Applying to ISU

  • Please send all application materials directly to
    Professor Joseph Shinar, Chair
    Department of Physics and Astronomy
    Iowa State University
    12 Physics Hall
    Ames, IA 50010
  • Deadlines:
    While most graduate students are admitted for the Fall semester, we also offer admission for Spring semester. The departmental deadline for application materials for Fall admission is February 15. Offers for fall admission will be made after February 15.
    If you would like to be considered for admission for the Spring semester, please contact the chair of the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Committee. The deadline for complete applications is October 15 for Spring entry (i.e. starting in January).
    Late applications will be considered if positions are available.
  • Required Application Materials for All Students:
    • Completed application form
    • Official transcripts (from all colleges and universities you attended), with English translation, if applicable
    • Official score reports for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), including the Physics subject exam
    • A brief (one page) written statement as to why you are interested in graduate study in physics and/or astronomy
    • Three letters of recommendation from faculty or senior research staff
    • Application fee ($40 for domestic, $90 for international students). Without the fee, the university admission office will not start the evaluation process.
  • Additional Application Materials for International Students:
    • Official score report from the TOEFL exam. Minimum TOEFL score for admission is, respectively, 550 for the paper-based test or 79 for the internet-based test.
    • Official score report from the Test of Spoken English (TSE). TSE score is recommended but not required.
  • Optional Materials:
    • Description of research experience: List of publications, reprints, thesis abstract, etc.