Berkeley Personal Statement Forum

[zeglo]

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[JFO1833]

This may or may not be consensus on the board, but my view is that you should expand it only if you actually have more to say and feel strongly that you should say more OR you have enough time to write a four page statement and get it fully polished and ready to be sent.

Frankly, if you are applying for this fall I would not take the time to expand it at this point because it's already quite late in the cycle. If however you are applying for fall 2017 then by all means write a longer one.

[Lawcat11]

I submitted a 2 page one and got in, but it was Berkeley specific. I think they give you the extra pages so that you can have more room to show interest in Berkeley in particular if you haven't already in the statement.

[Pikapika]

Met with Dean Tom and he said it's best to take advantage of the longer length. Mine was just about 4 pages + berkeleley specific and I was accepted. BTW it is meant to take the place of an interview and I think it can also be a way to show commitment. But ya of course if you don't have anything more to say of substance, you obviously don't want to fill it with fluff just for the sake of length.

Personally, I would extend your normal 2pager and tie it to Berkeley somehow and show what attracts you to the school specifically.

[zeglo]

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[lymenheimer]

Thanks for the feedback. So I guess I can expand my current paper.

Also, why do people keep asking if I am applying this cycle? Isn't the cycle over at this point?

Because there are people who are still applying this cycle.

[zeglo]

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[lymenheimer]

I am literally not able to apply to Berkeley anymore. It's closed.

ok