Our course applications have moved online!

Link to Applications

If you intend to apply to multiple courses, please submit a separate application for each course. Students may only enroll in one course per week. If you have any questions about the application process, please reach out to calrbs [at] gseis.ucla.edu.

The priority deadline for applications is Tuesday, April 1st, 2025. CalRBS evaluates extensions on a case-by-case basis. Please email calrbs [at] gseis.ucla.edu if you’d like to request an extension.

Course Application Requirements

Personal Statement

A personal statement is required and should be addressed to the relevant instructor(s) of the course to which you are applying. In your personal statement, describe your background or interest in the area, any work you have done in a relevant field, independent study in which you have been engaged, or whatever additional information you think would be helpful to your instructor(s) in evaluating your preparation and your aptitude for this course. Be sure to address any specific qualifications or other matters mentioned in the descriptions of your chosen course.

Supplemental Materials

Supplemental application materials may be required for the course to which you apply. Please read the course descriptions for any additional requirements.

Optional Materials

A resume or curriculum vitae (no more than two pages) may substitute for the education and professional experience portions of the application. Be sure to include all the information requested on the application.

Scholarship Information

A limited number of scholarship awards are available to librarians, archivists, scholars, booksellers, collectors, graduate students, and others. All course applicants are eligible to apply. A scholarship award provides either a full or partial tuition waiver for one CalRBS course. The recipient is responsible for any other expenses related to the acceptance of the scholarship and attendance at CalRBS. The deadline for scholarship applicants for the 2025 year is April 1st for priority consideration, with rolling applications open until all scholarships are awarded. Special consideration is given to first-time CalRBS applicants.

Since its founding, the CalRBS scholarship fund has received support from the Ahmanson Foundation, the Book Club of California, the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, Golden Legend, Inc., the Institute for Museum & Library Services (IMLS), the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the William Reese Company, SHARP, the Southern California Chapter of the ABAA, the UCLA Breslauer Professor Fund, the Zamorano Club, the Society of California Archivists (SCA), Kenneth Karmiole, and donors to the CalRBS Annual Fund.

Requirements

Students who wish to be considered for a scholarship must submit the course application form along with the following items:

• A resume or curriculum vitae (no more than two pages)
• A statement of financial need. Explain why receiving this scholarship is necessary for you. If you are currently employed, please explain the likelihood of receiving institutional support for tuition, travel, housing, etc., or the circumstances that might preclude such support.

Scholarships for Specific Fields

Zamorano Club Scholarships

Two scholarships are provided by The Zamorano Club each provide a tuition waiver for a student to take a course offered by CalRBS.

Susan M. Allen CalRBS Fellowship in History of the Book

The Susan M. Allen CalRBS Fellowship in History of the Book will provide an annual tuition waiver scholarship to a participant with especially high promise in book history and/or special collections. 

California Rare Book Scholarships

Several unnamed CalRBS Scholarships are typically awarded every year to promising students working in areas other than those addressed by the above scholarships.

Admissions Procedures

Admissions Information
Faculty make decisions based on the course application, personal statement, and any supplementary material specifically requested in the course description (e.g. samples of cataloging records). Course descriptions can be found here. Students are admitted on a rolling basis until the course is full. To follow up on the status of your application, contact the Project Manager. Please allow two weeks for processing before contacting the Project Manager. If you require a rush decision, please include a note with your application stating the reason for your expedited request.

Tip: While CalRBS accepts applications up until a course begins, your chances of admission are greatly increased if your application is received well in advance of the course start date  (i.e. three and half months before the course begins). We cannot hold your application for future years. All admissions decisions are final. Faculty will not provide additional details about individual admissions decisions.

Wait-list
Invariably, there are many more qualified applicants than there are spaces. Some qualified students may be placed on a waiting list. In general, instructor(s) do not indicate a preference order for wait-listed students. If for any reason an admitted student is unable to attend, the instructor(s) will make a selection from the applicant pool, which will include those students on the original waiting list as well as any additional applicants. We encourage those on the waiting list to contact the Project Manager for advice in applying for alternatives. If you do wish to apply to another course, you will need to submit a separate application.

Admitted Students
Admitted students will receive an admissions packet containing a confirmation form and a link to pay the course tuition along with their letter of admission. Invoices can be generated by request. As a courtesy to students who may be on a waiting list, we ask students to confirm their attendance within two weeks of receiving their admission packet. The student will receive more specific course and week information closer to the course start date.

Payment
Please do not send payment with your application(s): no payment is due until you have been notified of admission to the course(s) for which you have applied. Payment is due as indicated in your acceptance packet, and no later than July 1. If applying for a scholarship, please hold off on any payments until you are notified of a scholarship decision. If you are unable to attend, your tuition may be refundable as long as you notify us by the payment due date, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Travel and Accommodations
We advise prospective students not to make travel or hotel reservations until they have been admitted to a course. We do advise that any travel bookings are insured and refundable. Information to help plan your trip can be found here. Be sure to select the location in which your class will be held.