Applying
Q: How does the admissions process in AS&T work? How is it similar to and different from other graduate programs?
After all applications have been submitted, the AS&T admissions committee performs an initial review of all applicants and narrows the selection to a shorter list of qualified applicants. All AS&T faculty are then notified of this admissible list, which highlights which applicants are interested in which professors. At this point, formal acceptance into AS&T requires the official, full financial support of at least one AS&T faculty member. Admission into AS&T is granted on a first-come, first-served basis until all available slots have been filled. Typically such commitment from the faculty member should be received by the admissions committee by the middle of March each year.
Q: Should I contact professors who I might want to work with?
Unlike most traditional STEM PhD programs, acceptance into AS&T strongly depends upon the support of an AS&T faculty member, not just the admissions committee. Therefore, establishing a connection with professors early in the process is very important. Students should identify and contact several AS&T faculty of interest during the fall application cycle via email. You may want to include your CV and/or examples of relevant research experience. Professors are busy, so don’t be discouraged if you have to email twice before getting a response, or have to email many professors to get one of them to respond!
Since faculty admit students in the spring, applicants are encouraged to contact professors again during January/February of that application cycle.
Q: The professor I contacted hasn’t responded, what do I do?
Professors are busy, so don’t be discouraged if you have to email twice before getting a response! You can also look at professor’s websites to find names and email addresses of graduate students or postdocs in their group. Emailing these folks can be a great way to get more information about the research group and express your interest. It is OK to contact multiple professors of your interest at the same time.
Q: How important is past research experience? What should I do if I feel like my research experience is lacking?
AS&T is a strongly research oriented program. Therefore, having prior research experience is considered a major aspect of a competitive applicant’s application package. Examples of research experience include participating in formal research internships over the summer, conducting research with a professor at your undergraduate institution, and working on science and technology projects at a company. If you feel that you are lacking in research experience, it might be useful to consider taking a year off to gain more research experience before applying. In such instances, students may consider arranging research positions with professors, including professors of interest within AS&T. This can take the form of formal internships or informal post-baccalaureate research positions. In the latter case, students can coordinate such positions directly with individual faculty members.
Q: How important are letters of recommendation? Who should I ask to write them?
Very important! Letters of recommendation are an opportunity for an experienced professional to give their honest opinion of you. Therefore the AS&T admissions committee holds letters of recommendation in very high regard. Choose faculty and employers who know you well and can comment on your ability to succeed in a research-based graduate program. Examples include undergraduate research advisors, managers in technical roles, and/or professors who know you and your coursework well.
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 annual application deadline.
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.
Q: Can I send unofficial transcripts?
No, please be sure to upload official transcripts from each college or university you have attended.
Q: How important is GPA? Is there a cutoff? How should I calculate my GPA?
GPA is a factor that is considered during the AS&T admissions process. A GPA above a 3.5 (out of 4.0) is preferred, however we do acknowledge that GPA is not always the most reliable predictor of success as a graduate student, and GPAs from different institutions, disciplines, and nations are not necessarily comparable. Thus, if your GPA is below a 3.5, that should not stop you from applying. Showing an upward trend in GPA (i.e. the GPA of your final two years is higher than that GPA of your initial two years), having strong letters of recommendation, and having robust research experience will still make you a competitive applicant.
We also require that you complete and submit the GPA calculation page, which can be downloaded here. Please calculate your GPA based on a 4.0 scale, using the numerical formula provided on the GPA calculation page. This required document must be submitted online by the application deadline.
Q: Is the GRE required? Is there a cutoff?
GRE is not required for admission to AS&T.
Q: Do I need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and/or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams?
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, 2023 for exams taken December 1, 2022 or sooner. We will not accept scores from exams taken after December 1, 2022.
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
The oldest acceptable examination date is June 1, 2021.
Q: Is there an application fee? Can this fee be waived?
Applicants are typically required to pay the Graduate Admissions fee. However, fee waivers may be requested here.
Q: What should I include in my 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.
Q: What should I include in my 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.
Q: Can I include a resume in my 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.
Q: Do I need a Masters degree before applying to AS&T? Is a B.A. ok?
Students with a B.A. or B.S. in engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry, or other related subjects are eligible for admission. Applicants with a Master’s degree are also encouraged to apply.
Q: What coursework will prepare me well for AS&T?
A rigorous undergraduate degree in a STEM field is good preparation for AS&T coursework. This often includes extensive upper-division coursework in either the physical, mathematical, or life sciences.
Q: What if my chosen AS&T faculty member agrees to take me on late in the application cycle and all of the AS&T admissions slots have been filled?
If an AS&T faculty member and the admissions committee agree on admitting the student, they will need to make a special request. If this circumstance happens we highly recommend getting in touch with the current admin for AS&T via email: msessa@berkeley.edu.
Q: Can I submit my application before it’s complete?
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 the application deadline. Be sure to click on the “submit” button to ensure your online application is received.
Q: I’d like to visit AS&T. How can I arrange this?
If you are interested in planning a trip to Berkeley please contact Ariana Castro, msessa@berkeley.edu, and she will help you with any questions you may have. It may also be worth your while to meet with a few of the professors with whom you are interested in working; this is often helpful because it gives both the student and the professor a chance to get to know one another and decide if the partnership feels like a good one.
Finances:
Q: Who pays for my PhD?
Great news! If you are accepted into AS&T, you won’t have to pay for your own tuition, and you will receive a stipend on top of that to cover your cost of living. There are many ways to secure financial support, which have varying requirements and restrictions, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Students performing research under the guidance of a faculty member are usually supported by research grants. The specific arrangements of this support are to be worked out between the individual student and his/her research advisor, subject to University regulations.
- University-wide fellowships
- External fellowships (see FAQ below)
- Teaching assistantships
- Grants directly from AS&T, typically for short-term financial support.
Q: Do I need to secure financial support in order to be admitted into AS&T?
You do not personally need to secure financial support to be admitted to AS&T, however the faculty member who has committed to mentoring you is required to demonstrate that they can support you financially for the duration of your PhD studies. Faculty understand this and usually will only commit to having you join their group if they have sufficient funds.
Q: What happens if my professor of interest does not have funding for me?
This happens to many prospective students. We advise that you find alternative faculty members who you might be interested in who do have funding. If this isn’t possible, we recommend that you apply for fellowships such as the ones listed here. These will enable you to be independently funded and may help you to join groups of interest that may not have been otherwise financially feasible.
Q: What is a fellowship and do I need one?
A fellowship is a graduate school scholarship that includes funding for your tuition and provides a stipend for you to live off of. You do not need one, however it’s recommended that all prospective students consider applying to fellowships, as they provide independence and are often prestigious. As mentioned in the previous FAQ, having a fellowship can open up research opportunities that were otherwise inaccessible.
AS&T experience:
Q: What is the balance between classes and research in AS&T?
AS&T students are required to complete 32 credit hours of graded coursework. This equates to approximately two years of classes, during which time students are expected to be involved in part time research under the supervision of their AS&T faculty advisor. After completing all 32 credit hours, students typically engage in research full time, although some students may choose to continue taking and/or auditing classes of interest. The typical timeline for completing a PhD in AS&T is 5 – 6 years, therefore, the breakdown between classes and research is: ~ 2 years of classes, ~3 – 4 years of research.
Q: Why do a PhD with AS&T?
Students may choose to pursue a PhD for a myriad of different reasons: to dive deep into a particular topic, because they’re passionate about doing specific research, because grad school is part of their career path, because it enables careers outside of science (e.g., policy, finance, consulting, data science) and more. The most important thing is to be clear and honest with yourself about why you want to go to grad school! Doing a PhD with AS&T provides you with more flexibility than typical departments. Maybe you’re interested in STEM research, but unsure of which field best encompasses your interests? Maybe you’re worried a departmental program might trap you in one field, and would rather work on interdisciplinary problems? No matter what the reason is, AS&T is a truly Ph.D designed for you, by you.
Q: What major exams are part of AS&T?
As an AS&T student you will be required to fulfill the necessary coursework and also pass a preliminary exam and a qualifying exam. The requirements for these exams will be explained in detail once you’re accepted to AS&T, but if you have questions about them in the meantime please feel free to explore the “Current Students” tab to read more about each of the required examinations.
Q: Who is my research advisor? What role do they play in my graduate experience?
For AS&T students, the research advisor is the student’s primary faculty contact for the most intensive component of the doctoral degree, independent research, and is likely to be a life-long mentor and supporter of the student during the launch of his/her professional career. Your research advisor will serve as your dissertation chair and will mentor you throughout your research activities in an area of mutual interest.
Applied Science & Technology encourages applicants to review the list of faculty members, and begin early in the admissions process to contact the faculty members with whom you might be interested in working. Developing a rapport and establishing a relationship at an early stage in the admissions process is often beneficial to both the student and the faculty member because it gives both parties the chance to get to know one another and decide if the partnership feels like a good one. Finding the right research advisor is a critical part of the admissions process, and you will want to have identified your research advisor before being admitted to the program.
Q: Is it possible to be co-advised by more than one professor?
Absolutely! Due to AS&T’s interdisciplinary, self tailored design it is a great program for exploring the possibility of being co-advised. Co-advisement can be a great opportunity to widen the scope of your expertise.
Q: How long does it take to complete a PhD in AS&T?
The standard length for a STEM PhD usually averages around 5 years. However, the length of a PhD is a highly personal decision between yourself and your advisor and can fluctuate depending on your field of focus.