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Graduate school can lead to careers in research, academia, national laboratories, industry, data science, engineering, education, and science communication. Whether you're considering a Master's or PhD program, planning ahead will help you build a competitive application and identify programs that align with your goals. In addition to your faculty mentors and professors, PHYSASTR advisors and TIMESTEP coordinators are here to assist you with the graduate school application process. The College of Science's Career Coach for the Physical Sciences, Mitchell Rutherford, is also an excellent resource for advice on grad school vs. industry jobs, writing personal statements, gathering application materials, and more. To book an appointment, email Mitchell at mrutherford20@arizona.edu.
CV/Resume highlighting education, research, presentations, leadership, and awards
Astrobites Guide to CVs- describes the essential and extra elements of a CV
Personal Statement and/or Statement of Purpose describing your background, goals, research, and motivation
Sample successful personal statements from Logan Pearce
Writing Personal Statements advice by Logan Pearce
Writing Personal Statements advice by Roman Feiman
Caltech Hixon Writing Center: Approaching the Graduate School Statement of Purpose
University of Chicago Astronomy and Astrophysics Personal Statement Resources
2-3 Letters of Recommendation from faculty or research mentors. Strong letters provide insight into your academic abilities, research potential, work ethic, and readiness for graduate-level study.
Who should you ask? Research mentors or faculty supervisors; physics, astronomy, or mathematics professors who know you well; and/or instructors from courses in which you excelled. Ask people who you have worked with more recently or for several years in a row who know you better than someone you haven't seen much since your first or second year.
When should you ask? It is good practice to request letters of recommendation the semester before your applications are due. If they agree, make sure to check in 4-6 weeks before submission deadlines. Remember that recommenders are often writing for multiple students and early requests demonstrate respect for their time and workload.
How should you ask? Request a meeting or send a professional email asking whether they would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation. Include the semester you intend to send out applications. If they agree, provide: A current CV or résumé, an unofficial transcript, a draft of your personal statement (if available), your list of schools and application deadlines, and a brief summary of your academic, research, and career goals.
Providing organized spreadsheets with all of your materials and deadlines can be of great help to a recommender. Here are some examples:
5. Be sure to thank your recommenders and keep them updated on your application results!
Physics GRE: Varies by the program. You can find a list of US/Canadian programs and their requirements regarding the Physics GRE here. Always check individual program websites for up-to-date information.
Many students find that using a application tracker spreadsheet helps keep application materials and deadlines organized:
Unlike many undergraduate admissions choices, graduate school applications rely heavily upon research fit. Look for programs where faculty interests align with your own. This is a helpful guide for narrowing down your choices: Questions for Graduate Programs by Dra. Nicole Cabrera Salazar, Nadirah Farah Foley, Leah Fulmer, and Michelle Lin.
Also consider:
Funding and stipend levels
Department culture and mentoring
Teaching expectations
Geographic location
Career outcomes of graduates
Most Physics and Astronomy PhD programs provide financial support through:
Research Assistantships (RA)
Teaching Assistantships (TA)
Fellowships
Training grants
When comparing offers, consider stipend levels, health insurance, summer funding, teaching requirements, and cost of living.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP): The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. A goal of the program is to broaden participation of the full spectrum of diverse talents in STEM. The five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support inclusive of an annual stipend of $37,000.
Hertz Fellowship: The Hertz Fellowship compensation package includes a cost-of-education allowance and a personal stipend valued at up to $250,000. This Fellowship you can apply for during a Gap Year, US Citizens/Permanent Residents.
Graduate Fellowships for STEM Development: Each Fellow receives an annual $20,000 award to support their graduate studies. Fellowships are typically renewable for three to six years, in collaboration with our partner agencies and organizations. Renewal is based on satisfactory academic progress and continued program alignment.
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program honors the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States. Each Fellow receives up to $90,000 in financial support over two years, and they join a lifelong community of New American Fellows.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program: U.S. Fulbright Scholars represent a diverse range of backgrounds and institutions. Award opportunities are open all academic disciplines, including the creative and performing arts.
Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership Fellowship: The University of Arizona Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) is a consortium of higher education institutions that seek to transform graduate STEM education in ways that support: 1) the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, values and experiences in scientific research, teaching, and community engagement; 2) allow scholars to address issues relevant to Indigenous communities, 3) encourage and prepare talented students who have such interests and expertise to pursue STEM graduate education and careers; and 4) foster strong community engagement on and across individual SIGP campuses.
Marshall Scholarship: A Marshall Scholarship provides funding for one or two years for master’s degree programmes, or up to three years for doctoral study, at any UK university.
Churchill Scholarship: The Scholarships are for one year of Master’s study (courses run between 9 and 12 months) at Cambridge. The award covers tuition, roundtrip airfare to the UK, visa fees and health surcharge, and a stipend that is set higher than the UK Research Council standard. Recipients are eligible to apply for a $4,000 special research grant. The total value is over $80,000.
Masha's guide for applying to physics graduate school by Maria Okounkova
(Some) things to consider when considering a graduate program by Logan Pearce
Astrobites Guide to Graduate School edited by Dan Gifford and Nathan Sanders
Graduate School Applications in Astronomy by Logan Pearce (helpful timeline!)
Tips for Applying to a PhD in Astrophysics (video) by Oge Okoronkwo
American Association of Physics Teachers Graduate Studies Guide
Do I need a 4.0 GPA?
Your GPA is a factor in admissions decisions, but not the only factor. If you do not have a 4.0 and want to attend graduate school, you may absolutely still receive acceptances. Admissions committees consider research experience, coursework, recommendations, statements, and overall fit. Some universities or departments have minimum GPAs required for acceptance, so do make sure to check as you compile your list of programs.
Should I apply for programs in Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, or Optical Sciences? How do I know which path is right for me?
Speak to your Physics and Astronomy professors for advice on this question. Your research interests should help narrow down your choices. Many students who major in Astronomy attend Physics PhD programs, and many students who major in Physics attend Astronomy/Astrophysics PhD programs.
Is research experience important?
Yes. For most Physics and Astronomy PhD programs, research experience is strongly recommended and often expected.
Can I use AI to write my graduate school application materials?
AI usage policies are rapidly evolving and differ from school to school. Follow instructions provided by individual programs. Remember that you are the expert on your own experiences; even if you do use AI in your writing process, make sure that you are editing and revising the text. In general, unique, well-written personal statements/statements of purpose are more successful than more generic, AI-written content.
Graduate school application fees can quickly add up. Are there any financial resources available to assist with the cost?
Many programs have fee waivers available for students who need them; follow instructions for requesting one on the individual program website.
There are so many programs out there. How do I know which ones I should apply to?
In addition to researching graduate school location, funding, department culture, and research specialities, you can also ask U of A faculty members if they recommend specific programs based on your interests. A more general place to start your search is GradSchoolShopper, a database of graduate programs compiled by the American Institute of Physics, and/or Niche's database of Astronomy and Astrophysics Graduate Programs in the US.
Should I contact faculty at the university I am applying to before applying?
Requirements vary by program. Review departmental websites and seek advice from faculty mentors at U of A. If a faculty member at one of your prospective schools is doing research that aligns well with your experience and interests, it can be helpful to reach out to them before submitting your application and set up a Zoom call to discuss their work.
What should I do if I'm waitlisted at a program I really want to attend?
You can reach out to professors you'd like to work with (here is a sample email template) and, if you have the resources, schedule visits to campus. Many students are accepted from the waitlist as the admissions process progresses in late March and early April.
Can I take a gap year?
Absolutely. Many students strengthen their applications through research positions, post-baccalaureate programs, industry experience, teaching, or national laboratory work before applying to Master's or PhD programs. Learn more: Taking a Gap Year by Anson Lam, Tips for Landing a Post-Baccalaureate Research Experience + Making the Most of Your Time There by Leah Fulmer, Marina Dunn, Alex Gagliano, and Michael Blevins, The Postbac: One or Two Years That Make Careers by Sarah A. Webb. Also check out the TIMESTEP program's compiled list of Post-Bac Positions here.
What are "bridge" programs?
Bridge programs are post-baccalaureate programs designed to help students strengthen their academic preparation, research experience, and graduate school applications before entering a PhD program. They often include paid research opportunities, advanced coursework, mentoring, and professional development, making them a valuable option for students who want additional preparation before applying to graduate school. Check out the TIMESTEP list of bridge programs here.
Meet with faculty mentors, your PHYSASTR academic advisors (physastr@arizona.edu), and College of Science Career Coach Mitchell Rutherford (mrutherford20@arizona.edu) to discuss:
Research opportunities
Graduate school preparation
Fellowship and scholarship opportunities
Gap-year options
Career goals