Admissions
How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in the Goldman School of Public Policy. Students are admitted to GSPP in the fall term only, and on a full-time basis.
Application Deadline for Fall 2008:
December 15th, 2007December 15th, 2007 is the postmark deadline for all applications, including fellowship consideration.
The Admission Process
The admissions application is available on-line. We strongly encourage you to use the on-line application. If you are unable to please contact the GSPP Admissions Office at gspp-admissions@berkeley.edu for alternate instructions.
The following items are required for admission:
- Completed on-line application: Graduate Division & MPP Supplemental applications.
The on-line application provides space to include the following:
- Resume.
- Statement of Purpose. See instructions and guidlines for reference.
- Personal History Statement.
- Analytic Essay. See list of analytic essay questions for reference.
- Three letters of recomendation.
The following should be mailed directly to GSPP:
- Two sets of transcripts from all universities or colleges attended. One set can be a photocopy. The other set must be an original copy. Transcripts may be included with other application materials as long as the transcripts are sealed in an official university or college envelope. If you studied abroad, either as part of an exchange program administered by your school or on your own, request official transcripts and include them with your application. If you are unable to obtain the records, please include a letter of explanation with your application.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Exam. Please have the scores sent to us directly. However to expedite the processing of your application, you may submit a photocopy of your GRE scores as soon as you receive them. GRE scores usually take 14 days to arrive at the department. To meet the application deadline, you would need to take the computer-based GRE no later than December 3rd. Our institution code is 4833, and our department code is 1903.
Reservations for the GRE exam should be made in advance through:- The Education Testing Service (ETS), P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000; Phone: 609-771-7670 or
- 1-800-GRE-CALL; Website: http://www.gre.org.
- Three letters of recommendation submitted through the on-line application or in individual envelopes, which the recommender has sealed and signed across the seal. GSPP does not require the form G from the Graduate Division Application as long as the letters are on official letterhead.
- TOEFL Scores (for international applicants).Scores before June 2003 are no longer valid. Use institution code 4833 and department code 94. You may sign up for the TOEFL through an agent in your country or through: TOEFL, CN6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, Phone 609- 771-7500; Website: http://www.toefl.org.
- An application fee of $60 must be submitted when you apply. Checks should be payable to UC REGENTS.
- International students are required to pay a supplemental aplication fee of $20.
Where to Mail Your Application Materials
Both domestic and international applicants should send all their application materials to the following address:
Admissions Office
Goldman School of Public Policy
2607 Hearst Avenue #7320
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-7320
All items must be postmarked by: December 15, 2007.
Mailing Exceptions:
Concurrent-degree applicants only:
Public Policy/Public Health:
Send all items to Public Health. Applications are available by contacting the School of Public Health, Division Assistant for Health Policy and Administration, 510-642-4578, and by requesting the application packet for the joint MPP/MPH program.
Public Policy/Law:
Two separate applications; all law items go to Boalt Hall; all Public Policy items go to the Public Policy School.
Public Policy/Engineering:
Two separate applications; all engineering items go to the College of Engineering; all Public Policy items go to the Public Policy School.
Application Procedures for Reapplicants
If you applied to the university within the last two years, you may reactivate your application. To reactivate your application, the following documents are required:
- Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships
- MPP Supplemental Application
- $60 application fee
- A brief cover letter of how you spent the year.
- Two official sealed transcripts of work for any new course work completed since you last applied.
You may request a replacement of other items in your file, such as, the analytical essay, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, or new GRE scores.
Application Procedures for Current or Former Berkeley Graduate Students
Submit everything required for new applicants except for the following:
- If you are a current UC Berkeley graduate student, substitute the Graduate Division application with a “Graduate Petition for Change of Major or Degree Goal” form. This form is also available at the Graduate Degrees office, 318 Sproul Hall.
- If you have been previously registered at UC Berkeley as a graduate student, substitute the Graduate Division application with a “Application for Readmission” form. This form is also available at the Graduate Degrees Office, 318 Sproul Hall. You must pay the $60 application fee.
Last Updated: 09/11/07
