In the selection of prospective graduate students at Rice, all available material is carefully evaluated, particularly:

1. the scholastic record as reflected by courses chosen and the quality of performance;
2. the evaluations of teachers and advisers;
3. scores on the Graduate Record Examination (both the general and subject tests); and
4. the student's own goals, aspirations, and special interests.

The average general GRE test scores for Fall 2009 were; Verbal score of 498/58%, Quantative score of 779/89%, and Analytical Writing score of 3.8/34%.  The average GRE Physics test score for Fall 2009 was 832/74%.  For the TOEFL test the preferred scores are; 95 iBT or 260 CBT.  The minimum required scores are; 90 iBT or 250 CBT.  TOEFL Scores more then 2 years old cannot be accepted in any formant per the ETS score reporting policy.

Application materials for admission to graduate study in physics and astronomy is on-line. Completed applications with transcripts, including the first-semester grades for senior year and three letters of recommendation, should be sent directly to the Physics and Astronomy Department. International students must also arrange for results of the TOEFL examination to be sent directly to the department. Both GRE and TOFEL must be taken within 2 years. To download a hardcopy of the recommendation form, click here. For a complete list of documents needed, see Graduate Application Check List.

The applicant's completed file is circulated among a committee of faculty members. Those applicants selected by the committee and approved by the Office of Graduate Programs are notified of their admission to graduate school and fellowship award. Preference is given to applicants who seek the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. All applicants are notified by email after the committee has completed its review.

All applications must be completed by January 15. Notification of acceptance is ordinarily completed by April 15.

The Physics & Astronomy Department Application deadline for the Fall 2010 semester is January 15, 2010.  Late applications may be considered until April 1, 2010.  However candidates who miss the deadline place themselves in a less competitive position.

Direct correspondence to:

Graduate Committee Chairman

Physics and Astronomy Department, MS-61

Rice University

6100 Main Street

Houston, TX 77005

E-mail inquiries about the Physics and Astronomy graduate program at Rice should be directed to the Physics and Astronomy Department's Graduate Admissions Coordinator. The application procedures for the Professional Masters Program in Nanoscale Physics and the Applied Physics Program are listed on their webpages.

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