How to get into Cal's graduate program?

Colleges & Universities University of California - Berkeley
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<p>I really want this thread to be helpful to all aspiring applicants and would love a lot of input.</p>

<p>I am one of the many that aspire to be in Cal’s grad program (in psyc), and
there is really a lack of info on the web about getting in.</p>

<p>What is your advice to someone that:

  1. Has a research interest that aligns with a UCB’s professors’
  2. Good GRE scores, but not perfect or flawless
  3. One or less year(s) of research experience
  4. A decent GPA (3.5+)
  5. Hopes to get good Letters of recs</p>

<p>What is your advice on getting into any UC’s grad program for any major really?</p>

<p>I currently just took the GRE as a 2nd year and scored 77th/64th percentile Verbal/Math respectively. I hope to study a lot and get 80th+/80th+ next month.</p>

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<p>bumppppppppppp</p>

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<p>Bump up your GRE.</p>

<p>Write an amazing statement of purpose. </p>

<p>Correspond with those professors you want to work with. (Caveat: I hear in some fields this is bad form. It was not in my case, but double check on this.) </p>

<p>Submit an impressive writing sample.</p>

<p>Don’t get “good” LORs. Get amazing LORs. In general, you want at least two LORs that say you’ll be an amazing researcher, etc. You can scrape by with one “oh, s/he did well in my class …” but try not to have more than one rec of that type. (Bonus points if your recs are from big names in your field.)</p>

<p>Coming in with your own funding is a huge plus.</p>