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Graduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

• The Admissions Process
• Application Questions
• GRE & TOEFL
• International Student Questions
• Registration Questions
• Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) Questions
• Address Changes

The Admissions Process

Q: How can I apply to graduate school?
At Berkeley, you may apply to only one graduate or concurrent degree program. Contact the department for information about their program in which you are interested, or review the information on the web. You can find contact information including links to the websites for each program at the Graduate Programs & Application Deadlines page.

Q. What are the requirements for admission to graduate programs at Berkeley?
The minimum graduate admission requirements are: (1) a bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution; (2) a satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale, and (3) sufficient undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.

Many departments have additional or higher requirements than those mentioned above, and satisfying minimal standards does not guarantee your admission. Contact information for individual departments can be found at the Graduate Programs & Application Deadlines page.

International students requiring determination of their degree equivalency, should view the link for international applicants at the Prospective Students page.

Q. How does the admissions process work at Berkeley?
Submit an application by the deadline for the program you are applying to. Deadlines for programs do vary. You may apply online (The online application is available each application cycle beginning on the second Monday of September.) through your department's deadline; spring applications are accepted until September 1.

Submit the transcripts, supplementary information and department-specific material, a statement of purpose and letters of recommendation directly to the graduate program. The department reviews applications and recommends admission to the Graduate Division. Official notification of admission comes only from the Graduate Division.

Q: I'm not sure which graduate program at Berkeley is best for me.
Berkeley offers a wide range of graduate programs. Go to the Career Center and see a Career Counselor to help map out which type of graduate education is best for you. Alternatively, review the different programs Berkeley offers and identify the ones of greatest interest to you. Visit the website of each program to research their requirements and expectations. Compare that to your academic background, professional experience, interests and goals.

You can get additional information by visiting Berkeley's Career Center website.

Q: My department told me I was admitted but I haven't received anything from the Graduate Division.
If all requirements are met, it can take up to two weeks for the department to forward their recommendation and for the paperwork to be processed. If it has been more than three weeks and you have not received notice of admission, please email gradadm@berkeley.edu. Make sure to include your name and the name of the program to which you applied.

Q: I just want to take graduate level courses. How can I do this?
You may apply to a non-degree option called "Course Work Only" (CWO). You will need to meet all of the normal criteria for admission, and the department must be willing to accept CWO students. There is a limit of two semesters of study and admission to this status precludes future admission or change of major into a degree program at Berkeley.

Some Berkeley faculty will grant permission to students to audit courses; this is an unofficial status and completely at the discretion of the individual faculty member. No record of attendance is provided by the Registrar's Office.

Many courses are offered through University Extension. Details are available from their office located at 1995 University Avenue, or by calling (510) 642-4111.

Application Questions

Q: What is the application fee?
The application fee for U.S. Citizens and current U.S. Residents is $60. The application fee for all other applicants is $80. However, applicants to the masters programs in the Haas School of Business do not pay these application fees and should refer to the Haas School website for information on their masters programs.

Q: Did you get my application?
Once you submit your complete online application, you will receive an email confirming your submission.   If applying by mail, please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery, sometimes longer for international mail. In considering whether the application has met the deadline the dated postmark on the envelope is considered. If you still have not heard after 4 weeks, contact the program to which you applied to see if they have received your application materials.

Q: When will a decision be made on my application?
Every department has different timelines. Contact the department for more information.

Q: Can I request a waiver of the application fee?
International applicants must pay the application fee; they can not be granted a fee waiver. United States citizens or Permanent Residents may request a fee waiver by following the instructions and completing the waiver form in the application.

Q: Can I send my application fee electronically or pay it with a credit card?
Credit card payments can only be accepted if you are applying online.

Applicants applying via a paper application do not have the option to pay by credit card, but you can enclose a check, money order, or bank draft with their application. If someone is paying the application fee on your behalf, they must include with the payment applicant name, the name of the graduate department applying to, and applicant date of birth.

GRE & TOEFL Questions

Q: My transcripts, GRE or TOEFL scores are not ready. Should I wait until I get them to send my application?
Do not miss the application deadline waiting for your test scores. Be sure to note your test date and registration number on your application.

Q: Did you receive my transcripts, GRE scores, TOEFL scores?
Contact directly the department to which you have applied to determine if they have received these materials. Departmental contact information can be found at the Graduate Programs & Application Deadlines page.

Q: What is the Berkeley institution code for reporting the GRE or TOEFL?
4833

Q: What is the department code for the GRE or TOEFL?
Please review the GRE booklet or TOEFL booklet.

Q: How long are GRE scores valid for?
The GRE is a departmental requirement so check with your department to see if the GRE is required, and if so, what their requirements are. Scores are reported for 5 years after taking the test. Specific information can be found at the GRE website.

International Student Questions

Q: I have a question about my visa.
For questions about your visa documents, contact the Services for International Students and Scholars at siss@berkeley.edu or visit their website.

Registration Questions

Q: Why haven't I received anything about registration?
The Graduate Admissions Office does not mail registration materials to entering graduate students. Check with your department for information on how to register and any requirements they may have. Enrollment in classes opens to entering graduate students in early August for the fall semester.

Q: Why can't I register?
A completed Statement of Intent to Register must be submitted before action can be taken on registration, (following the instructions included in the admission letter from Graduate Division Dean Andrew J. Szeri).

If you have already submitted a Statement of Intent to Register, and are still unable to register, contact your department. Contact information for each of the graduate departments is at the Graduate Programs & Application Deadlines page.

Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) Questions

Q: What do I do in order to become a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI)?
To learn about academic appointments, you should read "What you need to know about being a GSI, GSR, Reader, or Tutor". Hiring of GSIs is done directly by the departments. A list of GSI appointments posted by departments is available at the Graduate Programs & Application Deadlines page.

Address Changes

Q: My address has changed. Who should I notify?
If you are not a registered graduate student at Berkeley, send your new information, along with the end date if it is a temporary change, to gradadm@berkeley.edu. If you are registered as a graduate student at Berkeley, logon to Bear Facts and update your information directly there.