Application Requirements

The application procedure and required documents for both M.S. and Ph.D. applicants are described here.  Please note that the GRE exam is not required for the M.S. application (it is optional).
IMPORTANT: THE SUBJECT AND GENERAL GRE REQUIREMENTS for entry into the PhD program in the fall of 2023 HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED.

Your completed application requires:

  1. APPLICATION FORM - Instructions and link to on-line application can be found on the Graduate School website
  2. APPLICATION FEE: $85
  3. THREE ACADEMIC RECOMMENDATIONS - The Graduate School will e-mail referees with instructions for electronically submitting recommendations.
  4. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS of all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (1 copy of each). Unofficial copies are acceptable for review purposes, however official transcripts will be required if enrolling.
  5. OFFICIAL GRE (both General and Physics tests required for PhD application, both optional for MS application) AND TOEFL TEST SCORES for international applicants: Unofficial scores are acceptable for review purposes, however official score reports will be required if enrolling. Subject Exam requirement is suspended for students applying for Fall 2021.
  6. DEADLINE for PhD PROGRAM: For the PhD program, applications received by December 15 receive priority treatment; applications will be accepted through January 15th. 
    DEADLINE for MS PROGRAM: April 1
    DEADLINE for accelerated MS program (current UMass Undergrads only): For Juniors applying to the accelerated MS program, we will begin reviewing applications on November 30, with a deadline for application of April 1. For Seniors applying to the accelerated MS program, we will begin reviewing applications on November 30. Your application must be received by Jan 3 or you cannot be considered for the accelerated program.
  7. FINANCIAL STATEMENT - If enrolling, international students must complete the "International Student Financial Statement". For Visa eligibility, it is mandatory for international students to demonstrate that they can support their academic life while in school. (For Ph.D. students, if the Physics Department gives you support in the form of a full Teaching Assistantship, the total amount required to 'show' is much less.)

Mistakes and omissions can delay consideration of your application:

  1. If you do not SEND THE APPLICATION FEE, or send the wrong fee, your application will be held by the Graduate School until the proper fee is paid.
  2. Failure to TAKE ALL REQUIRED TESTS AND HAVE SCORES REPORTED TO US will result in an incomplete application. If the TOEFL score is required (international student) and not received, the Graduate Admissions Committee in Physics will not consider the application. Except for applications for Fall 2021 admission, if the Physics Subject GRE is missing (Ph.D. applicants only), the Committee will consider the application incomplete.
  3. Unofficial copies of your application materials (transcripts and test scores) for review may be uploaded with your application at:
    gradadm@grad.umass.edu (in PDF format).
    Official copies must be mailed to:
    GRADUATE SCHOOL
    530 GOODELL
    UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
    140 HICKS WAY
    AMHERST, MA 01003-9333 USA
  4. 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 January15th deadline date. Avoid delays by having your application arrive early. Applications may be submitted at any time and the review process will begin mid-December.