
Grad Rebel Advantage Program
The yearlong Grad Rebel Advantage program demystifies graduate school at UNLV or elsewhere, guiding UNLV undergraduate students in deciding if graduate school is right for them, helping them be more competitive applicants for their dream program, and preparing them to be successful in graduate school. The program offers workshops and professional development opportunities as well as mentorship, often provided in specialty pods that cluster students with similar experiences or interests and pair them with mentors who share their experiences or interests.
“This program was so helpful toward getting into graduate school. I tell EVERYONE I know about this program, especially first-generation students. I would not be where I am without the Grad Rebel Advantage program.”
-Ayla Gelsinger, 2020-21 Grad Rebel Advantage participant
“This program was very impactful. Before this, I was so nervous about grad school and I did not know anything or where to start. I didn't even know where to look. I feel so much better, like a weight lifted off my shoulders, learning so much about my options and where to start. I feel more confident.”
- 2023-24 Grad Rebel Advantage participant
- Special workshops, events, activities, and mentorship to prepare undergraduates for possible future graduate study
- The opportunity to complete the Graduate College Research Certification after you have fulfilled all Grad Rebel Advantage Program requirements
- Undergraduate students who complete the program will be eligible for a $100 scholarship during the spring semester. Students must have a current FAFSA form or the Alternative Need Determination Form on file. If students 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
- 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
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 45 or more credit hours at the time that they begin the program
- Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75
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
Graduate students who complete the program will be eligible for a $250 scholarship at the end of each semester ($500 total pending funding approval). Students must have a current FAFSA form or the Alternative Need Determination Form on file. If students owe money for current or prior terms, the program scholarships will be applied towards that balance. Disbursement of the program scholarship can take between 4-6 weeks
Interested students should complete the 2025-2026 Online Grad Rebel Advantage Mentee Application before September 7, 2025. There is no application fee. The application cannot be saved and must be completed and submitted in one sitting. Applications will open on May 1, 2025!
Please be prepared to provide a brief statement of interest when completing your Grad Rebel Advantage Mentee Application that covers why you are interested in the program and highlights your current grad school and career goals.
The 2025-2026 Online Grad Rebel Advantage Mentor Application will be available through the Grad Rebel Gateway from September 7, 2025. Please log in to the Grad Rebel Gateway and click on The Grad Academy tab to apply
Please be prepared to submit a Letter of Interest when completing your Grad Rebel Advantage Mentor Application. 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.
- Meet your cohort at the Grad Rebel Advantage Kick-Off event on Friday, September 26, 2025.
- Attend and engage in 3 out of 6 scheduled mentorship meetings throughout the year.
- Choose and complete a Application Advantage Activity:
- Draft and submit your Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose; or
- Record and submit a Video Interview (2 Questions)
- Attend 5 of 10 workshops offered throughout the year. Live and recorded options will be available.
- Participate in one campus cultural experience.
- Complete program assessments.
- Celebrate your accomplishments at the Grad Rebel Advantage Commencement event on Friday, May 1, 2026!
Students graduating during the fall semester must email gradrebeladvantage@unlv.edu to obtain approval to complete the program in one semester.
- Participate in the Fall Mentor Training on Friday, September 19, 2025.
- Meet your cohort at the Grad Rebel Advantage Kick-Off event on Friday, September 26, 2025.
- Pre-schedule and host 6 meetings throughout the year with your mentee group (30 minutes; virtual or in-person).
- Craft and send at least 6 monthly emails throughout the year to check in and provide resources specific to your cohort group.
- Participate in the Spring Mentors Meeting on Friday, January 23, 2026.
- Complete program assessments.
- Celebrate your accomplishments at the Grad Rebel Advantage Commencement event on Friday, May 1, 2026!
Please remember in order to receive credit you must write a one-page summary & submit it via WebCampus.
Core Workshops
- Everything You Need to Know About Academic Options After Your Bachelor’s Degree
- Grad School Prep: Overview of the Graduate School Application Process
- Choosing and Being Chosen: How to Select a Graduate Program & Get Them to Select You
- Grad School Prep Series: Mastering the Grad School Interview Process Workshop
- Strategies for Graduate Success: Applying to and Thriving in Grad School
- Everything You Need to Know About Academic Options After Your Bachelor’s Degree
- GRA: Strategies for Graduate Success: Applying to and Thriving in Grad School
- GRA: Everything You Need to Know About Academic Options After Your Bachelor’s Degree
- Grad School Prep Series: Crafting your Letter of Intent
Elective Workshops
- Paths after Graduation for F-1 and J-1 International Students
- Navigating the Non-Profit Job Market
- Gen AI: Getting Started, Benefits, Ethics, and Pitfalls
- Multilingual Writing at Grad School in the Age of AI
- Grounded Grad Rebel Series: Cultivating Mindfulness
- Professional Communication Series: Research Abstracts
- How to Make Bad Plots
- Big Data & Sustainability: Research and Community Impact
- Where Does the Time Go: Managing Your Time while Harnessing Your Power
- Self-care, Balance and Resilience
- Post-Graduate School: Exploring Non-Academic Pathways + Translating Your Skill-set
- GRA Grad School Prep Series: Entrance Exams (GMAT)
- GRA Grad School Prep Series: Entrance Exams (GRE)
- GRA Grad School Prep Series: Finding the Right Program for You
- GRA Grad School Prep Series: The Application Process
- GRA Grad School Prep Series: Writing Your Personal Statement
- GRA Grad School Prep Series: Letters of Recommendation
- Medical School Application Prep
- The Future of Work
- Professionalism 101
- Managing Conflicts or Concerns in Mentor-Mentee Relationships
- Overcoming Writing Anxiety & Developing Writing Habits
- Spring 2022: Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research: Which should you use?
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae: How to Create Them and When to Use Them
- Funding your Graduate Degree through a Graduate Assistantship
- Publishing Your Research in Graduate School
- How to Write a Conference Proposal
- Research Poster Design
- Time-Management
- Transitioning to Graduate School: Finding your Why
- Introduction to Mentoring: A Guide for Mentors and Mentees
- Imposter Syndrome
Research Experiences
Cultural Experiences
- An unsung hero of the civil rights movement (Ted-Talk)
- The importance of diversity in the comic book universe (Ted-Talk)
- The untapped genius that could change science for the better (Ted-Talk)
- What baby boomers can learn from millennials at work -- and vice versa (Ted-Talk)
- The power of diversity within yourself (Ted-Talk)
- How to get serious about diversity and inclusion in the workplace (Ted-Talk)
- The Importance of Gender Pronouns
2024-2025
- Mildred Abarca
- Juan Charry Zapata
- Zion David-Ravey
- Elyse Krasnowski
- Tanya Martinez
- Katherine Melbourne
- Hallelujah Mesfin
- Gianna Ortiz
- Jessica Pierrette
- Grace Pinon
- Cameran Rynearson
- Bianca Salvador
- Nevaeh Sanford
- Melissa Swinehart
- Remay Tecklay
- Nathaniel Valentine
2023-2024
- Max Sinclair
- Tania Medrano
- Rianna Sandoval
- Monica Souza Sue
- Laura Sanchez Zavala
- Otoniel Ramos
- Dayle Marc Aten
- Jacquelyn Rodriguez
- Mardae Castro
- Kristina Martirosyan
- Mckenna Webb
- Shankara Getchoni
- Mackenzie Baack
- Evelyn Flores
2022-2023
- Rebecca Jimenez
- Viviana Bautista
- Kalen de la Garza
- Tzitlalli Rivero
- Hieu Nguyen
- Paula Ramirez
- Nadia Sheik Yosef
- Hannah Giberti
- Alexia Morales
- Tanner Richardson
- Dillon Brouwer
- Yajaira Rodriguez
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.
Co-sponsors: Academic Advising, Financial Aid & Scholarships, Consolidated Students of UNLV, Student Engagement & Diversity
Partners: Office of Undergraduate Research, Academic Success Center, Center for Academic Enrichment & Outreach, Graduate & Professional Student Association, The Intersection, University Libraries, Military & Veteran Services Center, UNLV Writing Center, Career Services, Involvement Center, Office of Admissions, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, Pre-Professional Advising Center

"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