Grad Slam Event Information for Students

1. Be a matriculated student in a master's or doctoral degree program at SJSU.
2. Apply as an individual presenter.
3. Be in the research/creative phase of their program planning to graduate in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025 or have significant findings or progress on their projects.

Please Note: Each SJSU graduate student may participate in Grad Slam only once during their degree program.

1. Information about you:  name, program, Student ID number, and anticipated graduation date.
2. Name of the faculty member responsible for supervising your research or creative work or a faculty member who can attest to the merit of your project.
3. The name of your presentation (don't worry - you can change this before you finalize your presentation).
4. A brief description of your research, its impact, what you have done to date, and what you plan to do before April 1, 2025.
5. Need for special accommodations.
6. By submitting this form, you certify that you are aware your research and presentation will be available to the general public. 

NOTE:  The application process has changed from Google forms to InfoReady.  To apply, you must be logged into your one.SJSU account.

 
Before applying, you should do the following:

1. Review the Student Application Guide (detailed instructions and suggestions), or a pdf version of the Application.
2. Identify the faculty member responsible for supervising your research or creative work, a faculty mentor aware of your work, or the graduate advisor for your program. 

Be prepared to provide answers to the following:

1. Title of your presentation (concise, clear, and accessible to someone outside of your field.
2. Summarize your project (an overview) in two or three sentences or short paragraph.
3. Why is your project important?  Reflect on the broader significance of your work (see detailed ideas in the Application Guide) in two or three sentences.
4. Describe the work you have done to date.
5. What work to you plan to do to complete your project.
6. How much of your research or creative activity will be complete by April 1, 2025.  
7. You can prepare your application and "Save as a Draft. You must "Submit Application" to apply.

A single static slide is permitted.  No slide transitions, animations or imbedded videos are allowed.  The slide is presented at the beginning of your presentation and remains in view throughout the presentation.

No electronic media is allowed.

No props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.

Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum.  Presentations exceeding 3:05 minutes will receive point deductions.

Presentations are to be delivered in a traditional presentation style (no singing, poetry, rap).

Presentations are considered to have commenced when presenters start their presentation through movement or speech.

Each presentation will be judged using this rubric.

This rubric is based on a 1-6 scale, with 6 being “Excellent.”

Semifinalists are selected on the basis of their application.  All semifinalists are eligible to participate in the training sessions and attend an appointment with a professional videographer to create their video.  Videos are submitted to a panel of judges who will select up to ten finalists to attend the live on-stage Grad Slam event at Hammer Theater on April 22, 2025,  with a reception afterwards.  All Grad Slam participants receive a YouTube copy of their video submission for their LinkedIn accounts, portfolio, and CV or resumé.

Cash prizes for SJSU Grad Slam 2025:

$1,200 First Place
$800 Second Place
$500 Audience Choice

Two winners of the SJSU Grad Slam are eligible to compete in the CSU-Wide Grad Slam being held virtually by Cal State San Bernardino on May 9, 2025.

The first place winner is invited to attend the Western Association of Graduate Schools conference to compete in a regional competition.  Airfare and hotel paid by the College of Graduate Studies.

The first place winner is also invited to return in April 2026 to act as a guest judge at the finals.