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• Complete the online Personal Statement regarding your goals and plans for your professional career in the on-line application.

  • Make sure in you include enough information on your statement of purpose to answer the following questions:

    - Why do you want to study advanced physics?

    - What would motivate you to spend long hours in a physics lab or on your theoretical or computational project?

    - What are your special abilities that you think will make you successful in research?

    - What do you plan to do professionally after receiving your Ph.D. in Physics?

  • Write a short essay within your statement of purpose describing, in no more than 300 words, your approach to finding the answer to a scientific problem when the answer is not a priori known - this could be a homework problem, or a research problem, that you have encountered. Make sure you address what part you will attempt in your own and what part will be more of a team effort. Also clearly indicate at what stage you would stop pursuing finding an answer and why.

• Note the specific area of Physics that interests you.
• Letters of Recommendation: We require three letters of recommendation from people familiar with you and your student and/or professional career. (See recommended letter format. You do not need to print out this form. Once you complete the online application, the letter writer will be sent an email with a fill-able form.)
• Transcripts: One original copy of the official transcript(s) of all previous university work is required. All degrees awarded should be documented. A list of university courses and their titles which do not appear on the transcript(s) should also be sent to us.
• GRE: You are required to take the Graduate Record Examination general test. The subject test in physics is not required, but is strongly encouraged. Please have the documentation of your score mailed directly to us from Educational Testing Service.
• TOEFL: Foreign students must take the TOEFL or IELTS.
  • The minimum TOEFL scores required for admission are below (TOEFL internet-based test); the actual cut rates under the four categories as imposed by the graduate school.
    • Writing: 18
    • Speaking: 18
    • Listening: 14
    • Reading: 19
    • Total: 79
  • The minimum IELTS scores required for admission are below :
    • Writing: 5.5
    • Speaking: 6.0
    • Listening: 6.0
    • Reading: 6.5
    • Total: 6.5

• The application fee may be paid by credit or debit card. 
• The deadline for being considered into the graduate program for the Fall semester is March 15 and November 15 for the Spring semester.
• Please be aware that fellowships may have deadlines different from these.

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Physics Qualifying Exam: The Qualifying Exam must be taken, at the latest, after completing the first semester of graduate work. Two consecutive attempts are permitted to obtain a passing grade. A free attempt is granted to the student upon first enrolling in the Department.