The following answers many of commonly asked questions regarding key supporting documents:
Statement of Purpose
What should I say in the Statement of Purpose?
The Statement of Purpose provides the application reviewers with information about your professional goals, your intended areas of study within a given academic program, and your reasons for applying to this specific program of study. It becomes a crucial element in the admissions decision process since it conveys to the faculty reviewers how well-prepared you are to undertake graduate study in information management and systems; what you intend to do with the degree; and what specializations you wish to pursue within the Master's program.
Your written statement should succinctly explain your reasons for applying to the I School, briefly review your relevant academic preparation and work experience, and describe your future professional goals once the degree is acquired. The focus should be on your preparation, experience, and aims rather than a discussion of the trends or the importance of information management and systems in general. The most successful statements are 1-2 pages in length and focus on the strengths and experiences of the applicant, providing the reviewers with evidence and justification for admitting those applicants who are qualified and well-suited for the I School.
Ph.D. applicants will need to also make clear their research interests and agenda, as well as which iSchool faculty they are interested in researching with specifically.
Note: The Statement of Purpose is used in part to evaluate the candidates writing skills. Pursuant to UC Berkeley policy, the Statement must be written by the candidate her or himself. For admitted students, application materials must comply with the Code of Student Conduct.
Letters of Recommendation
Who should write my letters of recommendation?
Letters of recommendation should comment upon your academic capabilities and can also reflect your work accomplishments and experiences. You should seek recommenders who can attest to your strengths as a student and potential information professional.
Although not required, Master's applicants should provide one academic and one professional letter of recommendation. The third letter can be either. Ph.D. students should provide letters which speak directly to their ability and potential to perform academic research at the doctoral level.
The most effective letters of recommendation discuss your accomplishments and skills relative specifically to our degree programs, and not simply graduate schools in general.
If I submit my letters of recommendation online, do I need to mail hard copies too?
No, the online version of the letter will suffice. You do not need to mail a hard copy of the letter.
If my letter of recommendation is not submitted online, how should they be sent?
The letter of recommendation should include Form G and be sent in a sealed envelope. Please send any hard copies of the letters of recommendation directly to the I School in the supplemental packet.
Computer Competency (Required of Master's applicants only)
What is the Computer Competency Statement?
The School's academic program for the Master's degree includes courses in information technology and systems analysis and design. The faculty expects entering students to have certain core competencies in the use of computing hardware and software. Faculty review the Computer Competency Statement in order to determine if you meet those core competencies required of all entering students. This statement is not a form, it is a document each applicant creates, similar to a resume. It should, however, address each of the applications and languages listed in Part A and Part B. See Master's admission requirements for further details.
Which programming languages meet Part B of the requirement?
Part B requires knowledge of a high level programming language such as C, C++ or Java. Programming languages such as Visual Basic and those languages used to implement and enhance database management systems (such as SQL) are not acceptable.
Are specific courses required for meeting the programming part of the Computer Competency Entrance Requirement?
No, but it is expected that applicants will have completed one or more courses in the programming languages described above.
Should any documents be submitted as evidence of completion of Part B of the competency requirement?
It is not necessary to submit any transcripts showing successful completion of an appropriate programming course, but applicants should describe their level of programming competency and name and describe completed courses in their Computer Competency Statement.
Transcripts
What transcripts must be submitted?
Submit official transcripts or academic records for all university-level studies you have completed abroad and at U.S. institutions. Official transcripts must be in sealed envelopes as issued by the school(s) you have attended. Be sure to request a current transcript from every post-secondary school that you have attended, including community colleges, summer sessions, and extension programs.
See Graduate Division Admission Requirements for further details.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
What minimum GRE scores are required?
The I School has not set any minimum scores, but normally successful applicants score in the high percentiles (80's and 90's) on the General Test.
What are the average GRE scores of successful applicants?
For the class that entered in Fall 2007, the average GRE scores were 630 (Verbal), 720 (Quantitative), and 4.8 (Writing/Analytical).
Can the GRE scores be received after the application deadline?
All supportive application materials (test scores and letters of recommendation) must be received by the School no later than the announced deadlines.
Do applicants who already possess a Ph.D. degree need to take the GRE?
Yes. No exemptions are granted to holders of higher degrees.
Do applicants already admitted to the UC Berkeley Graduate Division need to take the GRE?
All applicants must furnish valid GRE scores. If your scores are already on file with the Admissions Office, you do not need to resubmit them.
How long are GRE scores valid for admission purposes?
No more than five years may have passed between the GRE test date and the application deadline. For example, applicants for Fall 2009 admittance should not submit test scores taken before December 2003.
Are International applicants required to take the GRE?
Yes, all applicants must take the GRE.
May I substitute the GMAT for the GRE?
No, the School of Information requires the GRE.
What are the GRE School and Department codes?
The School code for UC Berkeley is 4833. The Department code for the I School is 0404 (Information Sciences).
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Do I have 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 People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most European countries, and non-English-speaking countries in Africa. See the following link for details: Evidence of English Language Proficiency
Do foreign national applicants who graduated from a university in the U.S. have to take the TOEFL?
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.
How long are TOEFL scores valid for admission purposes?
No more than two years may have passed between the TOEFL test date and the application deadline. For example, Fall 2009 applicants should not submit test scores taken before December 2006.
What are the TOEFL School and Department codes?
The School code for UC Berkeley is 4833. The Department code for the I School is 99.
