How to Apply for Graduate Admission
Before you apply to the Department of Astronomy's graduate program, please read all of the information provided by the Graduate School at:
Admissions Requirements for Astronomy:
Prerequisites for graduate work in astronomy are at least fifteen to eighteen semester hours of upper-division course work in astronomy
and physics, which may include courses in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, statistical physics, and quantum mechanics and a
satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examinations Physics Test. We are not able to give a specific Physics GRE score because our
process takes into consideration many factors. An applicant who does not present a satisfactory score on the Physics Test may, on
recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee, be granted a conditional admission to the program, which requires the removal
of deficiencies in physics.
OUR DEPARTMENTAL ADMISSIONS DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 15, 2012. All materials must be received by this
date in order for your application to be considered by our admissions committee. Follow these steps to apply to Department
of Astronomy's graduate program.
Complete the online application at
APPLYTEXAS. Your application will be considered complete
when all of the following items are received:
- Application Fee: $65.00 processing fee for domestic applicants; $90.00 for International applicants. Applications will not
be reviewed until this fee is paid.
- Statement of Purpose: See our Tips for Applying to
Graduate School in Astronomy for information on how to write an effective personal statement.
- Three Letters of Recommendation: You will be asked to list
the names and email addresses of the three people you wish to recommend
you for admission. Since these letters must be kept confidential, you
will also be asked to waive your right to view your letters. Once you
submit your application, an email will be sent to each recommender with
instructions on how to submit their letters electronically to ensure
confidentiality. The letters will automatically be routed to the
department. If you make a mistake on the email address or if you need to
replace one recommender with another please log in to the status
check and make the change. You can check to see if we have recieved your letters via the
status check as well. If your professor is unable to use the online
submission system, they may mail a hard copy directly to the department
address listed on the right side of this page.
- Official Transcripts: You may upload a copy of you transcript(s) after you have submitted
your application for admission and paid the application fee. After you
have submitted your application you will receive an email that contains
a link to the Status Check web site where you will be able to upload
your transcript. The uploaded transcript(s) is considered to be
unofficial but will be used to process your application for admission.
Please do not mail official transcripts or paper copies of your
transcripts before you are offered admission. Sending paper copies of
documents you have uploaded will significantly delay the processing of
your application. Instructions for uploading the pdf of your transcript
are available at
http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/admissions/pdf/transcript-upload.pdf (pdf).
- Official GRE Scores: We require scores from the Advanced Physics Subject
Test as well as the general GRE. Official scores must be reported
directly to the Graduate and International Admissions Center. The
Educational Testing Service (ETS) code for the University of Texas at
Austin is 6882. If you are taking the physics subject test on November
10, you should be able to get your scores over the phone on December 10.
You can self-report your score on your CV at this time and still make
the December 15 deadline. Self reported scores will suffice until the
official report is available.
http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/register/centers_dates
http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/scores/get/#phone
- Official TOEFL or IELTS scores: (International students only). More information on these tests can be found on
UT's Graduate Admissions website.
- Curriculum Vitae: Upload a PDF your current curriculum vitae
with your online application. Your CV must include all of the
following information in this order.
- Current university.
- Degree you expect to receive from this university (IE: BA, BS or MA? Astronomy, Physics, Dual Degree or Other?),
and when it will be awarded.
- Previous schools and degrees awarded.
- Current Upper Division GPA on a 4-point scale. This is very important since it is what UT will use to determine
eligibility for graduate admissions. You may need to calculate this number yourself if it's not on your transcript. Be as accurate
as possible. You may find this online tool helpful: http://www.back2college.com/gpa.htm.
To determine your upper division GPA, calculate your grade point average for ALL upper division coursework on your transcripts,
including any masters work or work from other universities. This includes coursework in any subject, not just your major.
- Current Cumulative GPA on a 4-point scale. This is the overall GPA generally printed at the top or bottom of
your official university transcripts.
- Current TOEFL or IELTS score (International Applicants Only).
- GRE Verbal Score.
- GRE Quantitative Score.
- GRE Writing Score.
- GRE Physics Subject Test Score.
- Astronomy Area of Interest/Field of Concentration.
- Will you be attending the annual AAS meeting in January that will be held in Long Beach, CA?
- Awards, Honors & Scholarships.
- Research Experience.
Please note that the Department of Astronomy only admits graduate students for the fall semester. Exceptions for spring semester
admission are sometimes made, but only under unusual and compelling circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions about Admissions
Thank you for your interest in our program!! If you have any questions about the admissions procedure, please contact us at:
Department of Astronomy
Student Services Office
1 University Station, C1400
Austin TX 78712-1083
phone: (512) 471-3350
fax: (512) 471-6016
email: studentinfo@astro.as.utexas.edu