Graduate Admissions

You may apply for admission to the Physics doctoral program during our application window from September to December. Admission is granted for fall semester of the following year. 

All application materials must be submitted by our application deadline of DECEMBER 15th.

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Application Process

In addition to the general information (personal, educational, etc.) parts of the application, you must submit the following:

1.  A current resume: The admissions committee takes a holistic view of the applicant’s academic experience to date, and evaluates their potential to develop into an independent researcher. If you have any  prior significant research experience, make sure you describe it here, and also include the corresponding mentors in the list of references.  We also understand that some institutions do not offer research  experiences to undergraduates. In that case, highlight other aspects of your education that may have prepared you to become a graduate student.
2. Statement of Research Objectives: Please tell the committee what areas or subfields of physics you are currently interested in, how you see yourself as a professional physicist, and what components of  our graduate program are of special interest to you.
3. The committee values your grades in undergraduate core courses: Quantum and Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Thermal and Statistical Physics. Make sure they are listed in the application  in the appropriate section.
4. We do not require results from the GRE for admission. The University application page allows you to enter GRE results, but the Physics program does not use them for admission decisions.
5. International applicants are required to provide English language proficiency through the TOEFL or IELTS exam results. Your total TOEFL score must be 79. Your writing subscore must be at least 21  and your reading subscore must be at least 19. Your IELTS total score must be 6.5. Your writing and reading subscores must both be at least 6.5.  More information on this University policy can be found on  the Graduate School's website
6. Three letters of reference: The admissions committee is particularly interested in independent evaluations of your potential ability to conduct research, and of your interest and motivation for graduate  school. The committee wants to make sure that you will likely be successful in our program, and plays close attention to the letters. They provide important background that is complementary to the infor  mation included in your academic record such as courses taken, and grades.  

The online application is not complete until the application fee has been paid. The School of Physics and Astronomy does not send acknowledgment upon receipt of application, nor does it send notification of missing documents. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the arrival of all necessary documents to their correct recipients.

Admissions decisions are sent January through early February.