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 Admissions 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.

More information HERE (Academic Records).

*Note: 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. 

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 prerequisites for the first-year PhD program coursework. Students who have not taken these courses prior to entering the graduate program are required to do so during their first year. Real analysis (equivalent to MATH 104) is also recommended.

• The GRE is the only test accepted.
• There is no minimum score required.
• Please send the official scores to UC Berkeley at institution code 4833. Please do not send them to the IEOR department. Note that a “department” code is not required for your GRE scores to be matched to your online application.
• More information on sending scores HERE (Graduate Record Examination (GRE)).
• Only tests taken within the past 5 years are acceptable. For Fall 2025 admissions, tests taken before June 2020 will not be accepted. Tests must also be taken by the application deadline, December 16, 2024.

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

• have earned their UC Berkeley degree with a 3.5 or higher cumulative or advanced GPA; or
• are current UC Berkeley students who have, at the time of application submission, a 3.5 or higher cumulative or advanced GPA; or
• are/were transfer students to UC Berkeley 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 December 16, 2024 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.
• Discuss how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. This statement can also include any obstacles or barriers that you have overcome during your educational career or any social or community projects/programs with which you have worked.
• Please include any of the following information:
  • Educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey
  • How you might contribute to social or cultural diversity within your chosen field
  • How you might serve educationally underrepresented segments of society with your degree
• 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 or California State University 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 December 16 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 2025 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 December 2, 2024, 8:59 pm PT.