International Exchange

Application: Partner institutions should provide a cover sheet that clearly gives the following information for all students being nominated for a specific application cycle:

• Name of student
• Period of stay at Berkeley
• Major at home university
• Name of Berkeley department to which the student is applying
• Students email address.

The same information should be submitted for each individual student application in cover sheet form with the individual application. We accept applications only for the number of students permitted in the exchange. We do not accept reserve or back up applications.

Along with the cover sheet described above, the application must include the following:

• Application form with all required information typed in. Handwritten forms will not be accepted. Resource page.
• A one to two page Statement of Purpose from the student describing the student's academic and research interests
• The students curriculum vitae
• The student's transcript
• A grading key in English and an indication of the grade distribution at the partner institution.

Letters of recommendation are helpful but not necessary. Students may include a listing of courses they wish to take but should focus on one specific department with no more than 1 course per semester outside the department. Faculty in the prospective host department will review the application. If the student list courses in several departments, often the departmental reviewers will be reluctant to approve because they will not be able to offer the applicant a sufficient program. It is permissible to list a course outside the primary department if it is closely related to the applicant's field of specialization.

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Suggestions for a Successful Application: The written statement is the most important part of the application. Keep in mind this program is for graduate students. At Berkeley, graduate students are preparing to be professionals in their field of study and the statement of purpose should reflect an advanced and developing understanding of the field. The student should give an overview of the academic preparation and research interests and should integrate the subject matter covered in the courses at Berkeley into the student's overall academic progress. The statement must be more than a listing of courses the student hopes to take. In addition, this program is not intended for persons who wish to sample courses in other disciplines. And, though Berkeley values the cultural aspect of the education abroad experience, it is not necessary to mention this in the statement. The statement should be no more than 2 pages of single spaced text.

Visit the examples page for examples of Statement of Purpose and Curriculum Vitae.

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Berkeley Review Process: Once at Berkeley, the applications undergo a departmental and individual faculty review. If the department believes the student is qualified to participate in departmental courses and will benefit from the program, the student is accepted for the exchange. The ultimate decision on acceptance rests with the specific department. The administration cannot impose an exchange student on a department. At times, departments are overburdened by an unexpected increase in students or shortages of faculty. On a few occasions, students are refused because the faculty member in the student's area of study will be away from campus on sabbatical. Once the Berkeley department has reached a decision, notification will be made by email. Successful applicants will be notified directly by email with a copy to the partner institution administrator. The partner institution administrator will be notified of unsuccessful applications and will relay the results to the applicant through their own channels of communication. The emailed acceptance letter will include information on the host department and faculty member, the academic process while at Berkeley, obtaining visa related documents, health insurance requirements, and housing information.

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