How do I apply for admission?

Applications to the Physics Graduate Program are submitted through the University of Maryland's Graduate School.

Please visit the University of Maryland Graduate School's Application Process page, where you will find a step-by-step guide to applying, answers to frequently asked questions, and the link to the application. The Physics Admissions Requirements are listed here under the Designation of Full-Time and Part-Time Status section.

What is the application deadline? 

The application submission deadline is December 13, 2024 at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time.

What is the procedure to transfer to UMD from another graduate program? 

Are there any required courses for admission to the program? 

Do I have to have an undergraduate degree in Physics in order to apply? 

Can I apply for a Master's degree? 

Do I need to mail my official transcript? 

Do recommendation letters need to be submitted by the application deadline? 

There is not enough space to fill out all of my Physics and Math courses on the Supplementary Application form. What should I do? 

Can you tell me if I should apply to your graduate program given my qualifications? 

Do you accept applications for the spring term? 

Am I eligible to receive an application fee waiver?

How long should the Statement of Purpose be?

How will I know if I have been recommended for admission? 

How many students apply to your program, and how many do you offer admission to? 

Do I need to take the GRE? 

The General GRE will not be used in our admissions process.  The Physics GRE is optional; if a student decides to submit a score it may be considered along with many other factors.  Our admissions process takes a holistic review of the application.  In all cases, we will fully and fairly evaluate applications based on the available information and will do this regardless of whether a Physics GRE score is submitted.

The admission committee looks for indications that an applicant will be successful. No single factor will either lead to our accepting an applicant or deciding against offering admission.  The admissions review considers the applicant’s academic performance to date, potential for contribution to research, and persistence in and commitment to educational success.  In most cases the Physics GRE, if provided, will be given little weight in the process.  However, the Physics GRE may contain information that is complementary to what is found elsewhere in the application; in these cases it can help in the admissions process.  We recommend that international students and students who believe that their transcripts do not accurately reflect their underlying academic strengths give serious consideration to submitting a Physics GRE score.

I am an international student and my TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores fall below the Graduate School requirements for "full enrollment". Am I still eligible for admission? 

What are your code numbers for test scores? 

GRE (General and Subject) – 5814
TOEFL – 5814

What test dates are acceptable? 

Am I exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE requirement? 

You will be required to submit TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores if you are a US citizen or permanent resident with international credentials whose native language is not English and who does not hold a degree from an institution in the US or one of the areas listed above.

How do I know when my test scores arrive? 

May more than 3 letters of recommendation be submitted? 

What if my test scores or letters of recommendation come late? 

Why does my application show that my test scores and recommendation letters have been received, but it is still marked incomplete? 

Can I visit the Department of Physics? 

Can I meet with faculty to discuss my research interests before applying? 

I would like information about a specific concentration/research area. How do I get more information?