"Speaking Truth to Power"

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Admissions

Admission Procedures FAQ


Online Application Form Questions

Q:  Does the Goldman School require the Academics Interests section to be completed?
The Academic Interest section which asks about faculty contacts and interests is not required for those applying for the MPP program.

Q:   Where can I find Form C?
The ‘Fellowship Application’ portion of the on-line application at one time was referred to as Form C, it is not anymore.  We apologize for the confusion.  Please complete the ‘Fellowship Application’ which can be found on the main menu of the on-line application if you would like to be considered for graduate fellowship awards.

Q:  Who should I contact if I am having technical difficulties with the online application?
Applicants should report any technical difficulties to the Graduate Office of Admissions. Email:  gradadm@berkeley.edu. Phone:  (510) 642-7405.

GPA Calculation Questions

Q:  Am I required to submit all four versions of the GPA on the online application?
The Goldman School requires the following GPA calculations only:  1) Cumulative (overall) and 2) All course work after first 2 years.

Q:  Should I include grades earned from other institutions in my GPA calculations?
All graded courses that count towards the fulfillment of your undergraduate degree should be calculated in your GPA.

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Essay Questions

Q:  What is the page length requirement for the Personal History Statement?
There is no page length requirement for the Personal History Statement. However, this essay is generally 1-2 pages, double-spaced.

 Q: What is the difference between the Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement?
The Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement have two distinct set of guidelines (see below). It is expected that the two essays may overlap.

Statement of Purpose:
The Goldman School of Public Policy welcomes applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a variety of career aspirations. Some of our students have had prior experience in the realm of public policy; others have not. It is helpful to us to know more about your background, your motivation, and your long-term goals than can be inferred from your records and references. We would appreciate your helping us by supplying a brief statement of 3-5 pages, double-spaced. Please address some of these areas: The present: Why do you want to take an educational program in the analysis and management of public policy?

The past: What experiences or activities bear on your qualifications for this program, e.g., research papers, study groups, job responsibilities, policy or political projects? How do these experiences relate to your decision to undertake the study of public policy analysis and management? If you have been out of school for a year or more, please indicate the positions you have held and your major activities. A vita or resume is strongly recommended. The future: What kinds of work and activity would you like to engage in following graduation, and what are your long-range career objectives? Please supply whatever information you think may help us to understand your candidacy more fully.

Personal History Statement:
Required of all applicants. Please note that the Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Statement of Purpose.
Please describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Please include information on 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, or evidence of your leadership among such groups.

Q:  Should I include my resume with the Statement of Purpose?
Your resume should not be submitted with your Statement of Purpose. Your resume should be submitted in the space provided on the Public Policy Supplemental Application.

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Transcripts Questions

Q:  Can I mail in transcripts directly to GSPP?
Two sets of all transcripts are required - one set needs to be an official sealed copy which can be mailed directly from your institution or you can send the official set if it is in a sealed envelope; the additional copy can be an unofficial copy that you may send directly.

Q:  Am I required to submit my study abroad transcripts?
It is not necessary to submit the transcript from the abroad university if the courses, credits, and grades appear on your degree-awarding university transcript.

GRE Questions

Q: What is latest date I can take the GRE and still be considered for admission?
The Goldman School recommends that you take the GRE as early as possible; however you may take the exam as late as December 1, 2009.  If the exam is taken after this date, we can not guarantee that your application will be considered for admission.

Q:  I did not list the correct department code. What should I do?
As long as you listed the correct institution code for Berkeley (4833), the Goldman School will be able to retrieve your scores.

Q: Can I submit my GMAT or LSAT in lieu of the GRE?
The GRE is required by all applicants applying to the MPP program. No exceptions. No substitutions. 

What are the average GRE scores?
Please visit the follow link to view past admissions statistics:  http://gspp.berkeley.edu/admissions/statistics.html

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TOEFL Questions (for international students)

Q:  If I’ve attended a university in the United States, am I required to take the TOEFL?
All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. This requirement applies to applicants from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East,  Israel, the Peoples Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most European countries, and non-English-speaking countries in Africa.

If you have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better in residence at a U.S. university, you do not need to take a standardized test. Instead, you must submit an official transcript from the U.S. university.

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).

Q:  Which version the TOEFL of this required?
Both the computer-based and internet-based version of the TOEFL is acceptable.

Q:  What is the minimum TOEFL Score?
The minimum TOEFL score required for graduate admission is 570 on the paper-based test (PBT), 230 on the computer based test (CBT) and 68 on the Internet Based Test (iBT). Applicants with a score below these will not be admitted.

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Letter of Recommendation Questions

Q:  What is the preferred method for submitting letters of recommendation?
Recommenders can choose to submit letters online or send hard copy letters in the mail.

Q:  How do recommenders submit their letter electronically?
Once you have started the on-line application, the instructions for how to submit letters of recommendation can be found in the main menu under “Recommendations”.

Q:  It is acceptable to have some recommenders submit a hard copy letter while others submit letters electronically. 
Yes, this is perfectly acceptable.

Q:  If submitting a hardcopy letter of recommendation, is the cover form required for the letter of recommendation?
The cover form for letters of recommendation is not required if the letter will be printed on official letterhead.

Q:  Where can I find the cover form for letters of recommendation?
The cover form for letters of recommendation can be found here: http://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/pdf/form_letter_recommendation.pdf

Q:  Can I submit more than 3 letters of recommendation?
Yes, you may submit up to 4 letters of recommendation.

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Application Fee Questions

Q:  Am I eligible for application fee waiver?
You can find detailed information on application fee waivers at the following link: <http://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/before_begin.shtml#6> See “Application Fee”.

Q:  Where do I mail my application payment?
For non-credit card payments please mail your check or money order to the Graduate Admissions Office. Please remember to include your Document ID number on your check/money order.

Graduate Admissions Office
309 Sproul Hall #5900
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-5900

Mailing Questions:

What items should be sent by mail?
Transcripts, GRE scores, and hard copy letters of recommendation (if applicable) are sent by mail.  All other items should be sent electronically via the on-line application.

What address should I send hard copy application materials?
Please send all paper copy application items (i.e. transcripts, paper copy letters of recommendation, etc) to the following address:

MPP Admissions Office
Goldman School of Public Policy
2607 Hearst Avenue
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-7320

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Miscellaneous Questions:

Q:  How will I know that my application/application materials have been received?
During the months of December and January, GSPP will notify you via email if your application is complete or if any pieces are missing. As you might expect, the admissions office is inundated with queries throughout the admissions cycle. Please do not contact the admission office regarding your application until you have received an email confirmation.

Q: When will admission decisions be made?
Decision letters will be mailed in early-March.

Q:  When is the application deadline?
The application deadline for admission and fellowship consideration is December 1, 2009 at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time. Other pieces of your application (i.e. transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, etc) may arrive up to 14 business days after the application deadline.

Q:  Who should I contact if I am having technical difficulties with the online application?
Applicants should report any technical difficulties to the Graduate Office of Admissions. Email:  gradadm@berkeley.edu. Phone:  (510) 642-7405.

 

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Last Updated:  11/19/2009