University of California, Berkeley (PhD)

Essays

1. Statement of purpose · required

   Please describe your aptitude and motivation for graduate study in your area of specialization, including your preparation for this field of study, your academic plans or research interests, and your future career goals. Please be specific about why UC Berkeley would be a good intellectual fit for you.

   Get a read on this essay

2. Other essay · required

   Personal History Statement: Please describe how your background and life experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree at this time. This may include formative experiences, values, or motivations that have influenced your academic and/or professional path. The Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Statement of Purpose.

   Get a read on this essay

Both statements are required: the page opens "When applying to a UC Berkeley graduate program, two statements are required: the Statement of Purpose and your Personal History Statement." No word or page cap is set. The writing tips say "Approximately 500 to 1,000 well-selected words is better than more words with less clarity and poor organization," which is advice rather than a stated limit, so the limit field is left empty. Applicants are told to check the departmental website for additional or specific requirements. No deadline dates on this page.

Checked against grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/steps-to-apply/requirements/statement-purpose on September 11, 2026. Programs change their prompts between cycles; confirm on the program’s own page before you submit.