Do I need to secure a graduate thesis supervisor before applying?

Students typically secure a graduate advisor in their first or second year of study. You do not need to identify a research advisor before applying, though you are encouraged to look through faculty’s research and discuss which areas you’re most interested in when writing your application. If you have questions about specific groups, you can reach out to the faculty directly.

When will I be notified of whether or not I am accepted into the Physics program?

Candidates passing an initial review of materials will be invited for a virtual interview. These are typically scheduled through February.

The target date for decisions is early March (approximately).

Can I apply for an application fee waiver?

Students may request a fee waiver by completing a form. Please note that requests for fee waivers are separate from the application process and receipt of a fee waiver is not a guarantee of admission. You must submit your waiver request by November 10 to receive full consideration. Our department has limited fee waivers to allocate each year, and we typically award all of them before the end of the calendar year.

Can you estimate my likelihood of being accepted into the program? Can you estimate my chances of admission based on my record? 

A committee of faculty members makes our final admissions decisions, and we look at a variety of factors that include, among other things, academic preparation and prior research experience. Importantly, we make our choices in the context of the applicant pool. For this reason, we will not provide estimates of your chances of acceptance into the program.

If I am admitted, how will I be funded? 

Nearly all of our admission offers come with support in the form of a graduate teaching assistantship. Students typically transfer to a graduate research assistantship after they join a research group. If a student cannot secure a GRA, then the department will continue GTA funding provided the student is making satisfactory progress towards completing their degree.

I am an international student applying to the Physics Graduate Program. Do I meet the minimum requirements to apply?

Information on the minimum requirements for the Graduate School can be found here. 

I am an international student, and I currently do not hold a Visa. Am I still eligible to apply?

You do not need to hold a visa at the time of your application. You will, however, need to have a valid Visa to enroll in the program. 

Are official transcripts required? What is considered an “official transcript” from my University or institution? 

In the first round of review, the Graduate School allows applicants to submit copies of official transcripts. However, if you are accepted, you will be required to send the official transcripts themselves in order to matriculate.

How do I know if the person I would like to work with has openings for students? 

We strongly encourage you to contact individual faculty members to discuss research opportunities, especially if you want to work with a particular faculty member or conduct research in a specific area.

What fraction of students who apply get admitted? 

We have historically made admissions offers to approximately 25–33% of the applicants to our program under our current admissions practices.

How can I make sure my application materials have arrived? 

You can check the status of your application here. Please note that the Office of Graduate Admissions staff are ready to assist you with questions you may have during your application process.