Application Requirements

We require two letters of recommendation and prefer that at least one come from a current employer. Select individuals with whom you have had considerable professional interaction, such as your supervisor or a major client. The title or status of those you select is not important. What does matter is how closely your letter writers have worked with you and whether they can attest to your value as an employee, your professional accomplishments, and your personal qualities and interpersonal skills in an organizational context. For this reason, we strongly discourage academic references. Letters of recommendation from co-workers, someone you have supervised, relatives, or personal and family friends are inappropriate and can be detrimental to the review of your application. Please do not submit more than two letters, and if you choose not to obtain a letter from your current supervisor, be certain to explain why.

Recommenders may submit letters of recommendation either by paper or online. Download the paper recommendation form here.

One official transcript from every college/university/graduate institution you have attended since secondary/high school graduation regardless of length of study. Graduates of non-US institutions must also provide one official degree certificate in the original language. English translations are required if the documents are not in English. Official copies (required for admission) must be issued by the school. For review purposes, only scans or photocopies of official documents may be uploaded or mailed.

Minimum academic requirements for international applicants are a 4-year bachelor's degree or a master's degree (2 years after your bachelor's degree).

All candidates are required to take the GMAT exam prior to the deadline for which they are applying. While there is no minimum acceptable GMAT score, the average for the fall 2010 entering class was 718, and 80% of the class scored between 680 and 760. We are especially interested in your performance on the quantitative section as an indication of your mathematics proficiency. Please note that the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is required. For fall 2012 admission, we accept official scores from exams taken on or after October 1, 2006. Be sure to have your exam results sent to Berkeley's Full-Time MBA Program, institution code: N2VPT47. You can obtain detailed information about the GMAT by visiting http://www.gmac.com.

The UC Berkeley Graduate Division requires that all applicants who received their degrees from countries in which the official language is not English submit official evidence of English Language Proficiency. This requirement applies to applicants from Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and most European countries. This requirement also applies to US citizens who received their undergraduate degrees in these countries or regions. Only applicants who have completed a full year of US university-level coursework with a grade of B or better are exempt from this requirement.

The following courses do not fulfill this requirement: (1) courses in English as a Second Language, (2) courses conducted in a language other than English, (3) courses that will be completed after you apply, and (4) courses of a nonacademic nature.

There are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Your most recent score must be at least 68 for the Internet-based test (iBT), at least 230 for the computer-based test (CBT), or at least 570 for the paper and pencil test (PBT). The average TOEFL score of admitted applicants for fall 2010 entry was 110 (iBT). For fall 2012 admission, we only accept official scores from exams taken on or after June 1, 2010. To have your exam results sent to Berkeley's Full-Time MBA Program, list institution code 4833 and department code 02.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System): While TOEFL is preferred, you can submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For fall 2012 admission, only tests taken on or after June 1, 2010 will be considered. Your most recent overall BAND score must be at least 7 on a 9-point scale.

You can obtain detailed information about the TOEFL by visiting http://www.toefl.org, or the IELTS by visiting http://www.ielts.org/

The Admissions Committee conducts interviews of applicants by invitation only, and we ask that you please refrain from contacting us to request an interview. Interviews are offered both on-campus and in cities around the world.