Information and Suggestions for Physics Graduate Applicants

A. Your completed application requires:

1. APPLICATION FORM - on-line version or to download and print.  This can be found on the Graduate School website - http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/
   
   
2. APPLICATION FEE:
   · Massachusetts Residents, $40.00
   · Other U. S. Citizens and Permanent Residents, $50
   · International applications, $65.00
   
   
3. At least TWO ACADEMIC RECOMMENDATIONS – preferred forms included with the application.
   
   
4. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS of all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (2 copies of each).
   
   
5. OFFICIAL TEST SCORES:
   · GRE General Tests
   · GRE Physics Subject Test
   · TOEFL (foreign applicants)
   
   
   
6. RESIDENCY AFFIDAVIT:
   · All US applicants complete Part I
   · New England residents also complete Part II
   · Non-New England residents complete Part III
   This does not apply to international students and is not included in the international application.
   
   
7. FINANCIAL STATEMENT - Foreign students must complete the "International Student Financial Statement" located in the back of the application form.  For Visa eligibility, it is mandatory for foreign students to demonstrate that they can support their academic life while in school.  (If the Physics Department gives you support in the form of a full Teaching Assistantship, this is not necessary.)

B. Mistakes and omissions can delay consideration of your application:

1. Your transcripts must be sent in duplicate.  If you do not SUPPLY TWO COPIES, the documents must be photocopied, resulting in a delay in the consideration of your application.
   
   

2. If you do not SEND THE APPLICATION FEE, or send the wrong fee, your application will be returned, or held by the Graduate Admissions Office until the proper fee is paid.
   
   

3. Failure to TAKE ALL REQUIRED TESTS AND HAVE SCORES REPORTED TO US will result in an incomplete application.  If the TOEFL score is not received, the Graduate Admissions Committee in Physics will not consider the application.  If the Physics Subject GRE is missing; the Committee will consider the application incomplete.
   
   

4. SEND all application materials DIRECTLY TO:
   
   GRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE
   530 GOODELL BUILDING
   UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
   140 HICKS WAY
   AMHERST, MA  01003-9333 USA
   
   
   Any document sent to the Department must be forwarded to the Graduate Admissions Office, resulting in a delay.
   
   

5. COMPLETE THE APPLICATION PROCESS EARLY!  The Admissions Office is very busy before the February 1^st deadline date.  Avoid delays by having your application arrive in early January.
   
   

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I apply for an assistantship or financial aid?
   
   There is no separate application.
   
   

2. Are foreign students eligible for financial aid?
   
   Yes.  See the UMass Financial Aid website – http://www.umass.edu/umfa/grads/ . Most students accepted into the Physics Graduate Program are given aid in the form of an assistantship.
   
   

3. What are my chances of being admitted and receiving an assistantship?
   
   On the basis of recent experience, we hope to be able to offer assistantships to all or most entering Physics doctoral students.
   
   

    

4. Who must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
   
   The TOEFL is required of all applicants from countries in which the native language is not English. See Exceptions:
   http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/prospective_students_international_completing_application.htm
   
   · A waiver may be requested by applicants currently enrolled in college in an
   
   · English speaking country if at least two academic years have already been completed.
   
   · More information can be found about the test itself at the following web site: http://www.toefl.org/abttse.html
   
   

5. Must I take the GRE Subject Test in Physics?
   
   Yes, all applicants are required to take the GRE Subject Test in Physics.
   
   

6. Can the application fee be waived?
   
   Not unless you qualify for a waiver of the GRE fee.  See "Application Processing Fee" in Application Booklet.  This is available only to U.S. students.
   
   

7. Can I delay payment of the application fee until I enroll at the University?
   
   No.  The fee must be sent with the application or your application will not be sent to Physics.
   
   

8. Before I pay the application fee, can you look at my application and tell me if I will be accepted and/or given an assistantship?
   
   No.  This would amount to a waiver or delay of payment, which we are not authorized to approve. 
   
   

9.  Can I apply for Spring semester?
   
   The Physics Department is not accepting students for Spring semester at this time.
   
   

    

10.  Are applications considered for a Master’s program?
    
    Not at this time. (Sometimes there are exceptions for current UMass students.)
    
    

11. When will I receive a decision on my application?  The first acceptances and assistantship offers may be made as early as mid-February.  By mid-March a full first round of assistantship offers will be made, and in a limited number of cases, applicants will be accepted and placed on a waiting list for assistantships.  Additional offers of acceptance or assistantships will be made as positions become available and application files are completed.
    
    
12. Do I have to pay for housing, food, and parking?
    
    Yes.  This is not included in your tuition and is not waivable.
    
    

We look forward to the opportunity to consider your application.  You can help us and yourself by completing the process early.

 

                                                                                                 GRADUATE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE

                                                                                                 PHYSICS PROGRAM