Prospective EECS Graduate Student FAQ
| Pre-Admissions | Aspects of the Program | Application Information | Additional Information |
Pre-Admissions Questions
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What are the minimum requirements to be considered for admission to a graduate program in EECS?
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My undergraduate degree is not an EECS degree. Can I still apply to do a graduate degree in EECS?
Aspects of the Program
Application Information
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Does the Department require a GRE subject test or the Writing Assessment test?
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Does the Department require applicants contact faculty before submitting an application?
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Does the Department require applicants to list faculty whose research is of interest to them?
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What happens if you receive my transcripts before my application arrives?
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I have a B.S. in engineering. Can I apply to the Ph.D. program directly?
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What code do I use to have an official TOEFL score report sent to UC Berkeley?
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What are the guidelines for submitting letters of recommendation?
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How can I include papers I have written or a resume with my online application?
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Do I complete form C to apply for a fellowship if I chose a Masters of Science as my degree goal?
Additional Information
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What type of financial assistance is available for international students?
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Whom do I contact if I have a question that is not answered here?
Pre-Admissions Questions
What can I do to prepare towards applying to UC Berkeley?
Register and prepare for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Please consult the Educational Testing Service (ETS) regarding the locations, test dates, and the time it will take for score reports to reach Berkeley. ETS can be reached at (609) 771-7670. Inquiries can also be made to and www.gre.org. The oldest acceptable test date is June 2007. We urge you to take the GRE by November. The institution code for Berkeley is 4833 and the correct Department codes are 1203 for Electrical Engineering and 0402 for Computer Science.
Contact three (3) individuals regarding letters of recommendation. Though recommendations from professors are preferred, letters from employers, are also acceptable. Letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically.
Applicants should request one (1) official transcript from each university they have attended and have official English translations prepared (if international). Applicants from countries in which English is not the official language must also satisfy the Evidence of English Language Proficiency requirement. This is usually satisfied by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). To find out if you must take the TOEFL please consult the Graduate Division website for international admissions. The institution code for Berkeley is 4833. There is no Department code for the TOEFL. The oldest acceptable TOEFL score for Fall 2009 is June 2007.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also acceptable. The minimum acceptable score is 7 on your most recent exam. The oldest acceptable score is June 2007. More information about IELTS can be found at www.ielts.org.
Please check the Graduate Division web page for more detailed instructions and requirements.
Does Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences admit applicants for the Spring semester?
No.
Does the Department have a supplemental application?
No, all you need to submit is the general U.C. Berkeley graduate application. Please enter your research area of interest in the "Emphasis" entry on the Proposed Degree Program section.
Many research options are available. Please examine these options listed under "Emphasis" on the Proposed Degree Program section of the interactive web application, and indicate in the Emphasis field of the application which best matches your interests.
What are the minimum requirements to be considered for admission to a graduate program in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences?
The minimum graduate admission requirements are:
- A bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution.
- A satisfactory scholastic average, with a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) if you attended an American university or a university that uses a similar 4.0 scale.
- The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination.
If you received or are a candidate to receive a degree from an institution outside the United States, please read the Graduate Division section on Minimum Degree Requirements for International Applicants.
My undergraduate degree is not an Electrical Engineering or Computer Science degree. Can I still apply to do a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences?
The majority of successful applicants hold an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, computer sciences or a closely related field. Applicants whose preparation is unconventional will also be considered if high achievement and aptitude are demonstrated. They may also consider gaining additional preparation though the Open University program at CSU East Bay, CSU San Jose, San Francisco State or through the post-baccalaureate program at Mills College.Aspects of the Program
Is it possible to apply to two departments?
The University does not allow applicants to apply to two departments simultaneously unless there is an established concurrent degree program between the two departments or schools. The only EECS joint program is with the Graduate School of Public Policy.
Can I study towards a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences part time?
The Department does not allow part-time graduate study. All students are required to maintain a full-time load of 8-12 units. There are no evening or weekend courses. The University does, however, have an extension division with open admissions and classes offered at night and on weekends in locations throughout California.
Do you offer courses in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences online?
The Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences Department does not offer online courses. Please contact University Extension regarding correspondence courses and courses offered nights and weekends. Please be aware, however, that Extension units do not count toward a Berkeley degree.
How long does it take to complete an M.S. degree? Ph.D. degree?
The Master of Science program requires 24 units of course work plus a project and a thesis. This takes most students 3-4 semesters, or 1.5-2 calendar years.
The Ph.D. program requires 36 units, some of which can come from Masters units. It is usually completed in 5-6 years.
Application Information
What is the Department's code to have official GRE scores sent?
To ensure that your official GRE scores are forwarded to the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences you must give ETS either the Electrical Engineering department code (1203) or the Computer Science department code (0402) when requesting official score reports to be sent to UC Berkeley (institution code - 4833). Do not have them sent to 4925.
Can I submit test scores before I apply?
You can send the test scores (GRE, TOEFL, etc.) to us any time during the year as long as they are in by the deadline. Once you apply, we will match the scores to your application. We actually prefer that you send them early because ETS is notorious for transposing names and listing incorrect information.
Does the Department require a GRE subject test or the Writing Assessment test?
Only the general GRE consisting of the verbal, analytical and quantitative sections is required. The Computer Sciences division suggests applicants take the Advanced Subject GRE in either Math (M67), Physics (P77) or Computer Science (C29). We do not require a separate Writing Assessment test.
Will the Department accept computer-based GRE scores?
We accept any scores reported to us from ETS.
Does the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences require that I calculate and list my grade-point average (GPA) on the application?
Yes. For applicants who received their undergraduate degree at an American university or college we use all coursework towards the degree after the first two years in our GPA calculation. If you attended a university that does not use the 4.0 system, please do not try and convert your grades to our system--just leave that section blank if it does not allow you to enter your GPA. Also, if you are on an alternative system and are not sure if you meet the requirements, please contact our assistants by emailing .
Does the Department require applicants to contact faculty before submitting an application?
No. Most applicants will not have any interaction with faculty prior to applying for admission.
Does the Department require applicants to list faculty in the department whose research is of interest to them?
No.
One (1) official transcript from each university you have attended should be sent to:
EECS Graduate Admissions
205 Cory Hall #1770
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-1770
They should arrive no later than January 9.
Where do I send the application fee?
Please follow the Graduate Division instructions. Most applicants pay online by credit card when they submit their application. Do not mail your fee payment to the EECS Deparment. This will delay crediting the payment to your application.
What happens if you receive my transcripts before my application arrives?
All documents sent to the EECS Graduate Office are saved for two years, with or without an application. Documents that arrive separately are matched against our database.
I have a B.S. in engineering. Can I apply to the Ph.D. program directly?
Yes. Applicants whose ultimate degree goal is the Ph.D. should indicate this on their application by marking M.S./Ph.D. or Ph.D. as the degree goal. The statement of purpose should reflect this goal. Applicants who already have an M.S. degree from another institution should apply directly to the Ph.D. program.
Who needs to submit TOEFL scores?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all international applicants who received their undergraduate degree at a university or college in a country where English is not the official language. However, if at the time of application, you have already completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better at a U.S. university, you do not need to take the TOEFL. Instead, you must submit an official transcript from the U.S. university. The following courses will not fulfill this requirement:
- courses in English as a Second Language
- courses conducted in a language other than English
- courses that will be completed after you apply
- courses of a non-academic nature
Also, simply having lived and worked in the US or another English-speaking country does not satisfy the English Language Requirement.
What is the minimum TOEFL score I need to be considered for admission?
The minimum TOEFL score required by U.C. Berkeley for graduate admission is 570 on the paper and pencil test, 230 on the computer based test and 68 on the iBT. Applicants with a score below this will not be admitted.
What code do I use to have an official TOEFL score report sent to UC Berkeley?
The institution code for UC Berkeley is 4833. There is no department code for the TOEFL.
What do I need to do to reactivate my previous application?
If you applied for Fall 2007 or Fall 2008 but have not registered, you may reactivate your application. Please see http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Gradadm/Reactivations.htm for instructions. When reactivating, applicants must also submit supplementary or updated transcripts covering any academic work and/or degree completed since the last application. The required standardized test scores must be within current time limits. Upon receipt of your reactivation request, your previously submitted documents, the reactivation and your updated transcript will be reviewed. Reactivation also requires a new application fee.
If you applied for Fall 2006 or an earlier term we no longer have your application or supporting documents. You must file a new application.
How do I apply for a Teaching or Research Assistantship?
Graduate Student Instructors (GSI) and Graduate Student Researchers (GSR) are selected by the admissions committee for the group to which they have applied. Applicants are notified in their admission letters if they have been selected for an assistantship.
International applicants appointed as a Graduate Student Instructor must pass the English language proficiency exam (with a minimum score of 50) before starting their appointment. The Test of Spoken English (TSE) is given by the Educational Testing Service in your home country. If you wish to be considered for a future GSI position at UC Berkeley you are advised to take this test. For more information on academic appointments, please see the Graduate Division web page.
What is the process for submitting letters of recommendation?
Please see our instructions for required documents.
If I apply ON the deadline, will my recommenders be able to submit their letters in time for the review?
Recommenders have until January 9 to submit their letters. (However, please keep in mind that earlier submission is highly encouraged.)
Our staff will contact them by e-mail once we receive your electronic application from the Graduate Division (this usually occurs on the Thursday following the date you submit your application). This process begins in early November. Make sure you include only one e-mail address for each recommender and that they are correct. Recommenders will then be asked to submit their letters by e-mail by the January 9 deadline.
How can I include papers I have written or a resume with my online application?
There is a screen in the EECS part of the online application which enables you to include 5 URLs of your homepage and publications. It appears after the screen in which you provide names and e-mails of your recommenders. Please do not submit hardcopies of data included in your URLs.
How do I apply for a merit-based fellowship?
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must complete Form C to be considered for multi-year University Graduate Fellowships, Departmental Block Grant Fellowships, Diversity Fellowships, and Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP) Awards. To be considered for GOP Awards, you also must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When completing the section on resources for the coming academic year, provide your best estimate of your summer gross earnings. In the other income section, only list fellowships which have already been awarded to you. For additional living expenses, give your best estimate for the coming academic year. Please be sure to include your Personal History Statement on Form F2 that describes your personal history and intellectual development. All admitted applicants are automatically considered and no special application is needed.
Do I complete form C to apply for a fellowship if I chose a Masters of Science as my degree goal? (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only)
There are several multi-year fellowships listed on Form C. If you wish to be considered for any of these you must submit Form C or, if you are an international student, Form E.
In addition, U.S. citizens are encouraged to apply for the many external fellowships for which they are eligible.
When will I be notified whether I have been admitted?
We will begin sending admissions decisions at the end of February. All decisions are sent by e-mail. This makes a current e-mail address essential, since it is our primary form of communication with applicants. Admitted applicants will also receive hardcopy materials.
Additional Information
What is the cost of graduate study at UC Berkeley?
For more information about the costs of attending Berkeley please the Graduate Division website for prospective students.
What type of financial assistance is available to international students?
If you are an international applicant, you must complete Form E to be considered for multi-year University Graduate Fellowships, Departmental Block Grant Fellowships, and Restricted Fellowship Endowments.
We estimate that the total minimum expenses for each 9-month period will be $42,513 excluding dependents. This estimate includes $23,400.90 for tuition and fees for two semesters and $27,552 for basic living expenses, books, and other school supplies. Married students should bring an additional $5,000 if accompanied by a spouse and $3,000 for each accompanying child.
Further information about being an international student at Berkeley can be obtained at Services for International Students and Scholars
Whom do I contact if I have a question that is not answered here?
Send mail to EECS Graduate Admissions or call (510) 642-3068.
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