Graduate Application Process

Note: Although the priority deadline has passed, we are still accepting qualified applications. For full consideration of fellowships, fill out the on-line application as soon as possible and get all of your application materials in by the end of January.

All files will be considered for financial support in the form of fellowships and teaching assistantships.

Domestic students who have a GPA > 3.5 (or 3.3 if you come from a top physics program) and General GRE > 1200 can request the $60 application fee to be waived by the department. If you qualify, send an e-mail to us asking for the application fee waiver, submit the grad division electronic application, and arrange for all of your supplemental material to be sent to the physics department.

International applications will not be considered for admission until the $75 application fee has been received. This is a requirement of the Graduate Division and absolutely no exceptions can be granted.

All students are required to take the general GRE and Physics Subject GRE. No exceptions can be made. Our ETS codes are R4839 (UCR) and 0808 (Physics).

International students whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The test must be taken within two years of matriculation (i.e. September 2006 for Fall 2008 admission), and the minimum scores for admission are: 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based), 80 (iBT). For those international students, preference for admission and fellowships will be give to those taking the TAST (i.e. the speaking portion of the TOEFL iBT). Those international students with a score of 17 or higher on the TAST (i.e. the speaking portion of the TOEFL iBT) will be eligible for additional money by serving as a part time teaching assistant and will be given preference for admission and fellowship. Note that a TAST score of 17-22 is considered a conditional pass and students can teach but must take a free English class and retake at the quarter, while 23-30 is a considered clear pass.

In making recommendation to our Graduate Division complete files are evaluated, including research experience, institution attended, GPA, and GRE scores. Research experience and letters or recommendation are given substantial weight in addition to solid GPA and GRE scores. The Graduate Division gives us the following guidelines for grades and GRE score (if close, lower scores in some areas can be overcome with strong performances in other areas.) Students with a Junior/Senior year GPA (or MA GPA) of 3.25 and General GRE score above 1100 are considered qualified for a Teaching Assistantship. Students with a Junior/Senior year GPA of 3.5 and General GRE score above 1200 are considered for our highest fellowship stipends. The Physics GRE, quality of institution, letters of recommendation, and demonstrated ability to conduct independent research are all strongly taken into consideration.(except for the application fee). [Notes: (a) if you have take the GRE multiple times, we will consider your highest score; (b) we mostly consider your GPA for your last two years of study. (c) undergraduate physics core classes are required including upper division quantum mechanics, electricity & magnetism, and mechanics].

We aim to recruit ~24 students for Fall 2008, including 8-10 international students. Last year we received 94 domestic and 150 international applications. All students we admitted received fellowship packages and were fully supported.

Paper applications are no longer accepted. Your electronic application will be composed of two on-line application forms. The first form is a Department application form and will be used to facilitate the tracking and processing of your file.

Application Checklist (domestic students)

1. Complete Physics Department Physics Graduate Pre-Application Form
2. Complete Graduate Division On-line Application
3. From the Graduate Division web site, print the Disclaimer, Statement of Goals and Qualifications, and Supplementary Fellowship Information forms. Complete these forms and mail to the address below. Files will not be considered complete until the $60 application fee is received unless you qualify for and request an application fee waiver (see above).
4. Have one copy of your transcripts sent from all Colleges and Universities attended. The Graduate Division web site provides Transcript Request Labels for you to print and use. (must be in sealed envelopes) Transcripts should be sent directly to the Department of Physics & Astronomy.
5. Print the Letter of Recommendation Form and request that three letters be sent to the address below (must be on university or company letterhead and be in sealed envelopes).
6. Request ETS to send your GRE scores to our campus. Both the GRE general exam and Physics subject exam are required. (self-reported unacceptable). Our ETS codes are: R4839 (UCR) and 0808 (Physics).

Application Checklist (international students)

1. Complete Physics Department Physics Graduate Pre-Application Form
2. Complete Graduate Division On-line Application
3. From the Graduate Division web site, print the Disclaimer, Statement of Goals and Qualifications, and Supplementary Fellowship Information forms. Complete these forms and mail to the address below. Files will not be considered for admission until the $75 application fee is received. No exceptions can be made.
4. Have one copy of your transcripts sent from all Colleges and Universities attended. The Graduate Division web site provides Transcript Request Labels for you to print and use. (must be in sealed envelopes). Originals needed for initial evaluation. Transcripts should be sent directly to the Department of Physics & Astronomy.
5. Print the Letter of Recommendation Form and request that three letters be sent to the address below. (must be on university or company letterhead and be in sealed envelopes)
6. Request ETS to send your GRE scores to our campus. Both the GRE general exam and Physics subject exam are required. (self-reported unacceptable). Copies OK for initial evaluation. Our ETS codes are: R4839 (UCR) and 0808 (Physics).
7. Official TOEFL score. (no older than 2 years from matriculation - i.e. September 2006 for admission for Fall 2008) (self-reported unacceptable). Copies OK for initial evaluation.
8. The Graduate Division also requires a financial statement for international applicants. This form is available in the list of Supplementary Forms on the Graduate Division web site.

Note that while the receiving will be closed over the holidays (starting on Dec 21st), there is no reason to postpone sending applicaiton materials as all deliveries will be held and delivered on January 2nd, 2008.

Send Application Materials to:

Student Affairs Office
Department of Physics & Astronomy
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521

Telephone: (951) 827-5332    FAX: (951) 827-4529
Email: derek.beving@ucr.edu.edu