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Graduate - How to Apply

DEADLINES:

April 1st - last day to apply online for summer or fall semester

May 1st - last day to apply with paper application for summer or fall semester for International students. Domestic students will be considered on a case by case basis through July.

November 15th - last day to apply online for spring semester

December 31st - last day to submit application materials to be considered for
University Fellowships for the following fall semester.


MATERIALS:

All applicants must submit:

  • Signed application form (domestic or international)
  • Statement of Personal Goals
  • Resume or Vitae
  • ONE official transcript (seal bearing) from ALL undergraduate and graduate work, whether or not a degree was achieved.
  • Three letters of recommendation from professors acquainted with applicant's work. No special form is required.

    *** GRE scores are strongly encouraged. They help us to make admission decisions. We are particularly interested in GRE PHYSICS scores. A PHYSICS subject test score of the 60th percentile or higher submitted before first enrollment will satisfy the qualifying exam requirement for the PhD. Students who submit subject test scores will be prioritized.

    *** Students who will be receiving a master's degree from another institution before
    attending the University of Kansas MUST submit GRE PHYSICS scores.


    International students from non-English speaking countries must submit:

  • - OFFICIAL report of TOEFL score. Applicants CANNOT be admitted to the Graduate School without an OFFICIAL TOEFL REPORT. We can use copies for our department review, but the Graduate School will NOT accept them.
    o For the paper-based TOEFL a minimum score of 53 in each category is required for admission.
    o For the computer-based and internet-based TOEFL a minimum score of 20 in each category is required.
    NOTE: The TOEFL requirement MUST be met before applicants can be considered for fellowships, graduate teaching assistantships, or graduate research assistantships.
    *** The only exceptions are for students who will receive a degree from a certified, English-speaking university from the United Kingdom, Australia, or English-speaking provinces of Canada before enrolling at KU.

    WE PREFER THE iBT WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

  • - International students being considered for a TA will need to provide further proof of English speaking ability by achieving a score of at least 50 on either the TSE or the KU SPEAK test. A score of 26 on the Speaking section of the iBT will allow the student to skip the TSE and/or SPEAL test.

    If an international student is admitted to the program without financial support from the department, in order to obtain a visa the student must also provide:

    • Financial Resource Statement Form: proof of adequate financial resources (at least $16,628 for the 2003-2004 academic year) is required in order for the University to issue the necessary F1 or J1 immigration documents for admitted students. The "financial resource statement" portion of the application MUST be completed by all applicants. All fellowships and assistantship applicants must complete this section even if no personal funds are available. Self supporting students must complete this section. Sponsored students also need to have their sponsors complete the "Sponsor's Affidavit." Documentation for self-supporting and sponsored students must be provided in the form of an original bank statement.


    WHEN APPLYING:

  • Apply online. NOTE: if applying online, the department cannot pay application fees.

  • Apply in paper format: download pdf format domestic application or international application.

    1. Please send all materials to the DEPARTMENT.
    The address is:

    Tess Gratton
    Department of Physics and Astronomy
    University of Kansas
    1251 Wescoe Hall Dr. #1082
    Lawrence, KS. 66044

    You can also email materials to tessg@ku.edu.

    *** Please include the application fee in your package if you do not apply online. For international students the fee is $60, for domestic it is $55. If you cannot pay, we will review your application to determine if we will pay the fee for you. We cannot waive application fees.


    FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

    Please contact Tess Gratton, our Graduate Admission Specialist. You can reach her at (785) 864-1222, or tessg@ku.edu.

    Links
    Mean-Time-to-Degree Data

    Additional information on Assistantships and Fellowships

    KU Graduate Studies Main Site which includes links to info on housing, scholarships, tuition and fees.