FAQ
Before I apply...
If you are looking for a professional degree program, apply for the MAnalytics or MEng program. For more information about the differences between the MAnalytics and MEng programs, please see the FAQ here.
The MS and PhD programs are considered academic programs. The MS is a technical and full-time master's degree program. The PhD is a research-oriented academic program for those who have a clear research goal in mind. If you apply for the PhD without an MS degree, you will earn an MS degree while progressing to the doctorate degree.
Note: The MAnalytics, MEng, and MS programs are considered terminal degree programs, and students in these programs will not be allowed to continue on for the PhD. Prospective students who are interested in earning a PhD degree should apply to enter the PhD program even if they do not yet have a master’s degree.
You can find the current fee estimates here.
The online application site will be open mid-September.
The admissions committee does not assess the chances of admission. A complete application must be submitted before an application can be evaluated.
You cannot transfer credit from other institutions if you are seeking a PhD degree. Up to six quarter units or four semester units of credit for work you have taken elsewhere can be credited toward the master's degree if (a) the work was taken in graduate status at an accredited institution, (b) it did not form part of a program for a degree previously awarded at Berkeley or elsewhere, and (c) the grade received was at least a "B" and the student's overall GPA at both institutions was at least 3.3. Acceptance is subject to the approval of the Graduate Division upon recommendation of the department concerned. Transfer of credit will not reduce your academic residence requirements or the required minimum of 200-series courses in the major field.
A number of fellowships and assistantships are (almost exclusively) available to incoming PhD students.
All PhD applicants who submit their admission application before the financial aid deadline are also considered for university fellowships and teaching assistantships. In addition, research assistantships may be available to qualified incoming students if there are open positions. If you are interested in a research assistantship position with a faculty member, contact the faculty member individually after (not before) you are admitted.
The IEOR department does not offer university fellowships to MS students, however, MS students are welcome to apply for IEOR student appointments (teaching assistantships and reader positions).
Students can apply for graduate fellowships and awards if they are eligible.
Many organizations offer financial aid to US citizens and permanent residents. We encourage you to apply for all financial aid that you are eligible for. Please see UC Berkeley Graduate Division's list of financial aid sources.
No. The IEOR department does not offer Spring admissions.
Beginning for the Fall 2021 application cycle, Graduate Admissions will no longer be accepting paper Test Report Forms. All IELTS scores must be sent electronically from the testing center, and no institution code is required.
Our address for identification purposes is: University of California, Berkeley, Graduate Division, Sproul Hall Rm 318, MC 5900, Berkeley, CA 94720. Please do not mail any score reports to the IEOR department.
During my application process...
You can send them reminders by logging into your application and selecting "Send Again" under the "Recommender Information" section. Please note that once you send them a reminder, you will not be able to send the reminder again until 5 days have passed.
There is no "department" code for the GRE or TOEFL.
As long as you sent the scores to a graduate program code at UC Berkeley (4833), we should be able to retrieve your scores. We cannot retrieve scores sent to undergraduate programs.
Unfortunately, we have no way of accessing scores sent to other schools. Please resubmit your scores through ETS using the correct institution code, 4833.
All test scores received should be viewable by logging into your application.
GRE and TOEFL score reports take 10-15 days to be verified in UC Berkeley’s application system after they are sent to UC Berkeley. If it has been over 15 days and your status still shows “awaiting,” please contact us at gradadmissions-ieor@berkeley.edu, and we will conduct a manual search for your score report. In your email, please include the email address you used to register for the exam, your full name, and your UC Berkeley application reference number. Please note that the IEOR department will not take requests to verify GRE and TOEFL score reports after Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
No, but the general Graduate Record Examination is required for admission.
We require that applicants report their GPA as it reads on their transcript. International students do not need to convert their grades to the 4.0 system.
After I submit an application...
If you would like to check your application status or see if fee waivers, test scores, and/or letters of recommendation have been received, processed, and/or verified, please log on to your online application.
No. Please log on to your online application if you would like to check your application status or see if fee waivers, test scores, and/or letters of recommendation have been received, processed, and/or verified.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept late applications.
Once you have submitted your application, you will no longer be able to update uploaded materials.
No, applicants are not required to mail official transcripts with their application for the review process. However, applicants must upload transcripts with the online application. If applicants are accepted into the program, they will be contacted and instructed on submitting official transcripts.
The admissions process is lengthy and intensive; we notify applicants of their status as soon as possible, usually by mid-March.
If you are recommended for admission by the department, the Graduate Division then completes a final review of your application and sends you instructions on how to accept or decline our offer.
No. Do not be alarmed if you are not invited to interview. If the admissions committee needs more information from the applicant, they will recommend an interview; however, it does not guarantee admission.