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Math and Geometry Tools

Graduate School

Find the scroll-down bar under “Graduate School” to learn more! Below, find a general timeline of when “things should be happening” whilst you’re applying for physics (or general) graduate programs for a Fall cycle.

Letters

Asking your professors for letters of recommendation should be done at the beginning of your fall semester, senior year.

Emailing

Email your professors the list of schools in October. You can always add on to the list. Also, email 2-3 potential advisors around this time. 

writing

Write your statements after you have a more-or-less complete program list, so October/November. Make sure you have multiple people read it.

applying

Application deadlines are generally between Dec. 1 and January 31. Plan accordingly, stay organized, and best of luck!

Masters or PhD?

Deciding on if you want to apply for Masters or PhD programs is important. It should align with your future career or academic goals, while also keeping in mind your current financial situation. Generally, students who want to go into industry will just go for their masters, as it doesn't take a long time to complete (relatively speaking), and in some regards it is less competitive. 

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However, those who know they want to stay within the academic sphere (as a professor or researcher) will likely apply to PhD programs directly after their bachelors degree (without applying separately for a masters program, which is what I did). You don't have to stay within academia once you graduate with a PhD, but if you know right away that academia isn't for you, then I would not recommend a PhD program.

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Below find a short table of the main differences between these types of programs to help you decide if you are unsure. Note that this is based on U.S. STEM graduate programs.

Years
Pay Tuition
Stipend
External Grants
Insurance
Focus
Types
Masters
2
Yes
No
Yes
No
Career
Thesis or Non-thesis
PhD
6
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Research
Dissertation
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