- Experimental biological and soft matter physics
- Theoretical biological and soft matter physics
- Experimental cosmology particle and astrophysics
- Theoretical cosmology particle and astrophysics
- Experimental nanoscale and materials physics
- Theoretical nanoscale and materials physics
If you request is approved, we will let you know that you can submit your application without paying the fee. The Department of Physics has established a limited budget for these waivers. Requests will be considered as they are received until funds are depleted.
Application Information
Admission Metrics
While we employ holistic admission criteria, which consider diversity, life and research experience, programmatic needs and overlap with faculty research interests, you must be adequately prepared for graduate study in physics. A strong indicator of this preparation is your performance in upper division (third and fourth year) physics coursework. Successful applicants should have performed at the 'A' or 'B' level in their upper-division physics coursework. Additionally, the disparity in the number of applications to the different research emphases offered by our PhD program requires us to be more selective for admission of our applicants with interests in certain sub-disciplines. As a rough guide to determine whether your application will be competitive, average overall GPAs of applicants admitted to our PhD program since 2017 are shown below.
Domestic Average GPA
- Biological & Soft Matter Physics: 3.62
- Cosmology, Particle & Astrophysics: 3.73
- Nanoscale & Materials Physics: 3.57
International Average GPA
- Biological & Soft Matter Physics: 3.62
- Cosmology, Particle & Astrophysics: 3.64
- Nanoscale & Materials Physics: 3.36
The entire admission process is electronic and is coordinated through the ASU Graduate Admissions. The entry link for application is Graduate Education's admissions page. All application materials must be submitted online, do not mail any documents to the Department of Physics. All official documents, transcripts and test scores should be sent to Graduate Admissions.
- Basic application and fee
- Statement of purpose. Be sure to include specific items that indicate your personal attributes of initiative, creativity, determination, flexibility, etc relating to research or personal interests. Applicants should also reference the names of faculty with whom they are interested in working or have already consulted.
- TOEFL (or equivalent) for non-native speakers. ASU requires international students to have minimum TOEFL scores of 515 (PBT), 213 (CBT), or 83 (iBT). At the department level, we look for scores about 15% above these minima, since language skills are critical for teaching assistant positions. For more information on how to meet English Proficiency, visit the admission page.
- Complete transcripts of educational work, to date. Transcripts should include the fall semester or winter quarter grades, if possible. Official transcripts must be sent directly to ASU Admission Services from the issuing institution's records office either by mail or through a secured electronic transcript service. For more information about transcripts please visit the admission page. We will accept unofficial transcripts for review purposes but we cannot admit you into the program until official transcripts are received.
- Three letters of recommendation. You will be asked to enter the names and email addresses in the online application of three individuals who can recommend you to our graduate program. These letters should be written by faculty or professional colleagues who have supervised you for research or academic work. For international students, specific comments about ability with spoken English will be helpful.
- You may include an additional one page document containing information that not in your statement of purpose that will assist the admissions committee in formulating a decision. This information might include skills that will enable you to succeed in PhD research (e.g., computer programming/coding, designing and building experimental apparatus, machine shop experience, mechanical or electronic design, etc.), challenges or hardships you have overcome or how your background can enrich the diversity of physics as a discipline. You may also list any publications that list you as an author or co-author as well as any awards, honors or professional society memberships. Feel free to explain your short and long-term goals after obtaining your PhD in physics.
All official documents must be mailed to Graduate Admissions:
If sending by stamped mail:
Arizona State University
Graduate Admission Services
PO Box 871004
Tempe, AZ 85287-1004
If sending by Fedex, DHL or UPS:
Arizona State University
Graduate Admission Services
1150 East University Drive, Building C, Room 226
Tempe, AZ 85281
