Application Process

Your application package to our graduate program should include:

1. Completed application form
   You can complete the application online or print it out.
   To receive the application forms and information about our department sent to you via regular mail, send your request by electronic mail to gradforms at pa.msu.edu, and a package will be mailed to you.
2. Academic Statement: (part of application form above)
   As part of your completed application, you are asked to submit an academic statement. There are many websites that may offer advice but please be sure to address the following:
   Why do you want to study Physics at the graduate level?
   Describe any research experience, including conferences attended and papers published.
   State your area(s) of interest. If you are undecided, list all areas that appeal to you.
3. Personal Statement (part of application form above)
   
4. Application fee of $50 (can be paid on-line as part of application form)
   
5. Three letters of reference: These should be submitted through an on-line system rund by the MSU College of Natural Science. You need to go to https://apply.embark.com/grad/msu/34/, register and enter the information concerning your references. The system will then automatically contact your letter writers and provide them with directions. If you are applying to begin in January, 2011, and have already had your reference letters sent through the mail, you need not have repeat letters sent through the on-line system.
   
6. GRE and TOEFL scores:
   The GRE General Exam is required; the GRE Physics Subject Exam is also required, but might be waived in exceptional circumstances.
   The TOEFL is required for foreign students. The iBT (internet based test) is usually required as it includes a speaking portion. University requirements are described at the Graduate School Web Site. Chinese students have an additional option, in that they may take the MSU SPEAK test in China. It is offered in January in both Shanghai or Beijing. The PA Department does not require Chinese students to take the SPEAK test, but scoring 45 or higher on the exam will count positively towards admission. More information about the SPEAK test in China can be found here.
   The institution code for MSU for both GRE and TOEFL is 1465; the Department of Physics and Astronomy code is 0808 for physics and 0801 for astronomy
7. Official transcripts of grades sent directly from your institution. Have these sent directly to the Director of Graduate Studies address below.

Director of Graduate Studies,
Physics and Astronomy Department
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-2320

For fall entry , we start inviting students for a visit and interview in January. We start making offers in February and continue until our positions are filled, which is usually in April (we enter about 25 students each fall). To be considered for fellowships, all of your application materials should arrive by January 1st. Applications that are completed later might still be considered for admission, but will be ineligible for consideration for certain fellowships. .

For spring entry, we consider domestic applicants till the end of November and foreign applicants till the end of September (it takes at least three months to process visas, etc.)

There are a variety of fellowships available for domestic students. The deadline for some of these is quite early (e.g. some are as early as Jan. 10th) and they are competitive across the College of Natural Science and the University. We will submit your application for these fellowships as soon as it is complete and provided it is sufficiently strong (e.g. 3.5 or better GPA from a strong school, 650 or better Physics GRE, strong letters indicating research potential). Applicants to the Physics/Astronomy program are typically offered about 7 of these fellowships each year.