferred. Paper submissions must be accompanied by the required cover sheet);
• Technology Management Program applicants may submit either Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores. Official GMAT scores must be within five years of the day the applicant submits the online graduate application. Scores must be submitted directly from Pearson Education, Inc. to the Graduate Division.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) exam scores, taken within the past two years, submitted directly from ETS or the British Council (if applicable);
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• Any other supplemental materials required by the department or the Graduate Division.

All domestic applicants are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of the application process by March 2. Web site: studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa . Admission decisions are based on the quality of the applicant’s academic degrees and record as presented in the application and supporting documents. Also contributing to the decision are evidence of preparation in the proposed field of study, work experience, and the degree to which the individual’s goals and research interests are consistent with those of the academic program and its faculty. When applications are complete, they are submitted to faculty committees for review; recommendations of admission or denial are communicated to the Graduate Division by the academic department. Due to the large number of applications received, many well-qualified applicants cannot be admitted.

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Earth Science - UC Santa Barbara

Graduate student admissions, why uc santa barbara.

The deadline to submit applications for the 2024-25 Academic Year is Wed. Jan. 3 2024

For assistance with your graduate school application, please contact: Quinlan Dougherty, Graduate Program Coordinator, via  email

Getting into our Graduate Program

Admission to our program is competitive. We receive many more applications than we have spaces for. It pains us that, every year, we have to pass on many applications from excellent students. Below are our recommendations to maximize your chances of success. 

Preparation

Finding a Sponsor

Fall 2024 opportunities, submitting your application.

Minimum Criteria for admission

Admission FAQ

Preparation [years before].

• Your name, the degree you are currently pursuing, and your current institution.
• Whether you wish to pursue an MS, a PhD, or whether you would like guidance on which path is best for you (it’s OK to ask for advice).
• The scientific topics you are interested in. If you have strong interests, briefly explain what they are, and how you developed them.
• Why you concluded that this particular faculty member would be a good match for you (if appropriate, you can bring up details from a paper of theirs you read, a talk you attended, or a conversation you had with a third party).
• Attaching a CV or an academic transcript can be helpful, but do not include theses or other long documents in your first email.
• Crustal Geochemistry: Professor Roberta Rudnick ( [email protected] ) is looking to recruit a motivated PhD student to study continental crust composition, origin, and evolution.  
• Prof. Matoza is accepting applications for both PhD and MS students. Prof. Matoza's research group uses seismic and infrasonic waves to investigate how volcanoes work. This research is focused on understanding the geophysical signatures of volcanic unrest and eruption, with application in monitoring and mitigating volcanic hazards.  
• Paleoclimate/Paleoceanography: Professor Weldeab ( [email protected] ) seeks a highly motivated student interested in studying past climatic/oceanographic changes using foraminiferal chemistry (trace elements and stable isotopes). Study areas include the eastern Pacific and tropical Indian Ocean.   
• Paleontology:  Professor Susannah Porter ( [email protected])  is seeking a PhD student to study the evolution and ecology of early eukaryotic life.  
• Mantle geochemistry, volcanology: One student to join on a seagoing expedition to sample hotspot volcanoes in order to better understand their evolution, magma plumbing systems, and trace their origins into the mantle; please contact Prof Matt Jackson ([email protected] ).  
• Paleoclimate : Professor Lisiecki is seeking an MS or PhD student to statistically analyze compilations of paleoclimate data. Interest in statistics and coding is required. ( [email protected] )  
• Sedimentology/Quaternary Science: Professor Simms ( [email protected] ) seeks a student interested in using sediment cores, coastal geomorphology, and potentially shallow geophysics (e.g. chirp, ground-penetrating radar) from coastal ponds, estuaries, and other shallow marine settings to better constrain the sea level, climate, storm, and tectonic history of coastlines across the globe.   
• Structural Geology, Volcanology, and Tectonics. Professor Gans ( [email protected] ) seeks one or more MS or PhD highly motivated field-oriented students to investigate different aspects of crustal deformation and magmatism (and their interrelationship) in the Cordillera through integration of detailed geologic mapping, structural and stratigraphic analysis, physical volcanology, geochronology, and geochemistry. 
• A resume or curriculum vitae
• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (submitted online). Although you can initially file your application with unofficial transcripts (transcripts you uploaded yourself, rather than provided directly by the institution to UCSB), be aware that final/official transcripts will be required for all applicants who are admitted and have indicated their intent to enroll at UC Santa Barbara. The University reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admissions process, and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between uploaded and official transcript(s) are found.
• Three letters of recommendations (submitted online by the recommenders).
• A sample of your analytical writing (such as an assignment or term paper from a class you’ve taken)
• What are your current research interests and why?
• Which faculty members at UCSB would you like to work with?
• What would you like to do after graduate school? 
• Diversity (optional). If applicable, please describe any experience of economic challenges in achieving higher education, such as being financially responsible for family members or dependents, having to work significant hours during undergraduate schooling or coming from a family background of limited income. Please describe any uncommon or varied life experiences that might contribute to the diversity of the graduate group, such as fluency in other languages, experience living in bi-cultural communities, academic research interests focusing on cultural, societal, or educational problems as they affect under-served segments of society.
• Service (optional). If applicable, please describe any efforts you have made to serve disadvantaged individuals or populations. (250 words max)
• Motivation. Describe how you tackled or overcame a challenge.  What was key to your success? What strategies would you use in the future to deal with challenges in graduate school? (250 words max)
• Curiosity, breadth, creativity. Please write about another interest(s) of yours not directly related to your proposed graduate school pursuits. This could include other academic areas or non-academic hobbies. How did you become interested in them? (250 words max)
• Collegiality, collaboration, teamwork. Tell us about a time you worked as part of a team or collaboration. What role did you play? What were the challenges of working together, and how did you overcome them? (250 words max)

An excellent command of written and spoken English is required prior to enrollment at UCSB.

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or the IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test, and provide scores in their application. For more information see here . 

Exemptions will be considered for students who have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an institution whose verified sole official language of instruction is English. Applicants must provide final/official transcripts indicating (1) completion of the degree program and (2) English as the official language of instruction.

Minimum Criteria for Admission

Please be sure to read all of the FAQs before contacting the Department.

Graduate Division FAQ

The Graduate Division maintains its own list of Frequently Asked Questions , which covers general issues. The following addresses issues specific to the Department of Earth Science.

Application Deadline

• When is the application deadline?
• Can I apply for Spring or early admission?

Materials & Processes

• Do you read sideways?
• What transcripts must I provide?
• Do the transcripts have to be official transcripts?
• On the application, it asks for my Research Interests. What should I select?
• On the application, it asks for Faculty Interests. Whom should I select?
• Can I contact the faculty?
• Can I submit more than three letters of recommendation?
• Does applying early help?
• How will I know if you have received all of my application materials?
• I am an international applicant... Do I need to complete the preapplication?
• I am an international applicant... Should I include an English translation of my transcripts when I upload my transcripts?

TOEFL/IELTS

• How can I get the TOEFL/IELTS waived?
• I took the TOEFL/IELTS exam/s a few years ago. Have they expired?

Financial Support

• If I am accepted to UCSB, what sort of financial package can I expect to receive?
• Do I need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
• How many applications do you receive each year?
• What is the average GPA of applicants you admitted?
• I am an international student... Should I convert my scores to a 4.0 scale?

Other Questions

• How can I email your Department? I sent an email, but never received a response.
• Where can I find the UCSB Graduate Division FAQs?
• Can I transfer to UCSB from another graduate program? What if I already have a Master's degree or a PhD in a different discipline?
• How do I visit UCSB?
• I am an international applicant... Is there a UCSB resource for me?
• I didn't major in Earth Science, am I eligible to apply?

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Q: When is the application deadline?

A: Our application deadline is in  January (this year's exact date is shown at the top of this page). All application materials, letters of recommendation, writing samples  and scores must be received by this date in order for you to be considered for admission as well as for campus-wide fellowships and departmental financial support. We will consider granting a two-week extension for tests and/or letters of recommendation, if approved. If you wish to request an extension, please contact [email protected] .

Q: Can I apply for Spring or early admission?

A: Admission is for Fall Quarter. Early or late admissions have historically been granted, but only in truly exceptional circumstances.

Q: Do you read sideways?

A:  We can, but we don't. Please make sure your scanned documents are properly oriented for reading. If necessary, please rotate the scanned imaged before uploading.

Q: What transcripts must I provide?

A:  Please provide transcripts from all post-secondary institutions where you completed at least one full term of coursework (12+ units or equivalent). If you participated in a university-sponsored education abroad program, transcripts are not required from the institution overseas as long as the study-abroad course names, units, and grades are all reflected on the home institution’s transcripts.

Q: Do the transcripts have to be official transcripts?

A:  The transcripts you upload to your online application do not have to be official transcripts. In fact, they could not be official because you can't upload transcripts without opening their envelopes, which renders them un official. However, what you upload should be as detailed as an official transcript. It should include the name of the institution, your major, degree pursued, GPA for each term and cumulative, plus the grading scale for the institution. Moreover, it should be legible  and right side up.  Please note that screen dumps or phone snapshots from your class registration system are not acceptable substitutes for a proper transcript.      Later on, applicants who are admitted and have accepted our offer will have to order official/final transcripts showing degree conferral mailed directly from their institutions to the UCSB Graduate Division in a sealed envelope from the institution with the registrar's seal intact.

Q: On the application, it asks for my Research Interests. How specific should I be?

A: You may have many interests in Earth Science. But listing every specialty will make you look scattered and not yet ready for graduate research. Conversely, only listing a single interest may convey that you are sharply focused, but may narrow your opportunities within the Department. In other words, it may make you a better candidate for fewer slots. We recommend you choose no more than three Research Interests, and will assume your research interests are listed in order of importance. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions about your Research Interests.

Q: On the application, it asks for Faculty Interests. Is this important? Whom should I select?

We strongly encourage you to give careful consideration to your choices of Faculty Interests, as they will inform how your application is routed. We strongly recommend you examine our web site, become familiar with the research activities of our faculty, and ponder which are a good match for your own curiosity. As with Research Interests, we recommend you choose no more than three faculty.

Q: Can I contact the Faculty?

A: Yes! Once you have narrowed your interests to one or two of our faculty, and have familiarized yourself with their recent research, we strongly encourage you to contact them by email, introduce yourself, and ask pertinent questions. In some cases, the faculty may share with you their plans for future projects, which will further inform your decision.

Q: Can I submit more than three letters of recommendation online?

A: Yes, you may submit up to four letters of recommendation. If you are confident you have four strong recommenders, this can be particularly helpful when applying very close to the deadline. A fourth recommender can help ensure we get the minimum three letters in due time. Alternately, choosing a fourth recommender who knows you from a different perspective (perhaps an employer from outside academia) can complete the picture. However, recommenders should all be people who are professional references.

Q: Does applying early help?

A: Yes, a little. Applications are forwarded to the faculty for review as soon as they are complete. So people who apply earlier get "in front of" faculty earlier.

Q: How will I know if you have received all of my application materials?

A: After you have completed your online application, you may return and view your application status. To view your status, use the same login and password as when you created the online application. The application status pages provide a live glimpse at the status of your application, including when your application fee and TOEFL / IELTS scores, and supplemental materials were received.

Please keep in mind that it is your responsibility to confirm your application is complete before the deadline.

Q: When will I know if I have been accepted to UCSB?

A: Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis beginning in mid-December. Some applicants will be notified as early as February. Most will be notified during March. Some late decisions are made in April.

Q: If I am an international applicant, can I apply for an application fee waiver?

A: UCSB does not provide application fee waivers for international students.

Q: If I am an international applicant, do I need to complete the preapplication?

A: While applying to graduate school is costly for all applicants, it can be a particular hardship on international students who are not eligible for application fee waivers or Federal Student Aid. To help ensure you only invest in an application with a fair chance of admission, we can offer a preliminary assessment of your chances. If you send abbreviated application information to [email protected] , we will do our best to give you our recommendation based on your requirements and opportunities available. Please send us test scores, unofficial transcripts, faculty interests, research interests, and a few sentences on the type of research you would like to engage in.

Q: I am an international student. Should I include an English translation of my transcripts when I upload my transcripts?

A: Yes, an English translation is required. English translations may be obtained from the Registrar's Office of your home institution. There are also organizations such as International Education Research Foundation, Inc. , Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. , and World Education Services that will provide an official translation for a fee.  

Q: How can I get the TOEFL/IELTS waived? 

A: Exceptions to TOEFL or IELTS testing may only be considered for those students who have completed an undergraduate or graduate education at an institution whose primary language of instruction is English. Please contact us well ahead of the deadline if you would like confirmation that you qualify for such an exception.

Q: I took the TOEFL/IELTS exam/s a few years ago. Have they expired?

A: The TOEFL/IELTS test date/s must be no more than 2 years old at the time of application.

Q: If I am accepted to UCSB, what sort of financial package can I expect to receive?

A: The Earth Science Department typically provides financial support for two years to students admitted to the MS program, and five years to students admitted to the Ph.D. program, provided they continue to make satisfactory academic progress. Financial support is in the form of a teaching assistant (TA) or a graduate student researcher (GSR) appointment that covers most fees, health insurance and a salary for the 9 month academic year. Some TA and GSR appointments are available during the summer months. In addition, most non-California residents receive a fellowship to cover the Supplemental Nonresident Tuition for the first year, after which they are expected to establish California residence. International students whose first language is not English must pass the oral and written English language evaluation at the start of their first quarter in order to be employed as a TA to receive fee and health insurance fellowships.

Q: Do I need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

A: All domestic students who are admitted to UCSB must have completed the FAFSA by the early March deadline. Although you may not know your admission status by early March, it would be to your advantage to have already submitted the FAFSA in the event you are admitted to UCSB or another public university. Only students who have completed the FAFSA are eligible to receive UCSB Graduate Division central fellowships. It is not necessary to have completed your federal and state taxes before filling out the FAFSA as you may use estimates from the previous year. Please consult the FAFSA website for deadline information and application downloads. More general information is available on the UCSB Financial Aid Office 's FAFSA section.

Q: How many applications do you receive each year?

A: We typically receive about 120 applications and admit less than 20 (mostly doctoral students). Roughly two thirds of admits accept and enroll. Please keep in mind that these are very rough numbers and are variable over the years.

Q: What is the average GPA of applicants you admitted?

A: Students admitted to our program have an average undergraduate major GPA of 3.8, but we are much more interested in what grades you earned in which classes and when. These are in turn taken in context within a holistic review. No applicant is reduced to the single number of a GPA. 

Q: I am an international student... Should I convert my university scores to a 4.0 scale?

A: No, we do not convert international scores to the 4.0 GPA scale used in the US. The average scores for competitive applicants range between B+ (Very good) and A+ (Excellent) scores.

Q: How can I email your Department? I sent an email, but never received a response.

A: Email [email protected] . Whenever emailing the Department, make sure that your email contains a related subject heading (i.e. Subject: “Application Question”). Email received with no subjects will be considered spam and will not be read. Although we will do our best to respond promptly, keep in mind that we are handling an inordinately high number of queries during admission season. If it has been more than a week since you sent an email with all of the above qualifications, please do not hesitate to re-send.

Q: Where can I find the UCSB Graduate Division FAQs?

A: You may access frequently-asked questions about UCSB Graduate Admissions here .

Q: Can I transfer to UCSB from another graduate program? What if I already have a Master's degree or a PhD in a different discipline?

A: Yes, you can. The application process is the same for all applicants, whether they have a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD.

Q: How do I visit UCSB?

A: In February, we draft a short list of first prospects, and invite those students to our Graduate Recruitment Event, where they get to visit the Department, speak with the faculty, meet current graduate students and experience life on campus and in the Santa Barbara area.

If you wish to visit UCSB before admission decisions have been made, please contact the Earth Science Department at [email protected] for assistance with your visit. We recommend you first browse through our research and faculty pages. If you are interested in a particular faculty, you may want to contact them and make an appointment to meet. However, do not expect faculty to answer questions about application status, or questions pertaining to the admissions process. Once you have arrived on campus, you may want to visit he UCSB Visitor's Center . They have campus tours Monday-Friday at noon and 2:00 PM.  

Q: I am an international applicant... Is there a UCSB international resource?

A: We strongly recommend that all international applicants review the website of the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) when applying to UCSB. Although the majority of international students admitted to our program in Earth Science receive financial support, you should have a clear understanding of the cost of living in Santa Barbara as well as the cost of your education. On the OISS webpage you will find information regarding finances, visas, English language requirements and English as a Second Language classes, health matters and housing options.

Q: I didn't major in Earth Science, am I eligible to apply?

A: Absolutely. Individuals with degrees in physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics and other science-based disciplines are encouraged to apply. In fact, so are exceptional individuals with degrees in arts or the humanities who can demonstrate extraordinary motivation and a compelling argument behind wanting to pursue the study of Earth science.

• Application Portal
• Faculty And Staff

Summer Research Academies

Application Window: December 15, 2023 – April 1, 2024

Application reviews will begin in January to allow for the submission of transcripts that must include Fall 2023 grades. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis.

In order to decide if SRA is the right fit for you, please review the eligibility requirements listed below, explore the descriptions of the research tracks thoroughly to see what options speak to you, and consider attending an informational webinar to learn more. You can also prepare for the application process by reviewing the elements you’ll be required to submit below. 

Program Dates: June 27 – July 26, 2024

Program Eligibility

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

High school student in the 9th, 10th, or 11th grade

Have a minimum 3.60 academic weighted GPA requirement 

Attend the program in its entirety, starting with the virtual component and ending with the closing events

Due to its intensive nature, students may not concurrently enroll in other courses, activities, or programs during SRA

Enrolled students are required to participate in a SRA Preparation Webinar to prepare for the program. They must choose from one of the following options:

June 1, 2024 at 11:00 AM (PT)

June 1, 2024 at 1:00 PM (PT)

June 3, 2024 at 5:00 PM (PT)

June 4, 2024 at 4:00 PM (PT)

Application Requirements

Application

The online application includes:

Transcript – You will be asked to upload a transcript that shows your entire high school academic history. You can ask your school or counselor for a copy of an unofficial transcript to submit with your application. It must include the first trimester or semester grades for the 2023–2024 academic school year . Transcripts will be checked and verified before applications are reviewed. 

Personal Statement – In a 500 word maximum essay, please tell us why you want to participate in SRA, the reason you selected a particular research track(s), and something unique about you for the admissions committee to know.

Short Responses – This series of questions allows us to get to know you better. In 150 words or less for each response, we will ask you to:

Briefly share what you specifically hope to learn from the track(s) you have chosen.

What skills, interests, or talents do you possess that will enable you to succeed in the chosen track(s)?

Create a hashtag describing you and/or your life and elaborate on why you chose it.

International Students:  TOEFL/English language proficiency exam scores are NOT needed for International applicants.

Scholarship application (optional)

A limited number of scholarships are available and awarded based on need, qualifications, and availability. Priority is given to California residents. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, you can indicate your interest within your online program application.

If you are admitted into the program, your guardian will receive an email to complete the scholarship application. Your guardian will be required to submit the following:

2023 Federal Tax returns (e.g., 1040, 1040EZ)

2023 W2 forms (if applicable)

Admission Process & Decision

Students complete an online application by April 1, 2024.

Applicants are notified via email when their application is complete.

Completed applications move on to the review stage.

Applicants will receive their admission decision approximately two to four weeks after receiving their completion email.

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and communicated via email directly to the applicant.

For more information about the program or to inquire about the application process, please contact:  [email protected]

Department of Sociology - UC Santa Barbara

Admissions procedures, the ucsb sociology department will be accepting applications in the fall of 2023 for our fall 2024 admissions cohort..

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION : The Department of Sociology admits students for Fall Quarter admission only. The deadline for receipt of the online application, submission of all required supplemental application materials, and payment of the application fee is  December 1st by 11:59 PM PST . After this date, no further applications will be accepted under any circumstances.

ONLINE APPLICATION : Students must submit an Online Graduate Application with Graduate Division.

If you are a person with a disability and require an application in another form other than electronic-format, please contact the Graduate Division by calling (805) 893-2277.

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION MATERIALS : In addition to the submission of the Online Graduate Application and payment of the application fee, applicants are required to submit the following materials (all electronically within the online application):

• Statement of Purpose, Personal History & Diversity Statement, and a Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Unofficial or official transcripts and a grading scale (transcript legend) for each post-secondary institution attended
• TOEFL or IELTS scores ( if applicable )
• Writing Sample (10-15 pages in length)

Applicants are no longer required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.

Additional information regarding each of the required supplemental application materials and admissions processes are located below:

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE : Give a brief statement outlining your reasons for undertaking a graduate program, your particular area of specialization within the major field, your past academic work, and your plans for future occupation or profession. Please include information about yourself, your goals, and anything else you feel will help the admission committee understand who you are and why you want to attend our program. Also include any additional information that may assist the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at the Sociology Department at UCSB.

Please put your name on each page of your Statement of Purpose, Personal Achievements/Contributions, Resume or Curriculum Vitae, etc.; recommended length for the statement is 2-3 pages (preferably 2) using a legible font (preferrably size 12) and 1.5 line spacing.

PERSONAL HISTORY & DIVERSITY STATEMENT : UC Santa Barbara is interested in a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. Please describe any aspects of your personal background, accomplishments, or achievements that you feel are important in evaluating your application for graduate study. For example, please describe if you have experienced economic challenges in achieving higher education, such as being financially responsible for family members or dependents, having to work significant hours during undergraduate schooling or coming from a family background of limited income. Please describe if you have any unusual or varied life experiences that might contribute to the diversity of the graduate group, such as fluency in other languages, experience living in bicultural communities, academic research interests focusing on cultural, societal, or educational problems as they affect underserved segments of society, or evidence of an intention to use the graduate degree toward serving disadvantaged individuals or populations.

A minimum word count of at least 250 words is required for the Personal History & Diversity Statement, although 1-2 pages is the recommended length using a legible font (perferrably size 12) and 1.5 line spacing. This statement should be written in narrative format (essay) form without duplicating content from the Statement of Purpose.

RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITAE : List your positions of employment or volunteer work/community service since high school, either full or part-time, including the hours per week worked and the nature and dates of employment or service.

THREE (3) LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION : Please note that all letters of recommendation should be submitted online through the  Online Graduate Application .

Caution : if you are using a Letter Service (such as Interfolio or a university career center) make sure the service knows that all letters must be postmarked on or before the December 1st deadline. In the past, some Letter Services held letters and only mailed them once all letters had been received, resulting in a missed deadline.

Letters should contain the following kinds of information:

• circumstances under which referee has known the student
• the referee's evaluation of the student's overall intellectual ability (e.g., analytical power, critical facility, theoretical skills); independence of thought (e.g., insight, imagination, creativity); effectiveness of communication, oral and written; motivation, persistence, self-discipline, thoroughness, etc.
• the referee's assessment of the student's long run, overall probable contributions to sociology, to society, and to UCSB's graduate program

Information on how to add, modify, or re-send the letter of recommendation request to your recommender(s) can be found here .

TOEFL or IELTS scores : Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores should be sent directly from ETS (the testing organization) to the UCSB Graduate Division. Applicants whose native language is not English must receive a TOEFL score of at least 550 Paper-Based Test, 80 Internet-Based Test, or an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Overall Band score of 7 or higher (if applicable). Computer-based TOEFL scores are no longer accepted.

TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years. Scores cannot be older than 2 years from the day you submit your Online Graduate Application to the Graduate Division.

TOEFL Reporting : Applicants taking the TOEFL must make arrangements directly with the Educational Testing Service ( ETS ). Instruct ETS to report scores to UCSB at institution code 4835 (the department code should be left blank). The online application requires you to enter the Test Date and sixteen digit Registration Number found on your official Report of Scores from ETS.

IELTS Reporting : Applicants taking the IELTS must make arrangements directly with  IELTS  for testing and score reporting. Scores may be mailed from IELTS or sent electronically. If sending paper test reports, please have your score report sent to the Graduate Division:

UCSB Graduate Division Attn: Graduate Admissions 3117 Cheadle Hall Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2070

TRANSCRIPTS : Official or unofficial transcripts along with the grading scale (transcript legend) should be submitted within the  Online Graduate Application for each post-secondary institution attended. Applicants need to ensure that all transcripts and grading scales (transcript legends) are legible before uploading them within the online application.

To be considered for admission, you must have receceived a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited university prior to the quarter for which you seek admission, and have at least a B average (3.0 GPA) in your undergraduate coursework. However, satisfaction of minimal standards does not guarantee admission, since the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of admit spaces available. As a consequence, many well-qualified applicants cannot be accomodated.

WRITING SAMPLE : A sample of written work in sociology or in a closely related field must be submitted with the online application. If a writing sample is submitted in excess of 15 pages, please designate which 10-15 pages of your work the Admissions Committee should read. All written work should include a bibliography, footnotes, or references, if applicable. All writing samples must be written in English or translated into English by a certified translator.

Applicants should upload the writing sample as an "Other Document Type" within the "Statements & Supplmental Documents" tab of the online application.

APPLICATION FEE (SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION)

No application can be processed without the nonrefundable $120 (domestic) or $140 (international) application fee, payable by credit card or check. Checks should be paid to the order of "Regents, University of California." A limited number of fee waivers are available for qualified US citizens and permanent residents, excluding international applicants. Additional application fee information is located within the Graduate Division's website . Payment must be received by the December 1st application deadline.

Students who are reapplying for admission to the Department of Sociology must submit a new online application and pay a new application fee. Contact the Graduate Program Advisor at  [email protected] if requesting to re-use any previously submitted materials (e.g. letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.).

APPLICATION STATUS

The burden of responsibility rests solely with the applicant to check their application status page (within the Online Graduate Application ) to verify completion of their online application, receipt of all the required supplementary application materials, and payment of the application fee - ALL must be completed by the deadline: December 1st by 11:59 PM PST . Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Students are encouraged to check their application status frequently throughout the application process. The Department of Sociology will not notify applicants about any missing application materials.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Graduate Division

The Graduate Division also provides additional information and resources regarding UCSB graduate admissions:

• https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/ (click on the "How to Apply" tab)
• https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/graduate-programs/departments/sociology (admissions information specific to Sociology)
• https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/how-apply/faqs-applicants

The Graduate Division website includes links to financial aid, housing, campus visits, etc.

Cost of Attendance Calculator

A cost of attendance calculator is available to provide an estimation of the expenses you will most likely incur as a student while attending the University of California, Santa Barbara. The calculator can be accessed here: https://www.finaid.ucsb.edu/cost-of-attendance

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE OR DENIAL

The Department of Sociology does not have a fixed schedule of dates for acceptance or denial. You will be notified by email when a decision has been made on your application, and your Application Status Page will be updated with a decision letter. Please note we are unable to reconsider or provide feedback on denied applications.

Writing the Personal Statement

Helpful tips and advice for drafting a compelling personal statement when applying for graduate admission.

Make sure to check the appropriate program website to find out if your statement should include additional or specific information.

What does this statement need to accomplish?

The personal statement should give concrete evidence of your promise as a member of the academic community, giving the committee an image of you as a person.

This is also where you represent your potential to bring to your academic career a critical perspective rooted in a non-traditional educational background, or your understanding of the experiences of groups historically under-represented in higher education and your commitment to increase participation by a diverse population in higher education.

What kinds of content belongs here?

Anything that can give reviewers a sense of you as a person belongs here; you can repeat information about your experiences in your research statement, but any experiences that show your promise, initiative, and ability to persevere despite obstacles belongs here. This is also a good place to display your communication skills and discuss your ability to maximize effective collaboration with a diverse cross-section of the academic community. If you have faced any obstacles or barriers in your education, sharing those experiences serves both for the selection process, and for your nomination for fellowships. If one part of your academic record is not ideal, due to challenges you faced in that particular area, this is where you can explain that, and direct reviewers’ attention to the evidence of your promise for higher education.

The basic message: your academic achievement despite challenges

It is especially helpful for admissions committees considering nominating you for fellowships for diversity if you discuss any or all of the following:

• Demonstrated significant academic achievement by overcoming barriers such as economic, social, or educational disadvantage;
• attendance at a minority serving institution;
• ability to articulate the barriers facing women and minorities in science and engineering fields;
• participation in higher education pipeline programs such as, UC Leads, or McNair Scholars;
• Academic service advancing equitable access to higher education for women and racial minorities in fields where they are underrepresented;
• Leadership experience among students from groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education;
• research that addresses issues such as race, gender, diversity, and inclusion;
• research that addresses health disparities, educational access and achievement, political engagement, economic justice, social mobility, civil and human rights, and other questions of interest to historically underrepresented groups;
• artistic expression and cultural production that reflects culturally diverse communities or voices not well represented in the arts and humanities.

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The Statement of Purpose is an important part of the online application and is given careful consideration in the selection process. Be concise and specific in preparing your statement: give information that will aid the selection committee in evaluating your potential for completing a graduate program of study at UC San Diego. Check the  department directory listing  for specific content requirements.

Focus your Statement of Purpose on the reasons you are interested in attending a specific graduate program at UCSD. Check the department requirements for the Statement of Purpose. The statement should be well organized, concise, and completely free of grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Before submitting the statement, seek constructive comments and criticism from friends and advisors.

Five primary topics to cover in your statement of purpose:

• How did you become interested in this field? Establish that you have had a long-term interest in the field and that you have taken positive steps in pursuing your interest. Give the committee members a sense of your particular talents and abilities and their relevance to your academic interests.
• What experiences have contributed toward your preparation for further study in this field? Demonstrate your interest by providing examples of research experiences, internships, work experience, community service, publications, or life experiences. Briefly describe what you did in each experience. Also, make sure to articulate what you have learned about the field and how those lessons stimulated you to pursue an advanced degree.
• What are your future goals? Specifically state your degree objective (Master's or Ph.D.) and specify what subdisciplines you are interested in pursuing. For example, if you are applying in political science, the committee needs to know whether you are pursuing American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, or Political Theory. Let the reader know that you are planning a future career as a university professor, researcher, or consultant, or in public service or private practice (or whatever your goal happens to be).
• What are your research interests? Within your subdiscipline, you should be able to identify one or two topics that are of interest to you. When possible, be specific about your research agenda. Remember that you will be working with professors in research; therefore, your research interests should parallel those of the faculty. (You will usually not be expected to know exactly what you want to research; faculty know that initial interests often change.)
• How are you a "match" for the program to which you are applying? Explain what attracts you most to the institution/program to which you are applying. Align your research interests with those of one or more of the affiliated professors. The better the "match" with the program/professors, the better the chance that you will be admitted.

Other factors to weave in (remember these are secondary factors):

• Give examples of personal attributes or qualities that would help you complete graduate study successfully.
• Describe your determination to achieve your goals, your initiative and ability to develop ideas, and your ability to work independently.
• Describe background characteristics that may have placed you at an educational disadvantage (English language learner, family economic history, lack of educational opportunity, disability, etc.).
• Leave the reader believing that you are prepared for advanced academic work and will be successful in graduate school.
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What consumers should know as Philips agrees to $1.1 billion CPAP settlement

Bill Chappell

The medical device maker Philips has agreed to a $1.1 billion settlement to address claims brought by thousands of people with sleep apnea who say they were injured by the company's CPAP machines. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images hide caption

The medical device maker Philips has agreed to a $1.1 billion settlement to address claims brought by thousands of people with sleep apnea who say they were injured by the company's CPAP machines.

Millions of CPAP sleep apnea machines made by the medical device maker Philips and a subsidiary were found to have a dangerous problem, triggering consumer lawsuits and a massive recall in 2021. Now, Philips has reached a $1.1 billion deal to settle claims from people who say they were injured. A portion of the funds will also go toward medical monitoring.

Some 15 million Philips CPAP and ventilator machines worldwide are affected by the Class I recall, a designation reflecting "a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, the products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," according to the Food and Drug Administration .

The devices were sold between 2008 and 2021 in the U.S. under the Philips Respironics brand, according to Philips' recall notice .

"Since April 2021, the FDA has received more than 116,000 MDRs [Medical Device Reports], including 561 reports of death," that were either reported or suspected to be related to problems with insulating foam in the Philips devices, the FDA said earlier this year.

"Philips and Philips Respironics do not admit any fault or liability, or that any injuries were caused by Respironics' devices," the company said as it announced the new settlement agreement.

Here's an overview of the recall and where consumers stand:

Settlement money will likely flow next year

The $1.1 billion deal — which includes $25 million for medical monitoring — stems from mediation by retired magistrate judge Diane M. Welsh, but it's not yet final, as the agreement must be filed with a federal court in Pennsylvania — a main state where the machines were produced.

Philips announced the new settlement on Monday, along with its first-quarter financial results. The Dutch-based corporation then saw its stock price vault to a likely one-day record gain, as investors welcomed news that the recall issue seems to have been resolved at a lower cost than analysts predicted.

"The remediation of the sleep therapy devices for patients is almost complete," said Roy Jakobs, CEO of parent company Royal Philips, in a statement. He added, "We do regret the concern that patients may have experienced."

"We are pleased to have reached a resolution" of personal injury claims, the plaintiffs' co-lead attorneys, Sandra L. Duggan; Kelly K. Iverson; Christopher A. Seeger; and Steven A. Schwartz, said in a joint statement to NPR.

The money will go to "users of the now-recalled CPAP and other respiratory devices who suffer from significant physical injuries," and to fund research into treating their injuries, the attorneys said. Philips says some 58,000 people have filed claims or registered for the settlement.

As for when consumers could see money from the deal, Philips said it expects to make the payments in 2025.

This isn't the only settlement

News of the personal injury settlement comes a week after Philips settled a class-action lawsuit over economic damages from the recall.

That settlement is worth a minimum of $613.3 million, including $94.4 million in attorneys' fees. It offers reimbursement to users and "payers" — e.g., insurance companies — for recalled machines they had bought or leased.

The deal was approved last Thursday by senior U.S. district judge Joy Flowers Conti in the federal Court in western Philadelphia. The judge had previously appointed Welsh to serve as mediator in the injury-related class-action suit.

Philips says it expects to pay that money out this year.

What can consumers do?

Under the financial-loss settlement, users are entitled to a $100 award if they return their recalled device by Aug. 9, 2024 — the claim deadline.

People who suspect they own or use one of the affected devices should act soon to verify that if they haven't already, the FDA says . The agency notes that Philips' recall page offers ways to check serial numbers and register a product.

A specially dedicated website is accepting claims for the financial-loss settlement , and it notes that taking part in that deal "does not affect or release any claims for personal injuries or medical monitoring relief."

Under the financial-loss settlement, users are also eligible for a payment for each recalled device they purchased, leased, or rented — and if they paid out of their own pocket to replace a recalled machine, they could be entitled to a device replacement award, according to the website.

The arrangement includes a prepaid shipping label, although the administrators also warn users to consult with their doctor before returning a device they're still using.

A similar claims process will likely emerge for the injury-related deal once its terms are finalized.

Defective machines can send particles, VOCs into airways

The recall was triggered by thousands of health complaints from CPAP users. An investigation found that a polyester-based polyurethane foam built into the devices to dampen sound and vibration also had a risk of breaking down — especially when used in warm and humid conditions.

"If the foam breaks down, black pieces of foam, or certain chemicals that are not visible, could be breathed in or swallowed by the person using the device," the FDA said.

The agency said in a letter to Philips in 2022 that the foam also "may degrade and/or emit harmful chemicals, potentially resulting in toxic and carcinogenic effects and other significant harms to device users," listing formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.

"Philips has acknowledged that, in a worst-case scenario, exposure to VOCs as a class may cause possible toxic and carcinogenic effects, as well as irritation of the respiratory tract, eyes, nose, and skin, nausea or vomiting, hypersensitivity reactions, dizziness, and headache," the FDA said.

Resulting problems "could potentially result in serious injury and may require medical intervention to prevent permanent injury," the agency said.

The plan to fix machines with the problem call for replacing the polyester-based foam with one that uses silicone as its base .

What is the current status of Philips CPAP machines?

U.S. sales of Philips' popular DreamStation and other respiratory units are currently on hold; the company says it plans to resume selling the devices once it has satisfied the terms of a consent decree with the U.S. government .

Philips also says it will continue to service units that are still in use, including by providing replacement parts.

Shots - Health News

You snooze, you lose: how insurers dodge the costs of popular sleep apnea devices.

Lawsuits against the company contend that Philips designed its CPAP machine poorly and put it on the market without appropriate warnings.

The FDA accuses Philips of not taking appropriate action about the dangers of the degrading foam in its CPAP and ventilator devices despite learning about the risk as early as 2015. That year, the FDA said in a letter to the company, a Philips subsidiary began a preventative procedure because of complaints about the foam breaking down. The agency says it learned about the matter when the FDA inspected a manufacturing plant in Murrysville, Pa., in 2021.

When asked about the 2015 revelation, a company representative said the only documentation of the issue was a single email, with other communications handled over the phone, the FDA said in its letter.

What is sleep apnea, and how much do CPAP machines cost?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that prevents people from getting enough oxygen while they're sleeping — it's often characterized by long pauses in breathing, and loud snoring. People diagnosed with the disorder rely on continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machines to keep their airways open and help them stay asleep.

Last June, the White House said President Biden was using a CPAP machine to help with sleep apnea.

Prices for many units range from around $500 to more than $1300.

"The average cost of a CPAP machine is about $800 among those we reviewed," the National Council on Aging said last year.

The recall also covers some models of Philips' more complicated BiPAP ventilators, which facilitate both inhalation and exhalation and routinely cost hundreds of dollars more.

Many apnea and ventilator devices' users also face additional costs, from replacements parts and upkeep to buying an additional machine for travel.