UVa Physics - General Information for Graduate Admissions

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Instructions for Application to the Physics Graduate Program

Summary

The Physics Department requires the following application materials. Further details are explained below.

Also, foreign students must submit:

Official Internet-based TOEFL® Test (iBT) score

To ensure full consideration, all application materials should be complete by January 7. We do not normally accept applicants for Spring admission.

Application Forms

Application forms are submitted to and processed by the University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences. You can obtain the forms by the following methods:

Online:: artsandsciences.virginia.edu/admissions/apply.html
Send Request by E-Mail:: grad-app-request@physics.virginia.edu
Send Request by Mail:: Send your request to the "Graduate Admissions Advisor" at the Physics Department address, and the application materials will be mailed to you.

Personal Statement

The application form provides an opportunity for applicants to give a personal statement. Often, students are unsure what to say in this statement, so we offer this advice:

Be concise. Brevity and clarity are the hallmarks of good science writing. We don't use the statement to evaluate English ability, so there is no need to try to impress us.

Explain any unusual aspects of your academic background. This is the most useful thing you can do with your statement. For example: if you attended a less-familiar undergraduate institution, describe it and say why you chose it. If you transferred schools, explain why. If you had a difficult semester at some point, acknowledge it and point out evidence that you have recovered. If you have been out of school for some time, tell us what you have been doing.

If you have worked on any research projects, briefly outline them. If you have any publications, list them.

State whether you are interested in any particular sub-fields of physics (nuclear, condensed matter, etc.), and describe how strong a commitment you feel to them. Note that not having any specific interests is perfectly fine.

GRE Exam Scores

The General and Subject GRE tests are important parts of your application, and cannot ordinarily be waived. You should plan to take the Subject exam on or before the December test date. We accept scores from any exam in the previous three years. More information about the GRE exams is available at www.gre.org.

Students often ask what scores are required for admission. It is difficult to say, since the exam score is only one component of the application and we have no predetermined minimum requirements. However, most US students we accept have Subject test scores above 570, Verbal scores above 500, Quantitative scores above 750, and Analytic scores of 4.0 or above. Scores for foreign students vary considerably.

Previous Study

Students applying to our Graduate Physics Program should normally have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in physics from a recognized institution. Exceptions to this requirement are possible, but in this case your application should indicate why you wish to change fields and what evidence you can present that you are sufficiently prepared. In most cases, graduate students do not have the opportunity to take undergraduate courses to "make up" material they have missed.

Students often ask what minimum GPA is required for admission. We normally expect applicants to have a GPA of 3.0 or above, although exceptions are possible. When evaluating your grades, we strongly take into account the quality of your undergraduate institution.

Letters of Recommendation

Students who wish to submit more than two letters are welcome to do so, although we discourage you from submitting more than four. If you have worked on a research project of some kind, we expect to get a letter from your advisor on the project. If a letter from your advisor is unavailable, you should explain why in your personal statement.

iBT Requirement

The College of Arts and Sciences has determined that all foreign teaching assistants must score 600 or better on the paper-based exam; 250 or better on the computer-based exam, and/or a minimum total score 90 on the internet-based test. The department requires the iBT score. However, the applicant may submit regular TOEFL score instead, if s/he has already taken or registered for that exam, or if iBT is not offered in the country/region of the applicant.

Financial Guarantee Form

Located at www.virginia.edu/iso/issp/forms/gradfgf.doc

This form is required by the College of Arts and Sciences. It must be completed for your application to be processed, but the Physics Department does not use it as part of our admissions decision. Please note that you need to fill out only pages 1 and 4 of the form.

Application Deadline

To receive full consideration, all of your application materials should be received in our department by January 7. There is no separate deadline for financial aid. This takes precedence over any other deadlines listed on the College of Arts and Sciences web pages.

Nondiscrimination:

The University does not discriminate in any of its programs, procedures, or practices against any person on the basis of age, citizenship, color, handicap, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. The University operates equal opportunity and affirmative action programs for faculty, staff, and students. The University of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.

Go to www.virginia.edu/nondiscrimination.html to view the University of Virginia Nondiscrimination Statement, Nondiscrimination Policy, and current office holders who enforce these policies.

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