Admissions Application Prep

1. Planning

• What did I enjoy about my undergraduate major?
• What did I least enjoy about my undergraduate major?
• What do I like most about my current/previous jobs?
• What do I like least about my current/previous jobs?
• Did my undergraduate degree and current/past professional experiences align with my passions?
• Why did I choose my undergraduate major? Why did I select my recent employment? Am I happy with those decisions and experiences?
• What characteristics do my most influential supervisors or mentors have that inspire me?
• What traits and abilities do I value in supervisors, colleagues, classmates, or friends?
• What skills or experiences are missing in my growth process (professionally or personally)?
• Thinking five years ahead, how would I define success when I look back at my graduate school experiences? What tools do I want to have in my arsenal?

IEOR department does not require official transcripts at the time of submitting the application. To ensure an incomplete transcript does not delay your application, you will want to prepare these documents in advance. Request a current transcript from every post-secondary school you have attended, including community colleges, summer sessions, and extension programs. Unofficial transcripts and other required academic records should be uploaded, in PDF format, with the application. Full academic disclosure is required. If an offer of admission is made, applicants will be required to send to the Graduate Division the official paper documents for verification. Offers will not be considered final until the Graduate Division has received the official documents that match the uploaded record. If you have attended UC Berkeley, upload unofficial transcripts with the application for the initial departmental review. Official transcripts with evidence of degree conferral will not be required if admitted. *Please note, applicants are not required to mail transcripts to our office at the time of application. For the application review process, applicants should upload all required materials to the online application.

Be sure to schedule your tests in advance; aim to take the exam by November to give yourself enough time for the score. Taking the test early will allow your results to be available by the application submission deadline. Remember, it's valid for five years.

2. GRE

3. Letters of Rec

Reaching out

4. Essays

• 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 UCB Analytics?

5. Professional Experience

• Be organized- remember to be clear and concise with your resume. A resume should not exceed 1-2 pages and should be organized, ideally chronologically.
• Be to the point- outline your experiences in a well-written (no acronyms) and succinct way that accounts honestly for your accomplishments. You do not need to elaborate on each position held on your resume. Your Statement of Purpose will allow you to dive deeper into these experiences and where you will go from here.
• Show clear advancement towards your goals- your resume should highlight your career progression. You want to showcase a timeline from the beginning to now. Remember, your Statement of Purpose will fill in where you plan to go from here.

6. Audio/Visual

• Keep your A/V short and straightforward- Be concise in your audio/visual recording. Collect your thoughts and aim to answer the prompt. You want to make sure your viewer does not miss any important information you wish to convey.
• Speak with confidence and enthusiasm- Speaking clearly and confidently will help maintain viewer engagement and help you convey your message.
• Be aware of your environment when recording- If you are submitting a video recording, feel free to be creative with your environment, record on campus, create an exciting background, work with your lighting. Whether working with visual or audio, be mindful of your environment to ensure you have little to no disturbances that could distract from your voice and, most importantly, your message. Remember, your answer to the prompt is what will be reviewed.
• Capture and upload the best possible quality- If recording a video, please make sure your recording device is placed around your eye level. To avoid (or reduce) "shaky cam," keep the recording device stationery while filming. *NOTE: It is ideal for the highest quality video to film on a smartphone as it doesn't rely so heavily on specific software. Remember, you will not be evaluated on the quality of your video.
• Be yourself!

7. Gather Materials

1. Application fee: You must submit an application fee when you apply. The application fee is not refundable. If you are a U.S. citizen or current permanent resident, the application fee is $120; for all others, the fee is $140. Fee Waiver: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who can demonstrate financial need are eligible to apply for a waiver of the application fee. See guidelines for waivers. Fee Exemption: Some programs do not require the application fee payment.See Guidelines for Fee Exemption
2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE):Test results for the General GREs must be sent to code 4833 only (the Berkeley institution code). Please do not send them to the IEOR Department. There is no minimum scores required. Only tests taken within the past 5 years are acceptable. 
3. Transcripts: IEOR department does not require official transcripts when applying. However, unofficial transcripts and other required academic records should be uploaded, in PDF format, with the application. If an offer of admission is made, applicants will be required to send the official paper documents for verification to the Graduate Division. Offers will not be considered final until the Graduate Division has received the official documents that match the uploaded record. Please note, applicants are not required to mail transcripts to our office at the time of application. However, applicants should upload all required materials to the online application for the application review process.
4. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the only acceptable substitute. Other tests such as the TOEIC are not acceptable. Only tests taken within the past 2 years are acceptable.  Please send the official score to Berkeley at institution code 4833 by the deadline. Please do not send it to the IEOR Department. For information regarding TOEFL exemption, please visit here. The minimum score is 90 for the internet-based test (iBT) and 570 for the paper-based test (PBT).
5. Letters of Recommendation: A total of 3 letters are required. You can send letters of recommendation requests in the Recommendations section of the online application. Letters of recommendation must be received by the IEOR Department electronically by the deadline. See Career Center for additional guidance.
6. Statement of Purpose: The Statement of Purpose is your "academic statement" and should convey why you are interested in the Master of Analytics program, what you will contribute to the program, and what you plan to do after the program. The average length of this statement is two pages double spaced.
7. Personal Statement: 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. This statement can also include any obstacles or barriers you have overcome during your education career or any social or community projects/ programs you have worked with.
8. Resume: Be sure to upload your resume so that the admission committee may gain a more in-depth understanding of your academic and professional experiences.

8. Finish Line

• Revisit the application boot camp checklist to ensure all of your materials are in order. If you can check all the boxes, you’re on your way to a complete application. Submit a completed online application.
• The application process is entirely electronic. Please do not mail any documents to the IEOR Department.
• Your application will only be considered complete when all forms are submitted electronically, and all official test scores have been received by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
• If possible, ask someone else to review your application before submitting it. A fresh overview may allow for discrepancies to be caught before submitting!

9. Complete your Application

Give yourself enough time to submit your application. Don’t wait until the very last minute to hit submit.

Retain a copy of your submission confirmation for your reference.

Congratulations, you have completed the application boot camp! We look forward to learning more about you in your application and wish you the best of luck!