The Annual Berkeley Edge Conference introduces a diverse cohort of prospective applicants who are competitively eligible to our faculty, graduate student and administrators in the physical and mathematical sciences. It provides pragmatic advice about Berkeley's graduate application process and the process for winning fellowships. It offers students the opportunity to learn about Berkeley's scientific research facilities and resources for graduate students. The Berkeley Edge Conference encourages and inspires talented students from historically excluded populations who are currently underrepresented in our MA and Ph.D. programs to apply for advanced study at Berkeley.
The Berkeley Edge Conference is offered in support of the University of California's commitment to the full realization of its historic promise to recognize and nurture merit, talent, and achievement by supporting diversity and equal opportunity in its education, research, and creative activity. The Berkeley Edge Conference particularly acknowledges the acute need to remove barriers to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of talented students from historically excluded populations who are currently underrepresented.
The Berkeley Edge Conference is designed for students who are competitively eligible for our MA and Ph.D. programs, and is offered by invitation only. The Conference inspires and supports participating students as they prepare applications for graduate study and fellowships. DATE CHANGE! -The 2021 Berkeley Edge Conference (BEC) will be take place virtually on Friday, November 5th, 2021. Join us!
Applicants should be in one of the following academic majors: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Logic, Statistics, Geophysics, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Geology. Applicants should intend to enter a Ph.D. or MA program in Fall 2022. A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required. Students must currently be in good academic standing. US Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Undocumented students will be considered. Priority is given to students currently in their final year of study for the bachelors or masters degree.
Consideration will be given to applicants' potential to contribute to higher education through understanding the barriers facing talented students from historically excluded populations who continue to be underrepresented in higher education and scientific careers, as evidenced by life experiences and educational background. Examples include (but are not limited to) attendance at a minority serving institution; experience with or ability to articulate the barriers facing women and minorities in science and engineering fields; participation in higher education pipeline programs such as UC Leads, or McNair Scholars.
Berkeley Edge Conference applications can be initiated in two ways by self nomination OR by nomination (recommendation) from a faculty member or program director with whom you have had direct teaching or research interaction.
1. Self-nomination Process: The student will complete the online application and alert their recommender to this site to complete the recommendation form.
2. Nomination by recommender: Recommenders can submit a form ahead of the student applying. Students MUST complete the online application before the deadline.
The application deadline for 2022 pending.