Apply

Application Deadline

January 15, 2024

We appreciate your interest in our graduate program! You can apply to the program in two different ways: Option 1 and Option 2, listed below. Both methods ask for the same materials and have the same deadline.

All materials submitted via Option 1 or Option 2 are evaluated in the same way, at the same time, by the graduate recruiting and selection committee.

Option 1: Fee-Based

Use the official online application and pay the application fee ($50 for US applicants and $100 for international applicants). The materials you'll be asked to submit include:

General application material
CV
A personal statement
Transcripts
Contact information for 3 people to provide confidential letters of reference
TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international applicants)

General and physics GRE scores are not required. Be sure to consult the Application FAQ for guidance on how to prepare your application, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Some tips while filling out the online application:

Select "Norman Campus"
Select "College of Arts & Sciences: Physics" for the program

Option 2: No Fee

Email all of your materials directly to our department (PA-Grad@ou.edu). This is the no-fee application option. General and physics GRE scores are not required. Be sure to consult the Application FAQ for guidance on how to prepare your application, and answers to frequently asked questions.

The materials you need to submit are:

The general application (docx)
A CV
A statement of purpose
Please have 3 professional references email confidential letters of recommendation directly to us at: PA-Grad@ou.edu We do not send them a separate message asking for letters on your behalf
Transcripts (official or unofficial) from all colleges or universities you have attended.
TOEFL or IELTS scores (Required for some international applicants. Scores are not required if you reside or have graduated from a school in countries compiled here.
Please see this website for clarification on English proficiency scores.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the typical class size for graduate courses?
We have no set number of students for the incoming class. Typically it is in the range of 15-20. Typically about half of our students are international.
What are the application deadlines?
Fall applications: January 15. Late applications can still be submitted; however, they run the risk that we may have filled all the program slots for that year.
Spring applications: The application deadline for spring is September 1. Students are admitted for spring only under special circumstances.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
Our graduate college sets a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 over the last 60 hrs of graded course work. Applicants should have a minimum US equivalent of a BS in Physics, Astronomy or in a closely related field.
Do you require GRE scores?
We do not require general or physics GRE scores.
What is the English Proficiency requirement?
The graduate school does NOT require English proficiency scores if you receive a BS degree from a US-based university or if you reside and have graduated high school from one of these countries: ou.edu/admissions/apply/international/ou-approved-native-english-speaking-countries Comprehensive details about OU's English proficiency requirements can be found here: ou.edu/gradcollege/apply/international-applicants#english-proficiency The graduate school requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550/213/79 for paper/computer/IB or IELTS 6.5. However, our department prefers applicants who demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency, 600/250/100 or 7.0. We have flexibility for candidates in the “gray area” between these two levels who are exceptional in other aspects. A copy of your official score from ETS will work for your initial application. If you are accepted, we will need the official copy from ETS for the Graduate College to complete processing of your application. For the TOEFL our institution name and code is: University of Oklahoma (6879). Select the Department and major Field Code as appropriate to your interest: Astronomy (61) or Physics (76).
Do I have to submit transcripts?
Yes. Your transcripts are important. It is your academic history, showing the courses you have taken and a measure of your performance in each of them. It helps us determine how well you are prepared for our graduate program and your likely hood to succeed in our courses.
Is prior research experience required?
Research experience is excellent, but not everyone has had the opportunity. Research is a major part of your PhD. Demonstration that you have an aptitude for research is a strong positive.
What should I include in my statement of purpose?
Limit to 2 pages. Your statement of purpose should address your past academic and research experiences and how they have prepared you for graduate study. Undergraduate research projects are often determined by the opportunities available at the time. We are particularly interested in more detail of what research you would like to do, beyond what you have already accomplished. We specifically ask that you discuss why you are interested in attending graduate school, what are your professional goals after obtaining a PhD, and why is OU's physics and astronomy department in particular a good fit for you. If you have participated in or led education/public outreach activities, or participated/led student groups/organizations as an undergraduate please also discuss this. We welcome applications from people who have taken a nontraditional career or educational path, and encourage such applicants to use the statement of purpose to describe your experiences.
Who should I ask for letters of recommendation?
Letters of recommendation are an important component of your application. The strongest letters will be from those persons, typically faculty, with whom you have worked most closely. For example, a faculty member with whom you have been involved in research or other project where you have had close personal interaction. Please ask your letter writers to be as specific as possible.
Are graduate students given financial support?
All admitted students are offered financial support. Typically in your first year, you will be supported on a TA. If you join a research group after that, you have the opportunity to switch from a TA to an RA, depending on that group’s funding.
How do I choose a thesis advisor?
Students choose their thesis advisor by mutual agreement (typically within the first year or two).
How is my application evaluated?
All applications are reviewed by the Graduate Recruiting and Selection Committee using the same assessment rubric, that evaluates applications in a holistic manner. The categories we evaluate include:
1. Academic Preparation and Research Potential (this includes your academic performance, the trajectory of your academic performance, and your research if you've had the opportunity to participate in research)
2. Non-cognitive skills (this includes your motivation for attending graduate school, especially at OU, and your communication skills)
3. Community engagement
4. Alignment with current departmental research