Admission to the Ph.D. program is generally granted only on a full-time basis for pursuit of a doctoral degree. Students seeking a master’s level degree may wish to consider the one-year master of engineering (M.Eng.) degree program in engineering physics, or the two-year master of science (M.S.) degree program, both of which are offered by the School of Applied and Engineering Physics.
How to Apply
Applications for graduate students in the School of Applied and Engineering Physics should be completed online via the Cornell Graduate School website. Recommenders are also encouraged to submit their letters online. The application deadline is typically December 15 for the following fall, but please check the Graduate School’s Applied Physics Ph.D. (Ithaca) Field of Study page for current application deadline, requirements, fees and payment options.
Eligibility and Qualification
To apply for the Ph.D. in applied physics, you should have an undergraduate degree in physics, applied physics, engineering physics, or from related scientific fields such as electrical engineering, mathematics, materials science or chemistry. A considerable amount of undergraduate coursework in physics is expected.
Well-qualified individuals with master’s degrees in these areas are also invited to apply.
Students are admitted on the basis of academic merit and ability to pursue an advanced degree program as demonstrated by scholastic record, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a personal statement. Competition for admission to Cornell’s applied physics program is strong, and class size is limited by the number of students for which research support is expected to be available in subsequent years.
GRE Requirement
Cornell’s graduate field of applied physics does not require, and will not consider, GRE scores as part of the application process.
Language Requirement
Applicants whose native language is not English must also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the IELTS (see the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirements for details). An exception to the TOEFL requirement is made for students who have studied for two years at a university in an English-speaking country or received an undergraduate degree from such a university. The TOEFL should be taken no later than November for scores to be available for admissions review.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Applications must be submitted no later than December 15 if applicants wish to be considered for Cornell fellowships. Applications received after this date may still be considered, but options for financial support are more limited. Application for financial aid is made at the same time as application for admission. Every effort is made to notify students of admission decisions by the end of February. Cornell fellowship awardees are also typically notified by this time.
Information regarding current application fees and payment options, tuition rate and financial aid can be found below.