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Graduate Program Frequently Asked Questions
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 1. There is no fee for application. Only apply to the graduate school after 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 1 is the deadline for domestic 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.
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.
Can I change my application after it has been submitted?
Please try to do your application carefully. You can add corrections to the "additional notes" section
of the application which is accessible even after submission.
Last year how many applicants applied to your program?
529
How many students were admitted to your program last year?
We made financial aid offers to 83 students and 32 matriculated.
Go to the AIP directory. 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. As long as he/she does physics-related research.
Please see the list of our graduate faculty members at
www.physics.umn.edu/people/gradfaculty.html
I have a degree related to physics. What courses will I need to take before admission?
At least three of the following core courses are strongly encouraged for full preparation for
admission: analytical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics and
statistical mechanics. Some applicants with unique background may be allowed to take missing
classes after they matriculate.
Do you also need to receive official supporting materials by January 15 for an international
application?
No, we do not require official materials for this deadline. We will accept scanned copies for
the application. If you are accepted to the program and decide to matriculate at Minnesota, 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.
3. Scan TOEFL score (if required). Official copy required upon acceptance.
4. Three letters of recommendation.
I missed the deadline for application. May I still apply?
Yes, however 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 supporting materials.
We will accept paper copies of GRE scores, TOEFL scores and transcripts. They can be sent to
grad at 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 graduate school for admission.
I have accidentally sent supporting material to the graduate school. Will this be a problem for my
Physics application?
Yes, this will be a problem. Please upload all supporting documents to
our application system. The letters of recommendation, however, can be copied from the Graduate
School system if you inform us at grad at 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 is accessible even
after submission. Copies of corresponding documents should be uploaded at the same time.
Application Fee
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 can be
paid by the department, if you request it.
How do I get my fee for the Graduate School application waived?
Before you finish the Graduate School application, you will be asked to provide your credit card
information in the system. Stop there and suspend the application. Send mailto:Judy Soine
your pin and password in order for the fee to be paid.
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.
I paid my application fee for the graduate school application. Can I get a refund? No. Once you pay, reimbursement is not possible. Ask that the fee be paid by the department before completing the graduate school application.
Applying for related programs
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. You will have to check with the other programs on their
admission application requirements.
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.
I am an international student. The university in our country does not issue grades or GPA.
They issue percentage points. How do I translate these numbers in to grades or GPA?
There is no need to translate these numbers in to grades or GPA.
My GPA is XX.XX. Will I be admitted?
If your GPA is less than 3.0 the possibility of acceptance is low.
What is the institution code for the GRE?
Our institution code is 6874.
What is the department code for the GRE?
The department code is 0808.
What date do I need to take the GRE so that you have time to consider it?
GRE scores should be submitted to the Physics program by January 15. Note that the unofficial
score is sufficient for the Physics program application.
I have good research experience, but do not have my GRE score because I missed the test deadline. Can
I still apply?
You do not absolutely need the GRE though not having the GRE may put you at a slight disadvantage.
Write in the "comments area" when you are scheduled to take the GRE if you are taking it late.
I have taken my GRE, but have not been notified of the score. Can I still apply?
Make a note on your application in the "additional notes" section or the score area that the results
are pending.
Do I need to take the GRE if I am only applying to the Masters program in Physics?
The Physics program does not typically take Masters students.
Can I be admitted without the GRE?
Yes. If you have a good GPA, research experience, publications, good recommendation letters they will
help compensate for not taking the GRE. You should note your application in "additional notes" section
why the GRE is missing, and when you are scheduled to take the test if applicable.
Questions about letters of recommendation
What is the deadline to submit recommendation letters?
Your application will not be reviewed until at least 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 at 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 at 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. If the recommendation
letters have been sent to the graduate school, please tell us by email
grad at 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?
No. Once you have completed your application, the system will send an email to your references.
Is it possible to change one of my references after I have submitted my application?
Please check with your references before submitting your application. Choose your references carefully. You cannot change references but you can add one.
I am concerned that one of my references will not submit the reference letter on time. Should I add a
fourth reference?
No. Please choose your references carefully.
What is the institution code for TOEFL?
Our institution code is 6874.
What is the department code for TOEFL?
The department code is 76.
What are the minimum TOEFL score that you accept?
Your TOEFL score must be 79 total. The writing section must be at least 21. The reading section must be
at least 19.
How long is my TOEFL score good?
Your TOEFL score must not be less than two years old from the semester you are accepted.
(For instance, if accepted for September 2010. TOEFL must be no older than September 2008.)
By what day do I need to take the TOEFL?
TOEFL results are due by January 15.
The TOEFL score that I submitted is not high enough for your program. I would like to take the TOEFL
again. Will you accept my new scores?
Yes, the results must arrive by January 15.
What is your University's policy on TOEFL?
Please go to
www.grad.umn.edu/prospective_students/Application_Information/TOEFL.html.
Will you accept copies of my GRE and TOEFL scores for evaluation purposes?
Yes. Official copies will only be required upon acceptance.
I do not have my TOEFL score yet in time for the application deadline.
Can I still submit my application?
Yes. You should note in the "comments section" that your TOEFL score is forthcoming.
I am from an international but English speaking country, do I really need to take the TOEFL?
Exceptions to the English language requirement are made for students who have completed one academic
year (nine months) in residence as a full-time student (16 semester credits, 24 quarter credits) in the
last 24 months at an institution within the United States or other English-speaking countries.
These students are not required to present English language scores for admission, but will be assessed
for English proficiency on arrival at the University.
Based on the score received on the local test, as many as two English language courses may be assigned
in the first semester of enrollment. Contact Laurie Hoppe, assistant to the dean and member of The Graduate
School admissions staff, at