Fast Facts 

Entrants must be a matriculated student in a master's or doctoral degree program at SJSU.

Entrants must apply as individual presenters (learn more about this at the link below),

Each SJSU graduate student may participate only once during their degree program.  Our training is valuable to all graduate students.  We would like as many students as possible to have access to it.

Students should be in the research/creative phase of their program planning to graduate in Fall 2023, Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 or have significant findings or progress on their projects.

Semifinalists are selected on the basis of their application abstract.  All semifinalists are eligibile 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 16, 2024,  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 2024:

• $1,200 First Place

• $800 Second Place

• $500 Audience Choice

Winners of the SJSU Grad Slam are eligible to compete in the CSU-Wide Grad Slam being held virtually at CSU Long Beach in early May, 2024.

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 2025 to act as a guest judge at the finals.

All Grad Slam participants receive a YouTube copy of their video submission for their LinkedIn accounts, portfolio, and CV or resumé.

Before applying, you will need to have the following:

• An abstract in which you describe your research in 300 words or fewer. (Most abstracts are around 200 words.)

  • • Please describe the research and/or creative project that you plan to present in terms understandable to a general audience. 

    • How does your work contribute to your field?

    • For tips and examples, please review our Grad Slam Abstract Writing Guide.

• Identify the faculty member responsible for supervising your research or creative work or the graduate advisor for your program. 

• You can make a 45-minute appointment with a Writing Center tutor to go over your abstract. We also recommend working with your advisor or a classmate from your department. Getting feedback on your abstract from different sources will help you refine your point. 

Semifinalists are selected on the basis of their application abstract, and will be notified of their acceptance into the Grad Slam cohort on February 22, 2024.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 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., and the reception afterwards.  Finalists receive additional stage training.

For more information on the application and importance of your abstract, see this video chapter of our Information Session.

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.”

Cheryl Cowan, Senior Associate for Graduate Project Development, College of Graduate Studies, Dean's Office (cheryl.cowan@sjsu.edu)

Amy Russo, Coordinator of Multilingual Writing Support Services, Writing Center, and Grad Slam Trainer (amy.russo@sjsu.edu)

General Information Mailbox (gradslam@sjsu.edu)