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Fall 2026 UW-Madison Physics PhD Applicant Q&A
Feel free to enter questions in Column A; Sharon will enter answers in Column B
(Updates will not be as frequent now that the deadline for applications has passed. Urgent questions should be directed to Sharon by email: smkahn@wisc.edu)
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Date response enteredQuestionsAnswers
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10/24/25 or earlierCan I apply to both PhD and MSPQC? How are those applications handled?Admissions for PhD and MSPQC are considered separately as the two programs are very different in nature. Decisions are made independently. You are welcome to apply to up to 3 programs for the same ($75) application fee.
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10/24/25 or earlierAny advice about the Statement of Purpose?The Statement of Purpose serves many functions. It's your only opportunity to "talk" to the admissions commitee. (Transcripts are dry and letters of recommendation are someone else's voice!) Use that opportunity to express your enthusiasm for Physics and your reasons for wanting to pursue a PhD. Talk about your past research experiences and your plans/interest for future research. You'll have an opportunity in the application to indicate faculty who share your research interests, but it doesn't hurt to mention them in the statement, too. It also serves as a writing sample. While we have no formal page limit, we recommend not exceeding 2 pages.
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10/24/25 or earlierDoes it help to have the recommendation letters submitted before the deadline?Yes. Not only does it help, but your application will otherwise be considered incomplete and won't be reviewed. All materials should be submitted by 15 December. Remind your recommenders as often as you need to get those in on time.
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10/24/25 or earlierHow many reference letters does the admissions committee read?We require 3 so reviewers will at least read three. We don't recommend it, but you can submit four. We can't promise they will read all four. Do not submit more than that.
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10/24/25 or earlierDoes the Physics department provide application fee waivers?The Department of Physics is not able to provide application fee waivers, but we encourage you to apply for a fee grant from the Graduate School if you qualify. You can learn about the Graduate School fee grants here: https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/fee-grant/
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10/24/25 or earlierAre there PhD students that did not have physics background as undergrad? How are gaps in knowledge/instruction handled?We do not require a formal physics background and every student has some gaps in knowledge. Our goal is to admit applicants who, from their application, appear to have a potential to succeed in graduate school. If the gaps in knowledge and instruction appear to be too great, we encourage applicants to complete additional coursework and apply again in a future cycle when they are better prepared.
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10/24/25 or earlierIs an early submitted application reviewed earlier?Early submissions are only reviewed for completeness. All complete applications are reviewed for content only after the December 15 deadline.
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10/24/25 or earlierWould you consider waiving GRE test?The Department of Physics does not require the subject GRE for admission. However, if students submit the score, the admissions committee will review it as part of the application.

The general GRE will not be considered even if submitted. The subject GRE is recommended in these circumstances:

Your transcript does not accurately reflect your academic strengths
If including the score would significantly strengthen your application
You are particularly interested in pursuing Physics Theory as a research focus
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10/24/25 or earlierDo I need to submit an official TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo score? (NOTE: RESPONSE UPDATED ON 10/24/25)Yes. If you need to demonstrate English language proficiency with a TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo score, we need your score by the December 15 deadline. You can learn more about the English language proficiency requirements (including how to submit scores) online here: Requirements for Admission – Graduate School | UW–Madison If you provide a self-reported score by December 15, please understand that we will not be able to recommend you for admission without an official score. It is up to you whether you want to wait for an admission decision to submit an official score.
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10/24/25 or earlierShould I mention all of my research experience in the Statement of Purpose, or just that which is relevant to the subfield of physics that I am interested in?While I would recommend that you focus on and highlight the research that is relevant to your subfield of interest, I would encourage you to discuss any research experience you have in your Statement.
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10/24/25 or earlierDo we need to submit the official Subject GRE through ETS before Dec 15, or only on admission? (NOTE: RESPONSE UPDATED ON 10/24/25)It's most helpful to have official scores by the December 15 deadline. If you provide a self-reported score by December 15, please understand that we will not be able to recommend you for admission without an official score. It is up to you whether you want to wait for an admission decision to submit an official score.
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10/24/25 or earlierFor the PhD application, we are asked to indicate faculty that we are interested in. Are the professors that we mention the ones who review our application?All faculty have the opportunity to review all applications, but, unless the one(s) you indicated happen to be on the admissions committee (comprised of 14 faculty), they might not review your application.
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10/24/25 or earlierIs it recommended to contact professors before submitting applications?Yes, I recommend that you reach out to faculty who share your research interests.
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10/24/25 or earlierIf I am missing an important course, say Electromagnetic waves and fields, is that going to hurt my chances of succeeding in the PhD track, or will UW-Madison be able to accommodate for this?Some of the most successful students in the PhD program are those who have a strong undergraduate background in physics(whether an undergrad physics major or not). Students who are lacking a significant physics background find the PhD program challenging. That said, students who have a strong background with some gaps can often fill those gaps with coursework either before or during the program.
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10/24/25 or earlierIf we are doing research that is in the process of still being published but haven’t been published yet, is it still worth mentioning in in our application, and if it is where would we mention it?Yes! Any research experience should be noted on your CV and addressed in your statement. It's helpful to know what you've done and how that relates (or doesn't!) to work you hope to do in the future.
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10/24/25 or earlierDo first/second year lab rotations exist or is it that most people stick with one of the advisors they chose when applying?UW-Madison Physics doesn't have our students do formal lab rotations. Instead, students explore different labs independently, sometimes working out "trial runs" with faculty. Choosing an advisor is a 2-way street - students and advisors come to a mutual agreement about a student joining a lab.
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10/24/25 or earlierWhen do graduate students take their initial qualifying exam? at the end of their first year or prior?The qualifying exam is offered in August and January. While not a requirement, we strongly urge students to sit for the full 4 sections in the August of their first year (i.e., as they start the program) and then for any missing sections at every opportunity.
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10/24/25 or earlieranother Physics GRE question. So long as the score report points to School Code 1846, can we leave the department unselected? Yes, as long as the score report points to the School Code, we'll see it!
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10/24/25 or earlierWhat are some 'green flags' for a high quality applicant?Competitive applicants have strong transcripts, a well-written, clear statement, an easy-to-read CV and letters from recommenders who speak to your potential for success in graduate school. Applicants who have participated in available research opoprtunities (and have a letter from the supervisor of that research) typically have an edge. Applications are due on December 15 - applications that are missing materials on that date are not considered.
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10/24/25 or earlierHow walkable or bikeable is Madison? Would I be able to get around without a car?Madison is VERY walkable, bikeable and busable! Many of our students manage without a car. You might take a look at Madison in Google maps and route yourself from place to place with the bus or bike icon and you'll see clear directions - with and without bike paths. Your student fees pay for an unlimited-ride bus pass, too.
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10/24/25 or earlierIf you have any Red flags on your application is if best for you to explain, a letter writer or bothDepending on the red flag, a short explanation from you or from a letter-writer should suffice.
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10/24/25 or earlierIs there any form of housing for graduate students, or do we need to find somewhere in the area?Most of our students live in apartments in Madison, but many also live in graduate housing on campus (look on a map for Eagle Heights - and yes, there ARE bald eagles spotted there fairly often!).
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10/24/25 or earlierIf a publication or submission is listed on an application, is the applicant’s level of participation in the work considered?It's always helpful to know what your role was in any published research.
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10/24/25 or earlierHow can a student that does not have a lot of opportunities in their undergraduate stand out in applications?Even if you haven't had the opportunity to do research (not everyone does!), we look for applicants to demonstrate their excitement and interest in future research opportunities.
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10/24/25 or earlierIs there a family support at UW Madison?The Office of Child Care and Family Resources provides a lot of support for grad students, faculty and staff with families.
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10/24/25 or earlierI am currently taking two post-bachelor's bridge courses under a PhD program in Materials Science and Engineering at my undergraduate institution. Those courses are for credit but do not contribute towards the graduation requirements of the PhD program. Does this adversely affect my chances of admission to UW's Physics PhD program?More coursework that is relevant to your future work - no matter how it counts - is always a bonus!
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10/24/25 or earlierAccording to Graduate School Policy, applicants with TOEFL iBT scores between 80 and 91 may be admitted “under certain circumstances and with program approval.”
 Could you please explain what specific circumstances or qualifications would allow such an exception for Physics PhD applicants?		Students need sufficient English language skill to be successful in the PhD program - and most need to TA at least some of the time, which also requires sufficient English language skill. As a result, it's extremely rare (i.e., almost never happens!) for us to recommend an applicant for admission with a TOEFL score under 91.
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10/24/25 or earlierFor the Subject GRE, the application input has "Subscore 1" through "3", but they are not labeled. Do we leave these blank and include only our total score and percentile? Or, do we have to match these to the Classical Mechanics, E&M, and Quantum Mechanics subscores without labels?If you plan to submit scores for the Physics Subject GRE, we just need the total score and percentile.
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10/28/25In the previous question from someone else above, you mentioned "strong transcript" as one of the elements of a "green flag." I'm curious whether you primarily look at the overall GPA figure, or if you prioritize performance in specific courses—for example, subjects like quantum mechanics or electromagnetism within the physics department. Also, for those who already hold an MS degree, I'm curious whether an undergraduate GPA is considered more important over a master's GPA, or vice versa.
Alternatively, is there room to sufficiently compensate for a relatively lower GPA through research experience and the SOP?		The answer is "yes"! We look at applications holistically - so are interested in overall GPA as well as performance in specific courses. You'll see that we ask you to indicate your performance in the 4 core subjects (quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, statistical mechanics and electricity & magnetism) and this information is commonly a predictor of future success in the PhD program.

While all grades are important reviewing applications, a bachelor's GPA is something common to all applicants and is typically more informative than a graduate GPA.

Research experience often serves to boost a lower GPA in the eyes of the admissions committee, but the Graduate School does require a GPA >3.0 for admission.
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11/14/2025What is the word limit for the statement of purpose and the personal statement?No specific limit, but we recommend that you don't exceed 2 pages.
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11/14/2025If a publication is made after the submission of the application, can it be sent to the admission committee later for consideration?Given the volume of applications, it's unlikely that later submissions will be reviewed. We encourage you to indicate, on your CV, that you have a publication in progress if that is the case.
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11/14/2025What is the culture around exploration of different topics for first year graduate students? Are students able to take rotations in different labs to see with which advisors they will work best with?Students the UW-Madison Physics program don't rotate formally, but, rather, informally explore different research groups. Students are welcome to explore as narrowly or as broadly as they like.
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11/14/2025I'm trying to decide between the astronomy vs physics phd program, since I am very interested in research from both departments (the physics department seems to have a substantial amount of astrophysicists). Are seperate applications required? How would you recommend deciding if my interest in faculty is equal for both?You are welcome to apply to up to 3 different programs with a single application fee. The application has instructions for how to handle this. You'll essentially fill out separate applications, although much of your personal information will carry from one to the next.
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11/14/2025I’d like to ask for advice, I previously conducted research with a project under the Department of Physics, but my bachelor’s degree is in Engineering. Now, as I plan to apply for a Ph.D., my goal is to return and continue research with the same Physics-based project (and I’ve already been in contact with a faculty member from the Department of Physics) So, In this case, which path would make more sense from an academic and strategic perspective? or Should I apply directly to a Ph.D. program in Physics, or apply to a Ph.D. program in Engineering and later expand my research direction toward that Physics project again? or would it be reasonable to apply to both programs?Sorry - no advice to offer here except that you should aim for the program and the research that best fits your interests. You can certainly apply to multiple programs - UW allows for 3 with a single application fee.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionIn the application it asks for 4 faculty that you would like to be your mentor. How likely is it that we get to work with one of these mentors if we get into the program? Is it like a sort of matching process where we choose them and then they look at our application or is it just us showing that we have interest in the research the physics program does?PhD students are admitted the department at large, rather than to specific groups. Students are encouraged to talk with multiple faculty and to explore various research groups in the first year to see which could be a good fit. Students need to have a primary research advisor by the end of the 3rd semester (1.5 years into the program). Officially joining a research group is a mutual decision between the student and faculty advisor.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionWhat is the minimum requirement for IELTS?Minimum TOEFL requirement: 92 internet (iBT)
Minimum IELTS requirement: 7.0
Minimum IELTS Indicator requirement: 7.0
Minimum Duolingo English Test requirement: 125
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from 11/11 virtual sessionGiven that the funding situation at the national level is a bit complex, how is the Physics Department’s acceptance of new PhD students affected?Our priority is to be able to provide a 5 year funding committment to every student we admit, so the availability of funding for research and for TAs will strongly influence this. We anticipate admitting a smaller cohort for Fall 2026 as a result.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionWhat's the acceptable GPA for admission?The Graduate School requires a minimum of 3.0 GPA for admission. The Physics PhD applicant pool is typically quite competitive and, therefore, has an average GPA higher than that.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionI am doing my MSc in the USA. Do I still need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores?see above for language requirement details.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionIs it typical for a PhD. student to take about 3 classes per semester for the first three years? About how many hours of work per week is typical?This varies by student and by research area.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionDo we need to submit separate applications to the 3 different programs?You are welcome to apply to up to 3 different programs with a single application fee. The application has instructions for how to handle this. You'll essentially fill out separate applications, although much of your personal information will carry from one to the next.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionI understand that you review everything on the application as a whole, and I am wondering how detailed you are in reviewing the official/unofficial transcript. My grades in non-STEM courses are unimpressive, I'm just concerned on how they hurt my applicationThe Physics PhD is primarily a degree in physics research. The primary aspect that we are looking for is potential for students to excel in the research groups in our department. Being a successful physics PhD student typically involves many different skills, e.g., lab skills, data analysis, writing, teamwork and collaboration, presentation skills, time management, creativity, reliability, initiative… Most students will also TA at some point during their time, so we also consider PhD candidates who can be effective in the classroom.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionIf one has done master’s coursework before, how many can be transferred to Madison?We don't intend for anyone to repeat coursework so, if coursework has been completed elsewhere, we will review a request to waive course requirements. Generally, we don't transfer credits, but simply grant a waiver to the requirement. Physics PhD students routinely earn far more than the required 51 credits.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionWhat is the process for getting a TAship? Do we need to apply for a TAship during our first year?All students are considered for TAships unless they have other funding. Many (most?) students TA in the first year.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionIf an incoming students is missing one of the four core courses in undergrad, how does that effect your performance in grad school?There might be a not-so-small gap between undergrad and grad core courses, so if you still have a chance to pick it up, it'll certainly be a good thing to do; but if not, as long as you have a general understanding of undergrad calc and other physical math tools, you should be good.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionIf we took dual credit courses in high school that transferred to our bachelors degree, do we still need to include a transcript from the institution that we did the dual credit classes at or is the transcript from the current institution enough?If the courses are listed on your undergraduate transcript, that is sufficient.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionWhat is the average size of an experimental lab group at UW? Do they feel too big or too small?Groups vary in size depending on the type of work and the availability of funding. Students are encouraged to seek a research group that fits well in terms of size, mentoring style, and research interests.
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from 11/11 virtual sessiondo the people in high energy experiment groups spend a lot of time at CERN?Yes, several of the students spend multiple years and effectively live in Geneva after they finish courses
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from 11/11 virtual sessionHow much free time did you have in your first two years? Was it comparable to a full time job, or more so a full time job and overtime?We generally advise students that the PhD program is effectively a full time job. Work life balance is important.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionAny admission interviews?We are discussing how/if we plan to use interviews this admissions cycle.
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from 11/11 virtual sessionshould I explain my 2yrs of military service in my SOP, or just one line in my CV is enoughEither way is fine.
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11/19/25"If you provide a self-reported score by December 15, please understand that we will not be able to recommend you for admission without an official score. It is up to you whether you want to wait for an admission decision to submit an official score."

Does this mean providing a Self Reported TOEFL Score and waiting for an admission decision is an option? Or will my application remain incomplete without an official score?
(NOTE: RESPONSE UPDATED ON 11/19/25)		As long as we have a score - self-reported or official - we can review your application. The Graduate School, however, will require an official score before they will process an admission.

(NOTE: This is a recent change, allowing us to use unofficial scores for application review. Apologies for any confusion caused if you previously received email indicating that an official score was required by the deadline.)
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12/1/25Similar to the question above about CERN, is it feasable for students pursuing a PhD to secure work at a national lab like Argonne after finishing their courses? If so, could you breifly describe how the process may look?Some students complete internships once they are dissertators. This is different from pursuing research at CERN. At CERN, students are typically employed as Research Assistants (RAs) and, therefore, are enrolled and paid a stipend. Internships are set up by the student - some are paid, some are not; some require enrollment, some do not.
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12/1/2025I am an international student studying for a master's degree at a US institution. My degree will be completed before fall 2026. My TOEFL score has expired. Can I get an english language score waiver? We are bound to the Graduate School English language proficiency requirements: https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/
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12/1/2025Is it advantageous to have a high TOEFL score among international applicants, or are scores above the minimum requirement treated the same? I wonder if a high score overall or in certain sections could strengthen my application.All applications are reviewed holistically - meaning that every piece of the application contributes to the overall assessment. We interpret higher scores (English proficiency, GRE, GPA, etc) as an indication of a higher level of preparation and a predictor of success in the graduate program.
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11/24/25From which email address my letter writers should expect to receive the email detailing how to upload their letters of recommendation?The email will come from admissions@grad.wisc.edu which may show in an email client like this: "University of Wisconsin Madison Graduate School" <admissions@grad.wisc.edu>
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11/24/25How do I pay the application fee?As you can see here, the system can handle paid by credit card (MasterCard or Visa), Debit/ATM. We can’t help with paying the fees. You can contact admissions@grad.wisc.edu with any other problems you encounter with the application or fees.
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11/24/25Can you please update my submitted statement with this one that I'm sending you?Given the volume of applications we are processing, we are not able to update documents or check specific items in your application at this time.
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11/24/25Where can I find information about admissions/applications from the Graduate School?https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/#apply-online
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12/1/25Where to send the score of IELTS test electronically, what is the organisation name for PhD Physics application• TOEFL scores must be submitted electronically via ETS. Our institution code is 1846
• IELTS scores can be submitted electronically or by mail via IELTS. To send electronically, select our account name University of Wisconsin Madison Graduate Studies. To send by mail, use the following address:
UW-Madison Graduate School, Office of Admissions
232 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706.
• Duolingo English Test scores must be submitted electronically via Duolingo to University of Wisconsin – Madison – Graduate Admissions
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12/4/25The Physics-specific section of the application has a question about background and life experience. How long should that be?This is intended to be a shorter response than the full Statement. We recommend a length of ~250--300 words.
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12/7/2025Is it too late to contact potential research advisors?It's definitely not too late to contact potential advisors. That said, it's a busy time of the semester, so it's not clear if they will respond or not.
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