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MDES ADMITTED STUDENTS WEEK

We would like to invite you to join us for MDes Admitted Students Week on March 16-20th, 2026 to help you learn more about the people and resources in the MDes and at UC Berkeley.

Event Recordings and Slides
*You can see the transcript of recordings by turning on closed captioning 

March 16th, 9-10am: MDes Admitted Students Welcome Forum
See slides and recording

Event Description: At this first event, MDes faculty, students, and staff will officially welcome you as members of the admitted MDes2027 cohort! You’ll get an inside look at the MDes program, upcoming admit events and resources, and discuss how MDes can support your academic and career goals.

March 17th, 9-10am: MDes Student x Admit Chats
See slides and recording

Event Description: Students from the MDes2026 cohort will co-host this admits and students-only chat. Join the event to meet current MDes students from various disciplines and learn more about their perspectives on the MDes program.

March 18th, 9-11am: Virtual Campus Visit Day
See slides and recording

Event Description: At Virtual Visit Day, we will present some of the key academic and student resources that you will be able to access as a MDes student. You will hear from MDes faculty about their course instruction and research, MDes students and alumni about their career journies, and get an overview of the studio and Makerspace resources in Jacobs Hall.

March 18th, 5-6pm: Funding Resources Workshop
See slides and recording

Event Description: This session will provide an overview of funding resources available to MDes students, with a focus on reviewing academic student employee positions that provide fee remission.

March 19th, 12-8:30pm: Campus Visit Day
See slides

Event Description: Join us in Berkeley for Campus Visit Day to meet program faculty, current students, and staff, sit in on a MDes class, get tours of the MDes Studio and makerspaces, attend a program social, and picture your life here as a future MDes student.

In addition to these admit events, we invite you to join some of the ongoing events hosted by members of the UC Berkeley design community; some of these events below are hosted online, so you can access them wherever you are.

• Jacobs Institute Design Field Notes speaker series
• College of Environmental Design (CED) lectures & events
• Berkeley Center for New Media news & events
• UC Berkeley events calendar

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CONNECT WITH THE MDES COMMUNITY

In addition to the admit events previewed above, we invite you to connect with your peers and other members of the MDes community through the following channels:

• Join the MDes2027 Admitted Students WhatsApp to connect with each other and get real-time updates.
• Browse the profiles of current MDes students in the MDes2026 cohort, profiles of alumni from our graduated cohorts, and the MDes faculty & staff.
• Learn about the MDes Student Association (MDSA).

You can also learn more about the Berkeley MDes by:

• Follow us on the MDes Instagram
• Browse examples of past MDes student work
• Explore the MDes studio facilities in Jacobs Hall and Bauer Wurster Hall

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WHAT NEXT?

This section provides key resources to help you prepare for your Berkeley MDes education, after you have submitted your Statement of Intent to Register by April 15th.

PREPARING FOR BERKELEY

• Housing: Find resources for on-campus and off-campus housing for graduate students. The Berkeley International Office (BIO)’s Housing page also has practical advice for both international and domestic students.
• Visas: Begin preparing your visa application as soon as possible if you are an international student. Visit the Berkeley International Office (BIO)’s New Students page for visa guidance and other resources.
• Campus Resources: The Graduate Division’s Resources & Services for Graduate Students also provides a comprehensive overview of useful resources, including the New Graduate Student Guide.

FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION

• Please visit the Program Fees & Funding section of the MDes website to learn more about previewed costs and aid available to support your Berkeley education.
• As part of financial aid for MDes students, U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens may qualify for graduate student federal loans, California state aid, or work-study award. To prepare an application for graduate federal loans and/or work-study, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and review the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office’s Newly Admitted Students FAQ page (specifically, the Newly Admitted Graduates section near the bottom of the page).
• International students who are not eligible for federal financial aid may find guidance and suggestions for funding your education at the Berkeley International Office (BIO)’s Financial Aid page.

KEY DATES & EVENTS

Below are just some of the events and opportunities that await you as an incoming MDes2026 student. We will share more details and other events, such as workshops, as the summer approaches.

• First week of June: New students gain access to Handshake, which is the Berkeley Career Engagement’s platform for job postings, career events, etc.
• JUL 17: New graduate students can begin registering for Fall 2026 courses
• Mid-AUG: Berkeley Graduate Division campus orientation activities (optional)
• Hold Aug 21, 24 & 25: MDes Orientation (required, in-person, on campus) – the full schedule and details will be shared this summer; be sure to save these dates for now.
• AUG 26: MDes & UC Berkeley classes begin (in-person, on campus)

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QUESTIONS?

Email mdes@berkeley.edu and a member of our admissions team will respond.

We also invite you to speak with members of our faculty, staff, and student body:

• Questions about curriculum, thesis, or research?
  • Join small group office hours with Kyle Steinfeld (MDes Faculty Director, Architecture Professor); learn more about Kyle here.
  • Join small group office hours with Kosa Goucher-Lambert (MDes Associated Faculty Director, Mechanical Engineering Professor); learn more about Kosa here.
• Questions about admissions, offer letters, or the MDes program?
  • Book 1:1 office hours with Evelyn Thorne (Director of Academic Affairs); learn more about Evelyn here.
• Questions about the student experience?
  • Book 1:1 office hours with Chandiya Selvaraj (MDes2026 student and Admissions Outreach Ambassador); learn more about Chandiya here.
• Questions about financial aid, ASE positions, or enrollment?
  • Book 1:1 office hours with Tyshon Rogers (Assistant Director of Academic Affairs); learn more about Tyshon here.
• Questions about co-curricular and campus opportunities?
  • Book 1:1 office hours with Janrey Javier (Student Engagement Manager); learn more about Janrey here.

 

^{Begin designing your Berkeley MDes experience today!}