The goal of the application review process is to identify those candidates who are the strongest fit with our program.
If you do not have all of the necessary technical experience, you may apply with a plan in place to take the prerequisite courses.
You may also find it helpful to review recordings of past online information sessions and events here.
Applicants should possess experience with computer programming (C++, Python) and familiarity with computers as a computational and management tool; statistical and econometric applications (Example: R); and machine learning concepts.
Application Fee
A non-refundable $275 application fee is required in order to consider your application complete. You may submit payment using one of the following options:
English Language Proficiency
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 regardless of the school's language of instruction.
To satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement applicants must fulfill one of the following:
Transcripts
You must send scans of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs you have attended or are currently attending.
Degrees need to have been completed at an accredited institution before the start of the MFE program. Applicants should have sufficient training to undertake graduate study in the chosen field and a satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum of 3.0 in upper division work.
Candidates who already hold an advanced degree, please note that the university policy prohibits awarding duplicate degrees. If you have questions, contact the MFE Office.
Prerequisites
Applicants need to demonstrate a strong quantitative background including linear algebra, multivariate calculus, differential equations, numerical analysis, and advanced statistics and probability. Check the Prerequisite Course List for details.
You should also have prior exposure in computer programming (C++, Python) and familiarity with computers as a computational and management tool.
In some cases, applicants may be admitted conditionally on the successful completion of one or more recommended courses before enrollment in the program. For more information please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.
Essays
Students will be asked to answer a series of essay questions in their application. Please answer the essay questions carefully and honestly. All responses should be prepared by the applicant without help from third parties. Application essays will be screened through anti-plagiarism software; please note that plagiarism may result in the denial of admission.
The Supplemental Information questions are intended for you to give us further information on areas that might not be covered elsewhere in the application. Please be sure to answer all of the questions. If a particular situation does not apply to you, you can enter "N/A" or "Not applicable" for your response.
If you have submitted an application to the Berkeley MFE program within the last two years, you are considered a reapplicant and should review special instructions on the Reapplicants page.
Video Essay
A webcam and microphone are required for this section. Please be sure you are in a quiet and well-lit environment before you begin. You are allowed two attempts to record your Video Essay, and your response can be no longer than two minutes.
GMAT/GRE Score Report
We require either the GMAT or GRE. All GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years and should not be older than April 1, 2019 for Spring 2024 entry. When ordering GRE scores, use institution code 4833 and department code 4399. For GMAT scores, use program code N2V-PT-87. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
When selecting score recipients on the day of the test or sending additional score reports through the GRE website, test takers should type the name or partial name of the department, e.g. "Business%", and the computer will list all department codes that match alphabetically. Test takers should NOT enter a department code number because the computer does not conduct a numeric match.
Test takers are asked to enter the four-digit department code only if they are sending scores through the automated phone service. When sending scores online or on the day of the test, they should type in the name of the department, not the numeric code.
The GRE/GMAT is optional for prospective students who meet the following criteria:
OR
Letters of Recommendation
We require two letters of recommendation. Letters should come from individuals who are familiar with your training in quantitative methods, and their remarks should address your ability to apply your quantitative skills. Recommendation letters should be written by an individual in a position to evaluate you either professionally or academically (e.g., a supervisor, project leader, or instructor). Recommendations from co-workers, friends, or family members are inadmissible.
Interview
Interviews are conducted on an invitation-only basis. Please refrain from contacting the office to request an interview. You will be contacted by the MFE program office if an interview is necessary to make a decision on your application.
The purpose of the interview is for the admissions committee to gain a better understanding of your skill set and to understand what you may need to do in order to better prepare for the program should you be offered hold or admit status.
The interviewers are not members of the admissions committee, nor do the interviews determine the admissions decisions.
Interviews can cover a range of topics, but please note that if a subject is part of the prerequisite skill set for the MFE program, or if it is noted on your resume, then it may be covered during the interview.
Sometimes we interview a candidate more than once. This is because, at times, the admissions committee has further questions and wishes to know more about a candidate than was covered in the interview.
We ask that you do not contact the interviewers with questions about your admissions status or about "how the interview went," as the interviewer will not be able to answer these questions.
If you do have questions, you are encouraged to send them to the admissions committee at mfe@haas.berkeley.edu.
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of California, Berkeley publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes current security policies plus crime and fire statistics for the previous three calendar years. The body of the report also contains contact information for various campus and community resources related to crime prevention and survivor assistance. A digital copy of the report can be accessed via the link below, or paper copies are available free of charge at 1 Sproul Hall.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (PDF)
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