A Step to the Doctorate (S2D)
What is A Step to the Doctorate Institute?
A Step to the Doctorate (S2D) Institute is a Center for Engineering Excellence and Discovery academic bootcamp designed to help promising undergraduate students move confidently toward graduate school.
In this program, students will:
- Learn what to expect in graduate education programs.
- Discover strategies to position yourself competitively for admission and funding.
- Make real progress on key application materials (personal statements, CVs, timelines).
When is A Step to the Doctorate?
Participation Commitment:
- Session 1 (Bootcamp Kickoff): Saturday, April 11, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Session 2 (Final Check-In & Feedback): TBD
Application Deadline: Saturday, Feb 28, 2026
Program Benefits
- Focused sessions on the grad school process and personal statement writing
- Expert, hands-on feedback from faculty mentors
- A personalized application timeline and proven writing strategies
- Peer community and networking with fellow undergraduate scholars
Eligibility
To participate, applicants should:
- Be in good academic standing at their institution
- Be a current junior (rising senior) in college
- Demonstrate a strong interest in graduate study, including potential pursuit of a Ph.D.
- Commit to all program sessions—attend the spring, fall meetings, and complete the summer online writing workshops led by our writing coach.
- Engage fully in the asynchronous summer component, which guides students through graduate application prep—researching programs and funding, and drafting key materials (e.g., personal statements, CVs).
- Complete and submit the program application by the stated deadline
Applications will be reviewed by a committee, and students will be notified of their admission status once decisions are finalized.
If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to contact:
- Dr. Tremayne Waller
- Email: coedoc@vt.edu