Frequently Asked Questions from Sociology Ph.D. Applicants
What are the appropriate GRE codes for Berkeley Sociology?
The institution code is 4833; the sociology code is 2102.
My GRE scores will not arrive until one week (or two weeks) after the deadline. Is this a huge problem?
If everything else in your file arrives by the deadline (December 14) we will accept GRE scores that are a couple weeks late. However, if other things are late as well, your chances of being considered for admission might be lessened.
What are minimum GRE scores?
There aren't any.
What are average GRE scores?
660 verbal
680 quantitative
What is Minimum GPA?
3.0
What is average GPA?
3.75
Which GPA should I compute?
All courses after the first two years (or junior standing) that is, the second half
of your undergraduate education. If you attended an university outside of the U.S., the GPA calculation is not necessary.
On the application, is it necessary to list Faculty that I have contacted or plan to contact regarding my application? If not, should I do so anyway?
It is not necessary to fill this out. If you HAVE contacted faculty, of course put their names down. It is not necessary to contact faculty before the admissions process is complete and the decisions have been made.
Should I print out and send a hard copy of the on-line application as well as
submitting in over the internet?
No.
How many sets of transcripts do I need and where do they go?
Two transcripts for your BA degree college (and two for your MA school if you
have one), sent to the department. One set of transcripts for any other colleges
you have attended, also to the department.
If I attended UC Berkeley before, do I still need to send Berkeley transcripts to the Sociology Department?
Yes. We do not have access to your to your transcripts from UCB.
How long should my paper be?
There is no minimum or maximum length. The average length is 15-30 pages.
How long should my Statement of Purpose be?
You are limited to 12,000 characters or less when doing the online application. This is also a good guideline if doing a hardcopy application.
How long should my Personal History Statement be?
You are limited to 8,000 characters or less when applying online.
Can I send a co-authored paper?
You can, but we prefer a single authored paper because then we know that you
have written it all.
Do you need the faculty/recommender to send the letters directly to your
department? Or, I can get them sealed and send them along with other
supplemental materials?
Either way is fine.
Can I send more than three letters?
If you send more than 3 letters, there is not a guarantee that more than 3 will be read. More is not better. Three letters is preferred.
Can I send supplementary materials before I complete the online
application?
Yes.
How should I package the materials that I send?
Don't put documents in folders or plastic coverings. Use staples for long
documents (such as papers).
When are decisions made?
Usually by the middle of February.
How many students apply? How many are admitted? How many come?
Last year we had 380 applicants; we admitted 35; 21 came.
Are all students funded?
In the past couple of years all the entering students have gotten funding for their first year. After this initial year all students can work as Teaching or Research Assistants, if they are not otherwise funded.
Does Sociology accept applications for both fall and spring?
No, we only admit students for the fall semester.
How old is too old for the GRE and TOEFL scores?
The TOEFL needs to be taken within 2 years of the time you would be starting your program at UC Berkeley in Fall 2008 (Test scores valid as far back as June 2006).
The GRE needs to be taken within the last 5 years (Test scores valid as far back as October 2002).
What are the minimum TOEFL scores?
It depends on the form of the test. Paper test = 570. Computer test = 230. iBT (internet) test = 68.
If you are from a country where English is not the official language you must complete at least one year full-time with at least a B average in a U.S. university to be exempt from taking the TOEFL.
If I am applying to the program with a Sociology MA from another school, how will I know what will count from my past work?
Your past coursework would be evaluated in your first semester here at UC Berkeley. We are not able to consider your coursework until you arrive, as it is done on a case by case basis by the faculty advisor. Students who come in with an MA typically take 3 semesters of coursework here at Berkeley, prior to taking their qualifying exams.