Admission Requirements and Online Application

Fall 2024 Application Information

We appreciate your interest in pursuing doctoral studies in Chemistry at UC Berkeley. Below, please find information regarding application deadlines and requirements.

Questions concerning the admission process can be directed to the Graduate Student Affairs Office at chem_grad_info@berkeley.edu.

Application Requirements

The 2024 application for graduate admission to the Department of Chemistry is electronic (paper applications cannot be accepted). The application is available from the Graduate Division Admissions website beginning in early September. The application deadline is December 4, 2023. The deadline for supplemental information (transcripts, GRE and TOEFL scores, letters of recommendation, research summary) is also December 4, 2023.

It is not required to contact faculty for application purposes, however, if you are interested in particular faculty, please list them on your application.

Application Fee Waivers

Application fee waivers are provided to members of various professional societies and program participants, including those that are members of (or previously participated in) NSF-REUs, NSBE, NOBCChE, SACNAS, AmeriCorps, Teach for America, and the Peace Corps, among many others. Fee waivers are also considered for those with a demonstrated financial need. Please see the following Graduate Division website for more information on requesting an application fee waiver: https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/apply/fee-waiver/

GRE (Graduate Record Exam)

Due to the uncertainty of testing centers being available for the GRE due to COVID-19, we will not require General or Subject test scores during the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. Our department conducts holistic reviews, and carefully considers the context of each applicant's past achievements and academic record. The admission committee will make no assumptions if GRE scores are not included with an application.

Transcripts

Upload PDF files of all college level transcripts, with the application for initial departmental review. These must include your name and the name of the institution. Official transcripts of all college-level work will be required if you are admitted and intend to register for Fall 2024.

Letters of Recommendation

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. These should be from faculty you have worked with closely or supervisors from industry-related work experience. Your recommenders will be contacted via email to submit their letters on-line. (See online application for details.)

Additional Written Material

Statement of PurposeDescribe your aptitude and motivation for graduate study in your area of specialization, including your preparation for this field of study, your academic plans or research interests, and your future career goals.  Please see: https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/apply/statement-purpose/

Personal History Statement: Describe how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree.  For more information about a Personal History Statement, please see:  https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/apply/personal-statement/

International applicants

Please note the following additional admissions requirements All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency

If you have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better in residence at a recognized U.S. institution, you do not need to take a standardized test. Instead, you must upload an unofficial transcript from the recognized U.S. institution.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

There are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
For the TOEFL: The minimum score is 90 for the Internet-based test (iBT). Tests taken before June 1, 2022 will not be accepted by the University. The institution code is 4833.
For IELTS: For Fall 2024, tests taken before June 1, 2022 will not be accepted. Your most recent overall Band score must be at least 7 on a 9-point scale. For more information regarding the TOEFL and IELTS please see the following webpage:
https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/requirements/