MS in Architecture

The strongest letters are from individuals who have supervised your work in either an academic, employment or community service capacity. Your recommenders are encouraged to describe SPECIFIC EXAMPLES of your work that demonstrate your intellectual ability, creativity, initiative, leadership potential, and promise for graduate study in your desired field.

Architecture Ph.D. and Master of Science applicants should structure their Personal History Statement as follows: This essay (500 words, maximum) is a narrative description of your life background in terms of how it has prepared you for this next stage of your studies. - It should describe relevant aspects of your life story and achievements, as well as educational and cultural opportunities or circumstances that supported or deprived you of such achievements; family background; economic circumstances; special interests and abilities; and community or social service involvement. - Throughout, be selective in describing things that specifically relate to your academic goals and intellectual pursuits. - In particular, please be sure to focus on details of your research experience, and how your background has prepared you for the next stage of your studies

Your curriculum vitae/resume provides a complete accounting of your educational, research, volunteer, and other experiences (including relevant professional work experience and internships). Please fully cite publications and conference papers.

Architecture Ph.D. and Master of Science applicants should structure their Statement of Purpose as follows: Part 1: Goals (500 words). A statement describing your general academic and career goals, the field(s) in which you would like to study, and why you wish to attend UC Berkeley in particular (you may want to refer to specific classes, faculty, or research projects that interest you). Your ideas should be clear, specific and persuasive. Part 2: Research Proposal (500 words). An example of a specific research proposal that you may wish to undertake while at UC Berkeley. You may present a single proposal, or perhaps two alternates, about your dissertation Although you are not committed to do precisely what you propose (and, if fact, it is expected that your ideas will evolve during your studies), the committee will use this proposal to assess your ability to conceptualize a research plan. Your research proposal should succinctly frame a research question, articulate why it is important, demonstrate an understanding of the relevant literature and gaps in current knowledge, and identify what types of research methods one might apply to address the problem. If possible, identify faculty in architecture and/or other departments with whom you would like to work.

TOEFL/IELTS

The publication, report or writing sample should support the applicant’s Statement of Purpose and clearly demonstrate research and writing abilities and/or analytical skills. Publication, report or writing sample must be saved as a single file in PDF format, 50 pages maximum (no minimum page requirement), and submitted via the UC Berkeley Graduate Division online application. Filesize must be no larger than 10MB. Any material that is not entirely the applicant’s own work must be clearly identified (e.g. include information describing your individual contributions to a group project). Architecture Ph.D. and MS applicants wishing to work with Simon Schleicher or Luisa Caldas, please incorporate a portfolio of work with your recent publications.