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Below are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) pertaining to graduate admissions. For questions related to undergraduate admissions, visit the CED Undergraduate Advising website. For questions not answered in this FAQ list, please email Yeri Caesar-Kaptoech at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or give her a call at (510) 643-9440. Application Questions
Examination Questions
General Questions
How do I apply to your graduate program? The Graduate Division application, with full instructions, is available at http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/. The Departmental form and handbook, plus a GPA calculator, are available on the DCRP Graduate Admissions webpage. Note: We accept online applications and letters of recommendation only! What is the application deadline? The deadline for Fall 2010 admission is December 7, 2009 — for admissions with or without departmental merit-based fellowships. Can I apply for spring admission? No. We only accept applications for fall admissions. How do you decide who to admit? The statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) form the foundation for a comprehensive admission review by our faculty. All applications are reviewed thoroughly, and great emphasis is placed on your statements and letters of recommendation. Luckily, these are the two things that you can really work on! We also take into account an applicant's work or volunteer experience. It's not required, but can play a positive role in the application review. What is your profile of admitted MCP students? Please see Admission Statistics for information on recent MCP admits, such as the number of applications we received, how many students we admitted, age range of admitted students, average GPA and GRE scores, gender and ethnicity breakdowns, etc. Do you accept letters of recommendation from university letter services? Are recommenders required to use the forms in the application? While we require recommenders to submit letters online, we will accept letters sent from a university letter service. Can I apply for coursework only? No. However, UC Berkeley Extension offers a concurrent enrollment program that allows individuals to take classes, space permitting, in degree-offering departments. You will participate fully in the class, and grading for extension students is based on the same standards as those for students in degree programs. What should I include in my personal statements? The Statement of Purpose should highlight your intellectual and practical background for graduate school, and your perspective on how the department’s resources and those of the campus would enable you to find an intellectual home here. You should give us a sense of who you are and why you feel that a Berkeley degree will help you reach your goals! Also, what have you done, written, experienced, or learned that makes you interesting? Your Personal History Statement should convey how a combination of life experiences, idealism, role models, education, and work experiences have influenced your decision to apply. Is there any substantive difference between a statement of purpose written for the MCP program and one written for the doctoral program? The Ph.D. in City Planning is a research-oriented degree and the dissertation — an in-depth research study — is the centerpiece of doctoral study. The Ph.D. admissions committee will therefore read your statement of purpose seeking an account of your prior research experience and looking for evidence that you are prepared to undertake a significant, sophisticated, and independent in-depth research project. You do not need to have a specific research topic; however, you should remember that your competence and intellectual potential to undertake dissertation research is among the most important criteria considered by the doctoral admissions committee. Do you accept transfer students? No, we do not accept transfer students. How do I register for the GRE? Register for the GRE general test online at http://www.gre.org/, or by calling 1-800-GRE-CALL. Applications for the GRE may also be obtained from Educational Testing Service, Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000, 609-771-7670. Information on the GRE is also available at UC Berkeley’s graduate admissions website. NOTE: Register early and choose a date that will allow the score report to arrive on time for admission review! What are the department and institution codes for GRE and TOEFL score reporting? GRE: Institution Code for UC Berkeley, 4833; the Department Code is 4402. TOEFL: Institution Code is 4833; Department Code is 97. I've taken the LSAT/GMAT/MCAT. May I submit my these scores instead of taking the GRE? No. You must submit GRE scores to apply for the program. I am an international student and am required to take the TOEFL. Must I also take the GRE? Yes. All applicants must take the GRE, general test only, including the new analytical essay. How much weight do you give to the GRE scores and undergraduate GPAs? GRE scores and undergraduate GPAs are only one part of your application. Admission to our graduate programs is highly competitive, and we receive more qualified applicants than we are able to admit. The scores alone do not give the admissions committee a clear picture of any one applicant. It is most important that you take the time to draft an excellent statement of purpose that allows the committee to get to know you and your goals, and that you select your recommenders carefully. When do students declare a concentration in the MCP program? It's helpful for you to indicate which one or two concentrations you are interested in — mostly because we try to balance student interests with faculty research areas. MCP students declare a concentration at the end of the first semester. This decision is not binding, and some students even follow an independent path and create their own concentration, drawing in from two or three areas. If I am accepted, can I defer my admission? Deferments are rarely granted and are considered only under compelling circumstances. Do I need a degree in a specific field to apply to the program? You do NOT need a degree in a specific field to apply for the Master in City Planning program, but your bachelor's (undergraduate) degree must be from an accredited university. The admissions committee seeks to admit students from a variety of backgrounds. However, it is strongly preferred that applicants to the Ph.D. program have a master's degree in planning or a planning-related field. What type of financial aid is available to students? Graduate students can apply for merit- and need-based fellowships, as well as for Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) and Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions. We do our best to allocate fellowship funds equitably, both with student need and merit in mind. Some fellowships are by faculty nomination only. GSI and GSR positions are announced each semester, and incoming students are eligible to apply for these positions as well. It is also beneficial for applicants to seek financial support that is independent of University sources. If you are an international student, look for fellowships from your home country or through international agencies. NOTE: All applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents must apply for need-based financial aid, which requires the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), in order to receive fellowship support through the University. May I contact current students about their experience in the MCP or Ph.D. programs? Yes, you are welcome to contact the students listed below, who are our MCP and Ph.D. peer advisors. They can answer questions about the programs as well as give application tips and other advice about getting into DCRP. The peer advisors, however, cannot read or edit Statements of Purpose or other application essays.
First, we have the smartest and most interesting and dedicated graduate students of any program in the country. You will make friends for life here. Second, we have the most diverse program in the country, with the widest set of course choices. Third, our faculty teaches and conducts cutting-edge research in many different areas. The product of this year's research is in next-year's classes. We have opportunities for graduate students to work on research projects. This includes work in Bay Area communities as well. Fourth, Berkeley is the greatest public graduate university in the world, with more interesting courses, students, faculty, and research projects than anywhere else. Fifth, best food and coffee, period. The world's best coffee house is 200 feet from our front door. The San Francisco Bay Area is the nation’s capital of gourmet food, and Berkeley offers everything from the best ethnic eateries to world-renowned restaurants. If you can’t find it here, it does not exist. Sixth, we have the best and friendliest staff in our department. You will never go hungry at Berkeley — for food, friends, or knowledge. |
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