Frequently Asked Questions

Application

• Application overview
  
• Application fee
  
• Application for related programs
  

Letters of recommendation

GPA

GRE

TOEFL

Application

Are there really two separate applications.
Yes, there are two separate applications.One for the department and one for the graduate school. The departmental application is due December 15 or January 15 (no fee). Only apply to the graduate school once you have been accepted by our program.

What is the deadline for international applications?
December 15 is the deadline for international applications.

What is the deadline for U.S. domestic applications?
January 15 is the deadline for international applications. If you want the full consideration for a fellowship then the deadline is December 15.

When will I hear if I have been accepted?
Letters and emails will be sent to applicants between February 1 and March 15. Acceptance will be offered on a rolling basis.

Should I apply to the physics program first?
Yes! There is no fee for this application. Only apply to the graduate school once you have been accepted by our program.

In reviewing my on-line application, I found a mistake in my personal statement. How should I deal with this problem?
You can add corrections to the "additional notes" section of the application which is accessible even after submission.

Can I change my application after it has been submitted?
You can add corrections to the "additional notes"section of the application which accessible even after submission. You can also upload information after the main application has been submitted.

How many students were admitted to your program last year?
Go to the AIP directory www.aip.org/gpb/pdf_files/109.pdf This link also shows you the average GPA, GRE and TOEFL scores of those people accepted to our program.

Is it possible to do a Master's program in Physics at night and on weekends?
No. We do not offer courses at night or on weekends.

Can I have an advisor outside of physics?
Yes. Please see the list of our graduate faculty members http://www.physics.umn.edu/people/gradfaculty.html

I have a degree related to physics, what courses will I need to take before admission?
The following core courses are necessary for admission: analytical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.

I want to apply to the Physics program and another graduate program outside of physics. Can I apply to both programs?
Yes, you can apply to both programs. To apply to physics go to INSERT LINK. Please apply to the Physics program first to avoid paying the fee. We ask that you apply to us first. Only apply to the graduate school once you have been accepted by our program.

You will have to check with the other programs on their admission application requirements.

Do you also need to receive official supporting materials by this same date for an international application?
No, we do not require official materials for this deadline. If you are accepted to the program we will require the supporting materials. To start the application process you will be required to upload scanned copies of your supporting materials in to your application. The official materials will be required by the Graduate School before registration.

What supporting materials are required for application?
Please provide

1. Unofficial transcripts (official transcripts required by the Graduate School before registration).

2. Scan of GRE scores. Official copy required upon acceptance.

3. Scan TOEFL score (if required). Official copy required upon acceptance.

4. Three letters of recommendation. Please note you must have three letters of recommendation not two, not four, not five, but three!

I missed the deadline for application. May I still apply?
Yes, but your application will only be considered for this year if there are still positions available.

I am an international applicant. I can not send electronic copies of my official supporting materials.
We will accept paper copies of GRE scores, TOEFL Scores and transcripts. Letters of recommendation can only be sent electronically as documents by email to grad@physics.umn.edu.

I started applying to the Graduate School first. Do I still need to apply to Physics?
Yes. We ask that students apply first to physics for financial aid and admission to our program. If you are admitted, we will then instruct you to apply to the grad school.

I have accidentally sent my transcripts or other supporting material to the graduate school. Will this be a problem for my physics application?
Yes, this will be a problem. The recommendation letters can be retrieved from the graduate school. Your transcript(s) will need to be uploaded to your Physics application. .Please resend this information to Physics at grad@physics.umn.edu

I have already applied. I just received my GRE and/or TOEFL scores. How do I submit my GRE and/or TOEFL scores to update my application?
You can add corrections to the "additional notes" section of the application which accessible even after submission. You can also upload information after the main application has been submitted.

Application Fee/Tuition Waiver

What is the application fee?
There is no application fee to apply to the Physics program at the University of Minnesota. If you are admitted to the Physics program, you will complete the Graduate School application, but the fee will be paid by the department.

How do I get my fee for the Graduate School application waived?
Before you finish the Graduate School application, you will need to provide your credit card information by system Stop there. Suspend application. Tell judy what their your Pin and password. to Judy Soine in order for the fee to be paid, send the password to Judy before you complete the Graduate School application.

Does everyone who gets admitted have their tuition waived?
If you are offered financial aid from the department, then your tuition will be waived.

I am from a poor country. Can you waive the application fee? The department does not charge a fee for its application.

Applying for related programs

How can I apply to the joint Physics and another related program (i.e. Physics Education or Biological Physics)?
You apply to Physics for financial aid and admission. These are not joint programs they are administered entirely by Physics.

I am interested in the Biological Physics degree and Medical Physics. Which program should I apply to?
You should apply to Physics! Biological Physics and Medical Physics PROVIDE LINK

You will need to check with Medical Physics about their application instructions. www.ces.umn.edu

I am interested in astrophysics. Do I apply to physics or astronomy?
We suggest if your main interest is in cosmology then apply to physics. If you are interested in astronomy then apply to the astrophysics program. You can apply to both programs if you like. INSERT LINK TO ASTROPHYSICS.

Letters of Recommendation

What is the deadline to submit recommendation letters?
We will not review your application until two letters of recommendation are received. Recommendation letters must be submitted by January 31 for full consideration of your application.

I sent the graduate school email address to one of my references instead of the physics email address. How will you receive the letter?
Please send an email to grad@physics.umn.edu and tell us to request the recommendation letter(s). We can obtain the letters from the graduate school.

My references would prefer to send paper letters. How do they get the letters in to the on-line application?
We prefer that your references upload their recommendation letters to the link provided. If this is impossible we will accept recommendation letters by email grad@physics.umn.edu

Do I have to ask the recommendation writers to send out two copies of their letter of reference to Physics and the Graduate School?
No. You only need to provide your recommendation letters for the Physics program. However if the recommendation letters have been sent to the graduate school, please tell us by email (grad@physics.umn.edu) so we can retrieve them.

How do I know whether or not my references have submitted their letters of recommendation?
You can log into your application and see who has responded to the letter request.

One of my references wants to finish their recommendation letters before I finish my application. Is there any way you could send email request for references before I have submitted my application.
Send an email to grad@physics.umn.edu and ask to have your requests sent out early.

Is it possible to change one of my references after I have submitted my application?
Please consult with our graduate assistant at grad@physics.umn.edu.

I am concerned that one of my references will not submit the reference letter on time. Should I add a fourth reference?
Please consult with our graduate assistant at grad@physics.umn.edu.

I did not choose to waive my right to inspect the reference letters while submitting my application. Because of this one of my references can not submit his letter. What should I do?
Contact grad@physics.umn.edu for assistance with this problem.

Can I download a guideline sheet for the recommendation letter from your website?
Guideline sheets are generated by the automatic reply system.

Is there a form for recommendation letters?
There is no form. Recommendation guidelines are generated by the automatic reply system once you have submitted your application.

I have four references. There are only three spots for reference in your application. How can I add a fourth reference?
We only accept three letters of recommendation. Please choose the best three letter writers. Put these three references in your application.