Physics Graduate Application Information

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Applications for the Physics PhD program are submitted through the Graduate Admissions web site.  (Please note that Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences are housed in a separate department with its own graduate program and application.) Additional information is available about the Physics Department Admissions process as well as answers to frequently asked questions about the Physics Department application process. Your application must be submitted by December 1 (at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, not Mountain). All materials should be in by December 1, but it is possible to submit test scores as late as December 15.  For priority consideration, letters of recommendation must be in by December 15, with applications only being reviewed when all letters are in.  You should start your application early and submit your reference letter information well before the deadline. 

Application Requirements

In addition to general information, you will be asked for the following during the application process:

  • Personal statement (should include information about past research, current research interests, etc.)
  • Curriculum Vitae or Resume
  • Unofficial transcript (scanned or other electronic version in PDF format)
  • Contact information for references (must submit at least 3 and no more than 4)
  • Application fee of $60 for domestic students and $80 for international students
  • GRE Physics test scores (strongly recommended)

More information is available about physics department graduate admissions process as well as answers to frequently asked questions about the physics application process.

General GRE and Physics Subject GRE exams

The Physics GRE subject test is strongly recommended. It provides applicants with another way to demonstrate their proficiency in solving basic physics problems.  A Physics GRE score can have significant positive impact on an application, especially if a student i) has a degree from a smaller physics program or from an institution outside the US or Canada, ii) has completed a physics degree more than three years ago or has a degree in a field other than physics/engineering physics, iii) is interested in theory research, iv) or has an undergraduate GPA that might not accurately reflect their academic physics preparation.

We acknowledge that preparing for and taking the Physics GRE may present financial or accessibility challenges for some students. To help mitigate this, we provide information about exam fee reduction programs and preparation resources below. For those planning to take the Physics GRE, we recommend studying well in advance.  If there are significant barriers to taking the Physics GRE, students should note these barriers in their application. 

Please have GRE scores sent to the University of Colorado Boulder (institution code 4841) by December 15th.

GRE resources:

English Proficiency Tests

For admission to the University of Colorado at Boulder, proficiency test results are generally required of non-native English speakers who did not attend university in an English speaking country. See the graduate school page for more information.  Generally this means submitting verifiable score reports from TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo and does not require the testing agency to send in official scores.

Application Deadlines

  • The application deadline is December 1 (at 11:59 PM Eastern which is 9:59 PM Mountain), which is the nominal deadline for all materials.  However, test scores can be submitted as late as December 15. Recommendation letters must be received by Dec 15th for priority consideration and will not be accepted after Jan 1st.

More information can be found on the physics admissions process page, the frequently asked questions page, and the Graduate School application page.