(WIP) Interested in applying to graduate schools for a PhD in Physics?

Notes from the 2019 SPS Grad Student Panel, with some input from Chris Matsumura, Junior Pena, and other students who are currently going through the process right now:

Take the Physics GRE:

• A growing number of programs have been trying to phase out the Physics GRE or give it less weight, but many still require or strongly recommend taking them (check with the specific programs that you plan on applying to).
  • 800-890: Generally a decent score
  • 900-990: Generally indistinguishably good within this tier
• Consider taking it in April of the year you plan to submit applications
  • The September and October sittings are close together, making it difficult to study and improve your score significantly from one to the other. Moreover, ETS will not issue score reports for the September sitting until well after the registration deadline for the October sitting.
  • It's easier to get more of the testing out of the way before the Fall.
• Studying:
  • Conquering the Physics GRE is worth looking at
  • Professor Bickers has suggested Schaum's Outlines: 3000 Solved Problems in Physics
  • ETS has a handful of released exams
• The test itself costs $150, fee waivers are available from ETS for those who qualify.
  • Budget for transportation/parking, since USC is not currently a testing center for these exams.

Letters of Recommendation:

• Professors that can attest to your performance in a research context are good references.
  • Obtaining at least one letter from a professor at a different institution is also great.
  • Lead investigators from research done outside of academia may also provide recommendations.
• Be sure to ask if they are willing to write you a strong letter of recommendation. While rather direct, it is important to ensure that your writer is confident in your abilities before requesting that they submit a letter on your behalf.

Research:

• Much will be inferred from what your letter-writers said, as well as what you wrote in your statements.
• Develop relevant skills
• Try to narrow down which subfields which you are or are not interested in.
  • You do not need to know for certain which you need to apply to.

GPA and coursework:

Personal Statements and Statements of Purpose:

Selecting schools to apply to:

• Applications are expensive, so choose wisely!
• Connect with potential advisors
  • Read some of their publications, discuss their research

Page last updated: November 3, 2019.