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 2010 were; Verbal score of 513/63%, Quantative score of 775/88%, and Analytical Writing score of 3.6/32%.  The average GRE Physics test score for Fall 2010 was 842/74%.  For the TOEFL test the preferred scores are; 95 iBT.  The minimum required scores are; 90 iBT.  TOEFL Scores more than 2 years old cannot be accepted in any format per the ETS score reporting policy. The university required minimum GPA is 3.0 (B) or the equivalent. For further information, please see the university requirements.

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. To download a hard copy 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 1. Notification of acceptance is ordinarily completed by April 15.

The Physics & Astronomy Department Application deadline for the Fall 2013 semester is January 1, 2013.  Late applications may be considered until April 1, 2013.  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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