Application Procedures for Prospective Graduate Students
The graduate school has a guide to the application process HERE.
For international students, the application process can be found HERE.
DEADLINE & CRITERIA
The priority deadline for applications is January 15th at 11:59pm (EST). Applications received after this date from qualified students will be considered but may not be given full priority.
APPLICATION CRITERIA Minimum requirements for admission are a 3.0 grade point average in upper-level (junior and senior year) undergraduate course work. The Physics subject GRE is not a requirement, but will be considered as part of your application if you choose to provide it. Students whose native language is not English must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer-based test, and 80 on the Internet-based test. Meeting these minimum criteria is a prerequisite for, but not a guarantee of, admission. For more details on Minimum University Admission Requirements follow this link
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HOW TO APPLY
2-STEP PROCESS The formal application is prepared and submitted online in two parts. The first part is the general Graduate Application in which you list basic information about yourself and your previous coursework. Once you have submitted this portion of the application, you will be directed to the Status Check Page. It is via this portal that you will complete the second part of the application by listing your recommenders and uploading any supplemental materials (such as your statement of purpose).
To begin your application navigate to: https://admissions.fsu.edu/gradapp/
UPLOADING DOCUMENTS You can upload documents via "Upload Materials" in the Status Check Page. Please note that we will accept unofficial copies of your transcripts and test scores during the application process. However, if you are recommended to the university for admission by the Physics Department, you will need to have official transcripts and documents sent to the FSU Office of Admissions directly from the appropriate institutions.
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GENERAL GUIDELINES
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE We recommend that students discuss their college experiences in coursework and research, including rich details about what you have learned from those experiences (in terms of both accomplishments and challenges) and how you plan to integrate those lessons into your graduate career. You should also discuss the goals that you have for your graduate studies, such as why you've chosen to study physics, why FSU is a good fit for you, and how you envision your future as a physicist. It is also appropriate to name professors, research areas, or labs that you are interested in working with at FSU.
Please use Arial or Times New Roman font, size 11 or 12, and limit to the Statement of Purpose to one single-spaced page, if possible.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION We require three letters of recommendation, preferably from recommenders that know your potential as a physicist and graduate student. You should enter the names and email addresses of all letter writers under "Recommenders" on the Status Check Page. A message will be sent to your referee, who will be prompted to submit a letter on your behalf.
APPLICATION FEE The university requires that an application fee of $30.00 be paid before any application can be reviewed by our department. Though we are unable to waive application fees, we do allow you to submit unofficial copies of transcripts and test scores during the application stage, which should help decrease financial burden for our applicants.
REQUIRED COMPONENTS To clarify, all of the components listed below must be submitted for us to review your application:
- Transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable during the application stage - uploaded via the Status Check Page or sent to the Office of Admissions from your previous institutions)
- Statement of Purpose (uploaded via your Status Check Page)
- List of Physics and Math Courses (listed as part of the Graduate Application)
- 3 Letters of Recommendation (list names & emails via your Status Check Page)
- Foreign Language Proficiency Exam Scores (International Students Only - can upload scans via the Status Check Page and list scores in the Graduate Application; can also be sent directly from testing center)
- Please note that International Applicants or applicants who have attended institutions outside of the U.S may be held to additional application requirements set forth by the Office of Admissions, outlined HERE
***Please note that you will only be able to access your Status Check Page after submitting the Graduate Application.
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For more information or if you have any questions or problems in the application process, please contact:
GRADUATE OFFICE:
Department of Physics
Florida State University
77 Chieftan Way
Tallahassee, FL 32306
Email: gradstudentaffairs@physics.fsu.edu
Phone: (850) 644-3245
Fax: 850 644-8630
FSU OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS:
FSU Office of Admissions
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL USA 32306-2400
Email: send email/show email
phone: +1 850 644 4723
Fax: +1 850 644 0197