Graduate Program Information

History Graduate Admissions

Last Update: August 12, 2009

Early September – Applications available
December 1 - (at 11:59 pm Pacific Time) Deadline to submit online application (including statements)
Recommendations should arrive no later than one week beyond the deadline.
(December 2 thru 7) -- Last chance to upload PDFs of transcripts, GPA worksheet and writing sample
(December 18) -- Last chance to upload PDF of your GRE score report

GRE or TOEFL – take test by mid-November. ETS must send scores to Berkeley.
For GRE use Institution Code 4833 and GRE History Departmental Code 2799, 2701, or 2703
For TOEFL use Institution Code 4833 and TOEFL History Departmental Code 86
Questions? histadm@berkeley.edu

Cyber Application! We offer applicants the convenience of the Internet to submit the Graduate Application and virtually all supporting materials; to check for missing items; and to receive notifications. (Only Berkeley change-of-majors and re-admits after 5 years must use paper.) We ask applicants and their recommenders not to send materials by surface mail, fax or email. If you apply, you will request letters via the online application, and your recommenders will be asked to upload their letters to the Berkeley letter-of-recommendation system. You will convert all supporting documents (transcripts, gpa worksheet, 10-page writing sample and your personal GRE or TOEFL score report) into individual and legible .pdf files You will be able to upload the PDFs to our "Candidate Registry" only after you submit the online application (including statements). In addition you will order your GRE (or TOEFL) scores to be sent by ETS directly to Berkeley. ETS will send scores electronically, and we will match the scores to your file. You will order two sets of official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended. You will receive and open one set of transcripts and convert them into .pdf files for upload. The second set should be sent unopened to the Department by the Registrar(s). Please do not wait for fall grades. Previous applicants must complete a new online application (including essays) and pay the application fee. Those who applied within the past two years may ask us to transfer from old to new file only the letters and GRE scores. What’s a .PDF File?

You will need a reliable email address which you check regularly. SPAM filters should be adjusted to receive all messages from berkeley(dot)edu (especially if you use Gmail or Hotmail.) Also make sure you haven’t reached your email limit on your server of choice.

Scroll down or go to history application instructions for step-by-step instructions on applying.

General Information for History Applicants

The Department conducts one review each year for admission to the following fall semester. Our application deadline is December 1 for new applicants and also re-applicants, Berkeley change-of-majors, re-admits after 5 years and Education Abroad Program exchange applicants. Decisions are generally made at latest by mid- March. We welcome applications from individuals with strong records who intend to devote full-time study toward attaining the doctoral degree (PhD) in history. We do not offer night and correspondence courses. We also do not offer a terminal master's degree (however, students who enter without an MA in history can earn the MA en route to the PhD. Applicants who don’t expect to have an MA in history at entry should indicate on the application that their degree goal is MA/PhD. All others enter PhD as their degree goal. Individuals should apply for the academic year of intended enrollment because we do not grant deferrals to those offered admission. For information about the graduate program itself please print a copy of our Program Guide (updated yearly in July) or explore the same information via our graduate program webpages. You may also wish to view our General FAQ site. We urge applicants to review the Graduate Division Admissions Requirements, which describe the kinds of academic records (and translations) which must be produced by domestic and international students as part of the completed application.

Background Preparation and Focus

The history review committee bases its admissions recommendations on grades and coursework at the undergraduate and graduate levels (transcripts and GPA worksheet), 3 letters of recommendation, GRE or TOEFL examination scores, written statement of purpose of academic and professional goals, a personal statement, and a writing sample (maximum 10 pages). Typical applicants to our program have:

• A background in history roughly equivalent to the Department’s undergraduate program in History. We welcome applications from history and non-history majors who have attained a measure of competence with historical subject matter through their academic program. While the majority of our graduate students were history majors, others come to us with an area or period studies major or other major. Among our students in the history of science field several majored or minored in a science.

• Language preparation sufficient to ensure that if admitted they will be able to fulfill all language requirements for their first field by the time they are expected to advance to PhD candidacy (i.e. by the end of the 3rd or 4th year of the program depending on field). (see language requirements by field and the options for fulfilling language requirements)

• Sufficient focus within the field of history to be able to select a “first field” from among the department’s 16 established fields. Applicants will indicate their “first field” under “Emphasis 1” on the application. Applicants who are unsure which emphasis to select should confer with faculty with whom they anticipate collaborating. Applicants will type a 3 to 4 word general description of research interest in the Emphasis 3 blank, for example: “German Intellectual;” or “Colonial US," or “Social, Cultural, Family,” etc.) Applications are read first by faculty in the applicant’s selected “first field.”

• An interest in collaborating with one or more specific Berkeley history faculty members. Applicants should list faculty of interest on their application so that the Department may anticipate future collaborations and eventual supervisory relationships. After about a year of taking classes and interacting with faculty the student will settle on whom they will ask to serve as their dissertation advisor. In small fields it may be fairly obvious from the start who will be dissertation advisor.

History Application Instructions (Read early and often!!)

STEP 1. Complete the Online Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships
Access the application at: https://gradadm.berkeley.edu/grdappl/welcome

Pay particular attention to the following items on the Graduate Application.

In the blank for Major you will enter "History." Emphasis #1 = (select from among 16 fields). Emphasis #2 = optional entry. Emphasis #3 = (enter 3-4 word blurb of your research interest for example: Urban, political; or Russian intellectual; or Latin Am religion, labor, migration). You will also list all undergraduate and graduate schools attended.

-Recommendations online. Via the online application you will enter the names and email addresses of three recommenders. Click NOTIFY and recommenders will receive an email telling them where to electronically upload your recommendation to Berkeley. The most effective letters will be from faculty members who will speak to your scholarly abilities. (You will be able to NOTIFY recommenders via the application before you actually submit the entire application, and the earlier the better!) If a recommender is unable to comply with our request for an electronically submitted letter, you can print a paper recommendation form , sign the waiver section and give it to the recommender to mail with the letter to the department.

-Statements (Essays) You will browse your computer and upload your Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement. These two separate essays are part of the online application and may be typed and submitted as either .doc (e.g. Word) or .pdf documents. They must be uploaded to the application itself, not to our separate upload center (called the Candidate Registry). Do not mail hard copies! Put your name on each statement. Type flush left and use minimal formatting and no fancy fonts. Limit to around 1000 words (5000 characters) for each statement. A little more or less is fine. Click for a pop-up of the statement prompts.

-Grade Point Averages. You will calculate and save your grade point averages onto our separate interactive GPA Worksheet and you will transfer the calculations to the application as instructed on the worksheet. (You will also convert the GPA Worksheet into a PDF but won't be able to upload it to the Candidate Registry until you've submitted the application.) You will need Excel to access this worksheet. GPA Worksheet URL: http://history.berkeley.edu/graduate/admissions/GPAWorksheet.xls

-Standardized Test Scores (self-reported). You will type your GRE test scores (or TOEFL scores) onto the online application if you have received your personal score report by the time you submit the application. . Do not mix verbal, quantitative and analytical scores from different test dates. Take tests by mid November, and be sure to order an official score report to be sent to Berkeley by the Educational Testing Service. You will also convert your personal score report into a PDF, but you won't be able to upload it to the Candidate Registry until you've submitted the application.)

Complete all sections of the online application, unless the section clearly does not apply to you. For example, (a) some sections apply only to international students; (b) only some students will apply for a Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship; (c) We do not require applicants to contact faculty members prior to applying, but we DO require applicants to list faculty of interest. You will pay the application fee by credit card or check and you will SUBMIT the application online by December 1 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard time – at latest. No exceptions. We caution you not to wait till the last couple of days because the electronic traffic will be quite heavy and you may experience delays.

STEP 2. Upload supporting documents to the Candidate Registry (our PDF upload center)

After you submit your Graduate Application please register at the Candidate Registry with the same exact name, email, and password that you used on your online Berkeley application. You may then upload PDF files of your supporting documentation. Limit filenames to less than 25 characters and make sure your files have the file extension .pdf. Applicants may have to wait a couple of business days after submitting the online application to be given access to the Candidate Registry. (The actual URL is: https://ls-ourunit.berkeley.edu/candidate/selRegister.php?i=285 )

You must submit the Graduate Application (including the Statements) by December 1 at 11:59 pm PST. But you may continue to submit supporting PDF documents to the Candidate Registry through the next six days (December 2 – 7). And you may have till December 18 to upload a copy of your official score report.

You will upload four items in support of your application:

(1) Transcript(s) Upload. Open your set of official transcript(s). Black out your social security number on the original(s), and then create a separate PDF for each transcript. The last scanned page of each transcript should be the grading scale. Upload them one by one to the Candidate Registry. Do not wait for fall grades. (Remember to have your registrar(s) send a second set of official transcripts to the Department so it arrives by December 1.) Applicants who attended a university in a non-English speaking country will upload a PDF copy of the English translation of their transcript as well as the one in the native language. See Graduate Division page on Minimum Degree Requirements and Required Records.
Naming transcript PDFs: The name of each transcript PDF should contain the word "transcript" or "TR," the institution name (abbreviated) and your last name and first name. Example: A transcript from University of Maryland for a Rebecca Smith could be named: TR_UMd_Smith_Rebecca.pdf

(2) Interactive GPA Worksheet Upload. Use the worksheet to calculate grade point averages and transfer those numbers to the appropriate blanks on the online application. In addition, convert the completed worksheet into a PDF document, save it to your computer and upload it to the Candidate Registry. We want to see your calculations.
Naming the GPA Worksheet PDF: Example: GPA_Kirk_James.pdf

(3) Scholarly Writing Sample Upload. Convert your sample to a PDF and upload it to the Candidate Registry. We prefer an historical or historiographical theme. The sample must be in English and limited to ten pages double spaced or one and one-half spaced. If you excerpt 10-pages from a longer paper, you may include an additional 1-pg cover explanation and 1-pg of references. Your name should appear on each page. We may discard samples that exceed these limits.
Naming the Writing Sample PDF: Example: PAPER_Lastname_Firstname.pdf.

(4) GRE or TOEFL Score Report – Upload at the Candidate Registry a PDF of the score report mailed to you by the ETS.
Naming the GRE or TOEFL Score Report PDF: Example: GRE_Lee_Bruce.pdf or TOEFL_Skywalker_Luke.pdf

STEP 3: Confirm that your file is complete by checking the Candidate Registry.

The Candidate Registry will list documents received for your file. (Paper recommendations won't appear immediately because they first have to be scanned and uploaded to your file.) It is up to you to monitor the state of your file and to take the appropriate corrective action. A complete file will include the online Graduate Application (including the two required statements), three letters of recommendation, official GRE or TOEFL scores (sent by ETS), PLUS your uploads of (1) PDFs of your individual transcripts; (2) PDF of your GPA Worksheet; (3) PDF of your 10-page writing sample; and (4) PDF of your GRE or TOEFL score report. Sometimes there are delays matching official scores sent from ETS to the applicant's file. Don't panic. The Committee will use the PDF version of your score report as a backup. We will notify you only if a set of unopened official transcripts do not arrive.

You can also log back into your online Graduate Application to see just electronic letters that have arrived. The Candidate Registry will give you a picture of your entire file. You will know that your application is complete because you will see listed all required items.

Do not wait for fall grades to order and send the transcript. It will arrive too late to review.
Good luck on your application to Berkeley!

Frequently Asked Questions
On the Berkeley History Application Instructions
See General FAQ page for questions on other topics

Question: Berkeley History requires applicants to create .pdf files of their transcripts, GPA worksheet, writing sample and test score sheet and then upload those .pdf files to the Candidate Registry after they've submitted the main online application. What exactly is a PDF file and how do I create PDFs?

Answer: PDF stands for Portable Document Format. Only documents converted to PDF format can be uploaded to the Candidate Registry and only after you have submitted the application. Ways to obtain PDFs of your documents: (1) use a scanner and save each document to a .pdf format; (2) install and use Adobe Acrobat; (3) use other PDF software but be cautious when downloading software from the Internet; (4) go to a Copy Center and have them scan and save files to a .pdf format on a floppy; (5) ask a friend. Note that the newer Apple computers may allow you the option of converting to .pdf through the PRINT menu and the recent version of MS Word has a .pdf option.

Question: Is there a limit to the size of the PDF files I upload?
Answer: Files should not exceed 3 MB and most will be much smaller. When scanning documents to PDF format, please use the lowest resolution (lowest DPI or dots per inch) that will still produce a clear, readable image. Doing so will keep the PDF files to the smallest size consistent with readability An adequate image can usually be achieved at 150-200 dots per inch (or DPI) which translates on some scanners as the "fastest" scan speed. You may have to experiment. In any event, please do not exceed 300 DPI

Question: Do my Statements have to be in PDF format as well?
Answer: No, your Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement can be in either a .doc format (e.g. Word) or in .pdf format.

Question: Where do I upload my Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement?
Answer: You will upload both statements to the online Graduate Application itself (by the December 1 deadline). You will be presented with a screen within the Graduate Application instructing you to browse your computer and upload each statement separately. The statements can be in either .doc (e.g. Word) or .pdf format. The statements are the only items not uploaded to the Candidate Registry and not required in .pdf format. Do not send us a hard copy of the statements.

Question: Should I take the general GRE or the TOEFL and by when? Must I achieve a certain score?
Answer: Take the appropriate exam by early to mid-November to ensure that we receive scores in time for start of the review process first week in January. TIP: When you apply to Berkeley use the same exact name used when registering for your standardized test so we can match your scores to your file. Which test should you take?

- GRE examination http://www.gre.org Submit general GRE scores only if your bachelor's or master's degree comes from an accredited university in an English-speaking country, (or if you have taken at least one year of full-time academic course work (not ESL) with grades B or better in residence at such an institution). We do not accept GRE scores from tests taken more than 5 years prior to our deadline. We do not set minimum scores.

- Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL (http://www.toefl.org ) Take the TOEFL if you have not completed at least one year of full-time academic course work (not ESL) with grades B or better in residence at an accredited university in an English-speaking country. We do not accept TOEFL scores from tests taken more than 18 months prior to the deadline and we consider only the most recent score. TOEFL test takers must obtain a minimum score of 570 for the paper test, 233 for the Computer Based Test (CBT) or 68 on the Internet based test (IBT) with minimum sub-scores of 18 writing, 17 speaking, 16 listening, and 17 reading. (A score of at least 26 in speaking satisfies the language proficiency requirement for student teaching positions.)

Question: What codes should I use to report test scores to UC Berkeley?
Answer. The UC Berkeley institution code for either GRE or TOEFL is 4833. The Department code to use for the GRE is 2799 or 2701 or 2703 (any of these will do). The Department code to use for the TOEFL is 86.

Question: Have you received my official GRE (or TOEFL) score yet?
Answer: If you correctly list UC Berkeley as a school to receive your scores, ETS will send them electronically to us and they will be automatically uploaded to our system. You will be able to note their arrival through the Candidate Registry. Because we occasionally experience delays in ETS reporting scores or difficulties immediately matching scores to files, we require applicants to upload a PDF of their personal GRE or TOEFL report as a temporary backup.

Question: How many transcripts should I order and by when?
Answer: Order TWO sets of current official transcripts from each school attended. But do not wait for fall grades if you are still in school at the time you apply. The first set of transcripts should be sent to you in time for you to open and scan the transcript(s) into a .pdf format and upload them to the Candidate Registry after you have submitted the online application. The second set of transcripts should be mailed (unopened) to the Department and it should arrive by the December 1 deadline. Our mailing address is:

Department of History
Graduate Admissions Office
3229 Dwinelle Hall, MC #2550
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-2550

Question: Will you accept letters sent from a Letter Service?
Answer: Yes. On the online application you will still list each recommender individually, but you will indicate that the letter will arrive by paper. Once received, staff will scan the letters and upload each to your electronic file. It may be several days after arrival before these letters are uploaded, so please be patient. Make certain that your recommenders submit their letter to your Letter Service in time for your recommendations to arrive in our Department.

Question: I’m an International Applicant. What academic documentation must I provide?
Answer: Please refer to Minimum Degree Requirements and Required Records of Academic Work on the Graduate Division website. (http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/admis_require.shtml#4 )

Question: What common mistakes do applicants make on their application?
Answer: Broadly speaking mistakes are made when applicants do not carefully read instructions. Here are some examples: (1) Entering first and last name in the opposite blanks. (2) Entering the wrong degree goal (Note: if you don’t have an MA in history your degree goal is MA/PhD. If you do have an MA in history your degree goal is PhD.) (3) Forgetting to fill in the Emphasis 1 blank (selected from among 16 established fields. This forces us to guess which emphasis to slot you into. If you’re not sure which emphasis to enter consult with faculty of interest to you. (4) Forgetting to type in a 3-4 word blurb of research interests in the Emphasis 3 blank. (5) Forgetting to list faculty with whom they are interested in collaborating.

Question: Do I need to enter an Emphasis on the application?
Answer: YES. You will select History for your major field and you will select an Emphasis 1 from among our 16 established fields of history. They are: Africa, America since 1607, Ancient Greece/Rome, Britain since 1509, Byzantine, Early Modern Europe, East Asia China, East Asia Japan, History of Science, Jewish History, Late Modern Europe Since 1789, Latin America, Medieval Europe, Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia. You can leave “Emphasis 2” blank if you wish. For Emphasis 3 please enter a 3-4 word description of your interest.

Question: Do I need to list on the application faculty with whom I am interesting in collaborating?
Answer: Yes!

Question: Once I submit my graduate application can I go back and change answers or rewrite my statements?
Answer: NO. Changes can NOT be made to the application (including the statements) once it is submitted.

Question: After I submit the application, when can I register at the Candidate Registry and upload my supporting documents?
Answer: Starting the week leading up to the December 1 deadline you will most likely be able to access the Candidate Registry the business day after you submit your application. Prior to that week it may take up to three days to have access to the Candidate Registry.

Question: How do I know if my file is complete and ready for review?
Answer: The Candidate Registry will list documents received for your file as they come in. (Paper recommendations won't appear immediately because they first have to be scanned and uploaded to your file.) It is up to you to monitor the state of your file and to take the appropriate corrective action. A complete file will include the online Graduate Application (including the two required statements), three letters of recommendation, official GRE or TOEFL scores (sent by ETS), PLUS your uploads of (1) PDFs of your individual transcripts; (2) PDF of your GPA Worksheet; (3) PDF of your 10-page writing sample; and (4) PDF of your GRE or TOEFL score report. Sometimes there are delays matching official scores sent from ETS to the applicant's file. Don't panic. The Committee will use the PDF version of your score report as a backup. We will notify you only if a set of unopened official transcripts do not arrive.
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Question: Do I have to file a FAFSA to be eligible for financial aid and graduate fellowships at Berkeley?
Answer: Yes and yes. If you wish to be offered a need-based graduate loan, work-study or low-income parent grant from the University Financial Aid Office, you should file the FAFSA and have the report sent to Berkeley in March. In addition, if you accept a University or Department fellowship you must still file the FAFSA but you have until June 30 to have the FAFSA sent to Berkeley. UC Berkeley’s FAFSA school code is 001312.

Question: How do I obtain a paper copy of the application?
Answer: All history applicants should apply online, not on paper. The only exceptions are Berkeley change of majors or re-admits after five years. These individuals have no choice but to apply via paper. For those individuals here is what you will need:

-PDF of the Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowship:
 http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/app_instructions.shtml
- GPA calculation sheet:
 http://history.berkeley.edu/graduate/admissions/GPAWorksheet.xls and
- Paper Recommendation forms:
  http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/pdf/form_letter_recommendation.pdf
- Change-of-major petition: to the
 http://registrar.berkeley.edu/elecforms/GRAD.DEG.MAJ.CHNG.pdf
- Application for Readmission:
 http://registrar.berkeley.edu/elecforms/ReadmGrad.pdf -- only if not registered in the previous semester.

Question: When does the review begin?
Answer: First week in January after the winter break.

Question: When will I hear about the admissions decision?
Answer: Admissions decisions are finalized by early-March and notifications will be sent to the email address which you provide in your application. Please make sure that email from berkeley(dot)edu addresses do not end up in your SPAM folders!

Question: If admitted, when do I have to make my decision?
Answer: April 15 is the deadline for admitted students to accept or decline their offers of admission. This deadline is a national deadline for all schools that are a part of the Council of GraduateSchools. http://www.cgsnet.org/portals/0/pdf/CGSResolutionJune2008.pdf

For answers to frequently asked questions on topics other than the Application Instructions, see our General FAQ page.

Mailing Address --
Department of History
Graduate Admissions Office
3229 Dwinelle (Mailcode 2550)
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-2550

Phone: 510-642-2378
Fax: 510-643-5323
Email: histadm@berkeley.edu

Last Update August 12, 2009