1. GRADUATE DIVISION APPLICATION
Submit the UC Berkeley Graduate Division online application, completing all
of its sections.
2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
This is your academic statement. It should include a description of why you
want to study your proposed subject field, why you want to study at UC Berkeley,
and how our program can help you achieve your professional goals. For additional
information, see our frequently asked questions page.
Note to Ph.D. applicants and applicants to the academic master's degree
programs: The admissions committee will 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, independent and in-depth
research project. Your competence and intellectual potential to undertake
research is among the most important criteria considered by the admissions
committee.
ARCHITECTURE PH.D. AND M.S. APPLICANTS ONLY
Architecture Ph.D. and Master of Science applicants should structure their
Statement of Purpose as follows:
Part 1: Goals (500 words). A statement describing your general academic and
career goals, the field(s) in which you would like to study, and why you wish to
attend UC Berkeley in particular (you may want to refer to specific classes,
faculty, or research projects that interest you). Your ideas should be clear,
specific and persuasive.
Part 2: Research Proposal (500 words). An example of a specific research
proposal that you may wish to undertake while at UC Berkeley. You may present a
single proposal, or perhaps two alternates, about your dissertation Although you
are not committed to do precisely what you propose (and, if fact, it is expected
that your ideas will evolve during your studies), the committee will use this
proposal to assess your ability to conceptualize a research plan. Your research
proposal should succinctly frame a research question, articulate why it is
important, demonstrate an understanding of the relevant literature and gaps in
current knowledge, and identify what types of research methods one might apply
to address the problem. If possible, identify faculty in architecture and/or
other departments with whom you would like to work.
3. PERSONAL HISTORY STATEMENT
The Personal History Statement should convey how a combination of life
experiences, idealism, role models, education and work experiences have
influenced your decision to apply. You may also include any educational,
familial, cultural, economic or social experiences, challenges or opportunities
relevant to your academic journey. For tips on writing the Personal History
Statement, see UC Berkeley's Personal Statement Guide.
ARCHITECTURE PH.D. AND M.S. APPLICANTS ONLY
Architecture Ph.D. and Master of Science applicants should structure their
Personal History Statement as follows:
This essay (500 words, maximum) is a narrative description of your life
background in terms of how it has prepared you for this next stage of your
studies. It should describe relevant aspects of your life story and
achievements, as well as educational and cultural opportunities or circumstances
that supported or deprived you of such achievements; family background; economic
circumstances; special interests and abilities; and community or social service
involvement. Throughout, be selective in describing things that specifically
relate to your academic goals and intellectual pursuits. In particular, please
be sure to focus on details of your research experience, and how your background
has prepared you for the next stage of your studies.
4. THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
A minimum of three letters of recommendation must be submitted via the UC
Berkeley Graduate Division online application by the application deadline.
Applicants may submit additional letters if desired. Only letters that are
submitted online will be considered. If your recommender is having trouble with
the submittal system, please contact your graduate program adviser.
5. EXAMINATION(S)
Applicants to the College of Environmental Design's graduate programs may be
required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and/or the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)/International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) examination. See the table below for the examination(s) required
by your program. Please plan ahead and schedule your examinations at least one
month prior to the application deadline so that we may have timely receipt of
your scores.
ProgramDomestic ApplicantsInternational Applicants
GREGRETOEFL/IELTS
*M.Arch applicants must submit scores from one type of exam. Those who must
meet the English Language Proficiency Requirementshould submit TOEFL
scores(IELTS scores can be submitted in place of TOEFL scores), and all others
should submit GRE scores.
GRE
Applicants taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must have their
official scores reported to the UC Berkeley Graduate Division by the Educational
Testing Service (ETS). Only GRE scores taken after June
2013 are valid. There is no minimum score requirement.
GRE SCHOOL AND DEPARTMENT CODES
GRE School Code: 4833
GRE Architecture Department Code: 4401
GRE City and Regional Planning Department Code: 4402
GRE Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Department Code:
4405
GRE Urban Design Program Code: 4406
TOEFL/IELTS
All international applicants from non-English-speaking countries must
demonstrate English-language proficiency by taking the Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System
(IELTS) examination.
The TOEFL and IELTS must have been taken after June
2016 . Minimum required scores are 570 for the paper-based test, 90 for
the internet-based test (iBT), and a 7 on the IELTS.
TOEFL SCHOOL AND DEPARTMENT CODES
TOEFL School Code: 4833
TOEFL Architecture Department Code: 12
TOEFL City and Regional Planning Department Code: 97
TOEFL Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Department Code:
99
TOEFL Urban Design Department Code: 99
6. TRANSCRIPT(S)
Submit an electronic or scanned copy of your official transcript(s) in PDF
format from every post-secondary school that you have attended, including
community colleges, summer sessions, and extension programs. Please make sure
that transcript images are properly rotated, and not sideways or upside-down,
and remove
your Social Security number and birth date before submittal.
7. RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITAE
Submit an electronic copy of your resume or curriculum vitae that includes
any publications, awards, or community/volunteer experiences you may have.
8. PORTFOLIO/EXHIBIT OF CREATIVE WORK
A digital portfolio is required for applicants to the following degree
programs:
Master of Architecture
Master of City Planning — Urban Design Concentration
Master of Landscape Architecture — First and Second Professional Degrees
Master of Urban Design
The portfolio may contain up to 12 pages (8-1/2"x11"-format) of design
content. Please
note that beyond 12 pages, your portfolio may not be reviewed. Title
page and/or table of contents may be submitted, and will not count toward the 12
pages of content. The digital portfolio should showcase recent, high-quality
work, and will be judged on both content and overall design. Applicants without
professional training may submit work that shows other evidence of creativity
(studio art, construction/renovation, furniture design, etc.) and clearly
demonstrates interest in the proposed subject field. Any material that is not
entirely the applicant's own work must be clearly identified.
Portfolio must be saved as a single file in PDF format, and submitted via the
UC Berkeley Graduate Division online application. The filesize must be no larger
than 10MB. If your portfolio PDF file exceeds 10MB, try compressing it in Adobe
Acrobat.
Note
to M.Arch applicants: The portfolio may be in a two-page spread format,
and any dimensions may be used. Please keep in mind the review will take place
on monitors of varying size.
9. RECENT PUBLICATION, REPORT OR WRITING SAMPLE
A recent publication, report or writing sample must be submitted by
applicants to the following degree programs:
Master of Landscape Architecture — Environmental Planning Emphasis
Master of Science in Architecture
Ph.D. in Architecture
Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning
Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (recent
publication required, whether published or pending publishing)
The publication, report or writing sample should support the applicant's
Statement of Purpose and clearly demonstrate research and writing abilities
and/or analytical skills.
Publication, report or writing sample must be saved as a single file in PDF
format, 50 pages maximum (no minimum page requirement), and submitted via the UC
Berkeley Graduate Division online application. Filesize must be no larger than
10MB.