Statement of Purpose

Please describe your aptitude and motivation for graduate study in your area of specialization, including your preparation for this field of study, your academic plans or research interests in your chosen area of study, and your future career goals. Please be specific about why UC Berkeley would be a good intellectual fit for you.

Personal History Statement

A Personal History Statement is used for UC Berkeley fellowship consideration. Some of the fellowships that students are nominated for include Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Please be specific about activities or life experiences related to DEI in this statement. The department performs a holistic review of each applicant and this is your opportunity to inform us about obstacles you have overcome and personal accomplishments you have made to help us in the evaluation process.  The statement should be no more than 2 pages.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

****For Fall 2024 GRE is not required****

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is not required. Student who wish to submit scores can send them to code number 4833 (the UC Berkeley institution code).

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The oldest acceptable examination date is June 1, 2022.

Applicants from countries in which English is not the official language must take the TOEFL and score at least 90 on the internet-based test. The minimum acceptable score on the IELTS is 7 on your most recent exam.  Test results for the TOEFL must be directed to code number 4833 (the UC Berkeley institution code). There is no department code for the TOEFL and IELTS.  The Admissions Committee will now allow TOEFL exam scores to be submitted no later than January 12, 2024 for exams taken December 1, 2023 or sooner.  We will not accept scores from exams taken after December 1, 2023.

Important: Be sure to designate UC Berkeley as one of the institutions that can receive official scores; otherwise, we will not be authorized to verify your score with the testing service.

Exceptions: If you have completed at least one (1) year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better in residence at a U.S. university, you do not need to take a standardized test. Instead, you must submit an official transcript from the US university. The following courses will NOT fulfill this requirement:

Courses in English as a Second Language
Courses conducted in a language other than English
Courses that will be completed after you apply
Courses taken through distance learning or via the Web
Courses of a nonacademic nature

Recommendation letters (3)

The Graduate Division requires that all students submit three (3) letters of recommendation from faculty and employers, if applicable, in support of their applications to graduate school. Letters of recommendation may only be submitted electronically through the Graduate Division’s Application online system. You will need to submit the correct email addresses of your recommenders. Please ensure that your three (3) letter writers submit the required letters of recommendation to the Graduate Division’s online admissions system before the application deadline (December 4, 2023).

Special Note for International Students: Paper copies of recommendation letters are NOT admissible, and will NOT be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. All recommendation letters must be submitted online. Please be sure to notify your recommenders accordingly.

Original Transcripts

Please be sure to upload official transcripts from each college or university you have attended.

Application Fee

All applicants are required to pay the Graduate Admissions fee.

**NOTE: Please do not send any other documents. AS&T WILL NOT accept any other mailed documents, i.e., paper-based letters of recommendation, copies of your publications, or any other documents related to your application.

The online application provides a section for you to post URLs to highlight your publications, resume, research experience, or other supporting documents for review by the Admissions Committee.

Make sure your application is complete before submitting it!

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the admissions committee so be sure to submit all required documents online before December 4, 2023. Be sure to click on the “submit” button to ensure your online application is received.

Additional questions about the application, admissions process, and the AS&T graduate group can be found on the FAQ page!