How should I refer to "UC Berkeley" in my Berkeley SoP?

[zep]

In my UC Berkeley computer science SoP draft, I refer to "University of California, Berkeley" a few times. Should I spell out the school's full name, or is this overly formal? If it's okay to use a short version of the school name, which of the following is appropriate?

- UC Berkeley

- Berkeley

- University of California

- Cal

- UCB

[Safferz]

Take a look at the website of the department you're applying to, and you'll notice they generally refer to themselves as 'Berkeley.' Go with that.

[NerdyKnitter]

It's acceptable to abbreviate, but spell it out the first time and put the abbreviation in parentheses. As in, University of California, Berkeley (USB). Check the dept's website for their preferred abbreviation.

[1Q84]

I'm wondering about this too. A lot of websites say "essay format is acceptable".

But what about stuff like GRE, GPA, etc.? I was hoping we could use abbreviations because we all know about word counts and all :/

[zep]

I'm wondering about this too. A lot of websites say "essay format is acceptable".

But what about stuff like GRE, GPA, etc.? I was hoping we could use abbreviations because we all know about word counts and all :/

To follow up about my question above, I just said "UC Berkeley" and didn't ever spell out the whole school name. I got in, so I guess that means it's acceptable.

I think the application reviewers would understand GPA and GRE abbreviations, but every shred of advice I've read says not to waste your time discussing GPA or GRE in the essays. If the review committee cares about GPA or GRE, they'll look elsewhere in your application for those numbers.

Edited August 27, 2012 by zep

[1Q84]

Oh right, definitely. I was just referring to it in passing (1 sentence to address my low GPA).

Also, I keep wanting to right "the xyz of your department is..." and such but is saying your too informal? It just seems to awkward and circumlocutory to say "and the department at X University is..."

[an_internet_person]

I went with "UC Berkeley" and "Berkeley "without any clarification.

Good luck! This place is incredible.

[TakeruK]

Also, I keep wanting to right "the xyz of your department is..." and such but is saying your too informal? It just seems to awkward and circumlocutory to say "and the department at X University is..."

I'm not sure what "xyz" is supposed to replace here! My application (rejected) to Berkeley referred to the school as "UC Berkeley". I referred to the program/department as "the Astronomy Department" or the "Astronomy PhD program". I wrote the essay as if I was sitting in a room with the admissions committee and they asked "So, why do you want to do a PhD with us?". I guess the tone was more formal because we tend to write differently than we speak, but I assumed that it's known that I would be talking about their department and their school -- so no long winded phrases like "the Department of XYZ at the University of ABC". I only used the University name when I was referring to the actual University (e.g. The University of ABC operates many telescopes such as X, Y, and Z, which would allow me to develop skills in observational astronomy.) I definitely did not have a useless sentence like "I am applying to the Department of XYZ at the University of ABC" because why else would I would be writing this SOP!