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Department of Physics and Astronomy
Frequently Asked Graduate Admissions Questions
QUESTIONS ON APPLYING
1) What is the deadline for applications?
The general university deadline for application submission is December 1 for spring admission, and July 1 for fall admission. However, the number of graduate positions is limited, and the Graduate Admissions Committee starts making offers by the middle of February. Furthermore, foreign students are expected to take part in the ITA (International Teaching Assistant) program starting mid-July, and depending on the student’s country of origin, the visa application process may take some time. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible, certainly before March 15.
2) Could the University of Delaware waive my application fee?
No, the University will not waive its application fee and an application is not complete without it. However, the Graduate Admissions Committee can review an incomplete application. If you meet the enrollment requirements, you will be asked to pay the $60 application fee to complete the application. We cannot send an official letter of admission when your application is incomplete.
3) How can I pay the application fee with a credit card after my application has been submitted?
You may pay by credit card after submitting your application online by filling out the application in full and submitting it again. You may also mail a check or money order for $60 to the Office of Graduate Studies, 234 Hullihen Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716-1501. Be sure to include your name and date of birth.
4) Will my application be considered if the official GRE and/or TOEFL scores have not been received by the Office of Graduate Studies?
Yes, but please have the testing agencies send the official scores to the Office of Graduate Studies as soon as possible. You may email scanned copies of the scores to the Office of Graduate Studies. These will be considered "student supplied" scores. However, the official score reports should be received on or before the application deadline.
5) What is the University of Delaware’s Institution Code for the GRE and TOEFL tests?
The Institution Code is R5811.
6) Should I send my application materials to the Department of Physics and Astronomy?
No, all materials should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies, 234 Hullihen Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716-1501. Mailing documents to the Department of Physics and Astronomy only slows down the processing of your application. Any documents sent to our office are sent unopened to the Office of Graduate Studies. The documents are then scanned into a database where our department office staff and the Graduate Admissions Committee can review them.
7) Is there a way for an applicant to check the status of his or her application?
You may contact our department at http://www.physics.udel.edu or the Office of Graduate Studies at http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice. Please note that it may take several weeks for applications from overseas to reach the United States and the Office of Graduate Studies.
8) I was not admitted to your graduate program when I applied last year. I submitted my application materials at that time. What is the process for applying to the Department of Physics and Astronomy graduate program given these circumstances?
You will need to submit a new application (preferably online), pay another $60 application fee, submit your official GRE and TOEFL scores, send an official final transcript, and update your resume. Since your letters of recommendation are a year old, it is up to you to decide whether you wish to provide new ones. All of these materials should be sent to the Office of Graduate Studies.
9) Are applicants admitted for the spring semester?
The Department of Physics and Astronomy usually does not offer spring term admission since we do not have any additional Teaching Assistant support funding for the spring semester. If you do not need TA support or you can find a faculty member who is willing to support you as a Research Assistant, we will consider spring admission for you. In that case, your tuition would be paid by the University of Delaware since you are enrolled in our graduate program.
ERRORS IN APPLYING
1) I have entered something incorrectly on my web application. How can I change it?
Once an online application is submitted, you can update your information in paper form or online. The Office of Graduate Studies prefers that you update your information by paper application which you can download at the following web site: http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/applicants. Download the paper applications as a pdf file by clicking on "Paper Application Forms." Fill them out with the correct information, and mail them to the Office of Graduate Studies, 234 Hullihen Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716-1501. You may also revise your information by submitting a not paid application online. However, you must fill out the application in full. No application fee is required for an updated application. Once received and processed, the revised information will appear on the Office of Graduate Studies web site.
2) I have entered an incorrect GPA, test score, or transcript information. How can I change it?
The correct information will be provided when the Office of Graduate Studies receives the official test scores and/or transcripts. In the meantime, you should inform the Graduate Admissions Committee of the error by e-mail at cgac@physics.udel.edu.
3) I applied online, but my link to the required application forms was terminated before I could print it. How do I get back to the link?
Go to http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/applicants/paperforms.html.
GRE TEST
1) What is the University of Delaware’s Institution Code for the GRE?
The University of Delaware’s Institution Code for the GRE is R5811.
2) Is there a minimum GRE that is acceptable by the University of Delaware?
The minimum GRE score that is acceptable is 1050.
3) Is the computer-based GRE test accepted at the University of Delaware?
Yes.
4) Will my application be considered if the official GRE score has not been received by the Office of Graduate Studies?
Yes, but please have the testing agencies send the official scores to the Office of Graduate Studies as soon as possible.
5) Can the requirement of the GRE test be waived?
The GRE test is required by the University of Delaware from all applicants, no matter what degree they may have earned or what university they may have previously attended. If you have not taken the GRE, the Graduate Admissions Committee may still consider your application and admission is possible. The University requires that all students admitted without a GRE score take this test before the end of their first semester at UD.
6) How many years is a GRE test score acceptable for admission?
The GRE score is good for 5 years.
PHYSICS SUBJECT TEST
1) Is the GRE Physics Subject Test required for admission to the University of Delaware graduate program in the Department of Physics and Astronomy?
The Physics Subject Test is offered infrequently in some countries. Because of this, we will consider applications without a Physics Subject Test score in some cases. However, a good PST score will significantly strengthen the application and is strongly recommended for applicants who do not have a MS degree in physics.
2) When does the Office of Graduate Studies record the GRE Physics Subject Test score?
The Office of Graduate Studies records the student-supplied copy for the Educational Testing Service until the official copy arrives. Please have the ETS send the official score directly to the Office of Graduate Studies, 234 Hullihen Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716-1501.
TOEFL TESTS
1) Is the TOEFL test required?
Yes. The TOEFL is required of all applicants (including those who have M.S., M.Sc. or M. Phil. degrees) from countries where English is not the only official language. The TOEFL is not required of applicants who are permanent residents of the U.S. or have received a degree from an institution of higher education in the U.S.
2) What is the minimum TOEFL score for an applicant to be considered for
a teaching assistantship?
The minimum TOEFL score for a teaching assistantship is 600 (Paper based
test), 250 (Computer based test) or 100 (Internet based test).
3) What is the minimum TOEFL score for an applicant to be admitted to the
Department of Physics and Astronomy?
The minimum TOEFL score for admittance is 550 (Paper based test), 213
(Computer based test) or 80 (Internet based test). (Admittance with Pbt/Cbt/Ibt
scores substantially below 600/250/100 is rare.)
4) Will my application be considered if my TOEFL score is lower than 600?
Yes, we consider applicants whose TOEFL scores are slightly below 600/250/100.
However, applicants are competing with other applicants who might have
a better score. The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all of an
applicant’s materials including transcripts, essay, GRE test scores,
letters of recommendation, and supporting materials, and if necessary
will interview the applicant in person or by telephone. If the Committee
concludes that the TOEFL score is a poor reflection of the applicant’s
English abilities, admission is possible. The Department will then request
a waiver of the 600 TOEFL requirement for participation in the summer
ITA program.
5) TOEFL tests are not given in my country (i.e., Iran). May I still be considered for admission?
You will have to take the test in a neighboring country.
6) Can a foreign applicant take the TOEFL exam in the U.S.A?
Only applicants who are already in the US can take the TOEFL here.
7) How long are TOEFL scores acceptable at the University of Delaware?
TOEFL scores are good for 2 years. The ETS will not issue a TOEFL score report that is older.
8) Will my application be considered if the official TOEFL score has not been received by the Office of Graduate Studies?
Yes, but please have the Educational Testing Service send the official score as soon as possible.
9) What is the University of Delaware’s Institutional Code for the TOEFL test?
The University of Delaware’s Institutional Code is R5811.
QUESTIONS ON TRANSCRIPTS
1) Is it necessary to send official transcripts with English translations?
Yes, copies of official transcripts from all previous colleges, along with translations to English, are necessary.
2) My university is charging a high fee to send transcripts. May I send a mark sheet or grade sheet instead?
Yes. We will consider your application based on copies. If we decide to admit you into our program, you must submit the official copies (i.e. the final admission decision will be contingent upon receiving official transcript documents.) Your stipend here will be more than enough to cover the fees charged for sending these official documents.
3) Should I send an incomplete transcript or wait to send my complete one at a later date?
Please send your incomplete transcript as soon as possible. The Graduate Admissions Committee will be able to assess your performance up until now. Once your degree is awarded you should send an updated transcript/degree certificate as stated in the application instructions.
4) Is it necessary to have transcripts sent from every institution I have attended?
Yes. In general, we ask that you send transcripts for ALL schools you have attended. However, if all of your courses and grades are reflected on your final transcript for the university from which you are graduating, please send us just the final transcript.
5) I am not sure how to evaluate my GPA in the 4.0 system. My university system is based on a 4.3 system.
You may leave the GPA section of the application blank since a conversion from a non GPA system would be difficult and inconsistent.
QUESTIONS ON SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
1) Where should I send supplemental materials?
Supplemental materials should be mailed directly to the Office of Graduate Studies, 234 Hullihen Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716-1501. Do not send them to the Department of Physics and Astronomy, as this will delay the processing of the application.
2) Where and how should letters of recommendation to be sent?
Letters of recommendation should be mailed directly to the Office of Graduate Studies. Letters of recommendation should be sent with your application, or if you apply online, you may send the letters separately. Please note that the sealed envelopes must have the signature of the recommender written two times over the seal. You may find a form at http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice under “Applicants” and “Paper Formatted” forms. The required three sealed letters of recommendation do not have to be submitted on our form but must contain all of the same information.
3) Can letters of recommendation be sent via e-mail?
No.
4) I submitted my application for the physics graduate program earlier this year. Would it be possible for me to supplement my application with a fourth reference letter from a current course instructor?
Submitting a fourth letter of reference is acceptable. The Office of Graduate Studies prefers that you use the standard recommendation form. It can be located under http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/applicants under “Paper Applications.” Please print the form and send it to your recommender. Have him or her fill it out and send it directly to the Office of Graduate Studies, University of Delaware, 234 Hullihen Hall, Newark, DE 19716-1501.
5) Is the Confidential Information form necessary?
Yes, it is required for a visa as proof of financial aid need.
6) Where do you provide a “statement of purpose” when applying online to the Department of Physics and Astronomy graduate program?
When a student applies online they are given 3 essay questions to print out and answer in essay format. These questions are the same as the statement of purpose.
7) Is there a specific form for the resume?
No, there is no specific form provided for the resume.
QUESTIONS ON FINANCIAL SUPPORT
1) If I am accepted, will there be financial support provided?
Yes, all students admitted to the graduate program receive yearly support in the amount of $19,000, and the tuition fee will be waived.
QUESTIONS ON ELIGIBILITY
1) I have my bachelor degree. Can I apply for a Ph.D. degree directly?
Yes.
2) I am going to complete my M.S. degree in June ’04 in atmospheric science. Am I eligible for a Ph.D. in astronomy?
You are eligible for our Ph.D. program. You have to follow normal application procedures. Being in atmospheric science would not affect your application status as such. We will use your transcript to evaluate whether you have enough physics background to be successful in our program.
3) I completed my MSc degree over 20 years ago. Will my age be a detriment in applying to your graduate program?
In no manner whatsoever will your age be a detriment in applying to our graduate program. Your educational background is an essential part of the admission decision.
QUESTIONS ON ACCEPTANCE
1) Who notifies the applicants that they have not been accepted for admission?
The Office of Graduate Studies notifies by mail those who are not accepted.
2) At what point will applicants be notified of admittance?
The Graduate Admissions Committee starts reviewing applications for fall of 2005 in early February. Applicants who are admitted will be notified promptly. The earlier the application is completed, the sooner a decision can be made.
3) When I applied last semester my application was rejected. Can I apply to your program for another semester?
You may apply again if you are interested, however, it is not recommended unless you have additional information to submit.
4) My employer has a program in which it would be willing to pay for tuition for up to two classes taken part-time as part of a degree program (M.S. or Ph.D.). Would it be possible for me to pursue a physics Ph.D. at the University of Delaware on a part-time basis?
Yes, it is possible to pursue a degree on a part-time basis. In practice, the M.A. degree is the most suitable for this, whereas obtaining a Ph.D., which requires a very significant research effort, is much less practical.
5) Some of my application material may not be strong enough. How may I strengthen my application?
If you can convince the Graduate Admission’s Committee that you have a very good physics background, it is possible for you to be admitted into the program. For example, a low GPA can be compensated for with an excellent GRE Physics Subject Test score. Significant research experience will also help.
MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS/INFORMATION
1) Where can I get a copy of the graduate catalog?
You may access the graduate catalog online at http://udcatalog.udel.edu.
2) How long does a master’s degree take? Is there a thesis requirement?
This information can be accessed at http://www.physics.udel.edu/Grad/.
3) I am interested in biophysics and nanotechnology. Do you offer the specific fields within your program?
Our program offers a wide range of experimental and theoretical research opportunities, including those in nanotechnology. However, we do not have an extensive program in biophysics at this time.
4) Does your department offer a PhD program in photonics?
We offer a Ph.D. program in physics and the department has research programs specializing in ultrafast lasers, high peak power lasers, photonic materials and optical science. The Department of Electrical Engineering also has a program specializing in photonics.
5) What is required of a foreign student who would like to be a teaching assistant in your department?
International students admitted to our graduate program are required to attend the English Language Institute/International Teaching Assistant program and pass the UDIA and Speak Tests prior to the fall semester. Students who do not pass these tests cannot be teaching assistants. Those students will be supported as graduate assistants, with duties assigned by the Department. GA support is only available for only the first two semesters. To become eligible for TA support, students are given another opportunity to take the UDIA and Speak Tests.
Revised 3/24/2005
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