Admission FAQ’s

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, 2021 for exams taken December 1, 2020 or sooner.  We will not accept scores from exams taken after December 1, 2020.