The Group in Biostatistics welcomes applicants from a wide variety of disciplines. Specifically, acceptable candidates for the MA degree program have completed at least a year or two of calculus and have had a course in linear algebra. We would expect those applying for the Ph.D. to possess a strong quantitative background exceeding the minimum requirements for admission for the MA. The University requires all students entering a graduate program to have a prior bachelor's degree and a grade point average of at least 3.0.
 
Three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose and GRE scores (general test only) must be submitted in support of an application. All applicants, domestic and international, are asked to complete the GRE. It should also be noted that for international students a minimum of 570 is required on the written TOEFL examination for English proficiency (230 for the computer based test). Applicants from outside the United States or those holding undergraduate degrees from countries other than the US should read carefully the information for Prospective International Applicants.
 

---

The Group in Biostatistics admits new students in the Fall semester only. Applications are available beginning in September/October of each year for students seeking admission in the Fall semester of the following academic year. Applicants are required to apply on-line through SOPHAS as well as through the Graduate Division web-site.
 
Please use the SPH Application Checklist to ensure timely processing of your application.
 

---

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THE FALL 2009 SEMESTER IS DECEMBER 1, 2008. All mailed material must be POSTMARKED BY NOVEMBER 24, 2008. Please check the status of your application on the SOPHAS portal frequently throughout the admissions cycle. You will be notified by e-mail by January 30, 2009, if your application is complete or if additional documentation is required. Be sure to follow all three steps below. Until you have done so your application will be incomplete. For complete application instructions, please consult the School of Public Health Website.
 

---

STEP ONE
Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships
http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/online_app_inst.shtml

• Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships 2009-10 (Forms A-G): Available online September 8, 2008
   
  
• Submit Official GRE scores. Scores of tests taken before 2003 are not acceptable. Use recipient code 4833-0616 for UC Berkeley.
   
  
• Submit Official TOEFL or IELTS Scores (for international applicants). Scores of tests taken before June 2007 are not acceptable.
  Use recipient code 4833-50 for UC Berkeley.
   
  
• UC Berkeley Graduate Division Application Fee
  ($70 domestic, $90 international).
   
  
• When you click “Submit” check your e-mail for 7-digit Doc. ID number needed for STEP TWO.

NOTE: Do NOT send letters of recommendation directly to UC Berkeley. All letters of recommendation must be submitted through SOPHAS ONLY.
 
 

---

STEP TWO
SOPHAS Application (Schools of Public Health Application Service)
http://www.sophas.org/

• Submit 3 Letters of Recommendation
   
  
• Submit Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
   
  
• Submit One Official Transcript from each institution attended beyond high school. Must be submitted in sealed envelope with the official stamp/signature of the institution.
   
  
• Submit Official GRE Scores. Scores of tests taken before 2002 are not acceptable. Use recipient code 4833-0616 for SOPHAS (note that SOPHAS is headquartered in Watertown, MA).
  Current medical students must submit copies of their MCAT scores in lieu of GRE scores. Applicants with PhDs or MDs need not send GRE scores.
   
  
• Submit Official TOEFL or IELTS Scores (for international applicants). Scores of tests taken before June 2007 are not acceptable.
   
  
• Sumbit 7-digit Doc. ID number (sent to you via e-mail upon submitting your UC Berkeley Grad. Division application)
   
  
• Submit Statement of Purpose. (please see program-specific instructions for Health Policy & Management; Maternal & Child Health; and MPP/MPH Public Health & Public Policy)
   
  
• SOPHAS Application Fee
  ($95 for first school, $40 for each additional school)

Please check the status of your application on the SOPHAS portal frequently throughout the admissions cycle.
 
IMPORTANT: If your application appears as "Undelivered" at any time, immediately contact SOPHAS at sophasinfo@sophas.org to rectify the situation.
 
The deadline for electronic submission of materials (letters of recommendation & resume/CV) with the SOPHAS Application is December 1, 2008.
 
Official Transcripts, along with any other mailed materials, must be postmarked by November 24, 2008.
 
Mailed materials required for SOPHAS application should be sent to:
 
     SOPHAS
     P.O. Box 9111
     Watertown, MA 02471-9111

 

---

STEP THREE
Transcripts to UC Berkeley School of Public Health
http://sph.berkeley.edu/admissions/apply.html

• for Domestic Applicants: Mail One official transcript from each institution attended beyond high school (in addition to official transcripts submitted directly to SOPHAS) ONLY AFTER RECEIVING INSTRUCTION TO DO SO. They Must be submitted in sealed envelopes with the official stamps/signatures of the institutions. Do not send this 2nd set of transcripts until you have received a letter of admission. Unsolicited materials will be destroyed.

Send directly to:
 
     Student Services & Admissions
     School of Public Health
     University of California, Berkeley
     50 University Hall #7360
     Berkeley CA 94720-7360

 

---

Applicants for any academic year are urged to take the GRE exam offered in October of the previous year. Again, all applicants, domestic and international, must take the general GRE exam. No subject test is required.
 
Each application is reviewed by a committee of faculty in Biostatistics and recommendations for admission are sent to the Graduate Division who makes the final decision. Letters of acceptance and notices of fellowship or scholarship award are mailed starting mid-March through mid-April.
 
Please check FAQ for answers to such questions as recipient codes for GRE scores, TOEFL requirements, average GPA of successful candidates, and the like.