Applications System is available for Fall 2024 admissions. Application Deadline: December 15, 2023
Late Applications may be considered until April 1, 2024 but candidates that miss the deadline place themselves in a less competitive position.
Note: Applications submitted will be time stamped Eastern Time.
The application system will open on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
Students interested in applying for admission to our Ph.D. program should do the following:
Submit a completed Application Form for Fall 2024 admissions.
GRE (Graduate Record Examination) requirement. Our department neither requires nor makes use of the GRE subject test in physics or the general GRE exam. The absence of GRE scores will not affect your application in any way.
Test of English as a Foreign Language - requirement. For 2024 admission, the following tests are accepted and will be used to assess English language proficiency.
- The TOEFL IBT Home. A minimum score of 90 is required.
- IELTS Indicator. A minimum score of 7 is required.
- Duolingo. A minimum score of 115 is required.
For 2024, Rice will not accept the ITP Plus test to evaluate English language proficiency, but scores/interviews are able to be reported to Rice as supplemental material via Vericant.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) requirement. The TOEFL is required from international students whose native language is not English. We will not accept TOEFL or IELTS older than 2 years. The TOEFL and the IELTS are not required for U.S. Citizens and international students who earned a degree from a university in which English is the official language of communication. Unofficial TOEFL score reports are required to be uploaded to the online application system when the reports become available. Official TOEFL test scores are also required. Foreign applicants must have the testing service send the TOEFL scores electronically or original documents to Rice University. Photocopies, attached files, faxes, or any other form of report, other than originals, CANNOT be used as official documents. Testing must be scheduled allowing time for scores to be reported to Rice University by the application deadline. Preferred scores are 95 iBT (internet-based) or 260 CBT (computer-based). Minimum required scores are 90 iBT, 250 CBT, or 600 on the paper based. For students who choose to take the IELTS in lieu of TOEFL, the minimum score is 7.
The Institution TOEFL code for Rice University: 6609
The Department TOEFL code for Physics and Astronomy: 76
For more details, please see the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website at: https://graduate.rice.edu/admissions/qualifications
Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended are required. Transcripts should be uploaded to the on-line application for faster review of applications. If you are offered admission to Rice, official transcripts will be required and can either be sent directly to the department by the institution or sealed by the institution in a signed envelope and delivered by the applicant.
Three letters of recommendation are required. The letters are usually written by faculty who are familiar with your work and can make an assessment of your potential for success in graduate school.
Application Fee
For 2024, the Physics and Astronomy Department will waive the application fees for all doctoral applicants. Please check our requirements before submitting your application.
Review the Graduate Application Checklist to make sure you met all the requirements and you are submitting a complete application.
Application Review Process
The applicant's completed file is reviewed among a committee of faculty members. Those applicants selected by the committee and approved by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies are notified of their admission to graduate school and fellowship award. All applicants are notified by email after the committee has completed its review.
In the selection of prospective graduate students at Rice, all available material is carefully evaluated, particularly:
- The scholastic record as reflected by courses chosen and the quality of performance.
- The evaluations of teachers and advisers.
- Scores on the Graduate Record Examination - Our department neither requires nor makes use of the GRE subject test in physics or the general GRE exam. The admissions website provides the opportunity to submit GRE scores if you have taken the test and feel that your scores would provide important information that would strengthen your application. The absence of GRE scores will not affect your application in any way.
- The student's own goals, aspirations, and special interests.
- Previous research experience.
Notifications of acceptance
Notification of acceptance normally starts around February and is ordinarily completed by April 15.
QUESTIONS?
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.
Email:
physgrad@rice.edu
The application procedure for the Applied Physics Program is listed on their webpage.
***Rice University will be CLOSED for Christmas, Winter Recess, and New Year's Holiday from December 25, 2023 to January 1, 2024. Please try to contact the appropriate areas listed above prior to these holidays.
Submit application materials:
Submission of TOEFL need be sent directly to Rice through the testing organization (electronically preferred).
The Institution TOEFL code for Rice University: 6609
The Department TOEFL code for Physics and Astronomy: 76
Official Transcripts - need be sent directly to the department after admitted to the program.
Mailing Address
Graduate Coordinator
Physics and Astronomy Department, MS-61
Rice University
P.O. Box 1892
Houston, TX 77251-1892
USA
Courier Service Address
Graduate Coordinator
Physics and Astronomy Department, MS-61
Brockman Hall for Physics Building, Room 201
Rice University
6100 Main Street
Houston, TX 77005