Submit applications for Fall by the preceeding December 1st. The online
application must be submitted by December 1, although supporting
materials, such as letters of recommendation can arrive later in December.
Please email questions to
jantz@nature.berkeley.edu.
The Department conducts one admission review per year,
for fall semester admission only. The Department's Admissions
Committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to the
Department's faculty and to UC Berkeley's Graduate Division. The Committee
bases recommendations on grades and
coursework at the undergraduate and graduate levels, letters of
recommendation, standardized examination scores, written statements of
academic and professional goals, other documentation of research and
academic potential and accomplishment, and on-campus
interviews. The Department admits applicants to
the program at large, not directly into a research lab. If you do apply,
please be available to visit Berkeley in early February. The
department pays travel expenses if you get selected for an interview.
Two official transcripts from each college and graduate institution
attended.
Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be
written by science faculty. All reviewers should be familiar with the
student's scholarly abilities.
General Aptitude test scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
The Department recommends but does not require
the GRE subject test in biology (B24)
or biochemistry, cell and molecular biology (B22). Take the exam(s)
early enough so that scores will arrive by the end of December. To
have the scores sent to the Department, note
on the GRE order form the institution code R4833
(UC Berkeley) and the department code 0112 (plant sciences).
The Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) score for applicants who have received undergraduate degrees from
institutions where English is not the language of instruction. With few
exceptions, UC
Berkeley requires a TOEFL score of at least 570 on the paper and pencil
test, or 230 on the computer-based test. Take the TOEFL by
November. Note on the TOEFL order form the institution code 4833
(UC Berkeley) and the department code 37 (botany).
Completed Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships.
Review instructions for applying online (application available Sept. 1) at
Information for
Prospective Students.
Please email to discuss other arrangements if you can't apply online.
Mail all supporting documentation to: Graduate Admissions
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology
Koshland Hall 111C -- Mail Code 3102
Berkeley, CA 94720-3102
