berkeley phd personal statement

• First Generation Low Income Graduate Student Initiative
• Neurodiversity Task Force
• Leadership in Graduate Diversity Awards
• Anti-Racism Initiatives
• Graduate Diversity Task Force
• Graduate Diversity Pilot Program
• Post-Baccalaureate Program
• Inclusive Excellence Summer Research Experience
• Graduate Diversity Admissions Fair

Preparing Your Application for Graduate School

• Ph.D. Admissions Bootcamp
• Information Request Form
• Space at the Inclusive Excellence Hub
• AIGP Events and Programs
• AIGP Current Students
• AIGP Prospective Students
• Data Science for Social Justice Workshop
• Inclusive Excellence in Quals Prep Program
• Professional Development
• Prospective Undocumented Graduate Students
• Wellness Resources
• For Faculty and Staff
• Legal Support
• Path to the Professoriate Program
• PPG Foundation
• STEM*FYI Team Building Events
• STEM*FYI Photos
• Meet the Ambassadors
• Get Involved
• STEM*FYI Events
• STEM*FYI & PPG Foundation Grants
• AAPI Wellness Guide
• Firebaugh Scholars Program
• GiGS Mentees
• GiGS Mentors
• Undergraduate Research Programs
• Native American Graduate Student Funding
• The Future of Higher Education Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
• Diversity Fellow: Day in the Life
• Birgeneau Perelman Fund for Undocumented Graduate Students
• OGD Email List
• Campus Diversity Professionals
• Connect with the Diversity & Community Fellows
• Campus Resources

How to Prepare to Apply to Grad School

We’ve curated some information to help you think through whether graduate school is right for you, and if so, how to prepare your application to put your best foot forward.

Is Graduate School Right For Me?

This information is adapted from materials available at the UC Berkeley  Career Center . The  Career Center’s Graduate School page also contains additional information on admissions tests, the statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.

What is Graduate School?

Graduate school constitutes an advanced program of study focused on a particular academic discipline or a specific profession. Traditionally, graduate school has been “academic” (centered on generating original research in a particular discipline), but it may be “professional” (centered on imparting skills and knowledge to future professionals), or a combination of both traditions.

Do you really want to be a graduate student?

• Are you willing to invest the time, energy, and money associated with going to graduate school? Have you thoroughly investigated these costs?
• Are you prepared to spend the majority of the next 2-7 years studying while living with a reduced income?
• Can a single topic or narrow range of topics sustain your interest for the next 2-7 years?
• Do you need a break from school?
• Will career-related work experience help you get into graduate school?
• Are you comfortable initiating and carrying out independent research?

Why do you want to go to graduate school?

• Do you want to enter a profession that requires an advanced degree?
• Do you want a higher salary? (Will a graduate degree really affect your salary?)
• Are you uncertain about making a career decision? (Have you talked to a career counselor?)
• Are you applying to graduate school because “everyone else is doing it?” (The decision to attend graduate school is ideally based on your own criteria, including how graduate education will fit in with your goals).
• Are you applying to graduate school because you feel like you have no career options? (Have you used all job search methods? Have you talked to a career counselor?)
• Do you know what your short and long term goals are and how a graduate degree can help you achieve them?

Gathering Information

• Talk to faculty on campus and at other institutions that teach in the field you plan to pursue; they often can provide you with the best information that will help steer you in the direction of good programs.
• Since most universities have websites, the Internet is a great resource to find information quickly and easily. Some sites will provide complete information, while others may tell you where to write to get additional information.
• Contact programs directly to get more detailed program information such as courses, professors, costs, financial aid and application forms.
• At the Career Center Info lab, or local library, you will find books, brochures, catalogues, directories and guides that list information on universities that grant graduate or professional degrees. One such guide is the Peterson’s Guide to Graduate and Professional Programs, which contains both short and long descriptions of virtually all accredited graduate programs.
• Conduct informational interviews with current graduate students, professionals, and faculty in the graduate programs you are considering to gain insider information about programs.
• Read professional and academic journals related to your area of interest.

Deciding Where to Apply: Factors to Consider

After researching your options, the next step is to decide where to apply. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating programs:

• The Reputation of the Faculty : What are their academic degrees/credentials and research specialties? What is the student/faculty ratio? Some faculty may have homepages that include some of the above information.
• The Quality of the Program : This is measured by many different factors, many of which are mentioned below. Talk to several faculty members and graduate students in the field you are pursuing to get an informed view on the variety of graduate programs available. You may choose to look at graduate school rankings to help you assess a program’s quality; however, you need to realize that the rankings may be based on criteria that are different from your own, and that many scholars, deans, and advisors question the validity of such rankings.
• Financial Cost of the Program : What are the opportunities for fellowships, assistantships, or scholarships? What other sources of financial aid are available?
• The Program Requirements : Inform yourself of specific requirements to gain admittance into your programs of choice in terms of GPA, test scores, undergraduate coursework, and specific entrance examinations.
• Available Course Offerings : Are courses you need to fulfill degree requirements frequently offered? Will the course offerings help you meet your professional or educational goals?
• Facilities : Consider the quality of on-site facilities such as libraries, computer labs, and research facilities.
• Employment : Where are graduates of the program working, and how much are they earning?
• Geographic Location : Will studying in a particular location help you meet personal or professional goals?
• Student Life : Consider the diversity of students, student organizations, housing, and campus support services.

What kinds of admissions tests are there?

Most graduate and professional schools require that you take a standardized admissions test. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General and Subject tests are required by many academic programs (Masters and Doctoral degrees). MBA programs usually require the GMAT. Other tests are required in other fields, such as the LSAT for law school, the MCAT for medical school, the DAT for dentistry school, the OAT for optometry school, and the TEOFL English proficiency test for international students.

Getting Started

One of the initial steps in applying to a graduate or professional school is to research application deadlines so that you can develop a timeline of when to submit test scores, letters of recommendation, personal essays, etc. Below is a timeline to help you in planning your application process:

Junior Year

• Begin researching available programs by talking to faculty/alumni/current students in the program, reviewing grad school guides/directories, requesting promotional materials and visiting schools’ websites
• Start exploring financial aid resources
• Study, then take practice tests for standardized exams
• Sign up for required standardized test
• Attend Career Center Graduate/Professional School Workshops
• Identify potential letter writers
• Order an unofficial transcript and check for and correct any discrepancies
• Take the required standardized test

Senior Year – Fall Semester

• Write the first draft of your statement of purpose
• Request your letters of recommendation from faculty
• Order official transcripts
• Write final draft of statement of purpose
• Complete and mail your applications
• Apply for aid available through departmental programs; assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, etc.
• Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Senior Year – Spring Semester

• Visit prospective campuses if possible, and talk to faculty/students to help you make your final decision
• Follow-up with schools to make sure your file is complete
• After receiving acceptance from the school of your choice, send in the required deposit, and contact other schools and decline acceptances
• Write thank you notes to people who helped you

Personal Statement Guide

The University of California at Berkeley is committed to excellence and equity in every facet of its mission. Teaching, research, professional and public service contributions that promote diversity and equal opportunity are encouraged and given recognition in graduate admissions and fellowships. Guidelines, such as those below, may be considered when composing the personal statement for the UC Berkeley graduate application.

• Potential to bring to one’s academic career the critical perspective that comes from a non-traditional educational background or one’s understanding of the experiences of groups historically under-represented in higher education;
• Communication skills and cross-cultural abilities to maximize effective collaboration with a diverse cross-section of the academic community; Demonstrated significant academic achievement by overcoming barriers such as economic, social, or educational disadvantage;
• attendance at a minority serving institution;
• ability to articulate the barriers facing women and minorities in science and engineering fields;
• participation in higher education pipeline programs such as, UC Leads, Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP), or McNair Scholars;
• Academic service advancing equitable access to higher education for women and racial minorities in fields where they are underrepresented;
• Leadership experience among students from groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education;
• research that addresses issues such as race, gender, diversity, and inclusion;
• research that addresses health disparities, educational access and achievement, political engagement, economic justice, social mobility, civil and human rights, and other questions of interest to historically underrepresented groups;
• artistic expression and cultural production that reflects culturally diverse communities or voices not well represented in the arts and humanities.

Writing the Statement of Purpose

Things to keep in mind.

• What the admissions committee will read between the lines: motivation, competence, potential as a graduate student.
• Emphasize everything from a positive perspective and write in an active voice, not a passive voice.
• Demonstrate everything by example; don’t say directly that you’re a persistent person, show it.
• If something significant occurred that affected your grades, such as poverty, illness, or excessive work, state it. Write it affirmatively, however, showing your perseverance.
• Make sure everything is linked with continuity and focus.
• The essay should be approximately (1.5 – 2 pages) single-space, 12pt. Font.
• Introduction Tell them what you’re interested in, and perhaps, what sparked your desire for graduate study.
• Research you conducted. Indicate with whom, the title of the project, your responsibilities and the outcome. Write technically, or in the style of your discipline. Professors are the people who read these statements.
• Important paper or thesis project you completed, as well as anything scholarly  beyond  your curricular requirements.
• Work experience, especially if you had any kind of responsibility for testing, designing, or researching or interning in an area similar to what you wish to study in graduate school.
• Indicate your current activities If you graduated and worked prior to returning to grad school, indicate what you’ve been doing: company or non-profit, your work/design team, responsibilities, what you learned. You can also indicate here how this helped you focus your graduate studies.
• Indicate your area of interest, then state questions, concerns, and thoughts associated with the topic. This should be an ample paragraph!
• Look on the web for information about departments you’re interested in, as well as the professors and their research.  Are there professors whose research interests parallel yours? If so, indicate this. If you can infer that you’ve read their work, all the better.
• End your statement in a positive manner, indicating a readiness for the challenges ahead of you.

Strengthening Your Application for Admission to UC Berkeley

The following is a list of suggestions that if followed closely, will strengthen your application in the competitive process of graduate admissions to UC Berkeley and other programs.

• Plan ahead Research the colleges and universities where you would like to apply, focusing on the best programs that are the right match pertinent to your academic interests and personal needs. Find out if any of the faculty are doing research in an area that interests you. Go on-line or call the University for application and information materials. Double-check the deadlines (most programs will not accept late applications). Some schools have two deadlines: a fellowship deadline, which is earlier, and a later general application deadline. Make sure you apply before the first deadline if you wish to be considered for university fellowships. In general, you should consider applying to a minimum of five schools. Ideally, you want to obtain the right match of the university, and the faculty you wish to work with.
• Letter of Recommendation For graduate study, letters of recommendation are extremely important. Admission committees usually prefer letters from faculty since they believe only faculty can truly ascertain your scholarly potential. You need three letters of recommendation. Try to get all three from faculty with whom you’ve had an upper-division class, or have done research with. Some graduate programs require related work/internship experience, and you may need one or two letters from these entities in addition to one or two from faculty.Professors will invariably state your class grade in the letter, so use caution when choosing your evaluators. Approach the faculty member and ask her/him if they are able to write a positive letter of recommendation for you. If they hesitate, or say they can only write a neutral letter, approach someone else.Provide the evaluators with additional material such as copies of your transcript, resume, your statement of purpose, and personal statement (which should provide information about any pertinent personal history). This can strengthen the letter they write for you. Make sure to give them all the proper forms and deadlines. Follow up with a note of thanks.
• You can buy GRE study guides and exams at bookstores or online.
• Your GRE score will improve if you take the practice examinations in a timed format mimicking real testing conditions.
• Order the software/practice tests from ETS (link is external)  to better prepare for the computer administered test.
• Many students suggest taking the practice exam on the computer, as it improves preparation for the actual test.
• Consider taking a test preparation class to help with test-taking strategies.
• Don’t randomly guess answers. Make calculated guesses that will narrow your choices.

The Analytical portion of the GRE is in essay format. You will be asked to write two essays on certain topics. Focus on an analytical response, backing up what you’re “arguing” with logic and analysis. The Quantitative section of the GRE is considered of greatest importance to admission committees in sciences and engineering. It is expected that scientists and engineers should do well on this section. There is no calculus on this test.

• Your College GPA The college GPA is a critical component of the admissions process. A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required by UC Berkeley for admission, though typically, the cut-off for most departments is higher. (Exceptions can possibly occur depending on circumstances.) Many admissions committees will consider upward trends in grades. However, the better your GPA, the better your chances of getting admitted. Careful attention should be paid to any courses taken at the undergraduate level that are pertinent to the area you are considering for graduate study. If you are admitted to a non-terminal Master’s program you may be able to continue toward the Ph.D. pending passage of the preliminary examination and have at least a 3.5 graduate GPA.
• Research/Work Experience During summer, or the academic year, try to gain research experience in an independent study with a professor or research program. This will give you an edge in the admission process, provide you with insight about your own future research interests, and augment your knowledge and skills. Professors in all disciplines often regard students as highly motivated when they partake in research as undergraduates.
• Statement of Purpose The statement of purpose is one of the most important parts of the application process. It is from this essay that the admissions committee will discern the seriousness of your intentions, your experience, and your motivation for graduate school. Think of the statement of purpose as a composition with three different parts. The first part is a brief paragraph stating the program you want to study and your research focus. The second part should be a summary of your college experiences. Briefly describe what brought about your interest in graduate study. Describe any research experience, clarifying your responsibilities, experimental results, and if you presented the findings at a conference or published them in a journal. You may be as specific as possible, as professors in your discipline will read this statement. The third and most important part of the essay discuss why you want to go to graduate school, what you wish to study (research), and ideally, whom you would like to work with. Perhaps you wish to address an issue or topic that hasn’t been addressed before, or expand an undergraduate research project. Professors are looking for students with scholarly potential, intellectual passion, and serious intentions about graduate study.
• Personal Statement Indicate any challenges, hardships or obstacles you may have overcome. (We look at this as a sign of perseverance.) Let us know if you’ve supported yourself through school, if you’re a first generation college student, took on a leadership position, tutored or mentored underrepresented students, or took advantage of unique opportunities.
• Financial Support Make sure you apply for graduate admission by the university’s fellowship deadline. This insures that you will be considered for various university fellowships. Apply for any other private, national, or corporate based fellowships. You should also fill out the FAFSA to receive consideration for loans and other aid.  Visit the Graduate Division website for more information regarding other fellowships. (link is external)
• Suggestions If you need to submit a writing sample in your application, use a great paper you’ve written, checked for grammar and content.

Once you are admitted, visit the campus if possible, and speak to current graduate students. Ask them why they chose that particular university.

Be on time; be organized, prepared, and thorough. No application to any university will be processed unless all materials are in by the deadline. All application materials are usually available in September.

Following these guidelines will strengthen your application to Berkeley and any other graduate school you wish to attend.

Creating a Backup Plan

There are a variety of factors that interplay in the  graduate admissions process (link is external) . Top-ranked graduate programs typically prefer a GPA of 3.5 or better. Exceptions occur, but many students give up their quest to attend graduate school due to what they believe is a non-competitive GPA. While there are no guarantees, the following some of the suggestions below might improve your chances.

Before graduation

• Strive for ‘A” grades in your remaining classes, particularly those related to your intended area of study. Repeat classes where you obtained poor grades if possible. Graduate Admissions representatives will pay attention to a definitive turn-around, or an upswing in grades. Mention this in your statement of purpose, noting the higher GPA(s) achieved for each subsequent years/semesters. Inform your faculty recommenders about any positive changes.
• Undergraduate research can enhance admission to graduate school. Get involved in a formal research program (at your home or another institution), or through an independent study. Get to know the professor’s research interests before approaching them.
• Standardized Exams: If possible, take a test preparation course, as it will generally help you perform better. Make sure to study and take practice exams.
• Seek to improve your writing skills. Take an extra class if possible. Good writing skills will impress graduate admission reviewers and will enable you to boost the quality of your papers, theses, proposals, and dissertations.
• If you are a re-entry student, or had a break in your education, think about the skills you acquired while not in school. These skills may contribute to your knowledge base and attract the attention of admissions committees.

After graduation

• Seek admission to a Master’s program with a good reputation, preferably with a research/ thesis component. Aim for a 3.5 GPA or higher to get into high-ranking Ph.D. programs.
• Complete a thesis you’ll be proud to write about in your subsequent applications.
• Get to know your MA/MS professors. You will need letters of recommendation from them.
• You can also enroll in classes as a non-matriculating student at a university offering course credit.
• If you can’t get advice on specific classes, enroll in foundational/theoretical courses that will give you appropriate background/current knowledge.
• Get to know the professors from these classes, as they may be able to write strong letters of recommendation for you.
• Approach a professor about the possibility of conducting research. Acquiring research in this capacity is highly regarded as you will be learning new skills, obtaining advanced knowledge, and showing commitment to future study.

Round out your strategy by getting creative

• Volunteer to conduct research with a faculty member from your alma mater.
• Participate in an internship where you can work on an academically focused project.
• Take classes to increase your skills in areas needing improvement.
• Seek advice from current graduate students enrolled in your proposed area of study.
• Find an academic mentor who might guide you through the application process.

Guidance from our top admission experts — for free!

• Admit Finder

Discover Past Admits, Gauge Your Chances!

• Shortlist Builder

Personalized University Picks, Just a Click Away.

• Course Finder

Navigate Global Courses Tailored for You

• Scholarship Finder

Unlock Funding Opportunities Worldwide.

Get tailored study abroad advice.

Sign in for exclusive content!

Planning to study abroad?

Build your target shortlist and see your odds of getting into top schools with Ambitio's AI shortlist builder!

Heading Out Already?

Our Ivy League mentors and top admission experts can help with personalized tips to get you into your dream school

4 minutes read

Crafting Your Berkeley Personal Statement: Sample and Tips

Dirghayu Kaushik

21 August 2024

Worried about the cost of Studying Abroad?

Sign up to access 25 game-changing scholarships that could cover your costs.

• Introduction

If you’re aspiring to join the esteemed University of California, Berkeley, for your graduate studies, your personal statement is your opportunity to shine. This blog will guide you through the process, providing UC Berkeley personal statement samples and valuable insights into creating an outstanding essay. Let’s embark on this journey towards your academic excellence at Berkeley.

Stuck on How to Pick Your Ideal College?

Sign up to access your tailored shortlist and simplify finding your ideal college.

• What Is a Berkeley Personal Statement?

Your Berkeley personal statement is a critical component of your graduate school application. It’s a chance to showcase who you are beyond your grades and test scores, to communicate your aspirations, achievements, and motivations clearly.

Why Is Your Personal Statement Important?

Your personal statement is more than just a requirement for your application; it’s your chance to make a strong impression on the admissions committee. Here’s why it’s crucial:

1. Personalization

Your personal statement allows you to present yourself as an individual with unique experiences and aspirations. It helps the admissions committee understand who you are beyond the numbers.

2. Demonstration of Fit

Berkeley is looking for candidates who are not only academically qualified but also a good fit for their programs. Your personal statement is where you can demonstrate how you align with the university’s values and goals.

3. Showcase Your Communication Skills

Being able to express your thoughts and motivations clearly is an essential skill in academia and beyond. Your personal statement is a platform to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively.

4. Highlight Achievements

Your personal statement is an opportunity to showcase your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and leadership skills. It’s a chance to show how you’ve excelled in your field.

See how Successful Applications Look Like!

Access 350K+ profiles of students who got in. See what you can improve in your own application!

• Sample Berkeley Personal Statement

Before we dive into tips for crafting your personal statement, let’s look at a UC Berkeley personal statement sample:

[Include an actual or hypothetical personal statement here]

Start Your University Applications with Ambitio Pro!

Get Ambitio Pro!

Begin your journey to top universities with Ambitio Pro. Our premium platform offers you tools and support needed to craft standout applications.

Unlock Advanced Features for a More Comprehensive Application Experience!

Start your Journey today

• Tips for Writing Your UC Berkeley Personal Statement

Writing a compelling personal statement can be challenging, but with careful planning and dedication, you can create an essay that stands out. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

1. Start Early

Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, draft, and revise. Don’t rush the process; starting early allows you to reflect on your experiences and craft a well-thought-out statement.

2. Understand the Prompt

Carefully read and understand the essay prompt. Berkeley may have specific requirements or questions they want you to address. Make sure your statement directly responds to these prompts.

3. Tell Your Story

Your personal statement is a chance to tell your unique story. Share your motivations, experiences, and aspirations. Be authentic and genuine in your writing.

Why is Sharing Your Story Important?

Sharing your story allows the admissions committee to get to know you better. It helps them understand the experiences and motivations that have shaped your desire to pursue graduate studies at Berkeley.

In your personal statement, discuss your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and leadership skills. Show how you’ve excelled in your field and made a positive impact.

How to Effectively Highlight Achievements

Use specific examples to illustrate your achievements. Describe projects, awards, or experiences that demonstrate your competence and dedication in your chosen field.

5. Be Specific

Avoid vague statements. Provide concrete examples and evidence to support your claims. Instead of saying, “I am passionate about environmental science,” explain how your involvement in a specific research project or internship reflects your passion.

6. Connect to Berkeley

Explain why Berkeley is the ideal place for your graduate studies. Mention specific faculty members or research opportunities that align with your goals. Show that you’ve done your homework about the university.

Why Should You Connect Your Goals to Berkeley?

Connecting your goals to Berkeley demonstrates that you’ve researched the program thoroughly and are genuinely interested in becoming a part of their academic community. It also shows that you have a clear vision of how Berkeley can help you achieve your academic and career aspirations.

7. Edit and Proofread

Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and word count. Multiple rounds of editing are crucial to ensure your personal statement is polished and error-free.

The Importance of Editing and Proofreading

Editing and proofreading are essential to present a professional and well-crafted personal statement. Mistakes in grammar or spelling can distract from your message and give the impression of carelessness.

8. Seek Feedback

Share your personal statement with mentors, professors, or peers for feedback. They can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.

Why Seek Feedback?

Feedback from others can offer fresh perspectives and help you identify areas where your personal statement can be strengthened. It’s an essential step in the revision process.

Crafting a compelling Berkeley personal statement is a crucial step in your journey towards graduate school at UC Berkeley. Use the provided sample and tips as a starting point, and remember that your essay should authentically reflect your achievements, aspirations, and motivations. With dedication and effort, you can make a difference and become a part of Berkeley’s esteemed academic community. Good luck!

Q1: What is the UC Berkeley acceptance rate for graduate programs?

The acceptance rate at UC Berkeley varies by department and program. On average, it hovers around 20-25%, making it highly competitive.

Q2: Why Is the Acceptance Rate Important to Know?

Understanding the acceptance rate can give you a realistic expectation of your chances of admission. It’s essential to recognize that Berkeley’s rigorous academic standards contribute to its selectivity.

Q3: Can I use a Berkeley personal statement sample as a template for my own essay?

While samples can provide inspiration, avoid copying them directly. Your personal statement should reflect your unique experiences and aspirations.

Q4: Why Shouldn’t You Copy Personal Statement Samples?

Copying personal statement samples can lead to plagiarism and a lack of authenticity in your essay. Admissions committees are looking for genuine and original responses from applicants.

Q5: What should I do if I need help with my Berkeley personal statement?

If you’re struggling, consider seeking guidance from mentors, professors, or the Berkeley Graduate Division’s resources. They can provide valuable insights and feedback.

Q6: How Can Seeking Help Benefit Your Personal Statement?

Seeking help from experienced individuals or resources can provide you with guidance, suggestions for improvement, and clarity in crafting your personal statement.

Spread the Word!

Share across your social media if you found it helpful

Table of Contents

• • Introduction
• • What Is a Berkeley Personal Statement?
• • Sample Berkeley Personal Statement
• • Tips for Writing Your UC Berkeley Personal Statement
• • Conclusion

Build your profile to get into top colleges

Phone Number

What level are you targetting

Almost there!

Just enter your OTP, and your planner will be on its way!

Code sent on

Resend OTP (30s)

Your Handbook Is Waiting on WhatsApp!

Please have a look, and always feel free to reach out for any detailed guidance

Click here to download

Meanwhile check out your dashboard to access various tools to help you in your study abroad journey

Related Blogs

5 Best USA Study Abroad Consultants In India

What Is The Highest GMAT Score in 2024 For MBA Programs In The USA?

10 Top Universities For Higher Studies After Engineering In USA For International Students

Find your Dream school now⭐️

Welcome! Let's Land Your Dream Admit.

Let us make sure you get into the best!

• 2024 Winter
• 2024 Spring
• 2024 Summer

Enter verification code

Code was sent to

• Our Experts

Connect with us on our social media

Eugenie Y. Lai

Contact: eylai [at] mit.edu GitHub: ey-l Twitter: @EugenieLai eugeniesday --> Scheduled — --> CV , transcript

News [ More Updates ] 2021.04 Joining the Data Systems Group (DSG) at MIT EECS CSAIL as a PhD student in Fall '21.

Theme by orderedlist

Another Annotated Example: CS PhD Statement of Purpose

Date: 2021-04-22

This post is inspired by the Statement of Objective examples provided by the MIT EECS Communication Lab . Some programs (e.g., Berkeley EECS) require a Statement of Purpose (SoP) and a Personal Statement (PS). In this post, we will dissect and annotate my SoP submitted to MIT EECS, which is a hybrid of both, in my case.

I also shamelessly include a copy of my first draft for a before-after comparison and show how far I have (and maybe anyone could) come by applying the learnings discussed in this post. It would be difficult to measure the impact of something without showing the starting point, which is often missing in the existing resources for SoP.

Also, if you are an anxious applicant, let’s not compare ourselves. I know it’s easier said than done, and I still fall into that trap too. But it is unfair to compare the ins and outs of ourselves to only the best side of others (e.g., their SoP). This note was first brought up to me by Dr.* Maria De-Arteaga back in 2019 when I just started to pivot my profile towards grad school and has been helping me get off the overthinking treadmill since.

*Note: I heard Prof. and Dr. are distinct in the states, but we use Dr. for both in Canada. I didn’t know until the visit days and only used Dr. in my SoP. So let’s use Dr. in this post to keep everything consistent.

Before We Start

Intended audience: Future and current CS PhD applicants.

The role of SoP in grad admissions: Touched on by this Twitter thread , which could be specific to MIT EECS.

My result: I applied to 8 programs and was fortunate to get in almost everywhere, with 5 offers (i.e., Berkeley, MIT, UBC, UMichigan, and UWashington) and 3 withdrawals (i.e., Columbia, Maryland, and NYU).

A non-exhaustive list of caveats that may make this post not as applicable so readers’ discretion is advised:

• I applied during a pandemic, not sure how that affected my experience.
• I only applied to programs in the US and Canada so the experience is subjective to the system here.
• I’m in data systems so please question if the content is field-specific.

Motivation to (uncomfortably) put myself out there:

• Writing crystallizes my learning and is a skill I’m working on. The pressure helps me practice.
• The potential of helping someone trumps the fear of being judged.
• I received so so much help and support throughout this grad application cycle and just want to give back.

Speaking of support, a list of direct help I received for my SoP:

• I was privileged to be assisted by the MIT GAAP and Berkeley EAAA program . A huge thank you to my MIT GAAP mentor, Xuan , who chatted with me bi-weekly since October 2020, provided extremely valuable feedback on my SoP, and helped me navigate through the applying process. It still feels surreal that I will actually meet her in person at MIT this fall.
• Many thanks to my labmates and my research parent, Dr. Rachel Pottinger , who offered both helpful comments and emotional support.
• I happened to take COMM 395 Business Communication with Elizabeth Bowker that term (to fulfill my undergraduate degree requirement at UBC). I found some materials covered for presentations transferable to writing, and a big thank you to her for the additional support.
• I was also privileged to get help from the Writing Centre and Student Service Centre at my undergraduate university.
• Just to reiterate, the examples by the MIT EECS Communication Lab are particularly helpful. Many other schools/programs (e.g., CMU ) provide such examples too.
• I was also influenced by these YouTube channels: Lillian - AlphaGenesis , Casey Fiesler , The Kath Path , Andy Stapleton .

So the first takeaway is clear: Be resourceful. Ask around. Keep an eye out for opportunities and resources, which shouldn’t take up much energy. Just have that running in the background.

Overall Thought Process

The grad application as a whole is supposed to show a 3D us to let the committee make a sensible decision. If we think backwards, SoP is only included for a reason. Like any member of a K-Pop group, it has a unique proposition in the package.

I wanted to show a 3D me by leveraging the application package with little overlaps between materials. But so far, the transcript and CV only put me into numbers and project names.

So something is missing – without showing my thought process and personality, I’m boring, cold, and flat. This gap is where SoP comes in, and it is the only* opportunity to add that third dimension. We will use sketching as an analogy and go through the things that I constantly reminded myself of when thinking about my SoP at a high level.

*Note: Letters of recommendation (LoRs) help too, but they are observations of us. SoP is the one thing in our full control.

Convey the why’s. Like all drawings, SoP needs a purpose, a main message that both utilizes the space in the application and fills the gap. From most of the resources above, the purpose should be conveying the why’s (e.g., why research, why grad school, why this subfield).

Find a common thread and tell a story about professional development. Now we know what to include, but how could we organize the content in a way that shows the reader how we think? We need a skeleton first. I could tell my why’s in a plain list. But wouldn’t some layered structure to show how my research journey evolved add more character? Inevitably, we have to repeat what’s in the CV, but the added value comes from the personality and thought process illustrated through those experiences. The experiences are just a tool at this point, instead of the main focus, so don’t worry about repeating the content.

Bring in personality. Let’s colour the black-and-white skeleton with a personal pallet. I tried to make every sentence read like something only I would write. Admittedly, bringing in a personal voice while staying professional is a fine line to walk, but it’s possible. The annotated SoP is (trying to be) an example. So is this post. We will talk about a few ways to do that in the detailed comments.

Help the reader focus. We have limited paint. Be concise and precise. Every sentence is an opportunity to draw a line and should together portrait a clean image. We don’t want to waste any bits or distract the reader with random, extra lines so every word should have its place. I also thought hard about what to leave in and leave out. Although I was involved in many things throughout my undergraduate time, I only included experiences that are pertinent to my story.

Detailed Comments by Section

There is a lot to unpack. We will walk through my reasoning for each section at a detailed level, which can also be seen as a concrete embodiment of the high-level takeaways discussed above.

Statement of Objectives

Introduction

We don’t want to be a boring person. Opening with questions grabs the reader’s attention better than the laundry list of who I am and what I do in my first draft. The questions plant seeds too, as we will see later. Opening with research interests directly is also interesting.

How can we propagate breakthroughs in the scientific community to the real world? With the explosion of big data, how can we help fields outside of computer science (CS) extract and leverage its value? Inspired by these questions, my current research focuses on facilitating user interaction with databases.

Elaborate on my current research interest with the techniques (in the method space) and a use case (in the problem space). The use case also hints at my why’s, coming soon.

Specifically, I apply visualization and machine learning techniques to alleviate the barriers between users and databases to help users access and make sense of data. By helping users better explore and understand the data they have collected, I hope to enable data-driven decision-making in a wide range of fields. It is with these broad goals in mind that I am applying to pursue a PhD.

Finding My Research Interests

This section shows two things, my technical competency and why’s. I described 3 research projects and used the reflection on the experience to answer the why’s.

+1 to the example provided by the MIT EECS Communication Lab, the formula I used to describe a research project, one line each: summary + clarification of terms if necessary + need of the work (e.g., gaps) + our contributions + outcomes + my specific input . We will see this formula twice later in this section.

With a focus on data provenance summarization, my research journey began under Dr. Rachel Pottinger at the UBC Data Management and Mining Lab. The provenance of a query over a database is a subset of the data in the database that contributed to the query answer. While comprehensive, query provenance consists of large volumes of data and hence is overwhelming for users to explore. We presented an approach to provenance exploration that builds on data summarization techniques and provides an interface to visualize the summary. This work led to the first two papers I co-authored, Summarizing Provenance of Aggregation Query Results in Relational Databases (ICDE’21) and Pastwatch: On the Usability of Provenance Data in Relational Databases (ICDE’20). My main contributions include identifying the limitations in the existing methods, implementing the existing and our summarization methods, and running the experiments.

We love the dark times. Dr. Brené Brown said vulnerability and hardships help people connect and build trust. Being rejected is my true experience, and I intentionally included that to make myself relatable to the reader. In this case, it also shows resilience and segues into my first why, why research but not industry. As you may have also noticed, this concept is used everywhere in this post too.

Our work experienced a few submissions. Although I felt discouraged at first, I learned to reflect and was encouraged by how much our work had improved after each round. I also enjoyed my experience in research more than the industry for the autonomy and ownership over my work.

But I didn’t want to just tell my why’s like a list. I envisioned a story structure inspired by The Secret Structure of Great Talks by Nancy Duarte. She introduced a shape at around 6:00. Applying that concept, I first established what is, what could be, and the gap here. Like the shape, we will see me traversing between what is and what could be in the rest of this section.

However, I had some burning questions regarding my research interests going forward. Although I was engaged by the technical aspects of solving open-ended problems, I wanted to find something that would really excite me – what is the thing that would get me out of bed every morning? And how could I find it?

Transition to my next project to show more technical competency while keeping the flow of the story.

My next project, Developing a Data-Driven Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy in Surrey, BC, Canada, helped me answer those questions.

Another example of the formula above but in a slightly different order to make things flow better.

Working with another undergraduate student under the supervision of Dr. Raymond Ng, we set out to address the challenge of how the city of Surrey should place EV charging stations. Prior to our work, the approach to determine where to install an EV charging site was solely based on expert opinions, despite a large volume of data collected by the city of Surrey. To help city planners make strategic decisions informed by evidence, I developed a web application to give them a user-friendly way to explore and make sense of the data. I used interactive maps and graphs to visualize the spatial distribution and time trends of Surrey’s vehicle stock, traffic flows, and land use. In September 2019, the city used my tool to choose 20 charger locations for a Canadian federal funding proposal, and I was proud to co-present this work at the SIGKDD’20 Social Impact Session this summer.

Talking about our values is another good way to bring in our personality while staying professional, which also helps answer some why’s. For example, what kind of research keeps us excited? I’m excited about real-world users (in the problem space), but everyone is motivated differently. Maybe you are excited about system design? Cool! Or applying new ML models? Also cool! Note that this part also ties back to the opening questions.

Through zooming in and out on a pressing, real-world issue, I realized what I should be looking for in the research I pursue: the possibility of helping others and the insight into real-world issues that would spark that possibility. I started to envision making an impact on the real world through my research. The value of our work in the scientific community can only be actualized when our tools are adopted by downstream users such as domain experts and decision-makers. Hence alleviating user-database barriers is a vital step in advancing data-driven decision-making in a wide range of fields.

Transition to the 3rd and final project. Another piece of advice I got (for almost everything grad application related) is don’t tell, but show . Earlier I said that I’m motivated by real-world issues, and here I showed that I followed through my words with actions.

With that overarching goal in mind, I initiated a project to facilitate user interaction with databases by identifying the major stakeholders and their challenges when interacting with databases, and then mapped that to their needs.

Apply the formula again to describe the project.

Database users often interact with databases via SQL query sessions. From our analysis, users pose a variety of SQL queries in sequence with changes in SQL keywords and query fragments such as tables and attributes. However, the existing approaches only consider queries individually and make recommendations based on query similarity and popularity. We presented a new approach to recommend query information by learning from the sequential knowledge exploration patterns of historical users. We modelled our query recommendation problem as a query prediction task and used sequence-to-sequence models to predict the next query. Supervised by Dr. Pottinger, this work led to Sequence-Aware Query Recommendation Using Deep Learning, submitted to VLDB’21. As the lead researcher, I identified knowledge gaps in the existing work, defined and scoped the research problem, analyzed the workload data, implemented the deep learning models, ran the experiments, discussed the results, and wrote the paper.

Tie back to the motivation and answer why grad school to wrap up the story.

Seeing a connection between my work and the quantifiable impact gives me a rush of excitement that I am contributing to help those real-world users in need. Through this project, I found myself enjoying both scoping and solving open-ended problems and hope to further improve with additional formal training in graduate studies.

Equal Access in STEM

I added this section following the same MIT EECS Communication Lab example and used the previous formula to explain the project as well.

It may seem odd to risk the flow of a research-focused SoP and make us question if this section is even relevant. But MIT EECS doesn’t require PS, and I wanted to show what I care about and where I come from. This section is also intended to help the SoP stay professional when I touched on my personal background in the last section. Again, fine line to walk. Lastly, grad school to me is more than research. This section adds another dimension to my professional development and connects to my career pursuit in academia mentioned later.

My other goal in graduate school is to further my pursuit of advancing equal access to educational resources for students in marginalized groups. Besides mentoring young women in STEM throughout my undergraduate time, for the past year, I worked on the UBC CS Undergraduate Program Evaluation and Renewal project. In the process, I realized how my experience with data visualization and user interface design could help to improve equity in education. Degree planning is challenging and time-consuming since students have to envision their career path and go to individual course pages to ensure they meet prerequisites accordingly. First-generation college students are especially vulnerable as they lack adequate guidance from their immediate support system. To solve this problem, I designed an interactive directed graph to show the dependencies between courses, provide a holistic view of the CS program, and visualize potential academic trajectories at UBC CS. I was thrilled to present my work at the UBC Board of Governors Meeting in Spring 2020. I deployed the graphs to the UBC CS website this summer and am currently helping UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology adapt the graphs campus-wide. Participating in this project allowed me to advance equal access in a higher level of education and help as many students thrive as possible.

Future Work

This section aims to convince the reader that I know the strengths of the program, our interests align, and I’m valuable specifically to them. The first part outlines my overall research interests, while I gave specific examples about the program and PIs in the second part.

I chose to put my research statement here, not anywhere else. Up to this point, I’ve been signalling pieces about my motivation and research interests using the opening questions, projects, and my why story. The reader now has enough context and is ready for a punch.

All my experiences collectively shaped my research interests and motivated me to pursue graduate studies. Today, database systems provide a vital infrastructure to access high volumes of data in a variety of applications. Seeing the user-database barriers and the potential of data-driven decision-making in areas outside of CS (e.g., city planning and sustainability) incites my urge to build my work around the theme of facilitating user interaction with databases. With a deep understanding of the problem space and skills gained through solving problems in this space, I hope to continue this line of work by applying visualization and ML techniques to help database users access and make sense of data.

I find this part becomes more candid and compelling when I write it as if the PIs would actually read it (and mine really did). Also, it only becomes attractive when the interest goes both ways. I wanted to show how they could help me but also what unique skills I could offer.

MIT CSAIL’s past and current work indicates its members’ unique strengths on this topic. Specifically, I would be excited to work with Dr. Tim Kraska and Dr. Sam Madden. Dr. Kraska has made outstanding contributions to enabling data analytics for individuals outside of CS using ML-inspired techniques. The sequential features of query sessions discussed in his recent work, IDEBench (SIGMOD’20), are fundamental to my work on sequence-aware query recommendation, where we empirically analyzed the query sequences in two real-life workloads. Extending my work under his supervision would give me strong support in leveraging query session information using ML techniques. My research interests also greatly overlap with Dr. Madden’s work, such as Data Civilizer, on building end-to-end systems to facilitate domain experts with data exploration. I would be excited to work with Dr. Madden by bringing my skills and experience in applying ML techniques to SQL queries.

Where I See Myself

I wanted to address why I spent 6 years at UBC, which is relatively uncommon and often raises questions (e.g., if I can handle a rigorous course load). However, it was difficult to word my reason in a professional way at first. So I only briefly mentioned the personal aspect while elaborating on my work experience. Xuan pointed out the key is to relate personal struggles to professional development and helped me further emphasize the value of the experience and how it contributed to my goals in graduate studies.

As a first-generation college student from a low-income, single-parent family, working puts additional constraints on my course load yet is the most effective way to support myself. Although I spent six years on my undergraduate degree, I did two years of co-op at three different places in industry, non-profit, and academia. While studying full-time, I have also worked part-time in retail, administration, and teaching. Through these valuable experiences, I not only learned about the many real-world challenges that people face on the job, but also discovered research interests that would allow me to address some of those challenges.

Let’s not leave any loose ends and tie the two goals together to wrap up.

After graduate studies, I aim to pursue a career in academia, so that I can develop the research and tools to address these challenges and more. Furthering my education at MIT would bring me one step closer to my goal of advancing data-driven decision-making in a wide range of fields and improving equal access to educational resources for students like me in marginalized groups.

Other Takeaways

I also learned and applied these general/minor things.

Just start writing. It is an iterative process. The first draft is the hardest and almost guaranteed to suck, but it gets our brain going. It gets a lot easier once we gain the momentum and just have to make incremental changes.

Start early , which goes hand-in-hand with the last point. I wanted to leave ample time for that interactive process, finished my first draft in late August, and finalized it in the first week of December 2020. I feel grateful that I took the time to reflect on my why’s, which also came in handy later in the (quite intense) interview process in January 2021.

Don’t stress too much about tailoring the SoP to each program. Partial thanks to SIGMOD ‘20*, I had a general research direction when applying. The programs and labs I applied to may have nuances in their research interests and strengths, but my motivation, research interests, and skillsets didn’t need to change much. I only swapped out the second half of the future work section for each program. However, someone with a broader interest and a more diverse set of programs may want to customize the SoP more and have different answers for each why depending on the program.

*Note: More on my experience at SIGMOD ‘20 .

Read each program’s prompts and formatting requirements carefully. The point above is about the content, while this one is about the format and separation of the content. Programs like Berkeley EECS require an SoP and a PS so the separation depends on the prompts. I include my final copy of SoP and PS to Berkeley to show how I did it with minimum additional effort, which also helps illustrate the point above. The formatting requirements all have slight differences (e.g., word limits, header, title) so just be aware.

Choose what feedback and advice to take in. Going back to the point of being resourceful, we may later find ourselves getting various or even conflicted advice from different sources, which can be confusing and overwhelming. My apologies if this post is making it worse. But I always ask two questions whenever I get advice from people:

• Do they know the field ?
• Do they know me ?

Although some advice is generalizable, this sanity check is a reminder to further verify if the information is credible and applicable to me, especially when I get negative (but not necessarily constructive) feedback.

An extreme example is the words from my relatives and family friends when they laughed at my school list. It still hurt at the moment, but the rational me didn’t take their comments to heart because they’re not in CS, and they don’t know my profile. More than a filter to allow in helpful advice, the questions are also shields to protect us, much needed in such a sensitive time.

Through the applying process, I had countless breakdowns moments where I felt that I had already tried everything, but my SoP just read shallow, and my writing would never be good enough.

But it’s because SoP is hard to write!! It not only demands writing techniques but also deep reflections of the why’s from our experiences. Although writing the SoP challenged me hard on both fronts, I’m glad that I took the time and saw it as an opportunity to grow: It reminded me that improving my writing is a never-ending process, and the reflection indeed made me question my life but also assured my decision to pursue graduate studies.

However, I do want to acknowledge that not everyone has the privilege to afford the time and energy. Further, if we consider our individual profile (e.g., GPA, LoRs) as a whole, pouring our limited resources into SoP alone may not be a strategic move. Nothing is perfect nor needs to be. So knowing when to say good enough is an important skill too (which is something I still need to work on).

Lastly, taking one step further, I find some of the takeaways transferable to other written pieces (e.g., papers), other forms of communication (e.g., presentations), or professional development in general.

Although I had much fun reflecting on my learning, I genuinely hope this post would be somewhat helpful to at least one other person on the planet, and very best of luck if you are applying soon!! <3

Back to blog

People & Community

Research & Impact

Career Services

Applying for the PhD

The Fall 2025 PhD in Public Policy application is now closed and we are no longer accepting applications.  

PhD Application Deadline for Fall 2025 Admission: December 3, 2024, at 8:59 PM PDT.

• The application process is completely online . All application materials (including official GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores) are due by the application deadline of December 3, 2024, at 8:59 PM PDT.
• GRE: Required. To ensure you meet the December 3rd application deadline, please take the GRE no later than early November.
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for eligible applicants . To ensure you meet the application deadline, please take the TOEFL or IELTS no later than early November. 
• Students are admitted to the GSPP PhD Program for the fall term only, and on a full-time basis. There are no rolling admissions, and there is no spring admission for the PhD Program.
• After submitting your application, you will receive an email from UC Berkeley's Graduate Admissions Office confirming your submission. You may log back into your application to monitor the status of materials received or processed, such as fee waivers, test scores, and letters of recommendation.
• The answers to many common questions about the PhD application process can be found in our FAQ section .
• For more information about the Goldman School, refer to our 2024-2025 GSPP Program Bulletin . 

PhD Application Checklist of Required Items

Before starting the online application:

• Review the application checklist for required items and instructions below. These instructions are specific to Goldman School PhD applicants for Fall 2025.   Please do not submit additional or supplemental materials.
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions < here >.
• Additional Questions: Contact PhD admissions at [email protected]

After submitting your application, you will receive an email from UC Berkeley's Graduate Admissions Office confirming your submission. You may log back into your application to monitor the status of materials received or processed, such as fee waivers, test scores, and letters of recommendation. Admissions decisions are typically sent in early March via email. Please check your Spam/Junk/Events folders if you do not receive your decision by early March.

Financial Support

Fellowships.

GSPP typically admits only two or three applicants each year and offers support to admitted PhD students through a combination of department fellowships, university multi-year fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships. While funding packages vary by student, incoming PhD students are generally awarded five years of funding support consisting of fees and non-resident tuition, student health insurance, and a living stipend. For admitted PhD students who secure funding from external sources outside of UC Berkeley, external funding also goes towards the five years of funding support.

All funding packages are contingent on students meeting minimum academic and residency requirements for the Goldman School and the University throughout the tenure of support. United States citizens and Permanent Residents are required to achieve California residency by the end of their first year in California to receive continued fee support.

Graduate Student Instructors

In addition, there are many opportunities for PhD students to work as graduate student instructors at GSPP and other social science departments. These appointments provide a full fee remission (in most cases) and a monthly salary.

Research Opportunities

There are many opportunities on campus for GSPP PhD students to engage in research (in many cases, in a paid research position) both at the Goldman School and elsewhere on campus. For example, research opportunities typically exist in campus departments including Energy and Resources Group, Labor Center, Global Policy Lab, California Policy Lab, People Lab, and Opportunity Lab, to name a few. These appointments may also provide a fee remission (in most cases) and a monthly salary.

Questions About the Online Application? Contact:

GSPP PhD Admissions [email protected]

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Statement of Purpose

Graduate and professional schools often require some sort of written statement called a “statement of purpose,” “personal statement,” or “letter of intent” as a part of the application. Some statements require rather specific information about the applicant’s intended area of study within their graduate field and others are quite unstructured, leaving the applicant free to address a wide range of matters. The importance of the statement varies from school to school and from field to field.

Determine your purpose in writing the statement

Usually the purpose is to persuade the admissions committee that you are an applicant who should be chosen. Whatever its purpose, the content must be presented in a manner that will give coherence to the whole statement.

Pay attention to the purpose throughout the statement so that extraneous material is left out.

Pay attention to the audience (committee) throughout the statement. Remember that your audience is made up of professionals in the field, You do not need to educate them about the field, they are already knowledgeable from their years of experience. What they don’t know about is you! They want insight into who you are, the experiences that you have had and of most importance the impact that those experiences have had on you. This is what makes a personal statement personal!

Determine the content of your statement

Be sure to answer any questions fully. Analyze the questions or guidance statements for the essay completely and answer all parts. Usually graduate and professional schools are interested in the following matters, although the form of the question(s) and the responses may vary:

• Your purpose in graduate study. Think this through before you try to answer the question.
• The area of study in which you wish to specialize. Learn about the field in detail so that you are able to state your preferences using the language of the field.
• Your intended future use of your graduate degree. Include your career goals and plans for the future.
• Your unique preparation and fitness for study in the field. Correlate your academic background with your extracurricular experience to show how they unite to make you a special candidate.
• Any problems or inconsistencies in your records or scores, such as a bad semester. Explain this in a positive manner. Since this is a rebuttal argument, it should be followed by a positive statement of your abilities. In some instances, it may be more appropriate to discuss this outside of the statement of purpose.
• Any special conditions that are not revealed elsewhere in the application, such as a significant (35 hour per week) workload outside of school. This, too, should be followed with a positive statement about yourself and your future.
• You may be asked, “Why do you wish to attend this school?” Research the school and describe its special appeal to you.
• Above all, this statement should contain information about you as a person. They know nothing about you unless you tell them. You are the subject of the statement.

Determine your approach and style of the statement

There is no such thing as “the perfect way to write a statement.” There is only the one that best fits you.

• Be objective, yet self-revelatory. Write directly and in a straightforward manner that tells about your experience and what it means to you. Do not use “academese.”
• Form conclusions that explain the value and meaning of your experience, such as what you learned about yourself, your field and your future goals. Draw your conclusions from the evidence your life provides.
• Be specific. Document your conclusions with specific instances. See below for a list of general words and phrases to avoid using without explanation.
• Get to the point early on and catch the attention of the reader.
• Limit its length to two pages or less. In some instances it may be longer depending on the school’s instructions.

DON’T

• Use the “what I did with my life” approach.
• Use the “I’ve always wanted to be a _____” approach.
• Use a catalog of achievements. This is only a list of what you have done, and tells nothing about you as a person.
• Lecture the reader. For example, you should not write a statement such as “communication skills are important in this field.” Any graduate admissions committee member knows that.

Where to go for help

• If you need some help figuring out what to write, make an appointment with a Berkeley Career Engagement counselor to come up with a plan.
• Once you have done a draft, show it to people you trust such as faculty, GSIs, family, friends, letter of recommendation writers, etc. The best people to review your statement are those who know you well and have excellent writing skills.
• Statementofpurpose.com is an excellent resource that includes essay critiques and writing tips.

Berkeley Career Engagement UC Berkeley, CA 94720

• Accessibility
• Nondiscrimination

Application Requirements

Students are admitted to the program by the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley, on recommendation of the Jurisprudence and Social Policy admissions committee.

Applications for entry in Fall 2025 will open in October and will close on December 15, 2024 at 8:59pm PST . ALL  application materials (including letters of recommendation for all applicants, and test scores for international applicants) must be received by the December 15 deadline.

All directions and requirements for applying to the PhD in Jurisprudence and Social Policy can be found in the Graduate Division Online Application

Along with the  Graduate Division forms , applicants are asked to submit:

•  transcripts of grades
•   three letters of recommendation (additional letters will not be read)
•  a statement of purpose (2-3 pages, double-spaced)
• a personal statement (2-3 pages, double-spaced)
• a sample of past written work (25-50 pages)

Beginning with the 2022-2023 application cycle (entry in Fall 2023), the GRE requirement is no longer required for the JSP Ph.D. and will not be reviewed.

International applicants will also need to fulfill the UC Berkeley Graduate Division's requirements for international students in addition to the application requirements. Information on TOEFL exemptions can be found in the link above.

If you have questions about the online application, please contact the Graduate Division at [email protected]

If you have questions about admission to the JSP Ph.D. program, please check out our FAQ then contact us at [email protected] if you have additional questions.

For admissions information regarding the J.D., contact: UC Berkeley School of Law Admissions Office 396 Simon Hall Berkeley, CA 94720-7200 Phone: (510) 642-2274  [email protected]

For admissions information regarding the LL.M. and J.S.D., contact: UC Berkeley School of Law LL.M. and J.S.D. Career and Academic Advising Office 225 Law Building Berkeley, CA 94720-7200 Phone: (510) 642-2274 [email protected] [email protected]

• Application Instructions

The following instructions will clarify the application process for admissions to our Ph.D. program. A link to additional information for Clinical Science applicants can be found here .

Questions should be sent to [email protected] . Please do not phone.

We do not have a terminal Master’s degree program. Our application is for Ph.D. candidates only. The School Psychology program is offered through the Graduate School of Education. Visiting and exchange students, for more information regarding your study abroad experience, please navigate to this webpage: Study Abroad .

Application Deadline & Admissions Timeline Our application opens on September 12 on the UC Berkeley Graduate Division website and the application will close on November 15, 2024, at 8:59 PM PST 

Application Requirements and Guidelines It will be useful to review our Graduate Admissions website before beginning your application for  Graduate Admissions .

Select Fall as your admit term. We do not accept applications for any Spring or Summer term.

Select Psychology PhD.

Graduate Admissions requires the applicant to upload unofficial transcripts or academic records for the initial review of their application.  Unofficial transcripts must include: name of institution, applicant name, courses, grades & degree conferral (if applicable).

Do not send official transcripts to Graduate Division Admissions or the Department of Psychology. For the first round of application review, upload onto the application scanned copies of unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended. Official hard copy transcripts are only required from applicants who are offered admission and enroll in the program.

For undergraduate programs using a 4-point grading scale, calculate and report:

• Cumulative GPA as shown on the transcript granted by the most recently attended undergraduate institution.
• Advanced GPA (include all courses completed after the second year).
• GPA for courses in your major field of study (major courses are any course taken to satisfy a degree requirement after being admitted into your major; exclude pre-requisites)
• If your intended field of study at Berkeley was not your undergraduate major, calculate the GPA for all courses listed on your transcripts that relate to the field of study for which you are applying.
• Cumulative graduate GPA, if applicable.

If your grades are not based on a 4-point scale, as is the case for most international students, report your cumulative undergraduate GPA as determined by your institution in the Other Scale GPA box. Applicants with degrees from non-US institutions do not need  to calculate cumulative and major GPAs.

A GPA calculation worksheet is not required.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Enter all requested information for each recommender. Be sure you have entered valid email addresses. Indicate whether you do or do not waive your right to read each letter. Click Send to Recommender for each recommender. They will receive an email with instructions for submitting their letter. Recommenders may upload their letters onto the application themselves or via a letter service. Letters can arrive after the application deadline but if they arrive after our application reviews have begun within 1-2 days of the application deadline, they may not be considered. 

At least two of your recommenders should preferably be psychology faculty members or advanced psychology graduate students, but letters from recommenders in other disciplines are acceptable. Each recommender should be familiar with your academic talent and abilities.

Official scores must be sent directly to the Graduate Division by Educational Testing Service (ETS). UC Berkeley's institution code is 4833 . A department/major code is not necessary. Scores can arrive after the application deadline but, if they arrive after our application reviews begin, they may not be considered.

Graduate Record Examination

The GRE is not required for the Fall 2025 or Fall 2026 admissions cycle. Not submitting GRE scores will not be counted against an applicant. Please disregard any information that states the GRE is required for Psychology graduate admission.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants who completed their undergraduate degree in a non-English speaking country must provide proof of English language proficiency.

Applicants from countries or regions in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. This requirement also applies to applicants from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, Israel, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most European countries, Quebec, and non-English-speaking countries in Africa.

Three ways to prove language proficiency:

• Complete the TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 90.
• Complete the IELTS exam with a minimum score of 7.
• Provide a transcript that shows at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better in residence at a U.S. college or university. Transcripts should be uploaded in the Academic History section.

*Poof of English language proficiency requirement is determined by the Graduate Admissions Division. For further inquiries, please navigate to this webpage or contact [email protected] .  

Statement of Purpose (required) The Statement of Purpose is usually about 1.5 to 2 pages in length, single-spaced, typed, and an important part of your application.

Please describe the following:

• Your area of interest in psychology; specifically your past research and future research interests. You may include relevant coursework or reading that helped to generate your interests. 
• Applied work experience; volunteer or paid work experience in a mental health or human services agency. This is a requirement for Required for Clinical Science applicants. 
• Reasons for applying to UC Berkeley, including faculty member(s) with whom you wish to work.
• Plans for your future profession.

Graduate Division guidelines: Writing the Statement of Purpose .

Personal History Statement (required) The Personal History Statement is usually about 1.5 to 2 pages in length, single-spaced, typed, and an important part of your application. It should stand alone and not repeat your Statement of Purpose. In your Personal History Statement, describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Describe any experiences that show your promise, initiative, and ability to persevere despite obstacles. Display your communication skills and discuss your ability to maximize effective collaboration with a diverse cross-section of the academic community.

Consider including information about:

• How you have overcome barriers to access in higher education.
• Evidence of how you have come to understand the barriers faced by others.
• Evidence of your academic service to advance equitable access to higher education for women, racial minorities, and individuals from other groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education.
• Evidence of your research focusing on underserved populations or related issues of inequality.
• Evidence of your leadership among underserved populations.

Graduate Division guidelines: Writing the Personal Statement .

Study Emphasis/Research Concentration Select the Study Emphasis/Research Concentration to which you are applying. You may apply to one or two Research Interest/Study Emphasis. The six training areas in the department are:

• Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience
• Clinical Science
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Developmental
• Social-Personality

Faculty Adviser A list of faculty accepting students in the current cycle can be found on our General Admission webpage.   Please review the research interests of the faculty in the area of emphasis to which you are applying. List at least two (and at most three) Psychology faculty members whose research is of particular interest to you. List the faculty members in order of preference. For each faculty member you list, please provide a short explanation about why you selected that faculty member. This is an important part of the application.

A resume or CV is required. DO NOT include a picture of yourself.

Other supporting materials are optional.

Submit your application and pay the fee by the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.

Application Fee Waiver

The fee waiver program is administered by Graduate Division Admissions: Requesting an Application Fee Waiver . All fee waiver questions should be sent to [email protected] . 

The Psychology department does not offer a fee waiver for applicants to our program. 

Prior to contacting our office, please read through our Admissions webpages. Still have a question? Please contact us at [email protected] .  

• About the Program
• General Admission
• Funding & Residency
• Career & Licensure Opportunities
• Graduate Program
• Current Graduate Students
• Graduate Student Instructor (GSI)
• Psychology Dept. Ph.D. Graduates

Instructions

Graduate Division Online Application

Graduate Application deadline: 8:59 PM (PST) December 3, 2024 Graduate Admissions Online Application

Hardcopies of the Graduate Admissions Application will not be accepted. The application and all supporting documents, i.e., 3 letters of recommendation, GRE Scores,* and TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable) MUST be submitted via the online Graduate Admissions Application.

The online application (essays, payment, all degree information, recommender information, writing samples, etc) are due Monday, December 3 and will not be accepted after the deadline for any reason. Supporting documentation (recommendation letters, transcripts, scores) may come in through December 12th. We will not accept materials after this date. 

Late applications will not be considered after the December 3, 2024 deadline, and incomplete applications will not be considered after December 12th.

Application Fee Waiver  

Alums of the American Economic Association Summer Training and Scholarship Program qualify, for more information please visit:  https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/apply/fee-waiver/ .

Required Supporting Documents:

Unofficial and official transcripts.

• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• GRE Scores *
• Evidence of English Language Proficiency (if applicable)

All supporting documents must be uploaded to your Graduate Application file. DO NOT mail in your documents, we will not print any supporting documents for your application file.

Optional Supporting Documents:

• CV/Resume and Writing Sample (Optional)

Key Areas to Note for the Graduate Admission Online Application

It is required that you list your cumulative GPA, all coursework after the first two years, major GPA , and graduate GPA (if applicable). International students with a different grading system should not try to convert their grades into U.S. standard grades.  Please leave this area blank if this applies to you.

• For Areas of Emphasis 1 and Areas of Emphasis 2 YOU MUST list two fields that you are interested in pursuing from the list of available fields on the Year 2 page.
• The Department does not require you to list faculty you have contacted or expect to contact concerning your application for admission and, in fact, discourages prospective students from contacting faculty prior to being admitted. 
• The online application requires that you list two faculty members in the department whose research is of particular interest to you. This information is considered preliminary as it is helpful for the department to know in advance; it is expected that one's research interest will change and refine over time. 
• Please make sure to list all of your current and/or pending financial resources, i.e., external fellowships, grants, loans and personal savings.
• Students applying to the Ph.D. program in Economics are typically not eligible for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships.
• The Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement should be no longer than 3 pages, double spaced each.  For information you consider to be special circumstances, such as illness, personal hardships, parent's status, etc. please write this in your Personal History Statement. Resources for writing the Statement of Purpose and Personal History statement can be found on the UC Berkeley Graduate Division website .  

Unofficial Transcripts are accepted and uploaded online ONLY for graduate application process and review.

All unofficial copies transcripts for domestic and international applicants must be uploaded onto your online application. All transcripts should show courses, grades, and dates the courses were taken.

International applicants with a different grading system should not try to convert their grades into US standard grades.

Official Transcripts are required ONLY if an applicant accepts an offer of admission.

An applicant who is recommended for admission AND accepts the offer of admission must submit official transcripts.

International applicants who accept the offer of admission must submit official transcripts, degree certificates, diplomas, etc. in the original language accompanied by a translation. We accept translations from proper school officials and from government and/or official translators. The translator's statement must be prepared on the letterhead of the translator's institution and must state "This is a complete and exact word-for-word translation of the original." Every page must be signed in ink with the translator's title and, if possible, the seal or stamp of their institution. Stamps and signatures must be originals.

Letters of Recommendation

We require only three (3) letters of recommendation from professors who know your academic history. Letters from non-academic sources (e.g., employers) may be submitted.

Please request that your letter writers complete and submit your letters of recommendation via the online Graduate Application system by December 3, 2024 (early submissions appreciated).

GRE Test Scores

Applicants who want to submit their General GRE test scores should do so on the online application and have an official score report sent to the department so that it ARRIVES BY the application deadline - December 3, 2024 . We do not require or accept GRE subject tests. The GRE  may not be substituted with the GMAT. Tests should be taken in October, but no later than November. Applicants with scores below 165 on the Quantitative portion of the GRE should retake the test. Scores from tests taken before April 2020 we consider no longer valid. If you took the GRE between April 2020 and the time of application, you need to order the reports to be sent to the department. Make sure that the institution and department codes are correct when ordering reports to be sent. If you have taken the GRE more than once, make sure that you enter the correct registration number for the score you would like to be reported on your application - you receive a new registration number every time you take the exam. The registration number is crucial to making sure your official score report is appropriately matched to your online application. If your GRE score is not properly matched to your application, it may appear as though your application is incomplete. It is the applicant's responsibility to 1) take the exam WELL before the exam deadline, and 2) to make sure their exam is accurately matched. If you used two separate emails for your application and scores auto-matching will not happen. Additionally, if your name is not EXACTLY the same on your verified scores and your application (whether one includes accents and the other doesn't, or if you use a middle name/initial, hyphenate your first or last name, etc), your scores will not match. Make sure you contact [email protected] if you have a question about matching. We will not, however, take your PDF as proof NOR upload any additional materials. 

* Please note that GRE is required for the 2024-2025 admissions season (admits to be matriculated in 2025/2026)

****Official score reports are required and must be received by the department by the application deadline. Official scores cannot be substituted with self-reported scores.****  

The institution code for UC Berkeley is 4833 .

The Department of Economics code is 1801.

Evidence of Evidence of English Lanuage Proficiency

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

For Fall 2025 matriculation, tests taken before June 1, 2023 will not be accepted by Graduate Admissions. Requests to waive either the TOEFL or IELTS requirements must to sent to Graduate Admissions .

CV/Resume and Writing Sample

CV/resumes and/or a writing sample are NOT required and are optional for your application. If you would like to submit optional materials, please upload your CV/resumes and/or a writing sample onto your online application in PDF format. CV/resume and/or a writing sample WILL NOT be accepted via email or the mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does the Department of Economics offer  a master's/MA/MS  program?
• Does the Department of Economics admit for the Spring in addition to the Fall?

Does the Department of Economics accept the GMAT for applying to the Ph.D. program?

How many applications does the department expect to receive, how many applicants do you admit and how many accept your offer of admission, do you offer fellowships who receives fellowships, when is the last possible date i can take the gre, what gre dates are no longer valid, how can i qualify for a toefl/ielts exemption, do letter writers also need to submit letters of recommendation by the official application deadline, or do they have an extended deadline, how will i know if my application is complete, is it possible to transfer credit for graduate level course work in economics from another institution, how long does it take to complete the ph.d. in economics, is it possible to enroll part-time in the ph.d. program in economics, does the department offer ph.d. courses online or have distance learning opportunities, does the department of economics offer a master's/ma/ms program.

The Department of Economics does not offer a master's degree, only the Ph.D.

Return to Top

Does the Department of Economics admit for the Spring?

No. The Department of Economics only admits for the Fall.

No. We only accept the GRE.

The Department of Economics receives approximately 900 applications for each admissions cycle.

On average, we admit approximately 60-70 applicants for our total application pool. Of the 60-70 admitted, approximately 20-25 accept our offer of admission.

Yes, we do offer competitive fellowship packages that are based on merit and academic achievement to both domestic and international applicants. Over 50% of our new admits receive some form of university or department financial support.

We recommend that you take the GRE in October to ensure scores are received in a timely fashion by the department and that your application is complete by the December deadline for receipt of supporting documents. Official GRE score reports  must be received  by the application deadline. As soon as you have your GRE scores you should report your unofficial scores on your online application and enter the appropriate registration number under the exam requirements section of the application. Each time you take the GRE you will receive a unique registration number so please make sure to use the correct registration number for the score you would like reported on your application. Incorrect registration numbers may result in your application appearing to be incomplete.  We must have your official score report on file by the December application deadline - unofficial scores will not be accepted in place of official score reports. 

(GRE scores are required for the admissions cycle that closes on December 3, 2024) .

• Have a basic degree from a recognized institution in a country where the official language is English.
• Have completed a basic or advanced degree at an institution, in the United States or abroad, where the language of instruction is English and the institution is accredited by one of the United States regional accrediting* agencies.
• Have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with a grade B or better at a regionally accredited* institution within the United States.
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

If applicants do not meet any of the above criteria, there are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

Letters of Recommendation must be uploaded to the online application system by December 12th. (Only for admissions cycle taking place in 2024/2025)

Only those applicants whose applications are incomplete will be notified via email. Please do not contact us to inquire about the status of your application or to confirm receipt of items sent. Given the number of applications we process it is not possible to respond to such inquiries.

Scores are valid five years from the end of the testing year when you took the test. GRE testing years begin on July 1. This means that a test taken on May 15, 2020, remains valid until June 30, 2025. Please send scores from 2020 or earlier. 

NOTE: for admissions cycle in 2024/2025 (for matriculation in 2025/2026) the GRE is required.  

This can only be determined once you have applied, been admitted to the program,  AND  accept the offer of admission. New students can then submit course syllabi and reading lists to the appropriate faculty for review and a decision on whether or not it is appropriate to waive certain requirements. Faculty typically don't allow course waivers, but may make an exception on a case-by-case basis.

The program typically takes 5 - 6 years with a rare number of students finishing in 4 years or less.

The Ph.D. program in Economics at U.C. Berkeley is a full-time program and there are no opportunities for part-time study.

This program is not offered online and we do not offer any Ph.D. courses online or have distance learning opportunities at this time.