PhD in Public Policy
- GPA Calculation
- Essay Questions, CV and Writing Sample
- Faculty Advisor Preferences
- Transcripts
- GRE
- TOEFL and IELTS
- Letters of Recommendation
- Application Fee
- Mailing Materials to the Goldman School
- Miscellaneous
GPA Calculation
Q: How do I calculate my Major GPA?
The Major GPA calculation is not required by the Goldman School of Public Policy. Please leave this field blank.
Q: How do I calculate my advanced GPA?
If you received your undergraduate degree at a US university or college then calculate your Undergraduate Advanced GPA using all coursework towards the degree after the first two years.
Essay Questions, CV and Writing Sample
Q: How many essays are required for the PhD Application?
Two. (1) Policy Statement of Purpose and (1) Personal History Statement.
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 3-5 pages, double-spaced.
Q: What is the difference between the Policy Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement?
The Policy Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement have two distinct sets of guidelines (see below). It is expected that the two essays may overlap. Please follow the instructions below for for the Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement - these instructions supersede those listed in the online application.
Statement of Purpose Prompt:
Address these areas in 5-7 double-spaced pages:
1). The present: Why do you want to pursue a Ph.D. in public policy?
2). The past: What experiences or activities bear on your qualifications for this program, e.g., academic research, teaching, professional experience, etc? How do these experiences relate to your decision to undertake a Ph.D. in public policy?
3). The future: What are your public policy research interests, including the topics /areas you would like to study in the Ph.D. program? And what are your short- and long-term career objectives?
Personal History Statement Prompt:
In 3-5 double-spaced pages, please describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a Ph.D.
Q: Should I include my CV with the Statement of Purpose?
Your CV should not be submitted with your Statement of Purpose - it should be submitted separately in the Supporting Materials section of the online application. Your CV should reflect your academic and professional work experience, education, and any other relevant information.
Q: What are the instructions for the Writing Sample?
The Writing Sample should be a solo-authored, original research paper. This should be under 30 pages, double-spaced. We strongly prefer a writing sample that goes beyond just a literature review or summary of existing research. Its purpose is to make evident that the student can undertake policy research. Your writing sample should be submitted in the Supporting Materials section of the online application.
Faculty Advisor Preferences
Q: What does it mean to indicate a preference for a faculty advisor?
In the application you are asked to indicate 3 preferences for a faculty advisor. If you are admitted to the program, you may be assigned to one of the faculty members you list, however please note that the assignment of faculty advisors is not guaranteed and based on the availability of each faculty member. You do not need to have contacted these faculty members in advance of your application, but you are welcome to. Please view profiles of Goldman School faculty here.
Transcripts
Q: May I send official transcripts directly to the Goldman School?
Please do not send any transcripts by mail. Only unofficial transcripts are required to apply, which should be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts for all college- and graduate-level work will be required only if admitted.
For domestic applicants: upload a PDF copy of your unofficial transcripts (with evidence of degree conferral) to your online application.
For international applicants: upload a PDF copy of your unoffical transcripts to your online application. Please also submit PDF copies of additional documents that verify degree conferral (degree certificate, diploma).
Academic records should be issued in the original language and accompanied by English translations if required (usually prepared by your university or Ministry of Education, unless the institution issues original documents in English). In general, records or transcripts must be issued by the school and include the school’s stamp or embossed seal and the signature of the authorizing official.
English translations are required for all languages except Spanish; degree names and grades should be transliterated, not converted into English words or the U.S. grades of A-F. If your home institution does not issue documents in English, you may submit translations prepared by certified translators from the American Translators Association.
GRE Questions
Q: Is the GRE required to apply for the PhD?
GRE scores are required for the Fall 2023 application, and are due the same day the application is due (December 4, 2023 8:59pm PDT).
Q: What is the latest date to take the GRE in order for my scores to be received in time?
To ensure you meet the application deadline, please take the GRE no later than early November. Keep in mind that it may take a few weeks for your official scores to be received and matched to your application electronically.
Reservations for the GRE exam should be made in advance through: The Education Testing Service (ETS) http://www.ets.org/gre (Phone: (609) 771-7670 or 1-800-GRE-CALL). Our institution code is 4833 (Graduate Programs). Late materials may not arrive in time to be reviewed by the admissions committee.
Q: Can I submit my GMAT or LSAT score in lieu of the GRE?
We do not accept the GMAT or LSAT in lieu of the GRE.
Q: I did not list the correct department code. What should I do?
As long as you listed the correct institution code for UC Berkeley (4833 - Graduate Programs), the Goldman School will be able to retrieve your scores.
Q: My GRE scores have expired. Do I have to retake the test?
Test scores dated prior to November 2018 at the time of application are no longer valid, and you will have to take the test again.
Q: I submitted my application and on the "status" page it reads that my GRE scores have not arrived. I ordered my scores a while ago, should I be concerned?
It can take up to a few weeks for Berkeley to receive GRE scores. You may check the status of your scores via your application status page. If more than a few weeks have passed since you have submitted your GRE scores and they are not showing up as received, please feel free to contact GSPP PhD Admissions. Be sure that ETS sent your scores to institution code 4833 (Graduate Programs).
TOEFL and IELTS
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.
We will only accept TOEFL tests administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and reported directly by the TOEFL office. For Fall 2024, TOEFL tests taken before June 1, 2022 will not be accepted even if your score was reported to Berkeley. To send an official score report, the institution code for Berkeley is 4833 (Graduate Programs). More information about evidence of English language proficiency, including qualifying for an exemption, can be found here.
To qualify for a TOEFL exemption you must:
- 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 a United States institution abroad, where the language of instruction is English and the institution is accredited by one of the United States’ regional accrediting agencies.
NOTE: The Graduate Division includes a third exemption for those who 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. The Goldman School does not accommodate this exemption.
There are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Q: Which version of the TOEFL is required?
UC Berkeley will accept the Internet-based test (IBT) and the paper-based format (PBT).
Q: What is the minimum TOEFL score?
For the purpose of admission to UC Berkeley, your most recent score must be at least 90 on the Internet-based test (IBT) or a 7 overall band score on the IELTS exam. However, applicants admitted to the PhD program tend to score higher than the minimum allowable score.
Letters of Recommendation
Q: How do recommenders submit their letter electronically?
Recommenders will be sent email invitations to submit letters through the online application. Once you have started the online application, the instructions for how to submit letters of recommendation can be found in the main menu under “Recommendations”.
Q: Can I submit more than 3 letters of recommendation?
Yes, you may submit up to 5 letters of recommendation.
Q: Do my letters of recommendation have to be submitted by the application deadline?
We prefer for letters to arrive by the December 4th application deadline. However, letters can be submitted up to 14 days after the December st deadline (by December 18th). After this date, your application will be reviewed whether or not all letters have been submitted.
Application Fee
Q: Am I eligible for an application fee waiver?
You must be a U.S. citizen or current permanent resident to be eligible for the graduate admissions application fee waiver. Applicants with AB540 status are also eligible to apply for the fee waiver. Questions about the fee waiver process should be directed to gradadm@berkeley.edu.
There are two ways in which you may qualify for an application fee waiver:
- You can demonstrate financial need, or
- You are a current participant in certain programs that qualify for a fee waiver.
Please click here for a full list of application fee waiver guidelines.
Mailing
Q: What address should I send hard copy application materials?
All materials should be submitted electronically through the online application.
Miscellaneous
Q: When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is December 4, 2023 at 8:59 pm PDT. All required application materials, including GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores are due by the application deadline. Letters of recommendation may arrive up to 14 days after the December 4th deadline.
Q: Did you receive my application?
Once you submit your online application, you will receive an email confirming your submission. You may log back into your application to monitor the status of the materials received or processed, such as: fee waivers, test scores, letters of recommendation, and admission decision. Please contact your department if you need to make any changes or need to provide additional application materials.
Q: When will admission decisions be made?
All admissions decision letters will be emailed to applicants in early-March or shortly thereafter.
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.
Q: Who should I contact if I have additional questions about the PhD application process?
If you have additional questions about PhD application process, please contact GSPP PhD Admissions at gspp-phdadm@berkeley.edu.