Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

How many applications do you receive on average per year?
The HSPA PhD program receives 40-60 applications per cycle; nearly half of the applications are from countries other than the U.S.

How many applicants are offered admission per year?
Graduate Division makes that determination for us. Typically we can offer admission to eight to ten applicants; entering class size averages five to six students.

What aspects of the application are weighed more heavily than others?
We look at an application in its entirety to determine a person's strengths and relative fit to our program; available advisors, areas of research interest and academic history are important considerations. Letters of recommendation are also carefully reviewed.

What are the average GRE scores of accepted candidates?
The average entering student has a verbal score above the 90th percentile and a quantitative score over 700.

My GRE scores from two years ago were better than this year's scores. Can I use those scores instead?
All scores from the past five years will show on your GRE report; we will count the scores from the exam which had the highest average scores.

How important is it to have a Master's degree to be considered for admission?
The Admissions Committee occasionally considers related work experience in lieu of advanced academic work. However, those students who do not have a foundation of basic knowledge in health economics, epidemiology and health policy will need to remedy deficiencies in their first year.

How will I know if my application file is complete?
Due to the volume of applications submitted, the office of Student Services in the School of Public Health will contact each applicant only once to notify an applicant of the status of her/his application.

I may not be able to submit all my application material on time--is that a problem?
Please make sure that your Graduate Division and SOPHAS applications are submitted on-line by December 1st. Letters of recommendation and transcripts can be submitted one to two weeks after that deadline, however late applications will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

How do I submit my papers or abstracts for the committee to review?
You may upload them at the end of the SOPHAS application system as additional documents. CVs, abstracts, and publications are helpful for the Admissions Committee to review.

Do you have a part-time program for persons who want to continue to work full-time?
No, the HSPA Program is a full-time doctoral training program which averages 4-5 years in length. There are no on-line or night courses available.

How soon after I submit my application can I expect to hear an official response?
The Admissions Committee will begin reviewing applications in late January; decisions are generally made by the beginning of March. Members of the committee may contact applicants during this review period to arrange for phone interviews. Final decisions may be made as late as the end of April.

If I am not admitted, can I apply again next year?
Admission to the program is a very competitive process; the committee tries to balance out applicants per track for an equal representation. They do encourage applicants to reapply and the ensuing year can allow for more relevant work experience.

I have been offered admission--how can I arrange to visit campus and Berkeley in order to make a decision?
The HSPA Program will host a Spring Visit Day on March 8, 2010 for those candidates who have been offered admission. There are department and campus events held to inform prospective students of what they can expect as a graduate student at UC Berkeley. The Graduate Division will host a Graduate Diversity Day on Sunday, March 7, 2010.

If offered admission, can I defer and begin a year later?
Graduate Division and the HSPA Program do not allow for deferred admission. We recommend that you update your CV, obtain at least one new letter of recommendation, and reapply.

What services are available for disabled students?
The campus offers many different resources for graduate students with disabilities. The purpose of an academic accommodation is to offer the graduate student an equal opportunity to meet the department’s academic standards and requirements. The Disabled Students Program at (510) 642-0518 serves graduate students with disabilities (who complete the process for establishing eligibility) by authorizing academic accommodations. Disabled Access Services at (510) 643-6473 or 643-6456 can usually assist with accommodations to extra-curricular events. Most physical access issues are addressed in the Campus Access Guide. Finally, problems with accommodations may be reported to the campus Disability Resolution Officer at (510) 642-2795.