Admissions Requirements

Undergraduate Study

Thorough undergraduate preparation in physics and mathematics is necessary for graduate study. Courses should include thermodynamics, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, atomic physics (including quantum mechanics), and mathematics at least through complex variables and differential equations. Click here for a more concise list. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of planetary science, a broader range of undergraduate preparation is considered.

Research

Many applicants have completed undergraduate research (e.g., an REU program or in-depth senior thesis, publication or conference poster). Evidence of such successful research is highly regarded. Be sure to include a clear description of what part of the project you were responsible for.

Test Scores

Applicants are instructed to have any required official test scores sent to Institution Code: 4841. Applicants may self-report their test score information when they complete the online application.

GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL scores are received directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS)

GRE (Optional)

The GREs are optional. You should consider taking the GRE and reporting a score to us if you think there is some attribute in your academic performance that the GRE would help offset.  As an example, if you felt your GPA was quite low but you got a good score on the GREs, you might use those to argue that your academic preparedness was stronger than reflected by your GPA. Not having a GRE score will in no way whatsoever negatively affect an application. 

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International Students

The TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam is required for students whose native language is not English. For students whose undergraduate study was completed outside the US, information on your program (e.g. course descriptions or textbook titles) that allows a better comparison with the US system is appreciated. The exact requirements for English language proficiency can be found here.

DuoLingo: International applicants may report their official DuoLingo scores, by clicking ‘Send Results’ from inside the DuoLingo application, and then choosing, ‘University of Colorado Boulder – graduate.’

TOEFL/IELTS: International applicants are not required to submit scores if their native language is English, or if they have completed at least one year of full-time study at a U.S. institution, or at an institution in a country where English is the native language at the time they apply, and within two years from their desired admission term.

CU also has a department of International Student and Scholar Services which can be very helpful in acclimating to the US in general and our campus in particular. They also have experts in most of the paperwork you'll need to fill out as a new resident scholar.

​TOEFL or IELTS Not Required for Citizens of these Countries:

  • Australia
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • Commonwealth Caribbean
  • Ghana
  • India
  • Ireland
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • United Kingdom
  • Zimbabwe

Domestic Application ($60)

Domestic application and instructions

You are also required to provide:

  • Personal statement.

    • Write a personal statement that describes your future career goals and how studying at CU Boulder’s Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences can help you achieve those goals. Within your personal statement, briefly describe • your research area(s) of interest and how your past academic or professional experiences have informed that interest, • your preparation for advanced study in the APS graduate program, • lessons learned or other interesting results from past professional experiences that have influenced your potential to do high-quality research, and • any additional details about your academic and research background that may aid your fellow scientists on the selection committee in evaluating your application. We welcome discussion of what opportunities you have availed yourself of, obstacles you may have overcome, or other personal information you wish to share about your path to grad school. The personal statement is limited to two pages, single-spaced; information beyond the initial two pages will not be considered by the admissions review

  • One unofficial copy of your transcript. If admitted, you will need to provide an official transcript.
  • 3 letters of recommendation.

International Application ($80)

International application and instructions

You are also required to provide:

  • Personal statement.

    • Write a personal statement that describes your future career goals and how studying at CU Boulder’s Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences can help you achieve those goals. Within your personal statement, briefly describe • your research area(s) of interest and how your past academic or professional experiences have informed that interest, • your preparation for advanced study in the APS graduate program, • lessons learned, or other interesting results from past professional experiences that have influenced your potential to do high-quality research, and • any additional details about your academic and research background that may aid your fellow scientists on the selection committee in evaluating your application. We welcome discussion of what opportunities you have availed yourself of, obstacles you may have overcome, or other personal information you wish to share about your path to grad school. The personal statement is limited to two pages, single-spaced; information beyond the initial two pages will not be considered by the admissions review

  • One unofficial copy of your transcript. If admitted, you will need to provide an official transcript.
  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score report from ETS (if from a non-English speaking country).
  • 3 letters of recommendation.
  • Financial Statement (This will only be required after you have been admitted into the APS program)

All International Applicants: Transcripts and other supporting materials required by your department should be sent directly to:

Office of Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine Street
65 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0065
U.S.A