A. Physics Department Admissions Requirements (back)
The Department considers each application on its own merits. We take into account each student’s record, experience, personal qualifications, and proposed area of study.
Applicants must meet all admission
requirements for the Office of Graduate Studies. In addition:
- a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
- Students from non-English speaking countries are required to demonstrate proficiency in English via the TOEFL exam, the Michigan Test of English (MTE), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum acceptable score is 550 on the TOEFL, 80 on the MTE, or 6.5 on the IELTS.
- You must arrange to have three letters of reference from your current (if transferring graduate programs) or previous institution sent to the department.
- You must send a personal statement explaining your interest in graduate school in physics and the research fields in which you are most interested.
- The general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. UNL's institution code for score reporting is 6877. Applications without general GRE scores will not be considered.
- The GRE advanced physics subject exam is strongly recommended.
B. The Admission Decision Processs (back)
Graduate Admissions: Admission to a masters- or doctoral-leading degree program in Physics is made by the Graduate Admissions Committee of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Applicants are evaluated based upon their complete record, including their experience, personal qualifications, motivation for graduate study and proposed subfield of study. The Graduate Committee makes recommendations on all degree applications, but the final admission decision is the responsibility of the Dean of Graduate Studies.
C. Deadlines (back)
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.
D. Where to Send Your Materials (back)
Graduate Admissions Committee
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Department of Physics & Astronomy
116 Brace Laboratory
Lincoln NE 68588-0111
USA
E. Important Information for International Applicants (Non-U.S. Citizens or Non-U.S. Permanent Immigrants) (back)
The admission process takes longer for international students because of the need to screen English proficiency and funding as well as to issue immigration documents. International applicants should have all admission requirements met no later than January 31st for August admission and September 1st for January admission.
Every non-U.S. citizen must complete the Financial Resource Certification form which is part of the application material. This must be on file before any admission can be completed. Documentation of support will also be required of anyon seeking an F-1 (Student) Visa or a J-1 Visa. An application, $45 application fee, transcripts, the Financial Resource Certification with any required documentation, and English proficiency clearance are required.
Transcripts for International Students: (back)
Two official copies of all college level transcripts or mark sheets are required. Any degrees, certificates or diplomas awarded should be clearly indicated on the transcript or included separately. Only records attested or certified by appropriate
university officials will be accepted. Photocopies or facsimiles of certified documents are not considered official. Certified English translations must accompany college records in languages other than English. English translations do not replace transcripts issued in other languages; both English and original language documents must be sent. Those enrolled at another U. S. institution may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by the Registrar or Graduate Office of the current institution. No academic records will be returned.
English Proficiency: (back)
Students whose native language is not English must furnish current (within the past two years) scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) administered by the University of Michigan. A TOEFL score of 550 or more, or a 80 on the MELAB, is necessary for admission. Most departments require higher scores; please contact them for more information. Students who have graduated from an American college or university do not need to submit a TOEFL or other English examination score.
All new non-native English speakers will be required to take the UNL English Placement Examination prior to first enrollment.
A student may hold a Teaching Assistantship only if the student: 1) is a native of a country in which English is the only national language; or 2) attends the International Teaching Assistant Institute. The institute is held two times each year. The Summer Institute, a concentrated 90-hour program, is held the first three weeks in August; or during the fall semester participants receive six hours of instruction per week in a 15-week program. For more information, contact the Graduate Committee Chair in your program of interest.
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