Grad Rebel Advantage 2022

Grad Rebel Advantage Program

The Grad Rebel Advantage program provides annual cohorts of UNLV undergraduate students with mentorship, workshops, and professional development opportunities designed to build their base of knowledge about educational options after the bachelor’s degree and prepare them for graduate study. The program has selected 100 students to participate in the inaugural cohort in academic year 2018-2019, and 100 undergraduates per year after that. Each Grad Rebel Advantage participant will be expected to participate in a number of workshops and activities throughout the year, and they will each receive a $600 scholarship to help pay for the time that they spend in the program and reward their full participation. The Grad Rebel Advantage Program will help prepare UNLV undergraduate student participants for graduate studies, whether at UNLV or elsewhere.

Welcome to our 2022-2023 Cohort!

Program Benefits

  • Special workshops, events, activities, and mentorship to prepare undergraduates for possible future graduate study
  • The opportunity to enroll in graduate-level courses (for students with at least a 3.00 GPA) either for undergraduate credit or to hold for future graduate credit
  • The opportunity to complete the Graduate College Research Certification after you have fulfilled all Grad Rebel Advantage Program requirements
  • $600 Grad Rebel Advantage scholarship for participants who fulfill all program requirements. ($300 will be dispersed after the Fall semester to all participants that complete the first half of the year-long program requirements; if Fall semester requirements are not met, students can continue in the program for Spring, but, then would only be eligible for the $300 in Spring.) Please note: You must have a current FAFSA form or the Alternate Need Determination Form on file. If you owe money for current or prior terms, the funds will be applied towards that balance. Disbursement of the scholarship can take between 4-6 weeks once we have confirmed program requirements for all participants have been met.
  • Honor cord that may be worn at commencement to signify status as a Grad Rebel Advantage program graduate
  • Grad Rebel Completion Certificate
  • A Grad Rebel Advantage T-shirt
  • Opening and closing events with meals
  • Gain valuable skills associated with mentorship

Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduate Students

This program is open to current UNLV undergraduate students who:

  • Are currently enrolled during their Grad Rebel Advantage year
  • Are in good standing with the University
  • Have completed 60 or more credit hours at the time that they begin the program
  • Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75
  • Have a faculty member or academic advisor complete the bottom section of the Grad Rebel Advantage application prior to submission 
    • Applications can either be submitted by the student or by the faculty that endorses the application 
    • Please note that a Letter of Recommendation is not required

Eligibility Requirements for Graduate Students

This program is open to current UNLV graduate students who:

  • Have completed at least one year of graduate studies at UNLV by program start date
  • Be enrolled in at least 3 graduate credits while serving as a mentor in both fall and spring semesters
  • Be in good academic standing in a graduate degree program

Application Process for Undergraduate Students

Applications are only accepted once a year. We will accept applications between March 5 and July 15. There is no application fee.

Interested students should complete the 2022-2023 Online Grad Rebel Advantage Mentee Application.The application cannot be saved and must be completed and submitted in one sitting.

Please be prepared to provide the following information when completing your Grad Rebel Advantage Mentee Application:

  • Letter of Interest
    • The Letter of Interest should address the following statement: Describe your short- and long-term career goals and explain why you are interested in this program. Please limit the response to a single page.
  • Endorser Name
    • You will identify the name and email address of a faculty member. They will receive a form to endorse your participation in the program.

Application Process for Graduate Students

Applications are only accepted once a year. We will accept applications between March 5 and July 15. There is no application fee.

The 2022-2023 Online Grad Rebel Advantage Mentor Application can be found on the Grad Rebel Gateway. Please log in to the Grad Rebel Gateway and click on The Grad Academy tab to apply.

Please be prepared to provide the following information when completing your Grad Rebel Advantage Mentor Application:

  • CV/Resume
  • Letter of Interest
    • The Letter of Interest should address the following statement: Describe why you are interested in serving as an Advantage Mentor. Please limit the response to a single page.
  • Endorser Name
    • You will identify the name and email address of a faculty member.They will receive a form to endorse your participation in the program.

Program Requirements for Undergraduate Student Mentees

Students will have two semesters to complete the following program requirements. The typical time commitment per semester is 10 hours. Program requirements will be submitted through the Grad Rebel Advantage WebCampus Course. Participants will be added to the course in August.

  • Attend the four (4) Mandatory Cohort Group Mentorship Sessions:
    • Grad Rebel Advantage Kick-off (Friday, September 16, 9 - 11:30 a.m., Webex)
    • Grad Rebel Advantage Commencement (Monday, May 1, 9 - 10:30 a.m., SU Room 208 A, B, and C)
    • Fall Cohort Meeting (Date set by Mentor)
    • Spring Cohort Meeting (Date set by Mentor)
  • Attend one (1) Mandatory Workshop each semester (2 total; Mandatory workshops will be available for viewing via WebCampus):
    • Everything You Need to Know About Academic Options After Your Bachelor's Degree
    • Strategies for Graduate Success: Applying to and Thriving in Grad School
    • Choosing and Being Chosen: How to Select a Graduate Program & Get Them to Select You (Only Available Fall Semester)
    • Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Active Reading Workshop
  • Attend two (2) Elective Workshops each semester (4 total): 
    • Visit the Elective Workshop Schedule Tab for semester options OR
    • Academic Success Center: Make an appointment to meet with a coach to help identify your needs or to work one-on-one with a success coach. (This will count as 1 Elective Workshop.)
  • Attend one (1) Major Campus Research Experience
  • Attend one (1) Campus Cultural Experience
  • Attend three (3) Mandatory Campus Appointments:
    • Appointment with an Academic Advisor (discuss program completion)
    • Appointment with the UNLV Writing Center (work on a writing piece, writing sample, publication, etc.)
    • Appointment with the Office of Undergraduate Research (discuss how to get involved with research on campus) OR Appointment with the Graduate College Recruitment & Admissions team (discuss prospective grad programs and application requirements)
  • Complete all program assessments (surveys/feedback forms)

Please note:

  • Students must maintain a minimum 2.75 overall GPA throughout participation in the program. Failure to do so may result in removal from the program.
  • Requirements used to fulfill one category may not be used toward another.
  • Students graduating during the fall semester must email gradrebeladvantage@unlv.edu to obtain approval to complete the program in one semester.

Program Requirements for Graduate Student Mentors

Program Requirements

  • Attend & participate in the Grad Rebel Advantage Program kick-off
  • Attend the Grad Rebel Advantage Commencement Event at the end of the spring semester
  • Advise a cohort of 8-15 undergraduate students accepted to the program (send students emails regarding graduate education & the program, answer their questions, etc.)
  • Host one cohort meeting in the fall semester & one in the spring semester with the undergraduate students
  • Complete all program assessments (surveys/feedback forms)

Attend 2 Mandatory Mentor Meetings:

  • Thursday, September 15, 2022, 3-4:00 p.m., via Webex
  • Friday, January 6, 2023, 3-4:00 p.m., via Webex

Program Scholarship

Graduate student mentors will each receive a $250 program scholarship each semester (pending funding approval). Please note: You must have a current FAFSA form or the Alternative Need Determination Form on file. If you owe money for current or prior terms, the program scholarship will be applied towards that balance. Disbursement of the program scholarship can take between 4-6 weeks after the Graduate College Student Services Team has confirmed that you have completed program requirements for the semester.

Spring 2023 Elective Workshop Schedule

The workshops and events below will help fulfill the requirements for the Grad Rebel Advantage Program. You must RSVP for all workshops/events at least 24 hours in advance. To RSVP, please click on the workshop/event below. This will send you to the calendar entry page, which has the RSVP information. To determine which requirement the workshop/event fulfills, please click on it. The description will include this information.

Event Title Date Time Location
GC: Financial Habits, Saving & Budgeting Monday, January 23, 2023 4:00pm
In-Person (RSVP for location)
Where Success Comes True: Adventure is Out There at UNLV Tuesday, January 31, 2023 2:30pm
Virtual via Webex
GC: Creating and Maintaining a Curriculum Vitae Wednesday, February 1, 2023 12:00pm
Virtual
GC: Deep Work: How to Minimize Distractions and Prioritize Important Tasks Thursday, March 9, 2023 3:00pm
Virtual

Campus Experience & Mandatory Workshop Schedule

Mandatory Workshops

Campus Research Experiences

Campus Cultural Experiences

Summary Options

Please remember in order to receive credit you must write a one-page summary & submit it via WebCampus. 

Mandatory Workshops

Elective Workshops

Research Experiences

Cultural Experiences

Workshop and Event Policies

  • These workshops and events are free.
  • No campus workshops or events taken prior to admission to the Grad Rebel Advantage Program may be counted toward the program. All workshops and events that count towards the Grad Rebel Advantage Program must be completed within one year (program duration).
  • Students may only get credit for Grad Rebel Advantage workshops and events that they RSVP for at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Only workshops or events that are successfully completed in full will count toward the program. To successfully complete a workshop/event, Grad Rebel Advantage participants must arrive on time, stay for the entire session, and be awake and engaged throughout its duration. Any assigned work must be completed by the deadline.
  • Grad Rebel Advantage workshops/events carry no academic credit and do not appear on student transcripts.

Tuesday Talks: Your Questions Answered

The Graduate College will be hosting Tuesday Talks: Your Questions Answered for current The Grad Academy program participants. Please drop by on any of the following Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m., to ask us any questions you might have or just to check your progress:

3-Minute Presentation Winners

2021-2022

  • Cassedy Walker
  • Charlene Gonzales
  • Mae Ling Catayong
  • Arely Fuentes-Retolaza
  • Nallely Lozoya
  • Lanessa Shirley
  • Rachel Wuester
  • Rachel Lucero
  • Jerrell Parrish
  • Kaila Seidler
  • Nghi Vu
  • KayLee Freitas
  • Joi Jones
  • Reedell Aragon
  • Fitsum Ayele
  • Sabrina Dittus
  • Lilian Hernandez
  • Jessica Nguyen

2020-2021

  • Simon Lamsal
  • Brittney Rench
  • Ambree Schoetker
  • Arissara Lavangnananda
  • Alejandro Rodriguez Lambeida
  • Yuria Mann
  • Michael Saladino
  • Nathalie Martinez
  • Hannah Barti
  • Tracy Fuentes
  • Keva Francis
  • Jennipher Chung
  • Allen Lai
  • Angelina Daniels
  • Anne Savage
  • Ruby Valencia
  • Emily Carter
  • Trinity Puno

2019-2020

  • Corey Johnson
  • Davenia Boothe
  • Haven Neiman
  • Judith Fuentes Retolaza
  • Lidia Wossen
  • Aaron Cheng
  • Allison Crawford
  • Drewmel Darby
  • Sharon Williams
  • Emily Gelbart
  • Zantana Ephrem
  • Alvaro Cabonero
  • Nicholas Tower
  • Bibiana Lopez

2018-2019

  • Fatima Azari
  • Rose Adkins
  • Richard Van
  • Marlena Gatlin
  • Guadalupe Ortiz
  • Serrina Nasrollahi
  • Selena Sanchez-Giancola
  • Anna-Lena Vigil
  • Ingrid Zarate
  • Mayra Arzate
  • Caroline Farah
  • Sarah Flood
  • Phillip Edwards

Each year, we ask our Grad Rebel Advantage Mentees to prepare a 3-minute elevator pitch, answering the question "Why am I a good candidate for graduate school?" The winners of each cohort win a Graduate College application waiver and are asked to present at Grad Rebel Advantage Commencement. In addition to the presenters who will present in person, another group of equally accomplished undergraduate students have recorded their presentations, and they are available below to view.

 

 

Program Co-Sponsors and Partners

This program is a collaborative effort between the Graduate College and a number of campus co-sponsors and partners. Co-sponsors include: Academic Advising, Financial Aid & Scholarships, and Student Engagement & Diversity. Partners include: Office of Undergraduate Research, Academic Success Center, Center for Academic Enrichment & Outreach, Graduate & Professional Student Association, The Intersection, University Libraries, UNLV Writing Center, Career Services, and Pre-Professional Advising Center.

Past Cohorts

Camisha Fagan and other participants of the 2018-19 Grad Rebel Advantage Program

"For me, the application process for graduate school was exhausting, and imposter syndrome hit me at every turn. But it's also a growing process. I learned that I have to be my #1 fan at the end of the day. It also helped to stay connected to loved ones and friends (if you're able to) as they help keep you grounded throughout the process. It's a lot of work: mentally, emotionally, financially. Make sure to exhaust all resources available on campus. The Grad Rebel Advantage program was one resource that helped tremendously. This process isn't easy, but it will be worth it in the end."

Camisha Fagan, 2018-19 Grad Rebel Advantage participant