How to Apply

A downloadable Application Requirements Checklist can be found HERE.

Please review each of the application requirements below for details on each requirement. Additionally, we encourage you to visit our FAQ throughout your application process.

We require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or recognized equivalent and sufficient undergraduate education for graduate work in your chosen field.

More information HERE (Minimum Admssions Requirement).

Academic records from all post-secondary institutions attended must be uploaded to your online application. Do not mail transcripts or other academic records to our office at the time of application.

Official transcripts are preferred. Unofficial transcripts must include at a minimum the name of the institution, your full name as it appears on your application, and a chronological listing of all classes and grades.

More information HERE (Academic Records).

*Note: If you received your degree or are a candidate to receive your undergraduate degree from an institution outside the United States, please see additional information HERE (Bachelor’s Degree from an International Institution).

If you received your bachelor's degree from a domestic institution, please report Cumulative GPA (CGPA) and Advanced GPA (all courses completed after your second year for your bachelor’s degree) from the degree granting institution. All other GPAs listed on the online Graduate Application are not required.

​I​f you received your bachelor's degree from an international institution, please report only the Cumulative GPA (CGPA) from the degree granting institution. For international institutions that did not grade on a 4.0 scale, please include the Cumulative GPA as it reads on the transcript in “Other Scale GPA”; you may ignore the CGPA field.​ All other GPAs listed on the online Graduate Application are not required.

*Note: The IEOR department doesn’t require a GPA calculation worksheet; however, we require the transcript grading scale.

Applicant transcripts should demonstrate strong academic preparation and capability. At a minimum, applicants should have two years of undergraduate mathematics (including calculus and linear algebra), a course in probability/statistics, and should demonstrate competency in a scientific programming language. Strong academic preparation also includes courses in one or more of advanced mathematics, operations research, engineering, and computing.

Advanced undergraduate courses in linear algebra (equivalent to MATH 110) are recommended to prepare for MS core courses.

• No minimum score is required.
• Please send official scores to UC Berkeley at institution code 4833 for Graduate Organizations. ”Department” code is not required for GRE scores to be matched to the online application.
• More information on sending scores HERE (Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Other Test Scores).
• For Fall 2026, tests taken before June 1, 2021 will not be accepted even if your score was reported to UC Berkeley. Additionally, tests must also be taken by the application deadline.

*Note: GRE scores are required for all applicants except for those who:

• have earned their University of California (UC) degree with a 3.5 or higher cumulative or advanced GPA
• are current University of California (UC) students who have, at the time of application submission, a 3.5 or higher cumulative or advanced GPA
• are/were transfer students to a University of California (UC) with a 3.5 or higher advanced GPA

If you received or are a candidate to receive your undergraduate degree from an institution outside the United States, you are required to fulfill the UC Berkeley Graduate Division’s Evidence of English Language Proficiency requirement.

• We require three letters of recommendation.
• Additional letters submitted past the required number (3) will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.
• We strongly prefer that letters of recommendation come from a current direct supervisor, former direct supervisor, faculty, or other individuals with whom you have had significant professional interaction.
• When completing the online application, you will enter the email addresses of your recommenders and click the appropriate box to have the recommenders upload their letters. You are responsible for ensuring that the letters of recommendations are submitted by your recommenders. We cannot guarantee that letters of recommendation uploaded after the application deadline will be reviewed with your application.
• More information HERE (Letters of Recommendation).

The Statement of Purpose is your “academic statement” and should convey why you are interested in the program, what you will contribute to the program, and what you plan to do after the program.

This essay should include the following:

• Academic and research experiences
• Publications and/or presentations
• Internship or employment opportunities you have had
• Your motivation and interests in the program, including your professional objectives, research interests, areas of specialization, etc.
• Additional contributions to your program of study: Let us know how your experience has led to the perfect fit for this program. Are there specific IEOR faculty you want to work with? Why are you choosing this program at UC Berkeley specifically?

Be concise; an ideal essay should say everything it needs to with brevity. Approximately 500 to 1000 well-selected words (1-2 single space pages in 12 point font) is better than more words with less clarity and poor organization.

More information HERE (Writing the Statement of Purpose).

The Personal History Statement should provide insight to you as a person and any personal experiences that have influenced you to apply for graduate studies in IEOR. Take this opportunity to write about your personal goals, dreams, and what motivates you towards your degree and objectives. Remember to be authentic in your essay, as we want to hear your voice and perspective.

Please describe how your background and life experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree at this time. This may include formative experiences, values, or motivations that have influenced your academic and/or professional path.

In this section, you may also include any relevant information on the following:

• Any educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences or opportunities that have shaped your academic journey
• Challenges or responsibilities you have navigated in pursuit of your educational goals, and how you responded to or overcame them
• Significant barriers or hardships you have faced, and how they have contributed to your growth and shaped your perspective
• Leadership experiences, community outreach, service initiatives, or research projects you have participated in or plan to pursue that aim to positively impact others or the broader community
• Ways in which your perspectives, experiences, or aspirations have aligned with UC Berkeley’s Principles of Community

Be concise; an ideal essay should say everything it needs to with brevity. Approximately 500 to 1000 well-selected words (1-2 single space pages in 12 point font) is better than more words with less clarity and poor organization.

More information HERE (Writing The Personal Statement).

Upload your resume so that the admissions committee may gain a more in-depth understanding about your academic and professional experiences.

Although work experience is not required for admission, we want to know about your professional, internship, and research experiences.

A nonrefundable application fee is required when you apply. Information on the application fee can be found HERE (Application Fee).

Application Fee Waiver

There are three ways in which you may qualify for an application fee waiver:

1. Berkeley IEOR is automatically waiving the Master of Analytics, IEOR MS, or IEOR PhD application fee for applicants who identify as:

• Current undergraduate students and alumni of UC Berkeley, or
• Current undergraduate students and alumni of a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) institution and are considered a California resident for tuition purposes.

Complete and submit your application by the deadline in order to have your application fee automatically waived based on the undergraduate university information listed in your application. Submit your application and select the credit card option, but do not pay. Your application will be credited for payment on or soon after the deadline.

*Note: The application fee waiver is available only to applicants who hold, or will hold, a bachelor’s degree or higher from one of the eligible universities noted and meet eligibility at the planned time of enrollment. Visiting scholars and non-degree seeking students are not eligible.

2. Graduate Division Application Fee Waiver Request:

U.S. citizens or current permanent residents who can demonstrate financial need or who have participated in certain programs are eligible to apply for a Graduate Division Application Fee Waiver.

3. Berkeley IEOR Application Fee Waiver Request:

• This Berkeley IEOR Application Fee Waiver Request applies only to the Fall 2026 application cycle.
• Applicants must meet at least one of the criteria listed to be eligible for a Berkeley IEOR Application Fee Waiver and must not be eligible for Graduate Division’s Application Fee Waiver.

Please complete the Berkeley IEOR Application Fee Waiver Request Form before submitting your application. We will review requests within 5-10 business days and provide next steps via email. Please do not submit your application until you receive a decision; we will not be processing application fee reimbursements. Please complete and submit the Berkeley IEOR Application Fee Waiver Request form no later than Monday, December 8, 2025, 8:59 pm PT.