UC Berkeley is widely renowned for the excellence of its graduate programs. Both the National Research Council and U.S. News & World Report have called it the premier research institution in the United States, ranking 35 of its graduate programs — more than any other institution — in the top ten. This stellar reputation attracts the interest of students with extraordinary talents and achievements; however, not all of these promising scholars end up at Berkeley — and this is a loss to the campus, as much, if not more, than it is to those individuals.

Enthusiastic, engaged, and innovative, graduate students provide an all important bridge between the faculty and undergraduates, bringing fresh approaches to both the research and teaching missions of the University. The best faculty want to work with the best students, so they play a key role in faculty retention. They also make a vital academic contribution as teachers and mentors to undergraduate students; the better they are, the better the education they pass on. The quality of Berkeley truly depends upon the excellence of its graduate student population.

However, Berkeley has several distinct financial disadvantages when it comes to recruiting graduate students. From 2000 to 2006, fees for Berkeley graduate students have risen 92 percent for California residents and 50 percent for nonresidents. In addition, the cost of housing in the Bay Area is extremely high, and Berkeley, unlike many peer institutions, has very little housing for graduate students.

All of the major private universities that compete with Berkeley now offer “full funding,” with every student guaranteed fellowships for three years and two years as a paid graduate student instructor or researcher. Unfortunately, Berkeley has not been able to match this level of support. Given this reality, it is not surprising that many of the top students accepted at Berkeley each year instead choose Stanford, Harvard, Michigan, or other comparable schools that offer more favorable funding.

Gifts to establish or add to graduate fellowships will enable Berkeley to compete effectively with both private and public peers for the nation’s top graduate students.

Learn more about supporting graduate education at Berkeley: