Q: What are the application deadlines? (back)
A: The application deadlines are January 15th for fall admission and September 15th for spring admission. The graduate admissions committee starts reviewing all completed applications for fall admission (when most of our students start) in late January. We do review applications that come in after the deadline; however, the later they arrive, the more likely it is that financial aid, including lucrative fellowships, will already have been committed. We continue reviewing applications until our entering class is complete.
Q: Can I start graduate school other than during fall semester? (back)
A: It is possible to start graduate school in the spring semester. Students who have already found a research advisor may be able to arrange to begin their research the summer before they start taking classes.
Q: What is the status of my application? (back)
A: We start making offers for fall as early as mid-February and we continue making offers until the entering class is filled. We usually do not send declination letters until April 15th. If you haven't heard about the status of your application by April 15th, please contact us. For spring admission, the date is November 15th.
Q: Can I submit an application without the GRE, the Advanced GRE or the TOEFL? (back)
A: The general GRE is an important component of the materials used by the Graduate Admissions Committee to make admissions decisions. Applications without the general GRE will be evaluated, but are generally at a disadvantage because they provide less information on which to make a decision. Applicants without GRE scores should explain in their personal statement either why they cannot submit a score, or the date on which they plan to take the GRE.
The Physics GRE is strongly recommended.
Non-native English speakers must submit a TOEFL score for their application to be considered complete.
Q: What test scores do I need to get to be considered for the graduate program? (back)
A: Students from non-English-speaking countries are required to demonstrate proficiency in English vial the TOEFL exam. A minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL is required for consideration. Beyond this requirement, we evaluate each application on its own individual merits. There are no required minimum scores; however, we rarely admit students with undergraduate GPAs less than 3.0. A GPA of 3.5 or better is required to be considered for the Othmer Fellowship, which provides an additional stipend to outstanding entering students.
Q: Should I submit a personal statement? (back)
A: Yes. A one-page statement that covers why you are interested in graduate school and what you would like to accomplish in graduate school helps the admissions committee decide whether we would be a good match for you. If you have unusual circumstances (for example, a break in your academic career for military service, or a bad semester due to a family emergency), this is a good place to detail your situation.
Q: How many applications do you receive? How many graduate students do you admit? (back)
A: It varies from year to year. The department has about 60 graduate students total. Recent entering classes have ranged from 10 to 15.
Q: Do you admit graduate students from other countries? (back)
A: Students from any country are welcome to apply. We have a diverse graduate student body that includes students from around the globe. Lincoln has many immigrants from around the world, which creates a hospitable and friendly environment for graduate students who may be far from home during their studies.
Q: Do you accept students in my particular field of interest? (back)
A: We offer the opportunity to research in three subdisciplines: atomic, molecular, optics and plasma physics (AMOP), condensed matter/materials physics (CMMP), and high-energy physics (HEP). We admit students with interest in all three subdisciplines each year. Some students are admitted without a stated preference; however, they usually choose one of these three subdisciplines within their first year.
Q: Will you look over my information before I apply and tell me if I have a chance of being admitted? (back)
A: The volume of applications makes it impossible for us to pre-evaluation your chances of admission. We do not have minimum scores. Each application is reviewed independently and many factors are taken into account.
Q: I would like to transfer from another graduate program. Will my courses transfer? If I’ve taken qualifying or comprehensive exams at my current institution, do I have to take them again at UNL? (back)
A: If you are in a traditional physics program, up to 45 graduate credits may transfer, subject to evaluation by the Graduate Chair. Any student receiving a degree from the UNL Department of Physics & Astronomy must take each of the exams required for that degree at UNL.
Q: If I’m accepted, will I be eligible for funding? (back)
A: We typically admit students with full funding, either through a teaching assistantship, a research assistantship, a fellowship, or some combination of these three. Our full-time graduate students are almost always fully funded. Assistantships provide a stipend and full tuition remission, as well as a contribution to health insurance. The standard TA stipend for one year is $19,584; however, outstanding students are eligible for additional Fellowships, which range from $1500/year to $7,500/year. Lincoln is relatively inexpensive. An nice apartment can be had for $625-$800/month and the median house price is $130,000.
Q: Do you have any fellowships for new graduate students? (back)
A: Yes. All admitted graduate students are automatically considered for supplemental fellowships, which increase the stipend from $1,500 to $7,500 per year. You do not need to do anything extra to be considered for one of these fellowships. If you are offered a fellowship, your acceptance letter will include the details.
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