Graduate Admissions
The selection of the Ph.D. students admitted to the Department of Physics is based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including (but not limited to) the student's academic record, the letters of recommendation, the statement of purpose, past accomplishments, and talent for research in physics. Applicants should keep in mind that attributes such as persistence, enthusiasm, and intellectual creativity can play a significant role in the evaluation of the aptitude of a candidate to graduate school.
For the 2025-26 application cycle, the General GRE or Physics GRE scores will be accepted but are not a required part of a complete application.
Applications must be submitted by the middle of December to be considered for the following Autumn Quarter. In January and February of each year, the Physics Department Graduate Admission Committee reviews each application. All applicants will be notified of their admission status by March 1st.
The Physics Department recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision. The Department does not offer a separate program for the M.S. degree, but this degree may be awarded for a portion of the Ph.D. degree work with approval from the Department. Graduate students have opportunities for research in theoretical physics, AMO physics, ultra-fast lasers, particle and nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, quantum information and control, cosmology, astrophysics, and gravitation. Opportunities for research are also available with the faculty at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in the areas of theoretical and experimental particle physics, cosmology and astrophysics, accelerator design, and photon science. In Applied Physics there are opportunities in the areas of theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics, materials research, quantum electronics, and novel imaging technology.
The application deadline for this academic year 2024-25 (2025-26 admissions cycle) is 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time, Monday, December 16, 2024 . The application submission deadline is a hard deadline and no late applications are accepted, no exceptions. We strongly suggest you do not wait until the last day to submit in case you encounter any difficulties.
- Three letters of recommendation, preferably including at least one from a research group.
- Upload one scanned version of your official transcript(s) in the online application (see File Upload Requirements ). Official transcripts are preferred, however, if obtaining official transcripts is financially burdensome, we will accept unofficial transcripts at the time of application. For those that are offered admission to our program, we will require submission of official transcripts for accepted students before matriculation.
- The TOEFL exam is required for applicants whose first language is not English. It must be taken within the last two years. The TOEFL is waived for applicants who have recently completed or will complete a Bachelor's degree, or a 2-year Master's program, in the U.S. or in another English-speaking country. See the Graduate Admissions GRE/TOEFL FAQ for detailed information.
- The GRE General and Physics exam scores will be accepted but are not required in the 2025-26 application cycle (2024-25 academic year).
The Department of Physics welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. Review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays in order to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field.
The department is interested in understanding and mitigating barriers to access to all of our programs, including barriers based on citizenship status, accessibility, or financial or logistical challenges. If you are interested in our graduate program but there are barriers that limit your ability to apply given our current procedures, we would appreciate hearing from you. Please fill out this brief form .
Not all students have equal access to information on the graduate admission process. The department is interested in helping those who may need additional guidance in applying to graduate programs in Physics. If you are interested in attending a Q&A panel to hear from current graduate students about applying to graduate programs please fill out this form .
https://forms.gle/oY6y9L3dpHQe9XN47
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Department of Physics
Graduate students, prospective students, find all the information you need, including application, here ..
The Department of Physics offers the opportunity for students to pursue a Ph.D. in many areas of experimental and theoretical physics. Entering students typically have undergraduate degrees in physics or related fields, and are drawn from among the most talented students around the world. The department does not offer a terminal master's program.
The Graduate Recruitment Initiative Team (GRIT) began as a grassroots student organization and has grown to encompass 18 graduate programs in the Biological Sciences Division (BSD) and Physical Sciences Division (PSD) at the University of Chicago with over 50 members and a dedicated faculty counterpart in the form of the Diversity Council. GRIT is committed to enhancing diversity, inclusion, and equity across the BSD and PSD graduate programs. GRIT focuses on three central components: recruitment , retention , and sustainability in order to increase the recruitment and retention of students from marginalized backgrounds.
Learn more about GRIT here .
Incoming and Returning Students
If you wish to speak to someone about the Ph.D. program, or other issues pertaining to the graduate student experience, please contact either Zosia Krusberg , the Director of Graduate Studies, Stuart Gazes , the Undergraduate Program Chair, or P eter Littlewood , the Department Chair.
Links to detailed information and resources for incoming and returning graduate students are found under the tabs below.
Incoming Student Information
- PSD Autumn 2023 New Student Information
- Prepare for Graduate Diagnostic Examination
- Autumn 2023 Department of Physics Orientation
For international incoming students, please check out International Students Resource for more information.
Dean of Students (Physical Science Division)
The Dean of Students Office works with students, faculty, divisional staff, and campus partners to advance the academic, personal, and professional development of students in the Physical Sciences Division. Our central mission is to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students as they pursue their education and thrive as members of the broader University of Chicago community.
Our regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the Dean of Students Office by emailing [email protected] .
- Dean of Students Contact Page
- Quarterly Check List for PSD Graduate Students
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources
A full list of resources can be found under Current Student Resources .
UChicagoGRAD
- UChicagoGRAD is a one-stop shop of integrated services to help graduate students and postdocs navigate their academic and professional careers. Download an overview of our office here .
- Led by Jason Merchant, Vice Provost, UChicagoGRAD programs provide flexible training that complements support in academic units.
- UChicagoGRAD staff are committed to serving the graduate and postdoc community, focusing on recruitment; skills and experience; career development; and alumni engagement.
Contact [email protected] , and visit grad.uchicago.edu to learn more.
Graduate Program Policies
Students with questions may contact Zosia Krusberg (Director of Graduate Studies), Putri Kusumo (Assistant Director of Graduate Affairs), Bahareh Lampert (Dean of Students in the Physical Sciences Division), or Amanda Young (Associate Director, Graduate Student Affairs) in UChicagoGRAD.
- Experimental Physics Requirement
- Candidacy Courses Guidelines
- Advancement to Candidacy
- Post-candicacy Course Requirements
- First Year Advising
- Thesis and Advisory Committees
- Thesis Committee Meeting Guidelines
- Annual Academic Progress Report
- Graduation Guidelines
- Dissertation: Deadlines , Checklist , Dissertation Guidelines , Dissertation Template , Dissertation Office
- PhD Registration Limit Policy
- Residential Requirement
- Graduate Student Yearly Checklist
- Master's Degree Requirements
- Current Course Offerings : U of C class search site
- Textbook Lists : Current Quarter
- Graduate Course Inventory 2021-2022
- Physics Instructional Services : lab schedules, office hours, lost & found, etc.
- A list of previously approved non-physics electives can be found here .
- General Guidance for Research
- Research in the Physics Department
- Research Facilities
- Writing Resources
- University Libraries
- Teaching Assistants
- Chicago Center For Teaching :Teaching Support Source
- Financial Aid
- Third-Party Contract (External Award)
- Self-Payment Options
- Fellowship Database
- Graduate Council Travel Fund
- Emergency Assistance Programs
- External Award Reporting Form (PhD students)
- Annual Funding Checklist (PhD students) : include Direct Deposit sign-up instructions
- Payment Schedule Overview (PhD students)
- Tax Information
International Student Resources
- General Contact
- Shashi Dyamenahalli , Adviser for PSD students: for specific international affairs
- Apply for F1/J1 Statu s
- Apply for SSN or ITINs : for on and off-campus job
- Tax Responsibilities
- Visa Renewal
- Program Extention of I-20 or DS-2019 (please notify Putri Kusumo of the I-20 update)
- Academic English Pre-Matriculation Program (Incoming Students)
Life at UChicago
- Safety and Security
- Transportation : shuttles ( day , night ), buses , and parking
- Food: campus dining , Hyde Park
- Graduate Housing: UC site , additional information
- The Graduate Council
- Chicago Studies : Engaging students with the community
- About Hyde Park
- Kersten Physics Teaching Center: room 205
- Elsewhere On Campus (scroll to the bottom)
Career Planning
- UChicago Career Advancement
- Career Development Resources
- Grad Talk : Presenting and Interviewing
- Grad Global Impact : Internship Program
- Employment Data
Health and Well-being
- Student Health and Counseling Services
- University Health Insurance
- UChicago Medicine
- Athletics and Recreation for Students
Diversity and Inclusion
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Department of Physics
- Center for Identity + Inclusion
- LGBTQ Student Life
- Office for Access and Equity
- Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in PSD
- Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
- PSD Outlist
- Student Disability Services
- Women in Graduate Science
- Women in Science
IT Services
- UChicago IT Services
Orange Alert
Physics: ph.d. admissions faq, su physics ph.d. program: general admissions questions & answers.
When is my application due?
To be considered for our program in Fall 2025, please note that our deadline for early consideration is December 15th, 2024. We will continue to review applications received up until our final deadline, January 15th, 2025.
Can I apply for a fee waiver for my application?
We have a limited budget for covering application fee waivers, and only do so in special cases. For consideration of a waiver, please submit a request to [email protected] . Please include your specific research interests here at our department, elaborate on your experiences, and attach your CV. Our committee will then review and get back to you. All waiver requests must be submitted at least 1-2 weeks before application deadlines to allow for time to review and process.
Do I have to have a prior Undergraduate (or M.S.) degree in Physics to be considered for admission?
We will accept applications from students with backgrounds in other fields. However, a prior degree in physics can provide support for your application.
Are GRE scores required? What is the minimum acceptable score?
General and Physics GRE scores are not required!
It is past the January 15th deadline. Will you still accept my application?
We will still accept applications after that date, but your chances of admission will be smaller. Please notify [email protected] that you have submitted late application.
What materials do I need to include with my application?
You should include information about your research interests and experience in the personal statement and CV that you submit with your application.
We also recommend you look through the research groups listed on our department’s website, and specifically mention research areas and/or faculty members you’d be interested in working with (and why).
Check the grad program page for more information about application requirements.
Does my personal statement need to be limited to 500 words or less?
We have no set requirement on the number of words, but please keep your personal statement 1-2 pages. You should upload it as a PDF into your application in the online application program.
How do I apply for financial support from the department?
Every new student who is accepted to the Physics graduate program within our department is offered some form of fellowship or graduate assistantship (TA or RA) for at least their first year, except in very rare cases.
Can my application be evaluated in advance, so I can know my chances of admission?
No. Your application can only be evaluated in comparison to the rest of the applicant pool before we can advise about your chances of admission for the upcoming year.
Please note we admit students to the physics program and not into a research group. Opportunities with some of our research groups are very competitive.
What is the average GPA of students accepted into your program?
Your application is considered in totality and in comparison to the rest of the applicant pool, so this can vary greatly from year to year and depends upon your fields and specializations of interest, your undergraduate program.
Which Faculty members will be taking on students in the upcoming year?
We do not post current openings during the application process. If you contact a faculty member directly and describe your research interests and experience, they may be able to answer that question for you.
How do I complete the part of my application that asks for proof of funding/support?
You can submit your application without the proof of funding information . If you receive an admission offer from the Physics department, it would be coupled with either a fellowship or teaching assistantship offer that would automatically fulfill the funding requirement in the application.
Is an unofficial/scanned in transcript acceptable?
Scanned copies of official transcripts are acceptable at the time of application, but if you are accepted into the program you must provide official copies to the graduate school before the end of your first year of study.
Can I include additional materials (for example a copy of a paper which I coauthored) to be reviewed by the committee?
You have the option to do so, but it is not required. Anything you submit will be factored into the decision that the admissions committee makes in regards to your application. However, a personal statement reflecting upon your research interests and experience is required.
I am interested in the Physics M.S. program. Are you accepting M.S. candidates?
The department only guarantees tuition and stipend support to students who are admitted to the Ph.D. program. However, some students may wish to enroll in the M.S. program supported by a third party (e.g. other industry or federal support). If this is the case, we encourage you to contact [email protected] prior to applying so that your proposed program can be discussed with the Graduate Program Director.
Do you conditionally admit students prior to the official admission cycle?
No, our department does not offer conditional admission to our Ph.D. program.
I am interested in applying for the SPRING semester. How do I do so?
We do not accept applications for spring admission, only fall.
Do you accept transfer students into the Physics Ph.D. program?
We will consider your application for admission, but your chances of admission will be smaller if you are already enrolled in a graduate program in physics in US. Please note on your application or in your personal statement that you are currently attending another university, and that you are looking to transfer. It is important to explain why you are looking to transfer after enrolling in another program. This could play a large role when the admissions committee evaluates your application.
When will admission decisions be made?
Most of admission offers will be typically made in January and February. Some admission offers will be made through March and early April. If we do not reach admission targets by April 15th, we occasionally make admission offers in late April. We rarely send rejection notices before April 15th.
I am an international applicant...
Are TOEFL scores required?
We ask all international applicants to submit TOEFL scores with your application. Good scores will enhance your application greatly, but there are no minimum scores required for consideration.
What is the minimum acceptable TOEFL score?
The average score accepted varies considerably from one year to the next, based upon the applicant pool. We rarely admit students with cumulative TOEFL score below 85.
Will you accept IELTS scores, in place of TOEFL?
Although the admissions committee prefers using TOEFL scores as a source for comparison among applicants, our admissions committee will accept IELTS scores in place of TOEFL if that is the only test you have taken.
I have already earned a prior degree in the US. Do I need to submit TOEFL scores?
In your case, a TOEFL score report is not necessary if you have several years’ experience at US institution.
Is my foreign transcript acceptable?
You need to include a document listing the classes you have completed, the grades you have earned, and any degrees you have earned. If this information is not listed in the standard transcript, please include an official university document that does include this information.
How do I convert the scores on my (international) transcript to a 4.0 scale?
We ask applicants to judge where their performance would fall on the following grade scale(s) , to the best of their abilities.
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