University of California, Berkeley Mechanical Engineering

Applying Early

Although we do not have a rolling admissions cycle, applying early is always a good idea. The earlier you apply, the easier it will be to resolve any outstanding issues. As the application deadline approaches we receive numerous email inquiries and mail. This results in your having more difficulty contacting us with any inquiries you may have. Your patience during this time is appreciated. We receive over 1000 applications each year with the bulk of them arriving in December.

Also, it’s a good idea to take your TOEFL as early as possible if applicable. As reminder, GRE is not required for ME applicants. ETS can take up to a month to get the scores to us. Do not wait until early January to request your scores be sent as our review process is beginning and your application should be complete by then.


Regarding Your Application

  • Please do not send us any hard-copy materials as part of your application package. Our process is entirely online.
  • Check all email addresses twice before you submit the application, including your own. Any mistyped addresses make it difficult to contact you and/or your recommenders if we have questions.
  • Do not transpose your name (first name at the place of last name) when entering this information. Transposed information will slow processing. 
  • Use the official names on your official documents. The use of nickname in lieue of your real name will make it difficult to find your application easily.
  • Check your documents very carefully before uploading them. Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to update those materials or submit new materials for review. This includes transcripts.


Once You Apply

Application review begins around December. It is your responsibility to have your materials submitted by our deadlines. You can check your application status by logging into your online application.


Competition for Admission

If Berkeley is your preferred choice for graduate study, we encourage you to apply. However, you should be aware that admissions are very competitive. Most successful applicants last year had GPAs above 3.7 and GRE quantitative scores above 90%. For Fall 2024 PhD program, we had 743 applicants for about 103 admission slots.


Additional Resources

Still have questions about the Graduate Admissions process? Click on the links below to see the most frequently asked questions in each category to find an answer.