Documents Required

Official sources are the final authority

Statement of purpose

Should not exceed two pages; single or double spaced.

CV or resume

Physics supplementary application

UMD Physics course/background supplementary form required by the program catalog.

Recommendation letters x 3

Three required; do not submit more than four.

Unofficial transcript(s)

Official transcripts typically required only after enrollment if admitted.

Published Score Requirements

Official sources are the final authority

Academic: Bachelor's degree with GPA 3.0/4.0; Graduate School minimum in prior undergraduate and graduate coursework. Selective departmental review.
Prerequisites: Relevant academic background; Strong undergraduate physics background expected, including intermediate-level mechanics, electricity and magnetism, physical optics, quantum physics, and thermodynamics. Good mathematics preparation desirable especially for theory. Prior research experience and strong letters highly valued.
IELTS: 7.0 overall (R7.0, L7.0, S6.5, W7.0); Graduate School full-enrollment minimum; Physics will not consider applications below full enrollment.
TOEFL: New scale: 5.0 overall (R5.0, L5.0, S4.5, W5.0) | Old scale: 96 overall (R26, L24, S22, W24); Graduate School full-enrollment minimum; Physics will not consider applications below full enrollment. New scale for tests on/after 21 Jan 2026.; Graduate School full-enrollment minimum; Physics will not consider applications below full enrollment. Old scale for tests on/before 20 Jan 2026.
GRE: Optional; General GRE not used in admissions. Physics GRE Subject optional; if submitted it is considered with other factors. Department recommends Physics GRE when feasible, especially for theory-interested, international, or less-familiar-school applicants.