Graduate Program Application Instructions

Thank you for your interest in the Physics and Astronomy Department Graduate Program at the University of Utah. Enclosed are application materials and instructions. All materials must be returned by February 1st for admission the following Fall Semester. Applications received thereafter will continue to be considered on a space-available basis, up to the University deadline of April 1. Application fees are $55 for Domestic applicants, and $65 for International applicants on a visa or in need of a visa. Past deadline applications are subject to an additional $30 fee.

Admission Standards

Prior to commencing graduate study, applicants must have received a bachelor's degree from an accredited institute, college, or university. Although no single field of undergraduate specialization is required, applicants to the Physics program must have a thorough undergraduate background in the Sciences, and are expected to have mastered basic material in the following areas: Mathematics (calculus through differential equations), Physics (college physics with calculus, including mechanics), Chemistry (inorganic), and Biology. All aspects of an application will be thoroughly considered during the evaluation process which usually will take place in the month of February. Applicants should have a grade point average equivalent to 3.2 or better on a 4-point scale in their Bachelor or Master degree courses. International applicants should have a minimum TOEFL score of 575 on the paper-based test, or 232 on the computer-based test; applicants with TOEFL scores below 600 (paper-based test) or 250 (computer-based test) may be required to enroll in English classes once they are admitted in the program.

Application Procedures

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is a prescreening department and requires all applicants to submit all application materials including the application and transcripts directly to our office for review. Following is a list of material that needs to be completed for the review process

Please type or use ink to fill out all enclosed application forms.

  1. Completed Application Form: Read the application carefully. Omitted information can delay the processing of your application. Allow processing time of four to six weeks in the Admissions Office. Please state the Physics and Astronomy department on the appropriate line of your application.
  2. Transcripts: Official copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be sent directly by the institution. The transcripts may also be included with the other application materials if they are in a sealed envelope. For foreign institutions, include official transcripts in the original language and official English translations if the original language is not English
  3. Letters of Recommendation: The Physics and Astronomy Department requires at least three letters of personal reference from course instructors, research supervisors, or employers who are familiar with your abilities and performance. The reference should use the printable PDF form Personal Reference Form.
  4. Personal Statement: A two-page personal statement (approximately 500 words) outlining your background, research interests (including possible faculty research advisors), goals, and reasons for applying to our graduate program.
  5. Financial Assistance: If you are applying for financial assistance, we also require that you fill out the financial assistance form.
  6. GRE Scores: All applicants should arrange to take the General GRE and Physics subject GRE tests and have the results sent to the Physics and Astronomy Department. Official scores must be submitted before an applicant can be accepted by the University of Utah. If you desire any additional information concerning GRE tests, visit the GRE website.
  7. For International Applicants Only: TOEFL scores: An official report of scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) will be necessary.

Teaching Assistantship

The University of Utah Physics and Astronomy Department offers teaching assistantships to some graduate students. This includes a tuition waiver as well as a nine-month stipend. You must have an advanced GRE test score to be considered for such a position. Teaching Assistantships are only available for applicants who have sent all of their admissions materials by the deadline and are approved by the admissions committee. If you are applying for an assistantship, you must fill out the financial assistance form.

Applications for admission to the graduate program are evaluated by the Physics and Astronomy Department Admissions Committee usually during the month of February. The recommendations of the Admissions Committee are sent to the Graduate Admissions Office of the University of Utah. The formal decision on admission is made by the University's Graduate Admissions Office, which will then notify you directly of its decision. Please note that on rare occasions the Graduate Admissions Office may decide against the recommendation of the Physics and Astronomy Department; consequently the letter from the Physics and Astronomy Department does not constitute formal acceptance.

Please send ALL required materials to:

Graduate Admissions Secretary
University of Utah
Physics and Astronomy Department
115 South 1400 East, Room 201
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0830

If you have any questions regarding admissions to the University of Utah, please contact:

Jackie Hadley
Graduate Admissions Secretary
University of Utah
Physics and Astronomy Department
115 South 1400 East, Room 201
Salt Lake City, UT 84112

phone: (801) 581-6861
fax: (801) 581-4801
e-mail: jackie@physics.utah.edu

Thank you, and we hope to hear from you soon.