Letter to Prospective Graduate Students

This is a copy of the letter sent to prospective graduate students who contact the department for information about the Physics graduate program.

Dear Prospective Graduate Student:

Thank you for your interest in physics graduate study at UMass. The research opportunities available in the department are very broad, including experimental and theoretical condensed matter physics, nanoscience, low temperature physics, nuclear physics, experimental and theoretical high energy physics, biophysics, gravitational physics and a variety of collaborative research programs with several departments on campus, including Polymer Science. A complete overview of our department, including graduate courses, seminars, research programs, faculty listings, general information about the campus, enrollment requirements, financial aid, and details about how to apply for graduate school can all be found on our web pages at http://www.physics.umass.edu/. You will find under the research area there are links to the individual research groups' website. More details about the process of applying to our graduate school can be found at http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/applicants.html, and an online application form is available at http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/application/online/index.html. In the interest of conservation, the department has discontinued the regular distribution of paper application materials.

The anticipated value of the total compensation package for a first year non-resident doctoral student is in excess of $36,500. This includes the first year stipend for a teaching assistantship of $15,063 (9-month salary), waivers of tuition, curriculum and other fees, and health benefits. Exceptionally qualified students will be considered for one of several fellowships that would augment the academic year stipend. Guaranteed Summer Research Assistantships are possible for selected students. Fellowships for qualified minority candidates are also available through the Graduate School’s Minority Graduate Education Program. All applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test and the Physics Subject Test. In addition, foreign applicants must also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). All application materials, including two letters of recommendation, are due by February 1. However, since all departments on campus have the same deadline, I recommend submitting application materials to the Graduate School at the beginning of January. An application fee is required before an application may be processed (in-state $40; USA-$50; international resident- $65). We realize that this fee may present a difficulty for some applicants, but unfortunately we are unable to waive it.

Amherst itself is a typical New England college town, with bookstores, coffee shops and a wide range of cultural activities. The surrounding Pioneer Valley is quite rural, with wooded hills, a large network of rivers and lakes, and an abundance of hiking and ski trails. As rural as we are, we are within a few hours of major metropolitan areas and all that they have to offer. A free bus system connects the University with the town itself and with the four first-rate undergraduate liberal arts colleges in the local area. The programs of these colleges enrich the many cultural offerings available.

We welcome any inquiries about our program or about life at UMass. Should you require additional information, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Nikolay Prokofiev
Physics Graduate Admissions Chair