We select our graduate students on the basis of their record of academic achievement in the past, and their promise of future success in scholarship and teaching. A bachelor's degree in Italian is preferred but not absolutely required for admission; however, applicants with degrees in other fields must have already undertaken significant coursework in Italian Studies. We do not require the GRE.
Before you begin your application, be sure you have reviewed the faculty research specialties. These are the individuals who will supervise your graduate education and research; it is important to find a good intellectual fit before undertaking any graduate program.
Each section of the online graduate application has specific and detailed instructions to help you successfully navigate. In general though, the complete application will include:
- Scanned Transcripts of all schools attended. If your academic records do not include official evidence of the award of your degree, you must also submit additional documents that verify the degree conferral.
- If your home institution does not issue documents in English, you must also submit translations prepared by certified translators for the American Translators Association.
- Official transcripts are required once admitted—never before decisions have been made.
- 3 letters of recommendation
- TOEFL exam registration number or IELTS scores. Official evidence of English language proficiency is required of applicants from countries where the official language is not English (you might be exempt from this requirement if you have a basic degree from a recognized institution in a country where the official language is English, or have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work at a regionally accredited institution within the United States). For information about TOEFL exemptions and further details about language requirements, please see the UC Berkeley Graduate Division instructions for International applicants.*Take your necessary exams well in advance! If we receive exam scores any later than early January, they will be of no use.
- Statement of Purpose should be a scholarly piece that demonstrates knowledge, motivation and preparation in your chosen field, academic seriousness and sophistication, and future career goals.
- Personal History should discuss how/why you have decided upon an academic career. This may include but is not limited to relevant diversity, family background, first generation college education, economic or personal obstacles you have overcome, volunteerism, leadership potential, etc.
*The above are distinctly different, may not be combined, and are required by each applicant. There is no set length established for either statement.
Writing Sample should be a recent scholarly paper on a topic in Italian Studies (in Italian or English), such as a term paper for a course, a senior thesis, or a paper written independently. If you have several short papers which demonstrate different facets of your writing and research abilities, you may send up to three. We are looking for examples of research ability and some idea of your knowledge in the field of Italian Studies. There is no set length though attempting to upload a document with many pictures may exceed the system’s data capacity.
All applicants must complete the relevant Fellowships section of the application (domestic or International). For domestic applicants, the Foreign Language and Area Study (FLAS) fellowship application should not be overlooked.
You are not required to complete the whole application in one sitting. Answers are saved and you may return to edit or finish sections until you actually submit the application. We strongly advise that you review everything after a good night’s sleep before submitting the application and paying the fee. Once the application is submitted, you are not allowed to go back and make further edits.
The application system features a status update page for applicants which allows you to see if your official exam scores have been received, and letters of recommendation submitted.
Applicant files are reviewed for completion after the December deadline by the graduate assistant. If there is any problem with your application, you will be contacted then. The faculty admission committee reads and evaluates applications throughout January into early February. Decisions regarding admissions will be announced later in February through mid March. We usually invite prospective admits to visit the department in order to meet the faculty, current students, and their potential cohort for a few days in early to mid March. The exact timing of this visit is announced in February when students are invited.
If you have specific procedural questions, please write to <italianadmit@berkeley.edu>.
If you have questions about the academic program please contact the Graduate Adviser for Italian Studies, Professor Rhiannon Welch, at <r.welch@berkeley.edu>.