personal statement physics phd

Applying to Graduate School

Applying to graduate school can be confusing and overwhelming (and no one ever tells you how damn expensive it all is). SPS is here to help deobfuscate the messy application process.

Disclaimer : A lot of this advice is based on personal experience from a limited set of perspectives. If something in here doesn’t resonate with you, that’s absolutely fine and you should follow your own path. If you flat out disagree with what’s written here, you can bring up your issue here and we can change the content of this page to reflect what advice is most agreed upon.

What does an application consist of?

Pretty much any application to a physics PhD program will consist of four things: a statement of purpose (frequently called the personal statement), a resume or curriculum vitae (CV), letters of recommendation, transcripts, standardized test scores, and for some applications a diversity statement (sometimes confusingly also called a personal statement). Unforuntunately there is no “Common App” for physics gradaute schools (although please make one), so each physics department has its own application and process, requiring you to submit essentially the same biograpihcal information and documents to each and every program. What follows is some advice on tackling each part of the application.

Statement of Purpose / Personal Statement

The Statement of Purpose (SoP) is a 1 - 2 page essay written by you that outlines your intentions in applying to a certain graduate program. You usually discuss your prior research experience and the specific research interests you wish to pursue in graduate school. This is also a place for you to write about any parts of your application that you’d like to clarify for the admissions committee (e.g. a few bad grades in one semester, low physics GRE scores, etc.). Many dismiss the SoP as having little use, as people generally don’t really know what they’re going to study in graduate school, and people in STEM tend to not be the most eloquent writers (i.e. most SoPs are trash). However, the SoP really is the ONLY portion of your application that you have complete control over , and this is what makes it important. If you are a good writer (or you put enough time into your SoP), you have an opportunity to really impress admission committees with your ability to professionally present yourself. When reviewing applications, faculty are looking for future colleagues , which they would prefer would be mature and able to present themselves. A well-written SoP can get this exact message across, which is why it is an important part of your application.

The SoP needs to be contrasted and separated from the Personal Statement (or diversity statement). The Personal Statement is a 1 - 2 page essay that clarifies your personal history and provides you with a space to discuss challenges that you’ve faced in reaching the current stage of your career. The Personal Statement is really the only area of an application where you as a person enters into play. These statements exist because physics graduate admissions tends to favor those with an abundance of opportunities (i.e. rich kids at prestigious universities), and the statement allows admission committees to place your application in the context of your own life. If you’ve found yourself pretty advantaged throughout your life, you might be at a loss to talk about disadvantages you’ve faced. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t write anything. In these statements, admission committees are also looking for you to show how you can improve the state of their own community . For example, do you have a passion for teaching or outreach? You can discuss those passions in your statement and talk about how you focus on bringing opportunities to communities other than your own.

In general, both your SoP and Personal Statement will be different for each school you apply to. A SoP needs to provide specific detail about why you are applying to each program, and is thus inherently unique for each application. As discussed earlier, you generally want to emphasize how you can enhance a program’s community in your Personal Statement, so each statement needs to be customized for each application as well. Further, schools may request specific information in your SoP or Personal Statement that other schools do not require, which further complicates the writing process. However, this does not mean you need to write a new statement from scratch for each program you apply to.

A SoP will generally have the following structure:

• Paragraph 1: Introduce who you are and talk about your interests. Not like your name, but talk about your specific work interests, what your skills are, and what your interests in physics are. Make it interesting and make yourself sound appealing. You can talk about the specific parts of physics that fascinate you as they apply to the program you are applying to (e.g. it’s fine to talk about how dark matter fascinates if you want to work on cosmology projects in the program, but not if you’re interested in condensed matter theory). You can also use this space to quickly in 1 - 2 sentences explain away parts of your application that are weak (e.g. a semester of bad grades). In these sentences, try to take responsibility for the parts of your application that are weak and emphasize your growth as a student. For example, someone might say to explain away a low GPA, “Despite my rough start in the beginning of my academic career, resulting in a 3.0 total GPA, I was able to maintain a 3.7 GPA in my last two years of study in my physics and math courses, reflecting my commitment to obtaining a physics degree and continuing my studies.
• Paragraph 2: Now is when you start name dropping. Name at least 3 specific professors you would like to work with. Discuss why their work intrigues you and what you can bring to the table when working with them. This is where you can talk in specifics about the work you imagine yourself doing in graduate school. At minimum, this is the only area you need to change between the Statements of Purpose that you write for each applcation.
• Paragraph 3+: Talk about your research experience. Talk about the specific contributions you have made to the research you have been involved in. For each experience, mention who you worked with and where the work was performed. Each of these experiences you talk about will probably be written about in one of your letters of recommendations (some even underline the names of their letter writers as a cue that readers should cross reference what you wrote with your letters of recommendation), so you should write in a way to supplement what they may be writing about you.
• Conclusion: Wrap everything up. Discuss again, now that your reader knows more about your experience and intentions, why exactly you are applying to this program and what you want to do there.

You don’t have to follow this structure, but this outline provides a nice starting point for writting a succinct essay that gets the point across that you have skills the professors want and you have specific ideas about what you want to do. If you find it difficult to write in this manner, try a different essay structure that feels more natural to you. No matter what you end up writing and no matter what structure your essay has, just make sure you follow these two rules:

DO NOT WASTE MY TIME

This should be the golden rule of all writing. Write with purpose and clarity so that the admission committee gets a clear understanding of your intentions in applying. This will also show them that you are smart and mature, which are good attributes to have in a grad student. Also keep in mind that admissions committees have to read hundreds of applications. If you’re wasting their time with your writing, it’s more reason to just glance over what you write which might weaken your application.

Every sentence and paragraph should serve some purpose in constructing an ideal image of you as a grad student in the reader’s mind. Try to actively think about what the image the reader constructs of you is as you write your SoP.

DO NOT WRITE ABOUT YOUR EARLY CHILDHOOD

This is a big faux pas, and some still make the mistake of starting their application with their memories of falling in love with physics as a kid. Some applications will go so far as to explicitly request that you do not talk about this. If you start talking about how you’ve loved science ever since you used a chemistry set when you were 9, you’re already breaking rule number 1.

Resume / CV

Resumes and curriculum vitaes (CVs) are pretty standard. To get an idea of the expectation for how your resume should be formatted, take a look at the CVs of the professors you want to work with at the various schools you are applying to. In generally, they should list the following information:

Biographical and contact information

Your name, address, phone number, email, etc.

Your educational history

The universities you have attended and your dates of attendence (no high schools), your majors, and your GPA

Your research/work experience

List each of the research projects you have worked on and what your contribution was. If you don’t have enough research experience, supplement with relevant work experience.

A list of your publications/posters/talks

If you have publications (most don’t, but if you do - great!), you should list them with a full reference. Also list any posters and talks you’ve given on your work.

(Optional) Scholarships and awards

List all of the scholarships and awards you have received in college. Don’t be shy, make it seem like a bigger deal than it is.

(Optional) Teaching experience

This can be listed under work experience as well, but it’s good to include any TAing experience you have, as TAing is a core part of many graduate careers. If you have enough experience, this can be an entire portion of your resume.

(Optional) Leadership and involvement

If you have relevant leadership experience (on an exec board of a club) or outreach experience, it’s good to list these on your resume

(Optional) Technical skills

You can also advertise special skills on your resume. If you program a lot, you can mention the useful languages you know. If you have a lot of experience in the lab, you can write down your lab skills and what special software you are adept with.

Your resume should be either exactly 1 or 2 pages. It might look weird to make it 1.5 pages or something like that (use your own judgement). There is generally a 2 page limit that prevents it from being too long. To make formatting easier, you should use LaTeX to write up your CV. Word is fine, but using LaTeX produces a more professional looking document. You can use a template to make it easier. This one is pretty good.

Letters of Recommendation

Generally, you’ll need three letters of recommendation for your applications. For some applications, they will accept more than three letters, but three is all that is necessary. Well in advance of your application deadlines, you should begin reaching out to people who you’d like to write your letters of recommendation. Generally, professors are happy to write a few good words about their students. However, some might just not have much to say, or they might be too busy, so provide room for (and prepare for) refusal when you ask.

In each of your letters, admission committees are looking for good qualities, such as tenacity, intelligence, work ethic, and resolve, that their colleagues have identified in you. In general, you want to receive good letters of recommendation, so you should seek out people who will write great things about you in each of these areas. Primarily, you should be asking for letters from people you have worked under, either professors or post-docs, in a research experience or a work experience of some sort. These should be people that you’ve worked with closely and have a solid understanding of and high regard for the impact you’ve had on their research. If you don’t have three people who you’ve worked with, your next best bet is a professor who has taught you in a course. In this case, you should seek out a professor who knows you well and who has high regard for you. You may have visited them many times in office hours and impressed them with your work ethic. It’s not necessary that you were the best student in their class, but it is necessary that you impressed them and that they have something unique to say about you and your qualities as a person.

Your letter writers may ask that you send them your CV, so make sure you have one prepared for them. Along with your CV, send them a draft Statement of Purpose so they can understand your motivations for applying to your chosen schools and tailor their writing towards your goals. If you don’t have a draft SoP, then at least in your request to them let them know explicitly what you hope they can write about you (e.g. you might say “I was hoping you could highlight X, Y, and Z about our work/time together” when you talk to them). Providing some guidance on what should be in the letter is a much appreciated step when requesting a letter. Finally, send each of your letter writers a well formatted spreadsheet that contains information about all of the schools you’re applying to and a link to where they should submit their letter. Make it as easy as possible for them to not mess up when submitting your letter!

Transcripts

You will either need to send an official or unofficial transcript in with each of your applications. You can get an unofficial transcript easily through SIS, and you can get an official UVA transcript ordered through UVA .

Standardized Test Scores

In general, programs will require that you send BOTH your scores for the general GRE and the physics GRE to them through ETS’s official score sending website. You will want to do this in advance of the submission deadline for each application, so that you can ensure your application is complete by the deadline. Some programs may not ask for you general GRE exam scores or your physics GRE exam scores.

General Advice

It’s a good idea to keep a spreadsheet with all of the schools you want to apply to along with information about which information you’ve sent them (transcript, letters, etc.), and which standardized test scores they require.

How do I pick a program to apply to?

This is probably the hardest part to give specific advice on as which programs you should apply to depends on a lot of different factors, and is inherently a personal choice. In general though, you should go to the school where you will have the most opportunities to do what you want to do . “Most opportunities” can mean a lot. It can mean the school has a lot of funding and allows you to explore research freely. It can also mean that there is simply the largest number of faculty who’s research intrigues you. It can also mean that that school has a nice science facility (e.g. an accelerator) where you can do your research. “What you want to do” is also vague, and is up to each person. Perhaps you are hyper-focused on research, and you want to go to a school where everyone else is like that. Perhaps you find the people you are with is more important to your happiness than the work you are doing, in which case you would want to ensure the faculty and students in your chosen department are friendly and have similar personalities to you. Perhaps you are more interested in the city you will be living in or the hiking opportunities available to you in the surrounding area of the school. These are all valid perspectives to have on what you want out of your graduate program, and they will all enter into your choice of schools that you apply to.

To get an idea of where different schools lie in how “good” they are, you can take a look at rankings, like the US News rankings or other rankings which use other objective factors . GradSchoolShopper is also an excellent place to find schools to apply to, and also provides information about acceptance rates at various schools. Pick a few school off these lists (don’t automatically rule out MIT!), and look at their websites for more information. Go through their faculty pages and read up on their research. Write down in a notepad or document all the people who have research that stands out to you. Look for buzz words that you think sound cool , as that tends to be a good indicator of you’re own interests when you’re unsure of what you want to do. You can use this as a starting point to narrow down which schools actually have science that sounds interesting to you.

Finally, just ask around! Ask your friends who have graduated which programs they applied to and why. Ask the grad students in the physics and astronomy departments about their experience with graduate admissions as well, as they will be able to have a much more specific and tailored conversation about your thoughts in applying to graduate school than this website can provide.

Personal experiences

Below you can find some advice from previous SPS members who have been through this process and wanted to share some words of wisdom to make your life easier.

Understand your profile as an applicant. But you should shoot for the stars too because you’re worth it!

Every professor in the department has gone through this process. Ask them about the program they went to. If you’re interested in potentially going to an international program, talk to Baessler.

Be sure that the research falls in line with your interests. However, your individual happiness is more important than anything, so be sure it’s somewhere you can flourish. When you visit, be sure to talk to the older graduate students about how they’re doing. Also try to get a sense of the community in the program. Grad school can take a toll on your physical and mental health, so it’s important that your superiors and colleagues are invested in you as a person.

As much as we don’t want to make money an issue, if the program doesn’t offer very much of it you should maybe consider another. Also look into the cost of living in the area.

Try to select a school that will make you happy in terms of every aspect, cause you don’t want to end up in a crappy situation for your life (which surprisingly exists beyond physics).

Online resources

• APS’s guide to choosing a grad program
• US News physics department rankings
• The Chronical astronomy department rankings
• GradSchoolShopper

How much will this all cost?

A lot. In total, one can expect to spend $1413 - $1921 on graduate school applications. One SPS student tallied up their own costs when applying to 12 schools, using fee waivers for applications, and spent a total of $1,141. So, make sure you have $1,000 - $2,000 saved up before applying to graduate schools!

Applications

Each application will cost you between $50 and $150 each to even submit them. Fee waivers can generally be obtained for applications if you qualify, and you should try to take advantage of those if money is an issue. Students usually apply to somewhere between 8 and 12 schools, which makes application costs ~$800 - $1200.

Standardized Tests

Taking the general GRE costs $205 each time you take it and taking the physics GRE costs $150 for each test . Considering many take the general GRE once and the physics GRE twice, you’re looking at a cost of $505 to just take the tests. Again, there are fee waivers for the GRE, however you can only claim one fee waiver for one test. The process for obtaining a fee waiver is needlessly complex and time consuming (including mailing a form !), so plan ahead and apply for a fee waiver well in advance of registering for one of the GRE exams.

Actually sending your scores to your schools is the last part of the financial burden. ETS charges $27 for each score report you send to a school (includes both general GRE and physics GRE). When actually taking a test, you will be able to send your scores to four schools for free . Take advantage of this to save $108! Again, using a figure of 8 - 12 schools, you are looking at a cost of $108 - $216 to send your scores.

Graduate School Personal Statement

Criteria for success.

• Your personal statement convinces a faculty committee that you are qualified for their program.
• It convinces them that you are a good fit for their program’s focus and goals.
• You show a select group of skills and experiences that convey your scientific accomplishments and interests.
• Your experiences are concrete and quantitative.
• Your personal statement is no more than 2 pages.

Structure Diagram

The graduate school personal statement tells your story and demonstrates that you are a good match for a particular department or program. Matching goes both ways: they should be interested in you, and you should be interested in them. Your personal statement should make this match clear.

Analyze Your Audience

Your personal statement will be read by a graduate committee: a handful of faculty from the program. They’re trying to determine if you will be a successful graduate student in their department, a positive force in the department’s intellectual life, and a successful scientist after you graduate. They are therefore interested in your qualifications as a researcher, your career goals, and how your personality matches their labs and department.

The graduate committee probably reads hundreds of applications a year. To make it easy for them to figure out that you are a good fit, make direct, concrete statements about your accomplishments and qualifications. To make it easy for them to remember you, create a narrative that “brands” you.

Create a personal narrative

PhD programs invest in the professional and scientific growth of their students. Get the committee excited about investing in you by opening your essay with a brief portrait of what drives you as a scientist. What research directions are you passionate about, and why? What do you picture yourself doing in 10 years?

Close your essay with a 2-3 sentence discussion of your career interests. No one will hold you to this; this just helps your committee visualize your potential trajectory.

Describe your experiences

Experiences are the “what” of your essay. What experiences led you to develop your skill set and passions? Where have you demonstrated accomplishment, leadership, and collaboration? Include research, teaching, and relevant extracurriculars. State concrete achievements and outcomes like awards, discoveries, or publications.

Quantify your experiences to show concrete impact. How many people were on your team? How many protocols did you develop? How many people were in competition for an award? As a TA, how often did you meet with your students?

Describe actions, not just changes in your internal mental or emotional state. A personal statement is a way to make a narrative out of your CV. It is not a diary entry.

Explain the meaning of your experiences

Meaning is the “why” or “so what” of the document. Why was this experience important to your growth as a scientist? What does it say about your abilities and potential? It feels obvious to you, but you need to be explicit with your audience. Your descriptions of meaning should also act as transition statements between experiences: try to “wrap” meaning around your experiences.

Demonstrate match to your target program

Demonstrate an understanding of the program to which you’re applying and how you will be successful in that program. To do this:

• Read the program’s website. See what language they use to describe themselves, and echo that language in your essay. For example, MIT Biological Engineering’s website lists the department’s three objectives.
• Get in contact with faculty (or students) in your target program. If you have had a positive discussion with someone at the department, describe how those interactions made you think that you and the department may be well-matched.
• State which professors in the program you would plan to work with. Show how their research areas align with your background and your goals. You can even describe potential research directions or projects.

This content was adapted from from an article originally created by the  MIT Biological Engineering Communication Lab .

Resources and Annotated Examples

Annotated example 1.

Selected sections from the personal statement a graduate student wrote in a successful application to MIT BE. 536 KB

Annotated Example 2

Personal statement from a graduate student’s successful application to the MIT BE program. 9 MB

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Graduate Admissions: How to apply

General Admission Policy:

Before starting your application process please read this page. We also recommend that you continue to refer back to this page while you are working on your application.

If you have any technical questions about the application (e.g how do I upload..., how do I enter_______ information, or why haven't I received my confirmation email yet?) please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at [email protected]

Admission to the OSU Physics PhD program is done through an individualized holistic procedure that considers all parts of students’ applications. In addition to evidence of students’ research and academic accomplishments and potential, attributes such as persistence, creativity, initiative, collaboration, leadership, and potential contributions to a culture of inclusion can play a significant role. For the 2021-2022 application cycle, the general and physics subject GRE scores will not be used or considered for admissions decisions.

We only review and accept applications for Autumn term.  We have two graduate programs: a Master to Ph.D. Bridge program , and a Ph.D. program. We do not offer a terminal Master program.  

What are the minimum requirements that I need to meet, to successfully apply to the Physics Ph.D. program?

What are application deadlines?

What do I need to do to apply?

Detailed Graduate Admissions Policy/Application instructions

Crafting a competitive application webinar series - scroll to bottom of page

• Online Application
• Transcripts
• GRE  - The General and Physics GREs will NOT be considered for the 2021-22 admissions cycle 
• English Proficiency Test
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• OPTIONAL 'writing sample'

Is there an application fee?

What happens after I submit my application?

We offer financial support for all of our admitted students with a current minimum stipend of $2,364/month ($28,368/year). Therefore, the number of applicants admitted is limited to the amount of graduate support available. Support is available in the form of fellowships, graduate research associateships, and graduate teaching associateships. 

** Self-funded or externally sponsored applicants should contact us with your intent to apply to our program, as we consider these requests on a case-by-case basis .If you would like to apply and you have sponsorship from an outside source, such as a company or government scholarship, please contact the program coordinator directly for more information. Her email address can be found on the Physics Graduate Student home page. 

Minimum Requirements

Applicants to the Physics Graduate Program must meet the following criteria of the OSU Graduate School:

• an earned baccalaureate or professional degree from an accredited college or university by the expected date of entry.
• a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative point-hour ratio  (on the 4.0 scale used at this university) in the last degree relevant to the program of study earned by the applicant. For international students, the cGPA is calculated on the home institution’s grading scheme and the grade key on the transcript is then utilized to approximate an equivalent US grade based on the educational system of that country.
• prerequisite training that will enable the student to pursue the graduate program to which admission is sought, e.g., upper level physics courses, lab or research experience.
• TOEFL- 550, internet based TOEFL (IBT)- 79, Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)- 82, International English Language Testing System (IELST)- 7.0

Program Requirements for Physics

For more information about Ohio State's Graduate School, please visit  The Graduate School at OSU .

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Application Deadlines for submitting your application

International applicants:  November 30th

Domestic applicants: December 15th

To have a better chance of winning a fellowship, please apply by December 1st . This deadline is not required but is preferred.

All supporting materials including official transcripts, letters of recommendation must be received no later than December 15th. We will continue to accept supporting materials through Dec 20.

Students with completed applications, a GPA of 3.6 or higher will automatically be considered for the University Fellowship Competition.  

 How to apply

Every applicant must start by completing an online application that can be found here :  http://gradadmissions.osu.edu/apply_online.htm . Many of the required materials listed below should be uploaded with your application. Please read carefully, and be sure to complete the entire application.  Special note: If you are not working in a blue application, you are not applying to the correct semester. Please click on the link above and select Autumn semester.

Additional, required , supplementary materials include:

• This includes schools you attended for only a short time (even if the transfer credit shows on another transcript). 
• Advising reports or PDF documents of web page listings of courses and grades are NOT acceptable.
• Once received, your transcript(s) will be uploaded to your application by the admissiosn office. Sometimes that doesn't happen so if it is still missing after 5 working days from the expected receipt date, please email the admissions office at [email protected] .
• For further information please see the frequently asked questions page on the graduate admissions webpage.
• Please do not send your transcripts to our department, or to the Grad Studies email.
• Please be sure to redact (black out) all U.S. social security numbrs if your transcript copy woudl use that number.
• Secured, electronic versions of transcripts can be sent to [email protected].
• Mailed transcripts can be sent here:

GP Admissions

Ohio State University

P.O. Box  182004

Columbus, OH 43218-2004

• ​ We will not accept any additional letters of recommendation beyond the required 3, even though the application system will allow you to request more.
• Although the new application system requires you to enter information for you recommenders, it does not automatically initiate your request for a recommendation. You will receive a confirmation email, after submitting your application, that will give you instructions about how to request your letters. 
• You will be able, and expected, to monitor the progress of your recommendations
• Please visit this link to the  Admissions FAQ on References for further information. 

The application requires a two-page Statement of Purpose (see below for Statement of Purpose prompt), and that you provide short answers to three questions.

o You will find this prompt on the application, "Please upload a Personal Statement (maximum of two pages): Please discuss your academic record, research experience, research interests, motivation for obtaining your Physics PhD at the Ohio State University, and your long-term goals after obtaining your PhD. Please address any substantial gaps or blemishes in your academic record. In addition to evidence of strong physics scholarship and research ability, we are also looking for other qualities in graduate students that would help them succeed and would support and add to graduate student culture and diversity. In addition to completing the short-answer part of this application, you may include other examples of these qualities in your Personal Statement."

o If you have any difficulties attaching your Statement of Purpose, you can email it to [email protected], and they will upload it to your application. (Plea

• Please limit to 1-2 pages   
• This document should be uploaded with your application.
• Please do not send this document to our department, or to the Grad Studies email.
• This is required of international applicants or those who have held the status of U.S. Permanent Resident for less than one year.
• The TOEFL IBT test is required unless it is not offered in your country
• Minimum scores required for admission consideration: TOEFL- 550, internet based TOEFL (IBT)- 79, Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)- 82, International English Language Testing System (IELST)- 7.0
• If you do not meet the university minimum TOEFL IBT score (79) , you cannot be considered for our graduate program.
• We cannot waive the TOEFL requirement or consider scores near (but below) the minimum. 
• TOEFL scores are valid for up to two years following the test date.
•  Ohio State's institutional code is 1592. 
• Applicants who are citizens of, or who have received a bachelor's degree or higher (4yrs or more) from one of the following countries are exempt from the English proficiency requirement : Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.

​ Optional Supplementary Materials

• ​If you choose to further elaborate on any publications you may have (as publication should be noted in your resume) you may upload a list of publications, or an abstract
• In total, you should not submit more than 1 page for your 'writing sample'
• Please do not attach any papers, presentations, thesis, etc. They will not be saved, nor printed for your file. 
• You should upload your list or abstract(s) in the writing sample section of your application

  Please email [email protected] if you have any further questions about our program or application process. Email the graduate admissions office at [email protected] for any technical questions about the application.

Application Fees

First, please be sure to select "Physics" from the drop down menu on the application for what program you are applying for. The Department of BioPhysics is a separate department with a full application fee as is the Dept of Astronomy so please be sure to select the correct program from the drop down menu on the application. 

For the Physics program, at the end of your application you will be asked to pay an application fee. This is $60 for U.S. citizens and $70 for international students,   

Please see the Graduate Admissions page for information about possible fee waiver options and for the instructions to request one:   https://gpadmissions.osu.edu/resources/fee-waivers.html      

  -Please note that it can take up to 5 to 7 days for fee waiver requests to be processed so please plan accordingly for the due dates for submitting your application. 

Cal-Bridge students should please email [email protected]  to request an application fee waiver code.

If you do not qualify for any of the Graduate Admissions’ fee waiver categories but you have extenuating financial or other circumstances, please email [email protected] to explain your situation, and we will follow-up letting your know whether or not you qualify, or we will ask for further information.

Information from this web page: 

• Take the required actions for your fee waiver request well in advance of your program's application deadline to allow for processing.  If there are fewer than 10 business days left, we recommend you  do not  request a fee waiver.  Here's why:  If your waiver is denied and your program's deadline has passed, the application will be closed and you will not be able to apply for admission.
• We will not review your admission application until your waiver is approved  or the application fee is paid.
• All waiver requests will be verified.
• Only one fee waiver  is permitted per academic year.
• The application fee is NONREFUNDABLE.  If you pay the application fee, we can no longer honor your fee waiver request.

If you would apply to the wrong program , please contact the admissions office right away and ask for their assistance in correcting your application submission.

After Submitting Your Application

After you submit your application you will receive a confirmation email from [email protected].   Please note that it can take a few days for this confirmation email to be sent. If you have not received it within 4 days of submitting your application, please contact the Graduate Admissions office [email protected]. You confirmation email will assign you an OSU ID and Internet username (lastname.#) with directions to activate your account. You must activate your account to electronically prompt your recommenders for letters, and to monitor the status of your application. Please monitor your spam/junk mail. and send requests for letters of recommendation. 

Once you activate your account you can monitor the status of your application at http://appstatus.osu.edu   There, you will be able to:

• Verify/update your contact information
• Check your application status by clicking the Application Status link on the main page, then the Status link for the application
• Review what items have been received (and what, if anything, still needs to be submitted) by clicking the Application Requirements tab

We begin our review process in early January. If we are missing any of your paperwork, we will contact you directly via email during that time. We receive a large volume of applications and it is difficult for us to respond to individual requests for confirmation of having received materials, therefore it is very important for you to take responsibility and monitor the status of your application and materials regularly on OSU's application system. 

If at any time you do not remember your ID, Username, or password, help is available at http://my.osu.edu . If you need assistance with the activation code request process, please visit 8help.osu.edu; or, contact the IT Service Desk by e-mail at [email protected] or calling (614) 688-HELP (4357). For those applicants who do know their current password, passwords may be changed or reset by following the instructions at: http://my.osu.edu , or by contacting the IT Service Desk.   

We are only able to make offers to about 20% or fewer of applicants based on budget and other considerations, and unfortunately, we have to disappoint many highly-qualified students interested in our program.  

Applying to OSU: Belong@OSU Series

Hosted by The Graduate School and our campus partners, this 8-week series of virtual information sessions are designed to guide prospective students through the graduate school application process. Webinars are held on Wednesdays from 12-1 pm EST beginning Sept. 29 – Nov. 17. Participants can register  here  for the sessions below:

• Crafting a Competitive Application   –   Sept. 29
• Financing Graduate School – Oct. 6
• College Spotlight: School of Social Work – Oct. 13
• Personal Statements and Program Interviews  –  Oct. 20   
• Successful Strategies for Acquiring Strong Letters of Recommendation – Oct. 27
• College Spotlight: College of Arts and Sciences – Nov. 3 
• How to Shine: Craft Your Best Resume/CV – Nov. 10
• Push Through: Getting to the Finish Line – Nov. 17

Last updated 10/19/2021

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Writing Your Personal Statements

Your personal statement must demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have considered graduate school and their specific program seriously. It’s your opportunity to summarize your academic and research experiences. You must also communicate how your experiences are relevant to preparing you for the graduate degree that you will be pursuing and explain why a given program is the right one for you.

The personal statement is where you highlight your strengths. Make your strengths absolutely clear to the reviewers, because they will often be reading many other statements. Your self-assessments and honest conversations with peers and advisors should have also revealed your strengths. But you must also address (not blame others for) weaknesses or unusual aspects of your application or academic background.

Your personal statement should focus on two main aspects: your competence and commitment.

1. Identify your strengths in terms of competence that indicate that you will succeed in the grad program and provide examples to support your claims. Start your statement by describing your strengths immediately. Because faculty will be reading many statements, it’s important to start off with your strengths and not “bury your lede.” Consider traits of successful graduate students from your informational interviews, and identify which of these traits you have. These traits could involve research skills and experiences, expertise in working with techniques or instruments, familiarity with professional networks and resources in your field, etc.

• Check your responses from the exercises in the self-assessment section. You may wish to consult notes from your informational interviews and your Seven Stories . Write concise summaries and stories that demonstrate your strengths, e.g. how your strengths helped you to achieve certain goals or overcome obstacles.
• Summarize your research experience(s). What were the main project goals and the “big picture” questions? What was your role in this project? What did you accomplish? What did you learn, and how did you grow as a result of the experience(s)?

My research examines the interplay between U.S. domestic politics and foreign policy during the Cold War. As a native New Yorker, I saw firsthand how dramatically my city changed after 9/11, which prompted my early interest in U.S. policy at home and abroad. As an undergraduate at the City College of New York, I planned to study international relations with a focus on U.S. foreign affairs. I also quickly became involved in student activist groups that focused on raising awareness about a wide range of human rights issues, from the Syrian refugee crisis to asylum seekers from Central America.

The more I learned about the crises in the present, the more I realized that I needed a deeper understanding of the past to fully grasp them. I decided to pursue a PhD in history in order to gain a clearer understanding of human rights issues in the present and to empower young student-activists like myself.

— Vannessa Velez, PhD candidate in History

Addressing weaknesses or unusual aspects

• Identify weaknesses or unusual aspects in your application—e.g., a significant drop in your GPA during a term; weak GRE scores; changes in your academic trajectory, etc. Don’t ignore them, because ignoring them might be interpreted as blind spots for you. If you’re unsure if a particular issue is significant enough to address, seek advice from faculty mentors.
• Explain how you’ll improve and strengthen those areas or work around your weakness. Determine how you will address them in a positive light, e.g., by discussing how you overcame obstacles through persistence, what you learned from challenges, and how you grew from failures. Focusing on a growth mindset  or grit  and this blog on weaknesses might also help.
• Deal with any significant unusual aspects later in the statement to allow a positive impression to develop first.
• Explain, rather than provide excuses—i.e., address the issue directly and don’t blame others (even if you believe someone else is responsible). Draft it and get feedback from others to see if the explanation is working as you want it to.
• Provide supporting empirical evidence if possible. For example, “Adjusting to college was a major step for me, coming from a small high school and as a first-generation college student. My freshman GPA was not up to par with my typical achievements, as demonstrated by my improved  GPA of 3.8 during my second and third years in college."
• Be concise (don’t dwell on the issues), but also be complete (don’t lead to other potentially unanswered questions). For example, if a drop in grades during a term was due to a health issue, explain whether the health issue is recurring, managed now with medication, resolved, etc.

2. Explain your commitment to research and their graduate program, including your motivation for why you are applying to this graduate program at this university. Be as specific as possible. Identify several faculty members with whom you are interested in working, and explain why their research interests you.

• Descriptions of your commitment should explain why you’re passionate about this particular academic field and provide demonstrations of your commitment with stories (e.g., working long hours to solve a problem, overcoming challenges in research, resilience in pursuing problems). Don’t merely assert your commitment.
• Explain why you are applying to graduate school, as opposed to seeking a professional degree or a job. Discuss your interest and motivation for grad school, along with your future career aspirations.

I am definitely not your traditional graduate student. As a biracial (Native American and white), first-generation PhD student from a military family, I had very limited guidance on how best to pursue my education, especially when I decided that graduate school was a good idea. I ended up coming to this PhD in a very circuitous manner, stopping first to get a JD and, later, an MFA in Young Adult Literature. With each degree, I took time to work and apply what I’d learned, as a lawyer and as an educator. Each time, I realized that I was circling around questions that I couldn’t let go of—not just because I found them to be fascinating, but because I did (and still do!) feel that my research could help to bridge a gap that desperately needs bridging. Because my work is quite interdisciplinary, I strongly feel that I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this line of research without the degrees and life experience I gained before coming to this program.

— Jamie Fine, PhD candidate in Modern Thought and Literature

Statement of Purpose: subtle aspects

• Think in terms of engaging faculty in a conversation rather than pleading with them that you should be admitted. Ask reviewers to read drafts with this concern in mind.
• With later drafts, try developing an overall narrative theme. See if one emerges as you work.
• Write at least 10 drafts and expect your thinking and the essay to change quite a bit over time.
• Read drafts out loud to help you catch errors.
• Expect the "you' that emerges in your essay to be incomplete. . . that’s OK.
• You’re sharing a professional/scholarly slice of "you."
• Avoid humor (do you really know what senior academics find funny?) and flashy openings and closings. Think of pitching the essay to an educated person in the field, but not necessarily in your specialty. Avoid emotionally laden words (such as "love" or "passion"). Remember, your audience is a group of professors! Overly emotional appeals might make them uncomfortable. They are looking for scholarly colleagues.

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How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program Application

Personal statement guidelines, general guidelines to keep in mind:.

• One size does not fit all : Tailor your personal statement to each program and department you are applying to. Do your research to learn what is unique about each of your choices and highlight how this particular program stands out.
• Yes, it’s personal : Showcase your unique strengths and accomplishments. Explain what influenced your personal decisions to pursue the program. Ask yourself, could this be applied to your friend or neighbor? If so, you need to be more specific and provide examples. Saying that you are a “good scientist” isn’t enough. Provide examples of your previous research experience, projects you’ve completed, and what technical skills you learned. Explain how you overcame any challenges along the way.
• Set aside enough time :  Although personal statements are generally short in length (approx. 700 words; 1-2 pages), give yourself ample time to write a strong, well-written statement. It takes more time than you think to develop a final draft for submission.
• Focus on your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary :  It’s important to present a well-written statement with good grammar and vocabulary. Write concrete, succinct sentences that flow well. Avoid flowery language. Visit the  Writing Center  for additional review and feedback.
• Proofread one more time:  Check your grammar and spelling again before submitting your final draft. Ask a friend, professor, or advisor to proofread your final draft one more time before sending it in. 

YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT SHOULD ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• Why do you want to complete further research in this field?  Write down a list of reasons as to why you are interested in pursuing further study in the field. When did you become interested in the field and what knowledge have you gained so far? Describe how your previous work provided the foundation and for further study.
• Why  have you  chosen to apply to this particular university ? Does the institution have a particular curriculum, special research facilities/equipment, or interesting research that appeal to you?
• What are your strengths ? Demonstrate how you stand out from other candidates. Highlight relevant projects, dissertations thesis or essays that demonstrate your academic skills and creativity. Include IT skills, research techniques, awards, or relevant traveling/ study abroad experience.
• What are your transferable skills?  Be sure to emphasize transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management skills. Give examples of how you have demonstrated each of these with specific examples.
• How does this program align with your career goals?  It’s okay if you don’t know the exact career path you plan to take after completing your PhD. Provide an idea of the direction you would like to take. This demonstrates commitment and dedication to the program.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For examples of successful personal statements, visit the  Online Writing Lab (OWL) .

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How do I write a Statement of Purpose for my grad school application?

by Markus Deserno | Oct 30, 2020 | Uncategorized

It’s that time of the year again: grad school applications are soon due ! You have dutifully selected a good set of schools, following the “reach/middle/safe” principle; you’ve secured writers for your letters of recommendation; you’ve filled out many forms; maybe you also have submitted GRE or TOEFL or IELTS scores—and now you look with dread at that pristinely empty text document on the screen in front of you, titled “Statement of Purpose”. The cursor goes blink, but your mind is blank.

To be honest: I don’t know for sure what that feels like. I have never applied for graduate school in the US. But I have served on graduate school admissions committees here; in fact, I have chaired them for many years. And in that position I have read hundreds upon hundreds of Statements of Purpose. I would like to think that I’ve pretty much seen it all. And with that knowledge, earned by experience if not by practice, I would like to share a few tips for those of you who are understandably unsure how to write this important document. As a warning : this is going to be tailored to applications to physics graduate school, since this is my background. I suspect that a fair amount of it translates to other fields; but considering the significantly different cultures in other disciplines (other sciences, or engineering, or the humanities, or the arts) I advise caution in following my suggestions in fields remote from their primary provenance.

So, without further ado, here’s a list of thoughts you might find helpful:

1. What is your purpose ?

Why do you want to go to graduate school? What do you hope to achieve? What lights your fire? Brainstorm your motivation for this big step! This, of course, is important much beyond the immediate task of writing an SOP. It is therefore curious that quite a number of people seem to stumble into this without giving it some careful thought. Or at least one would think that, given how their SOPs are devoid of a clearly articulated purpose, save maybe for some clichés about how they’ve always liked physics. (There’s nothing wrong about going to physics graduate school because you love physics; but when you say so, be original . And check point 4 below.)

There are so many things that could drive you: a genuine desire to do real research, after having been fascinated by it during undergrad projects. A specific problem that’s been with you for a long time that you wish to have a go at. The desire to help people. A profound interest in physics education. The hope to break the glass ceiling of expectations you have been living under. Whatever it is—make sure you are clear about it yourself and then tell the committee about it ! Having deeply reflected about your motivation and then speaking about it compellingly and with earnest conviction makes your SOP truly genuine.

2. What does the department look for?

To counterbalance the first point: remember that grad school is a two-way road. You want to get something out of it, but so does the department that accepts you . After all, they pay you ! For what?

A mental exercise that is very useful when preparing an SOP—or, for that matter, any piece of writing in which you want to sway someone else—is to  put yourself into their position . What are they looking for? What matters to them? What would they consider a red flag? What would strike them as a winning argument? Don’t do this superficially. Really try to flip your perspective. This should help you answer the question whether they care about your rad skills as a skateboarder (probably not), or about the many hours of chemistry tutoring you did in high school (probably yes).

To give you a couple of examples, here’s what in my experience a department cares about:

• Will you pass the first 1-2 years of graduate courses ? Because if you don’t, their significant investment into you (tuition and stipend for the first two years could sum up to $100k!) does not yield a return. This is the biggest reason why they care about your GPA, the courses you took, and whether you did well in grad courses you decided to take. This is also what tests like the physics GRE are good at predicting.
• Do you realize how hard it is to push the boundary of knowledge ? Real-world research is often the art of persevering in a tenacious fight against obdurate obstacles. There are many challenges, confusions, set-backs, and fresh starts. And this requires a lot of stamina, dedication, and frustration tolerance. Do you have that in you ? The admissions committee will look for any indication that you’re ready for this. That’s why they are so very eager to see undergrad research beyond curated fail-safe lab courses. Research that could have gone wrong, or maybe even did . It doesn’t much matter whether the field was particularly closely related to what you may wish to pursue in grad school, as long as you saw the real thing you now are eagerly signing up for. [BTW, before this sounds too discouraging: when you finally make that scientific breakthrough, you will feel like the king of the world. The sense of profound accomplishment is incredible, but also hard earned. This correlation holds of course way beyond physics.]
• Do you understand your responsibilities ? Once you join a research group, your work will contribute to their scientific progress. They rely on you to make that experiment succeed, or get that calculation done. They need you to be a dedicated player in a team that strives for success, recognition, and future grant money. Do you understand that this will be part of your job? That grad school is not only a journey toward your own personal scientific growth, but also a commitment to pull your weight in a team that relies on you?

3. Focus on your growth as a young scientist

An SOP is different from a college application essay. Many applicants feel tempted to write about transformative experiences in their childhood, events that got them on the trajectory on which they are now. This is indeed a great opening for an SOP, but that’s it: an opening . It should quickly lead to what the committee really wants to hear: how have you grown academically, what research experience and skills have you gained, what compels you to apply to grad school (and why this grad school).

Of course, you don’t just want to rattle off your projects and skills. Good writing creates context. And a good school cares about you as a person, not just as a replaceable “science worker”. But don’t forget that you apply for a slot in a competitive program in a highly technical discipline. Focus on what matters for that. For instance, you can write about how you go about solving problems. Or how you deal with road-blocks and struggles (because overcoming roadblocks and struggles is going to be a big part of your grad student life). How your academic record has prepared you for what you want to do (but don’t just reiterate your grades—the committee has them anyways). If you have a talent for teaching and explaining things, you can point that out, too. They might need you as a TA in a semester when your advisor is short in funding, and you will at some point have to give talks and write papers.

4. Avoid boilerplate

One of the really important things you want to achieve in your SOP is to become a memorable applicant , and not just another number in an Excel sheet, sorted—god forbid!—by GPA. Someone who a committee member might bring up in a discussion when there are still slots to fill (and there always are) after all the “obvious” cases have been admitted, and there are dozens upon dozens of candidates who look virtually indistinguishable by the numbers. If at that moment a committee member recalls you and starts talking about you, then you have almost won. Why? Because among dozens of candidates, everyone of whom could in principle be admitted, you often end up admitting those who for whatever reason you are talking about. So to be memorable is very important. (Of course, you don’t want to be memorable for a particularly poor SOP either. In this case, bad press isn’t better than no press at all.)

If that is your goal, then one of the best ways to shoot yourself in the foot is to write boilerplate verbiage. You are not going to stand out by recycling the bromides of the olden days, by dutifully checking off all the stereotypes of the passionate budding scientist who is enthralled by physics. I cannot count the number of times I have read the phrase “Since early childhood I have been fascinated by the unfathomable beauty of nature.” Now, it might be totally true that this describes you very well. But you have to find a way to say it that is not a platitude.

Some people seem to believe the solution to this problem is to make copious use of a thesaurus (“unfathomable!”). Don’t be tempted to do that . A thesaurus is great if you want to find the one word that fits best in a given context, and there are often much better words than the ones that first spring to mind. But it should not be used to bloat your writing into an orgy of pretentious swank. That’s not you. That’s not authentic. And nobody likes reading it.

5. Show, don’t tell

You want to come across as smart , diligent , creative , motivated —all the good stuff. At the same time, most people have a natural aversion to heaping praise upon themselves. When we coach students how to prepare a strong application for grad school (or a job in industry), we tell them that they need to overcome that natural (and quite likable) hesitance to brag. But it seems we don’t quite tell them how to actually do this gracefully, and so a surprisingly large number of students seem to come away with the idea that they simply need to conquer their embarrassment and pin all these praising words onto themselves. Awkwardness ensues instantly.

But how does one talk praisingly about oneself? It’s not that hard, actually, and the trick is: show, don’t tell . Rather than calling yourself “clever”, give an example where your cleverness clearly showed; for instance that episode when you solved a problem that your team was flummoxed by and you figured it out. Instead of calling yourself “hard-working”, talk about that episode where you collected that crucial bit of data at 2am on that week-long trip to the synchrotron. And instead of calling yourself “motivated” and “dedicated”, describe how you discussed your REU options and additional course offerings with your academic advisor, in order to be best prepared for graduate school. True, doing it this way isn’t quite as concise as using peppy words. But it says a lot more about you, is much more convincing, and much less awkward.

There is still a place for those coveted praise-words, but it is not in your SOP. It is in the letters of recommendation you have asked your mentors and advisors to write about you. If they have accepted to support your application, then almost surely they want to write a strong letter, and since they don’t want to write a lot (and the committee doesn’t want to read a lot…), succinct words of praise flow naturally and are entirely unobjectionable.

Incidentally, pro tip : even if your letter writers want to write endorsingly, that doesn’t mean they have all the information to do it well. They write a lot of letters, and they have a lot of students. And their brains are often more foggy than you would believe. (Trust me, I know. I’m the aging owner of one of those brains.) For that reason, I ask the students I promised a letter to provide me with a “ brag sheet ” that lists the items they are most proud of and wish me to brag about. With some context, so that I can write more knowledgeably about it. If you’re comfortable with this, offer your letter writers such a document.

6. Check out their webpage

A strong SOP should be tailored to the place you apply to. Have a section towards the end in which you explain how you see yourself fitting into their program. Are you eager to pursue condensed matter physics and are impressed by the local “Center for the Technology of Very Small Things” they have built over the years? Tell them! (Professors are vain and like to be flattered. But know the line between sweet-talk and ingratiation!) Are there professors in biophysics whose work you have used during one of your undergraduate projects? Tell them! Has your advisor pointed you to a group at their place that does amazing work and you’d like to become a part of that? Tell them! When you were selecting the schools you ultimately decided to apply to, browsing their webpage and making sure that the research topics and scientific opportunities available at that place align with your own personal interest was surely a big part of the “research” you did on them. Now you have the chance to tell them that, yes, their program excites you. Here’s the reason why, among all the many grad schools in the country, you’ve picked theirs to apply to.

Documenting that you have checked out the place you are applying to, are familiar with their strength and ambitions, know who does what, and where you’d fit in, is a great way to also show that you care about them . That you take their graduate program seriously. You have done your homework. This almost always gives you a leg up. But you should be careful about two things: first, webpages are often woefully outdated not quite up to date, and that famous professor you say you would totally love to work with might long be an emeritus (or, ahem, worse). And second, you are at the very beginning of your career as a scientist and physicist. You ain’t seen nothing yet! At your stage of career you haven’t (yet) earned the right to be opinionated about what fields of physics are worthy of pursuit.  Don’t be that person who is hell-bent on a career in, say, galactic astrophysics, after having done a 6-week summer REU project on galactic astrophysics. It is almost always wise to be flexible. (Unless you are really really sure you know what you want to do.)

Tailoring your SOP like this might take time. And you unfortunately might not have all that time, depending on how many applications you plan to send out. If so, then restrict this extra work to those places you are most eager to get in.

7. Be concise

After all these recommendations, all these many things you can or should or might want to write about, here comes the hardest part: do it concisely (albeit not tersely ). Faculty on admissions committees have to read dozens, sometimes hundreds of SOPs, and if any one of them drones on for just a tad too long, they lose interest in the writing— and maybe in you .

It is admittedly really hard to talk about all of the stuff you need to cover in something like 2 pages . But hey, that’s yet another skill you need to ultimately learn: how to write succinctly . ( Tip : don’t duplicate anything the committee already has in some other form , such as CV and grades, unless you expressly want to emphasize something very important.) If your writing shows that you have some talent in communicating, the committee will be rather pleased. This is a student who might actually produce a respectable first draft of a paper! Hence, your efforts to polish your SOP are not wasted.

You can easily check the length of your SOP; but whether it’s actually good often requires a second pair of eyes. Give it to somebody else for honest criticism. Ideally someone who knows how these documents are read, like your research advisor. Your friends might offer you help, and they might have great ideas and opinions to boot; but they are likely just as hazy about what really constitutes a good document as you are. Get help from people who know because they have been in the business for a while.

OK, that’s enough for now. Lots of advice! I probably forgot some things, or been unclear about others. Some of this might strike you as opinionated, and some of it almost surely is. So take it with a grain of salt. I will most likely update this document at some point—based also on feedback you are welcome to leave in the comments.

This is supposed to be a helpful list of thoughts that make you understand how the people on the other end of the process tend to read your application. But people vary in their tastes, departments have different priorities, and conventions for how to write documents such as an SOP evolve over time. Feel free to flout every single one of my recommendations, provided you have a well thought-out reason for doing so!

Markus Deserno is a professor in the Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University. His field of study is theoretical and computational biophysics, with a focus on lipid membranes.

Quite insightful. Thank you Markus.

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How to write a personal statement for physics

Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not, say admissions tutors. You’ll soon be found out

"P hysics is a really cool subject because you can learn how to blow cars up." Not the most impressive opening to a personal statement Gary Barker of the University of Warwick has ever come across. More James May than Patrick Moore, he says wryly.

What would he prefer? "I would err on the side of formality rather than flippancy," he says.

Many admissions tutors look for two things in a personal statement: genuine enthusiasm for physics and signs of maturity.

Some statements border almost on the philosophical, which is absolutely fine, says Barker. "I like to think that there's a person out there who lies awake at night worrying about these things."

Demonstrating engagement with the subject is not difficult but do remember that some admissions tutors are looking for a richer knowledge of the subject than you get on prime-time TV.

"By all means mention what hooked you in the beginning, but do also mention what you are doing now to deepen your understanding," says Anton Machacek, a physics teacher who graduated from Trinity College, Oxford.

"Popular science programmes rarely develop your thinking skills in the way universities will want. In this sense, I would say that the influence of Nina and her Nefarious Neurons on you as a toddler might count more in your favour than Prof Brian Cox at age 16."

Think about which skills are relevant to your application: for example, computing experience will help you with a theoretical physics degree.

Machacek says it's a shame that students often forget to talk about their A-level courses in their personal statements. "It's no good saying 'I've studied A-level physics' – they already know that," he says. "But you can say what skills you enjoyed developing and which areas excited you."

And for a budding physicist it is well worth becoming a member of the Institute of Physics – membership is free for 16- to 19-year-olds.

Many physics undergrad hopefuls mention a lot of the same books, or say they read the New Scientist, says Professor Henning Schomerus, physics admissions tutor at Lancaster University. "This wouldn't put me off, but I would probably more or less ignore it," he says. If you want to talk about a journal you read, pick out an article and discuss why it interests you.

Be specific. If The Big Bang Theory sparked your interest in physics, explain why. Schomerus, for instance, likes the episode where Sheldon takes a job as an unpaid waiter to try to discover how electrons move through graphene – it's an area he's done research in.

"Make the statement truly personal," he says, a point reiterated by Machacek, who is also a visiting research scientist at the Central Laser Facility in Rutherford.

"It is extremely important to be yourself," he says. "If you are a quiet, modest type, and you force yourself to write an extrovert's personal statement to make you seem bigger, very odd things can happen if you are interviewed."

Most admissions tutors advise that content should always trump style or creativity, but stress that writing should be coherent because physicists must be able to communicate.

Physics admissions officer Kenny Wood points out that with over a thousand applications for tutors at the University of St Andrews to sift through each year, spelling and grammar can make all the difference.

Wood says competition is fierce, and urges students not to be disappointed if they don't get into their first choice. "Remember, all physics departments are accredited by the Institute of Physics and if you get a good degree from any department in the UK, this will keep the door open for postgraduate studies at other institutions."

Olivia Keenan, a physics masters graduate from the University of Southampton about to embark on a PhD at Cardiff in extra-galactic observations, urges more girls to consider physics.

"As a female, if you are as well qualified as your male counterparts and you can make yourself stand out, then you're often in a good position to get through the 'admissions game'.

"Having narrowly missed the grades to get on to my physics course, I'm sure that having a strong personal statement helped me," she says. "It displayed my passion for the subject, backed up with evidence to prove it – for example, I'd taught GCSE students about astronomy while in sixth form at school."

Extra-curricular activities can reflect passion – working at a science museum, being a member of a local astronomy society or having visited Cern, for example – but tutors realise that not everybody has these opportunities. Simply making the most of your school's library is fine if it gives you a deeper appreciation of physics.

Above all, don't get too worked up about it. At the University of Birmingham, Professor Andy Schofield stresses that the personal statement is unlikely to be the decider in whether or not you get an offer.

It's a chance to explain any unusual aspects of your application though, says Schofield – for example, why your past performance doesn't reflect your potential.

Not everyone knows what they want to study and it's okay to apply to more than one course, say, physics and natural sciences. "I'm quite happy to see a personal statement that talks in two halves," he says.

Whether your interests lie in the cosmos or computing, the most important thing is keep it personal and prove your enthusiasm for physics.

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Personal statement resources.

The personal statement is an important part of the graduate school application. This document allows the admission committee to get to know the applicant better and to directly connect the applicant’s interests and pursuits to our department. The applicant is free to address a wide range of topics. There are no rules or specific requirements. The personal statement is generally 2-3 pages in length. As guidance, personal statements often address the following questions:

• What motivates you to pursue a Ph.D. in astronomy and astrophysics? What field(s) of astronomy/astrophysics excites you?
• What are your interests and goals?
• What skills, experience, personal characteristics do you have that will help you succeed in graduate school (e.g. coursework, leadership roles, teaching/mentoring experience computer programming, employment, research experience, etc.)?
• What challenges have you overcome in your path toward applying to graduate school?
• Why would the University of Chicago in particular be a good fit for you?

These questions are intended to serve as guidance. They should not prevent the applicant from sharing other information or highlighting other experiences or aspects of their application.

Let your curiosity lead the way:

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• Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Studies in A&S

Personal Statement for Graduate School

improve your grad school application with a strong statement

Prospective Students

Biomedical Physics - an Emerging Interdisciplinary Field

• PhD Program

Why Apply Here?

• Writing Your Personal Statement
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The PhD Degree in Biomedical Physics

The Biomedical Physics Program (BMP) is joint effort under the Stanford School of Medicine Departments of Radiology and Radiation Oncology and offers instruction and research opportunities leading to a PhD degree in Biomedical Physics. The goal is to train students in research focused on technology translatable to clinical medicine, including radiation therapy, image-guided therapy, diagnostic, interventional, and molecular imaging, and other forms of disease detection and characterization with molecular diagnostics. These students will be prepared for a variety of career paths, including faculty positions at academic institutions, clinical physics roles in radiology and radiation oncology departments, industry, and roles at government and other private sector organizations focusing on medical- and bio-technology. Given the evolution of modern medicine towards technologically sophisticated treatments and diagnostics, particularly in the areas of imaging, molecular biomarkers, and radiation therapy, there is a need for well-trained leaders with this educational background and the skills to conduct meaningful and significant research in this field. Stanford University has a rich tradition of innovation and education within these disciplines, with advances ranging from the development and application of the medical linear accelerator towards radiation treatment of cancer to the engineering of non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging having been pioneered here. Accordingly, Stanford is home to a breadth of faculty with outstanding achievements. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the close proximity and frequent interactions among the Stanford Schools of Medicine, Engineering, and Humanities and Sciences provide an ideal environment to offer students outstanding training in both the clinical and scientific aspects of this discipline.

The program can provide flexibility and can complement other opportunities in applied medical research at Stanford. Special arrangements may be made for those with unusual needs or those simultaneously enrolled in other degree programs within the University. Similarly, students with prior relevant training may have the curriculum adjusted to eliminate requirements met as part of prior training.

Prerequisites

As Biomedical Physics is a highly multidisciplinary area of study, we are seeking students from a variety of scientific backgrounds.  Undergraduates with strong quantitative skills majoring in physics, engineering, or the biological sciences are encouraged to apply.  No GRE exams are required for admissions.

Degree Requirements

The doctoral program is a full-time, residential, research-oriented program, with student typically starting in the fall quarter and spending an average of about 5-6 years at Stanford.

Candidates are encouraged to explore the various research interests of the biomedical physics core and affiliated faculty, with lab rotations during the first year expose students to different laboratories. Prior to being formally admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree at the end of the second year of study, each student must demonstrate knowledge of biomedical physics fundamentals and a potential for succeeding in research by passing a qualifying examination. Students later complete and defend a doctoral dissertation.

Details of the curriculum and specific degree requirements are described on Stanford Bulletin .

All BMP PhD students who maintain satisfactory academic progress receive full financial support (tuition and a living stipend) for the duration of their doctoral program. However, the number of admitted students is limited by funding, hence applicants are encouraged, but not required, to apply for external fellowship support (e.g., NSF or Stanford's Knight-Hennessy Scholars program ) on their own.

Application Instructions and Deadlines

Applications are due late November/early December each year. See details on the Graduate Admissions webpage .

There is a $125 application fee . Applicants who need assistance with the application fee are encouraged to apply for a fee waiver . Preference is given to low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented minority students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The Application Deadline: December 1, 2023 (11:59:59 pm PST).

• Complete the Biomedical Physics PhD application online. Note that only one Stanford PhD application per academic year is allowed, and that Biosciences, Bioengineering, and Electrical Engineering are not part of the Biomedical Physics Program.
• Submit scanned (unofficial) transcripts as part of the Biomedical Physics application. Graduate Admissions only requires admitted applicants who accept the offer of admission to submit official transcripts that shows their degree conferral. Please do not send or have sent any official transcripts to us at this time.
• See our page about the Personal Statement.
• Please include an up-to-date version of your CV.
• The GRE General Test score is not required and will not be considered if submitted. We do not require any GRE Subject Test scores.
• Application materials, including letters of recommendation, should be received by the deadline. We do review all applications, including incomplete ones.
• For materials that are mailed, please use our Contact Address.
• Please do NOT upload supporting materials, such as published papers, unpublished manuscripts, BS or MS theses, writing samples, posters, or class projects, with your application.
• Check the status of your application can be tracked through the Biomedical Physics status webpage . Interview invitations go out in early January, and interviews are in late February or early March. Offers of admission are made on a rolling basis starting in March. Finals decisions from admitted candidates are due by April 15.
• The selection of PhD students admitted to BMP is based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including the applicant’s academic record, the letters of recommendation, the statement of purpose, personal qualities and characteristics, and past accomplishments.
• Deferral of admission: BMP generally does not allow deferral of admission to the PhD program, and it is better for you to apply when you are ready to begin your graduate study following the normal timeline. However, sometimes one's circumstances change; please contact us if that happens to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is highly recommended that you review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Biomedical Physics Program recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

The Biomedical Physics Program welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. The review process is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, prior research experience, and admissions essays to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field and how they might enrich the learning community at Stanford.

Students are expected to enter with a series of core competencies in mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics or engineering, and computing. Students entering the program are assessed by the examination of their undergraduate transcripts and research experiences. Specifically, the department requires that students have completed mathematics through multivariable calculus and linear algebra, and must hold, or expect to hold before enrollment at Stanford, a bachelor’s degree in engineering or physical science from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association. Applicants from institutions outside the U.S. must hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing. See minimum level of study required of international applicants .

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for predoctoral national competitive fellowships, especially those from the National Science Foundation. Applicants to the Ph.D. program should consult with their financial aid officers for information and applications.

The deadline for receiving applications is December 1, 2023. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission to the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Physics.

Further information and application instructions for all graduate degree programs may be obtained from Graduate Admissions .

Application Fee and Fee Waivers

The  application fee is $125  and is non-refundable. You will be prompted to pay the application fee at the time you submit your application. The acceptable form of payment is via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club) or bank transfer from a U.S. checking account. If you do not have a credit card then you should make arrangements with a family member or friend to use theirs. Checks by mail are not accepted.

Fee Waivers

Applicants who need assistance with the application fee are encouraged to apply for a fee waiver. Priority for fee waivers is given to applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International applicants who need assistance with the application fee are eligible to apply for the School-Based fee waiver. For a complete list of fee waiver options and eligibility requirements, please visit the Graduate Admissions  website .

Please note that fee waiver requests are required to be submitted 10 business days prior to the application deadline (December 1 at 11:59:59 pm PST); so please plan accordingly.

• Reputation and Environment . Amplified by the astounding intellectual and technological capital of Silicon Valley, Stanford University, one of the world's leading academic institutions, is dedicated to finding solutions to big challenges and to preparing students for leadership in a complex world. Integrating a premier medical school with world-class adult and children’s hospitals, Stanford Medicine fosters an unrivaled atmosphere of interdisciplinary exploration and collaboration that has produced many of the innovations that sparked a biomedical revolution. The Biomedical Physics program is an essential component of Stanford Medicine’s commitment to excellence in education, scientific discovery, bench-to-bedside research, and clinical innovation.

• Curriculum . Our core courses span a wide array of topics, including radiation physics and therapy, imaging sciences, molecular imaging and diagnostics, with much of the material based on cutting-edge research conducted here at Stanford.

• Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities . BMP in a new PhD program housed within the Departments of Radiology and Radiation Oncology. Leveraging research and clinical expertise at Stanford Hospital, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, and Stanford Clinics, the BMP program also includes faculty from the Stanford Biosciences , Bio-X , ChEM-H , Wu Tsai Neurosciences , Bioengineering , Electrical Engineering , and Computer Science programs, all of which are in close physical proximity on Stanford's main campus.

• Related Stanford PhD Programs . As the scope of medical physics has expanded, students pursuing careers in this field have been distributed throughout a number of training programs ranging from physics to engineering to bioengineering to biology. Situated within the clinical departments of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, the BMP program integrates novel technical developments in radiation therapy, imaging, and molecular diagnostics with the unique challenges of clinical medicine.

• Location . Situated in the heart of entrepreneurial Silicon Valley, Stanford University's campus occupies over 8000 acres, bordering Palo Alto, CA and provides easy access to the amenities of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Instructions for Writing Your Personal Statement

You are required to submit a Personal Statement as part of the Graduate Application for the BMP PhD degree.

The BMP program is designed for students interested in the application of physics and engineering principles to problems in clinical medicine, with an emphasis on translational science. The Admissions Committee will read your Personal Statement carefully to determine how well your aspirations align with the mission of the BMP PhD Program.

In your Personal Statement, please tell us how your schooling, work, research, and life experiences prepare you for study at BMP, describe your passion for research, current research interests, and career goals, and explain how our training program will enable you to achieve them.

The Personal Statement should be 1-2 pages. Please do not append class projects, research proposals, draft manuscripts, published papers, posters, or other ancillary materials.

Questions about the Program

Where can I find the details about the program?

Please review this website, and our program listing in Stanford University Bulletin .

What is the best way to see if my interests align with the program?

Review the details of our curriculum and summary descriptions of core and affiliated faculty . You should also do web searches to find the faculty websites and check out their most recent publications on PubMed . 

What is the difference between Stanford's BMP program and medical physics programs in other universities?

Students pursuing careers at the intersection of technology and medicine can enroll in a variety of related Stanford programs ranging from physics to engineering to biology. Situated within the clinical departments of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, the BMP program uniquely integrates novel technical developments in radiation therapy, imaging, and molecular diagnostics with the unique challenges of clinical medicine.

How do BMP graduate students pick a lab and faculty research supervisor?

Students do up to 3 rotations the first year in labs chosen through mutual agreement by the student and the faculty member.

How long does it take to get a degree?

Is the Stanford BMP PhD program CAMPEP accredited?

This is a new Biomedical Physics PhD program and is not yet accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP). 

What kind of jobs are available for Stanford BMP graduates?

Students who successfully complete  the BMP PhD program will be capable of pursuing careers in academia, clinical medicine, and industry.  Graduates will be competitive for faculty positions in nationwide medical physics programs, as well as in related university departments including Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Radiology, and Radiation Oncology. In addition, a variety of industrial positions at companies developing medical and imaging technologies would be available to graduating doctoral students. They may, for example, work for a Fortune 500 company like General Electric , a large-cap company like Varian Medical Systems , or a publicly traded company like ViewRay . All of these companies have a substantial need for Ph.D. scientists in biomedical physics as they provide unique expertise in translational medical imaging and medical therapy that is distinct form their engineering colleagues. Medical companies developing imaging, radiation therapy, and molecular diagnostics, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and non-medical companies with a focus on technology development could each exploit the unique skill set of BMP graduates. Examples include Siemens Healthcare , Philips Healthcare , Canon Medical Systems , Bruker , Accuray , Elekta , IBA Worldwide , Bayer , Guerbet , Hologic , Genentech , Agilent , and Google Health . Trainees may also find professional opportunities in the federal government working at either the NIH or FDA , both of which seek scientists with the precise training provided by our program. Additional career opportunities would be available at the intersection of tech and medicine by way of local start-up companies and consulting firms.

Questions about Applying

Should I apply to the Stanford BMP Program?

Only you know enough about your circumstances to make this decision. We encourage all applicants to consider their personal and career goals, their background and abilities, financial constraints, and reasonable alternatives, before applying.

What is "Biomedical Physics"?

I'm interested in several departments in Stanford. Which one should I apply to?

This is a very important decision, so it is worth your time to explore and consider your options carefully. Stanford Biomedical Physics is very interdisciplinary; if admitted, you will be able to pick research supervisors from among multiple faculty having a wide range of research interests. You should select a PhD program on the basis of your background, your interest in a particular curriculum, your fit with the program's research, and your career plans. In general, we recommend apply to BMP if you are primarily interested in the application of novel developments in radiation physics, imaging science, and molecular imaging to solve clinical problems. See also the next few FAQs.

What is the difference between Stanford Biomedical Physics, Biosciences, and Bioengineering?

Can I apply to both BMP and other Stanford PhD programs at the same time?

No. You are limited to one PhD application per academic year.  The Biomedical Physics PhD program is distinct from degrees offered by other Stanford programs such as Biosciences , Bioengineering , and Electrical Engineering . Therefore, it is important to decide which program best fits your background and career goals. Note that if you are accepted into another program, you are welcome to take BMP courses.

How do I apply?

Review our website to see if our program is a good fit with your goals. The specifics depend on the degree program to which you are applying. You can find instructions for each degree under  Prospective Students .

When can I apply? What is the application deadline?

Applications to the PhD program are accepted each autumn from (roughly) mid-September to late November/early December for admission the following Autumn. For details of timing for the other degree programs, see their respective webpages. All PhD applications are reviewed together, so there is no competitive advantage in applying early; however, we very strongly recommend that you not wait until the last minute (or day).

I missed the deadline. Can I apply late (or early) to the PhD program?

No. We do not accept applications to the PhD program out of the normal cycle, as it causes problems both for admission’s process which is coordinated with the other Stanford programs and for arranging funding.

Does Stanford BMP offer conditional admission?

Is my application good enough?

We are unable to answer that question for specific applicants. The BMP admissions committee considers many factors, including grades, letters of recommendation, the personal statement, prior research experience, life circumstances, and fit with our program. The decision is based on a composite of these elements in the context of all the applications we receive each cycle. You should also note that admission to our program, especially for the PhD, is  very  competitive, so it is to your advantage to make sure your application is as strong as you can make it in all of the listed dimensions.

Stanford requires a TOEFL score (if needed) of greater than or equal to 100. If your score is below 100 and you are accepted, Stanford requires that you retake the exam to achieve that threshold. Unfortunately, we cannot make exceptions to this rule. See  here .

How many people apply?

This is a new PhD program, so we do not yet have reliable statistics regarding the number of applicants.  However, we anticipate the PhD application process will be highly competitive.

Is it okay if some of my application materials arrive late?

You need to submit the main application before the deadline.

Unofficial test scores (TOEFL) and unofficial transcripts should arrive before the deadline. Your unofficial transcripts and test scores will be validated when your official ones are received by the University, which can occur after the admissions deadline.

Outside of that, we strongly recommend against late applications, including letters of recommendation. We start reviewing applications immediately after the deadline closes. Incomplete applications will be reviewed, but incomplete applications are unlikely to be as strong as the complete ones, placing you at considerable disadvantage in an already very competitive application process.

What is the status of my application?

We realize that the application process is anxiety provoking, and it is natural to be concerned about the possibility of information missing from your application or wondering where you are in the application ranking. After the formal deadline, if something has changed, you may email the updated information to us. We ask, though, that you refrain from contacting us to request routine updates about your status. If your application is deficient in some way, we will contact you. However, you will have to wait for interview invitations and the final admission decisions on schedule.

Oops. I forgot to upload some of the supplemental materials for my application and now the system won't let me add them. What should I do?

Just email the additional materials to our  Contact Address .

What is the general timeline for admissions?

Applications are due late November or early December. Invitations for interviews (PhD only) go out in early January. Interviews are early March. Offers of admission are sent starting early March. Your final admission decisions are due April 15. Most students start in the Autumn (late Sept, Stanford is on quarter system).

I have been out of school for a while. Do you accept older students?

Yes. We anticipate some of our students will have gotten other degrees, worked in industry, or had other relevant experiences before entering the BMP program.

I was not admitted. Can I meet with someone to tell me why?

While we understand that situation is disappointing, we are not able to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Can I meet with BMP faculty before applying? Can I request an interview?

Due to time constraints, we are not able to accommodate all requests to meet one-on-one with our faculty prior to submitting an application, give individual tours, or meet to provide guidance about applications, the admissions process, and career planning.

We only interview a limited number of applicants. Top candidates for our PhD program will be invited out to visit us during the application process. We will contact you by mid-January if we want you to come for an interview. Note that the interview process is quite extensive; you will interview with multiple faculty and students, tour our campus, and meet with many of our current students in social settings.

I have contacted one of the BMP faculty about admissions. Will I receive a response?

Our faculty members receive many emails and requests for information. Unfortunately, they are unable to respond to all such contacts. Please email specific questions about the admissions process to us at our  Contact Address .

Should I contact faculty to get a research assistantship before I am admitted?

Generally, we only admit PhD students whose funding is pre-arranged by the BMP program or outside scholarship. There is more information about funding here . As part of the admission process, we will bring your application to the attention of the appropriate faculty. Just to be clear, you apply to the BMP program; you do not apply to individual faculty labs.

I have taken some coursework at Stanford before. Can I count those units towards another degree if I am admitted?

Generally, yes. However, you can't count the same course towards two different degrees. If you have extra units from a prior degree or a currently active degree program, then those units can count towards a BMP PhD if you are admitted. The total number of units required for the relevant BMP degree does not change.

Do I need any particular undergraduate major in order to apply?

No. We anticipate accepting students from diverse backgrounds, including those with undergraduate training in physics, engineering, biomedical sciences, and computer science.

If I'm accepted into the BMP program, can I work with a particular professor?

If you have already identified a possible research mentor, then you are one step ahead. However, be advised that even if admitted, there is no guarantee that that professor would have space in their lab, have appropriate funding, or be a good interpersonal match with you. In general, we recommend that you apply to Stanford BMP because your interests align well with our overall program philosophy and emphasis.

Does BMP offer a master's degree?

We currently only offer a PhD program.

Is there a part-time PhD degree program? Is there a distance learning PhD?

No. Our faculty believe that the PhD must be obtained on-campus, with full-time involvement.

I applied before. Do you need official copies of my transcripts again?

Can I transfer credit?

Transferring credit means using credit for courses taken  outside of  Stanford to reduce the number of credits taken  at  Stanford.

For the PhD degree: Yes. The PhD requires 135 units, of which 90 units must be taken at Stanford during the PhD program. Thus, you could transfer credits taken elsewhere or taken at Stanford in another graduate program. More information is  here .

Are the GREs required?

No. The GRE General Test score is not required and will not be considered if submitted. We do not require any GRE Subject Test scores.

Do I have to take the TOEFL?

TOEFL scores are required by Stanford University of all applicants whose first language is not English. There are some complications and exceptions. See the  official Stanford policy  for details. If you take the test near our application deadline, email the unofficial scores to us as soon as possible; the official scores can arrive after the deadline. Stanford requires a TOEFL score (if needed) of greater than or equal to 100. If your score is below 100 and you are accepted, Stanford requires that you retake the exam to achieve that threshold. Unfortunately, we cannot make exceptions to this rule. See here .

Can I take another language exam in place of the TOEFL?

No. Stanford only accepts the TOEFL.

Can international students apply to the program?

We welcome applications from international applicants. International applicants follow the same application process as other applicants, with additional rules and requirements listed here. 1)  You need to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree in order to apply. The exact requirements vary by country and are listed on the Office of Graduate Admissions International Applicants page . 2) Applicants whose first language is not English must submit an official test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Stanford accepts only ETS (Educational Testing Service) scores. We accept MyBest scores but at this time we are not accepting TOEFL Essentials test scores (see Stanford Graduate Admission Required Exams webpage). 3) We do not advise applicants about visas. The Bechtel International Center has information about how to maintain visas for international students. The US State Department has information about student and exchange visitor visas.

Do I need to have a master’s degree before applying to the PhD program?

Questions about Tuition, Fees, Program Costs, Funding, and Financial Aid

How much does it cost to get a PhD?

Tuition and other fees for Academic PhD programs are set by Stanford University. The most up-to-date listing is on the Stanford Registrar's  website .

What financial aid does BMP provide?

All BMP PhD students who maintain satisfactory academic progress receive full financial support (tuition and a living stipend) for the duration of their doctoral program.

Is there a fee for applying for admission?

The fee for applying for admission to any graduate program at Stanford is $125. However, the Biomedical Physics graduate program is committed to increasing the diversity of biomedical research and Stanford University. We will offer application fee waivers to a limited number of candidates. Preference is given to low-income, first generation and underrepresented minority students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Can I request an application fee waiver?

The Biomedical Physics graduate program is committed to increasing the diversity of biomedical research and Stanford University. We will provide application fee waivers to a limited number of candidates. Preference is given to low-income, first generation and underrepresented minority students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

• You should only request a BMP-based waiver if you do not qualify for the GRE or Diversity Program Participation fee waivers.
• Given the limited availability of fee waivers, only request one if you are sure you will be applying for admission this application season.
• Applications for fee waivers will be reviewed and approved on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Acceptance or denial of your application for a fee waiver does not affect your likelihood of admission into a graduate program. 
• If the application fee waiver request is approved, the applicant will be sent a code to enter in the payment section of the online graduate admissions application.
• No refund will be given if you apply for a fee waiver and pay the application fee instead of using your application fee waiver code.  If we deny your request for a waiver, we will instruct you to pay the fee.

Waiver Application Form:

• In 250-500 words, describe your research experiences.
• In 250 words or less, describe how your research interests and background (in terms of race, ethnicity, culture, gender identity, socioeconomic status, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation, disability/ability, veteran status, work, and life experiences) would contribute to the diversity (broadly defined) of students pursuing a PhD at Stanford.
• In 250 words or less describe why you believe you are eligible for and should receive a fee waiver.  Priority is given to students from communities that may be systemically minoritized in biomedical research, experiencing financial hardship, qualified for federal financial aid, are first in their family to pursue an advanced degree, or are from environments with limited access to university research programs. 
• List any research, honors, and diversity-related programs in which you have participated.
• Send the materials in items 1-4 above along with your name, mailing address, phone, and email address to [email protected] with the subject “Fee Waiver Request”.

All fee waiver requests must be submitted no later than November 10th. 

Other Questions

How much does it cost to live close to Stanford University or in the SF Bay Area? How can I find out about my housing options?

The SF Bay Area is expensive. Many graduate students choose to live on campus for convenience and to minimize costs. Please refer to Stanford's  Housing Office  for more information.

What do I do if I still have questions?

Send us email ( Contact Us ). We are busy keeping all the machinery behind the scenes running smoothly, but we try to respond to every inquiry within one to two business days. It is much better to email us questions directly rather than asking us if you can call.

Additional Resource (Video)

Information Session - Recorded September 14th, 2021 ( click lower right icon to expand )

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Reset password, create a free fasthire account, physics graduate school personal statement samples.

• July 14, 2023
• Personal Statement

A physics personal statement is an important part of your UCAS application . It is your chance to show universities what you are passionate about and why you would be a good fit for their course. Your statement should be well-written and engaging, and it should highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities , and your interest in physics. 

Additionally, it is wrong to make it sound like a fantasy. No! it is not a script but your chance to talk about your passion, your drive and reason for pursuing the course. You must present this as though you are trying to convince your readers that you are the best candidate for the course, in reality, that’s your aim after all

How do you write a statement of Purpose for Physics?

There are a few key things to keep in mind when writing your physics graduate school personal statement. We will address the most important points you should look out for:

Share your Motivation and Honesty

When writing your  physics graduate school personal statement, be honest and reflective about what motivates you about physics. Share your personal experiences and insights that demonstrate your genuine inspiration for the subject. 

As much as possible, do not write about facts you are not certain of and cannot defend. This is because, part of your interview questions may be drawn from the details provided in your personal statement. So, avoid whatever looks like a lie in your personal statement. This will provide tutors with evidence of your passion for physics and why you would be a good fit for their course.

• Share your Passion

Here is another fact you must not overlook when writing your physics graduate school personal statement, Passion. Be sure to focus on your passion for physics. What is it about physics that you find so interesting? Writing a  compelling description of your passion gives you an edge in your application process.

• Highlight Your Academic Achievements

Another way to write a great physics graduate school  personal statement is to ensure you highlight your  academic achievements. What are your grades in physics? Have you taken any AP or IB physics courses? By expressing your academic achievement with quantifying words and numbers, you stand a better chance of gaining the favour of the admission board.

Share your Experiences 

Your experiences are the “what” of your personal statement. They are the things that have shaped you into the person you are today. When describing your experiences, it is important to be specific and to quantify your achievements.

For example, if you were a research assistant, you could say that you “led a team of 10 people to develop 5 protocols.” This shows the admissions committee that you have the skills and experience to lead and to collaborate.

Furthermore, You should also avoid using passive voice. Instead of saying “I was responsible for managing the project,” you could say “I managed the project.” This shows that you are a proactive and self-directed individual.

Lastly, it is important to describe your experiences in a way that shows how they have shaped your passions and your goals. For example, if you were a volunteer at a homeless shelter , you could say that “the experience taught me the importance of helping others.” This shows the admissions committee that you are a compassionate and caring individual.

Adapt Wider Reading Technique

When writing your personal statement for physics, it is important to show your interest in the subject beyond the classroom. One way to do this is to discuss any wider reading you have done. However, it is important to be selective in your choices. If you do choose a popular book, you should give your own personal take on it or write about it reflectively

For example, I was particularly interested in the book “The Elegant Universe” by Brian Greene. This book discusses string theory, which is a very complex and challenging subject. However, Greene does an excellent job of explaining the theory in a way that is accessible to laypeople. I was fascinated by the book and it really helped me to understand the basics of string theory.

In addition to reading books, I have also been interested in following current events related to physics. For example, I have been following the debate about whether we should build more nuclear power stations . I have read articles about the pros and cons of nuclear power and I have formed my own opinion on the matter. I believe that nuclear power is a safe and efficient way to generate electricity, and I think that we should build more nuclear power stations in the future.

When discussing your wider reading in your personal statement, it is important to be specific. Don’t just say that you read “The Elegant Universe.” Instead, pick out one article or chapter that you found particularly interesting and explain how it impacted on you. You should also be sure to cite your sources.

Lastly, you want to connect your wider reading to your future goals in physics. In my case, I am interested in pursuing a career in research physics. I believe that my wider reading has given me a strong foundation in physics and has helped me to develop my critical thinking skills. I am confident that I will be able to use my knowledge and skills to make a significant contribution to the field of physics. 

However, while writing, keep in mind that some personal statements are not required to be too long. Ensure you do your research before you embark on writing your statement.

Share your Extracurricular Activities

Your extracurricular activities are a great way to show your passion for physics and to demonstrate your skills and abilities. When discussing your extracurricular activities in your physics graduate school personal statement, it is important to be specific and to quantify your achievements.

For example, if you were a member of a physics club, you could say that you “led the club’s participation in the regional physics competition, where we won first place.” This shows the admissions committee that you are a leader and that you have the skills to compete at a high level.

Additionally, you should also avoid using passive voice. Instead of saying “I was involved in the club’s outreach program,” you could say “I organized and led the club’s outreach program.” This shows that you are a proactive and self-directed individual.

Hence, it is important to discuss your extracurricular activities in a way that shows how they have shaped your passions and your goals. For example, if you were a volunteer at a science museum, you could say that “the experience taught me the importance of sharing my love of physics with others.” This shows the admissions committee that you are passionate about physics and that you are committed to using your knowledge to make a difference in the world

Sample Physic Graduate School Persona Statement

This is a sample Physics Graduate School Personal statement. Read for a quick guide on How to write a Physics Graduate School Personal statement 

Disclaimer : The sample provided is just to guide you in making your own draft, please do not replicate it for your personal use as this would result in fraud and possible rejection. 

Personal Statement for Physics Graduate Program

My passion for physics was ignited by a perfect blend of innate curiosity and early exposure to the wonders of science. From a young age, I found myself irresistibly drawn to books on astronomy, physics, and mathematics. The fundamental laws that govern the universe fascinated me, and the potential to unravel its mysteries captivated my imagination. Each time I gazed at the night sky, I was spellbound by the twinkling stars and the enigmatic dance of celestial bodies. These experiences, along with visits to planetariums and science museums, solidified my desire to embark on a career in physics.

Throughout my high school years, I was fortunate to be guided by exceptional teachers who nurtured my passion for physics and pushed me to surpass the boundaries of my understanding. Their mentorship laid a strong foundation in physics and fueled my ambition to explore the subject in an academic setting. As I advanced through my undergraduate studies, I found myself enthralled by the elegance and precision of the subject. I eagerly seized every opportunity to engage in research and push the frontiers of knowledge. During my undergraduate journey, I immersed myself in various research opportunities to gain practical experience and expand my knowledge. It was during an internship at a prestigious research institute that I experienced a truly transformative moment. Engaged in a research project on particle physics, I had the privilege of working closely with a team of esteemed physicists. Collaborating with these brilliant minds and witnessing the potential impact of our research was both humbling and inspiring. It solidified my belief that physics holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe and has the power to revolutionize our understanding of the natural world.

Now equipped with a solid foundation in physics, I am driven to pursue an advanced degree to delve deeper into my areas of interest and contribute to the scientific community. After extensive research and careful consideration, I am convinced that Princeton University offers the ideal environment for my academic and personal growth. The university’s rich history and esteemed faculty members align perfectly with my aspirations, providing an unparalleled platform for intellectual development and collaboration. Additionally, the vibrant research community at Princeton University and its state-of-the-art facilities will enable me to explore cutting-edge research areas and contribute to breakthrough discoveries in my field.

Choosing to pursue my graduate studies in the United States is a deliberate decision rooted in the country’s long-standing reputation for scientific innovation. The United States has consistently been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of knowledge, with its universities and research institutions leading the way. I am particularly drawn to the multicultural environment and the rich diversity of perspectives that the United States offers. Interacting with fellow students from different backgrounds will expose me to fresh ideas and inspire creative approaches to problem-solving. Furthermore, the United States’ commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive academic community resonates deeply with my values, ensuring that I will have the resources and support necessary to excel in my studies.

By joining the esteemed graduate program at Princeton University, I am confident that I will acquire the necessary tools and expertise to make significant contributions to the field of physics. My aspiration is to conduct research at the forefront of theoretical physics, exploring the mysteries of the quantum world and unraveling the complexities of the cosmos. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with renowned physicists, absorbing their wisdom, and challenging existing paradigms.

Furthermore, beyond my personal goals, I recognize the importance of science communication and outreach. I firmly believe that scientific knowledge should not be confined to the ivory towers of academia but should be accessible and relatable to all. Throughout my graduate studies, I aim to develop effective methods of communicating complex scientific concepts to a broader audience, inspiring young minds, and fostering a love for physics. By sparking curiosity and igniting a passion for science in young minds, I hope to contribute to a future generation of scientists and thinkers who will continue to push the boundaries of human knowledge.

In conclusion, my unwavering passion for physics, combined with my academic and research experiences, has led me to pursue graduate studies in the field. Joining the esteemed graduate program at Princeton University in the United States will enable me to explore my interests, collaborate with brilliant minds, and contribute to the scientific community. I am eager to immerse myself in the rigorous academic environment and embark on this transformative journey, driven by the pursuit of knowledge and the desire to unravel the mysteries of the universe while shaping the future of scientific exploration. 

Yours sincerely,

Casmir David

Need Assistance Writing Your Personal Statement?

If so, contact  Fasthire today . We’ll look into your application and compose a good personal statement for your application. We have professionals who are skilled in helping students compose their study and visa statement of purpose/explanation and we’ll be ready to assist you right away. You can either use our regular, or express service depending on the urgency of your need.

FAQs ; Physics Graduate School Personal Statement

1. how to structure a physics graduate school personal statement.

The structure of a physics graduate school personal statement should follow this format:

• Introduce yourself as a scientist and explain what drives you to study physics.
• Discuss your research interests and what you hope to accomplish in your graduate studies.
• Describe your relevant experiences, such as research, teaching, or extracurricular activities.
• Explain what you learned and accomplished in these experiences.
• Discuss how these experiences have shaped your goals for graduate school.
• Explain why you are interested in the specific graduate program you are applying to.
• Discuss how your research interests align with the program’s research strengths.
• Highlight any specific experiences or qualifications that make you a good fit for the program.
• Discuss your long-term career goals and how your graduate studies will help you achieve them.
• Explain why you are passionate about physics and why you want to pursue a career in the field.

2. How to Write a Personal Statement for Physics Graduate School

Here are some tips on how to write a personal statement for physics graduate school:

• Start by brainstorming your ideas. 
• Share your motivation and Honesty
• Describe  Experiences 
• Be clear and concise.
• Use strong verbs and vivid language. 
• Extracurricular Activities in a Physics Personal Statement
• Be personal. 
• Proofread carefully. 

3. How do you Summarize a Personal Statement for Grad School?

The best way to summarize your personal statement for grad school  is by restating your passion for your course, this should be placed at the end of your personal statement. It is important to reiterate your passion for your course. You can do this by summarizing your key points, including your skills and experiences, and then stating how these have prepared you for your course.

For example, you could say something like:

“I have always been fascinated by the natural world and how it works. This fascination led me to study physics, and I have since developed a strong foundation in the subject. I have taken courses in a variety of areas, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. I have also conducted research in the field of condensed matter physics

You can also end your personal statement with a call to action. This means stating what you hope to achieve by completing your course. 

Conclusion ; Physics Graduate School Personal Statement  

To ensure you get this right, you must do your assignment by comparing different samples of physics graduate school personal statements. This will guide you in writing a well-structured physics graduate personal statement. However, you would employ the services of a reputable Personal statement writer to save you the trouble of multiple rejections. You can contact Fasthire.org to get a creative and professional personal statement writer assigned to you today. Reach out to us today.

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Successful Personal Statement For Physics At Oxford

Last Updated: 6th April 2022

Author: Rob Needleman

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through a Physics applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Physics Course at Oxford is concerned with the study of the universe from the smallest to the largest scale.

Read on to see how this strong Personal Statement covers such a broad range of intricate topics. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement (the applicant uses most of the 4,000 characters available):

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

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With our  Oxford Physics Premium Programme, your tutor will give you regular actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.  

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Physics Personal Statement

An incessant curiosity about the laws of the cosmos has always attracted me to the study of physics. I am especially intrigued by theoretical physics and how its concepts are the foundations of all visible reactions one witnesses daily. My fascination with physics has led me to pursue my subject beyond the school curriculum and I have had a range of experiences which have confirmed my desire to study physics at university.

This summer I was selected for the Senior Physics Challenge at Cambridge University which enabled me to experience the level and pace of undergraduate classical mechanics, quantum mechanics and lab-work. In preparation for the course, I studied a quantum mechanics primer and familiarised myself with previously untaught mathematics. During the week, we tackled the Schrodinger equation, square well potential problems, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle and learnt new aspects of mathematics such as eigenstates and SHM. The course was demanding thus highly engaging, and this encounter with higher-level physics has made me eager to extend my knowledge of quantum mechanics.

Selected to visit CERN with school on the basis of an essay competition on dark matter and dark energy, I attended lectures on particle physics and saw the LHCb experiment. The highlight of the trip being the coding activity organised by Liverpool University where, using real LHC data of a decaying kaon, we chose cuts to make in the data to improve the efficiency and purity of the signal. Gaining an insight into aspects of the research work undertaken by particle physicists was inspiring. Likewise, at a “Particle Physics Day” at Birmingham University, I had the opportunity to use computer software to identify different particles and collisions in detectors. Last summer, I attended the “Physics Experience Week” organised by Birmingham University that combined lectures, lab-work and a rocket-building session. I was fascinated by an experiment where, collaborating in a team with pupils from different schools, we counted cosmic ray muons using a scintillation detector and took down readings together.

Having chosen to study GCSE Astronomy independently, I learnt to use the Faulkes Telescopes to take photographs of Messier objects in order to determine the ages of 3 planetary nebulae. My interest in space has been enhanced by a 2-week trip to NASA with ‘Space Education Adventures’, visiting the Johnson and Kennedy Space Centres. I was astounded by the immensity of the space projects and their contribution to science and history. A work experience placement in a hospital Medical Physics department demonstrated to me the application of physics in medical diagnostic imaging and the importance of physics research for advances in medicine. The Engineering Education Scheme (year 12) enabled me to work with 3 other girls to design a hypothetical football training academy with engineer mentors from ARUP. We researched and presented a business case and technical plan to a panel of engineers from other companies, gaining the Gold Crest Award in Engineering as well as valuable presentation skills.

In complete contrast, this summer I attended the Joint Association of Classical Teachers’ Greek Summer School. In addition to intensive lessons, we performed Aeschylus’ Agamemnon in the original text; I was cast as Cassandra. This term I am giving a talk on Ancient Greek mathematics at my school’s Classical Society, having researched the topic over the summer. I enjoy performing arts: I belong to the Birmingham Young REP Theatre and I have performed in the Symphony Orchestra, a chamber music group and the Choral Society at school. Balancing academic work with other activities requires organisation and discipline. Physics is a demanding and highly rewarding field. The prospect of an unsolved problem which may not have an immediate answer is captivating. My wish to understand nature and the academic challenge this poses is the reason I aspire to study physics.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

Successful Personal Statement For Natural Science (Physical) At Cambridge

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Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This is a very well written, structured and excellent statement. The student has a clear motivation for physics and has achieved many things through extra hard work. The statement is easy to read, and the student describes their achievements yet does not brag. All points and experiences are expanded on and clearly explained. The final paragraph adds individuality to the statement, and all non-physics related interests are kept within this paragraph which is very good.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

The student uses the word ‘I’ a lot. Whilst it is important to emphasise personal achievements, using the same words over and over again makes the statement sound repetitive. The student mentions learning mathematics beyond the A-level syllabus prior to the Senior Physics Challenge at Cambridge University, however, does not expand on what this involved. The student has missed an opportunity to describe how they gained mathematical skills independently. The student does this again by failing to describe what they learned through writing their essay on dark matter. A sentence on each of these points would have added yet more value to this excellent statement.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

This is an excellent statement. It is easy to read, well-structured and the student comes across as a very likeable individual.

This Personal Statement for Physics is a great example of a well written and effectively-structured Statement. The candidate’s interest and achievements are clearly shown which is vital to Admissions Tutors.

Remember, at Oxford, these Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

There are plenty more successful personal statements and expert guides on our Free Personal Statement Resources page.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Oxford Physics application.

With our  Oxford Physics Premium Programme, we help you craft the perfect Personal   Statement , score highly on the PAT and teach you how to  Interview effectively .

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Personal statement examples physics personal statements.

Discover personal statement examples written by students accepted onto physics and related courses. Read through the examples to help shape your own personal statement.

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Physics Personal Statement Advice

A Physics personal statement is the part of your UCAS application that universities are clamouring to read. Yes, your GCSE, BTEC and A Level results are vitally important when applying for university, but your Physics personal statement is what makes or breaks your application. Your personal statement is your chance to show a university what you're all about and why you would be suited to their course. Your Physics personal statement doesn’t need to be an epic fantasy novel or the kind of length that has the reader yawning, it just needs to be a way for you to talk about yourself, your passions and your interests alongside your reasons for wanting to study the course you're applying for. Before you begin writing your Physics personal statement, you should look at some Physics personal statements beforehand. This will give you the chance to see what the structure, tone and feeling of the statement is before you write it. Knowing what to include can often be half the battle. Your Physics personal statement should only contain the essentials, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t start talking about some of the things you're passionate about! The three key points you should be focusing on are: Relevant work experience Extracurricular activities Your passion for the subject Make sure that your Physics personal statement captures what makes you you. Universities want to see personality in a candidate’s personal statement, so don't be afraid to show it!

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Physics & astrophysics personal statement example.

I have always considered Physics to be a captivating area of study, whether it is a question of how aspects of it work, or indeed why they work. As such, I have found deep fascination in studying Physics, as it is able to provide answers (as well as evidence) to such queries. However, as one question is answered, many more are created; this makes Physics an enigmatic branch of study, which I find very appealing.

Having studied Physics at A-Level, along with Mathematics and Chemistry, it soon became clear to me that Physics was my ideal career path, specifically Astrophysics.

I am particularly inquisitive about the physics concerning black holes and nebulae, and the roles played by quantum physics across the universe; I take great interest in how the strangest phenomena of our universe work, finding the fact that particles so small can play such a large role in endless everyday processes extremely remarkable and fascinating.

Mathematics provides logical explanations for many aspects of Physics, while Chemistry involves many concepts which depend entirely on the laws of Physics to be functional (e.g. infrared spectroscopy). I feel that my aptitude for Mathematics in particular has fuelled my interest in physics. At secondary school, I won the Mathematics subject award on several occasions at the annual awards evening.

My interest in Physics was further increased when I visited the Christie Hospital in Manchester with some of my peers, in order to learn about the applications and possibilities that medical physics could offer.

I keep abreast of developments in Physics through the news as well as Physics-related websites. By doing this I am able to be informed about a wide variety of updates in Physics, ranging from lunar eclipses and meteor showers to new developments at CERN in Geneva. I certainly think that the attempted investigation into the universe’s origins is, in itself, a magnificent undertaking.

I enjoy reading a wide variety of literature, which influenced my choice to study A-Level English Language and Literature. During my AS year, I studied Ian McEwan’s The Child In Time, an underlying theme of which is the fluidity and relativity of time; as such, for me, this book encompassed both my fascination with Physics and love for literature.

This subject has further developed my ability of critical analysis, which I feel is a valuable skill particularly in practical physics.

In Year 11, I was appointed as Head Boy, which involved many addresses to my school at events, interactions with other schools in the local area, and heading the student council; essentially, I acted as an ambassador for the school. From this, I was able to consider arguments from different viewpoints critically, as well as working in a team effectively.

Furthermore, I was able to develop my skills in terms of confidence and putting forward ideas/suggestions, through frequent consultation with the school’s senior leadership team. I have also helped out at open evenings both at secondary school and sixth form (where I assisted the Physics department on the latter occasion).

This involved the explanation of several Physics concepts to prospective students, such as the conservation of momentum when discussing Newton’s Cradle.

Aside from my devout fascination with Physics, I enjoy many leisure activities such as drawing and swimming, as well as activities that require logical thinking.

While at university, I would enjoy getting involved in societies and other pursuits. After achieving a degree, I would aspire to work either as an astrophysicist or researcher; this would allow me to share my knowledge on a subject that is becoming increasingly relevant in the modern world. In exchange for the opportunity of higher education, the university would receive a hardworking and committed individual who strives to achieve the best in everything he undertakes.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by Cyclohexane for application in 2013.

Cyclohexane's university choices The University of Durham University of Leeds The University of Manchester Cardiff University The University of Sheffield

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

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Physics Ph.D. candidate wins 2024 Three Minute Thesis competition

By | Katya Hrichak , Cornell University Graduate School

“I want you to remember a time when you were in a setting where you felt like you didn’t belong. I want you to remember how you felt in that setting, maybe isolated or out of place, and how much you felt like you wanted to continue going back to that setting—probably not much. These feelings are all too familiar for undergraduate women pursuing their studies in science, and in physics specifically,” began Meagan Sundstrom, a doctoral candidate in physics at the ninth annual Cornell University Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.

Alongside seven other finalists, Sundstrom presented her dissertation research in just three minutes on March 20 to a panel of judges and an audience from across campus while additional friends, family, advisors, and lab mates watched online. In the first in-person Cornell 3MT since 2019, presentations were judged by how clearly and compellingly students summarized their research to a general audience, using only one static slide.

Sundstrom’s presentation, “Recognizing and Removing Barriers for Women in Physics,” earned her first place and $1,500. Second place and $1,000 was awarded to information science doctoral student Sterling Williams-Ceci for her presentation, “AI Helps us Write – but at What Cost?”

After nearly 60 in-person and 70 virtual audience members cast their ballots, votes were tallied and the People’s Choice Award and $250 were presented to biomedical and biological sciences doctoral candidate Sharada Gopal for her presentation, “Worming Our Way to a Longer Life.”

This year’s judges included Jane Bunker, director of Cornell University Press; Joe Ellis, director of online degree program development at eCornell; David Lodge, the Francis J. DiSalvo Director of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability; and Bob Riter, patient advocate for the Cornell Community Cancer Partnership. Organization of the competition and coaching of presenters was provided by the Graduate School Office of Career and Professional Development.

“As grad students, there are a lot of opportunities to give your elevator pitch at conferences and more professional settings to more senior people in your field, and I thought this would be a really cool opportunity for me to try to tailor that pitch to a more general audience—how would I describe my research to my family and friends?—so that was fun,” said Sundstrom.

Being able to “zoom out” and view her topic from a different perspective was also helpful for Sundstrom, who is currently writing her dissertation and appreciates having both formulated a storyline and thought about the broader impacts of her work.

Williams-Ceci similarly enjoyed the chance to speak to a different type of audience than she is used to addressing.

“I hadn’t really had an opportunity in grad school to try communicating to a broad audience, it’s always just to my lab, so I wanted to practice having a chance to really tell a story and not just go through the slides,” she said. “It really helped me know for a fact that I can tell a convincing story about a project that I’ve done.”

Gopal shared that the 3MT was a fun way to combine her longtime artistic interests with her science.

“It seemed like such a fun event. I did a lot of theatre in college so I thought, ‘What can I do artistically here?’ and this seemed like a good mix of my scientific interest and my artistic theatre interests,” she said, adding that she also benefitted from looking at the bigger picture of her work and its impacts.

The 3MT competition was first held in 2008 at the University of Queensland and has since been adopted by over 900 universities in over 85 countries. 3MT challenges research degree students to present a compelling story on their dissertation or thesis and its significance in just three minutes, in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Cornell’s Graduate School first hosted a 3MT competition in 2015 and the event has grown steadily since that time. As the winner of Cornell’s competition, Sundstrom will now go on to compete in northeast regional competitions.

“Our Three Minute Thesis final round is a highlight of the year for those of us in the Graduate School—literally we talk about it all year long,” said Kathryn J. Boor, dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate education. “We look forward to it because it’s just plain fun, and it’s an opportunity for us to watch and learn from our accomplished and creative graduate researchers.”

“I could not possibly be more proud of the work we saw,” she said.

Read the story on the Cornell University Graduate School website.

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