Applying

Students are considered for admission into the PhD program in the Department of Physics and Astronomy after completing an online application. Our application deadline is December 15.

Answers to Common Questions

  • As a PhD candidate, you will earn a Master of Arts during your studies, but we do not offer a stand-alone master’s program.
  • The application fee is $70.
  • We do not have a minimum GPA required for application submission.
  • Scanned in copies of all transcripts from university-level work (undergraduate and graduate) are required with the online application. Transcripts must be in English. Please do not mail hard copy official transcripts at this time.
  • We require at least three letters of recommendation from people who can comment on your potential for graduate study. Recommendations are due by our application deadline. Recommendations must be submitted online. Mailed letters of recommendation will not be accepted.
  • General GRE test scores, as well as the Physics GRE subject test scores, are accepted, but not required. If you choose to submit, we ask that you manually enter your GRE scores into the online application, as well as uploading any supporting documents. Official scores from ETS are not required for the application. If you are admitted and choose to enroll with us, we will then require official test score confirmation directly from ETS. If you would like to have ETS send official scores, please use: School Code: 2928; Department Code: 0808
  • If you are not a native English speaker, your official score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam is required, please use: Institutional Code: 2928
  • We also accept IELTS and Duolingo scores as proof of English proficiency.
  • We do not have minimum required scores for the GRE, GRE Physics, TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo. Our admissions committee will consider test scores in the context of the entire application, as we prefer to evaluate multiple parameters to determine the potential of each candidate.
  • Statement of purpose has no specific required content but should include information that you would like the admissions committee to know about you and your aspirations to join our program. The Admissions Committee values insights into the following:
    • Your research interests.
    • Your research or professional experience.
    • Discussing the significance of what you have achieved.
    • Demonstration of your problem solving and/or leadership skills and how you manage adverse situations.
    • Experiences with outreach activities.
    • Thoughts or specific ideas you wish to share for improving diversity in the physics and astronomy community.
  • Only completed applications submitted by the December 15 deadline are given full consideration.

Application Decision Process

Our Graduate Admissions Committee begins its deliberations after the application deadline. We may or may not contact applicants for interviews or additional information prior to decision announcements. Interviews are not granted upon request by applicants.

Decisions are released to candidates as soon as the committee determines eligibility. Notification may be staggered over several weeks. Please be patient as your application is being reviewed by multiple committee members.

Partnerships

The department of physics and astronomy is committed to increasing the diversity of its student body, faculty and staff. We are a partner institution with APS Bridge. Click here for more information about our bridge program.

Questions?

Please email Linda Case at lcassidy@pas.rochester.edu with any questions.