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MIT Physics PhD Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate for MIT’s physics PhD program is highly competitive, typically hovering around 4-5% each year. This means that only a small percentage of applicants are accepted into the prestigious program, making it one of the most selective in the world.

To be considered for admission to MIT’s physics PhD program, applicants must have completed or be in the final stages of completing a four-year bachelor’s degree or higher. While a GPA of 3.5 or above is encouraged, it is not a guarantee of acceptance. Applicants are also expected to have a strong background in physics and related fields, as well as strong letters of recommendation and a compelling personal statement.

The admission process for MIT’s physics PhD program is highly competitive and rigorous. In addition to meeting the academic requirements, applicants must also submit GRE scores, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and any relevant research experience. The admissions committee carefully reviews each application and selects only the most qualified candidates for interviews and ultimately, acceptance into the program.

Topic Acceptance Rate for MIT Physics PhD Program GPA Requirement for MIT PhD
Details The acceptance rate for MIT’s physics PhD program varies from year to year, but it is typically around 4-5%. At the graduate level, applicants must have a GPA of 3.5 or better.
Relation to Quality of Education A low acceptance rate indicates that MIT’s physics PhD program is highly competitive and attracts top-tier applicants. Requiring a high GPA ensures that students admitted to the program have demonstrated academic excellence.

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Graduate Studies | DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

is a PhD from mIT worth it

A PhD usually involves students engaged independently in original and significant research in a specific field or subject prior to the production of a publication-worthy thesis. By undertaking a PhD, you will become an expert, possibly an international expert, in your chosen field. A doctorate is the highest academic degree that can be awarded by a university. In Germany, studying for a doctorate means working intensively on a specific subject or research project over a long period of time. The duration of the doctorate also varies. Three to five years is typical. If you decide to take a doctorate, you can choose between different forms of study.

The Harvard Physics PhD program will not be accepting Physics or General GRE scores for the upcoming admissions cycle with application deadline December 15, 2020. Please do not submit GRE scores to us or mention them anywhere in your application. Note that this new policy may not be reflected on all Harvard University websites yet. Note also that several other graduate physics programs have made similar changes to their GRE policies, so please be sure to check in with any programs to which you will be applying. Questions about our policy should be directed to the Department of Physics at gradinfo@physics.harvard.edu.

 Applications are evaluated for our doctoral (PhD) program in Physics, which builds on an undergraduate degree in Physics or similar field. We do not offer a Master of Science degree for incoming students.

MIT’s admissions committees and offices for graduate and professional schools will take the significant disruptions of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 into account when reviewing students’ transcripts and other admissions materials as part of our regular practice of performing individualized, holistic reviews of each applicant. Please read our special COVID-19 Statement regarding transcripts and tests for applications submitted by 12/15/2020.

We know that the application process can be time-consuming, stressful, and costly. We are committed to reducing these barriers and to helping all applicants receive a full and fair assessment by our faculty reviewers.

The list below describes the important elements of a complete application. Please reach out to us at physics-grad@mit.eduif you have a concern or logistical difficulty that could prevent you from providing your strongest application.

Complete Applications will include (click links for more information):

  • Application Fee: $75
  • University Transcripts – (See Special COVID-Period Grading statement.)
  • Standardized Test Results
  • GRE General Test – (Not considered in 2020 under special COVID-period policy.) 
  • GRE Physics Subject Test – (Not considered in 2020 under special COVID-period policy.)
  • TOEFL or IELTS Test – (Required for Non-Native English Speakers.)
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • Your Achievements:
  • Research, Talks, Presentations, and Papers
  • Awards, Scholarships, and Publications

When/How to Apply:

The MIT graduate application is online at https://gradapply.mit.edu/physics/apply/login/?next=/physics/apply/. The online application will be available from September 15 and is due by December 15 for the fall semester in the next year. (Example: Applications for fall 2021 are due by 12/15/2020.)

Application guidance and responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are available on our webpage for Prospective Applicants. Please check back through September 2020 as we continue to update this information athttp://web.mit.edu/physics/prospective/graduate/applicationinfo_full.html.

Additional information can be found by reviewing the links on this page. For technical and questions related to requirements, please email physics-grad@mit.edu.

Alex Tinguely – PhD, Plasma Physics, MIT

mIT physics PhD admission requirements

In recognition of the significant disruptions caused by Covid-19, specifically the challenges of finding a practical testing site and date, the MIT Physics Department is not accepting Physics GRE or General GRE scores for applications received by the December 15, 2020 deadline for the academic year starting in 2021.  We believe that this is necessary to avoid inadvertently privileging some applicants.  All applications will be given full consideration without reference to GRE scores, either general test or Physics subject test scores.

MIT has also adopted the following principle: MIT’s admissions committees and offices for graduate and professional schools will take the significant disruptions of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 into account when reviewing students’ transcripts and other admissions materials as part of their regular practice of performing individualized, holistic reviews of each applicant.

In particular, as we review applications now and in the future, we will respect decisions regarding the adoption of Pass/No Record (or Credit/No Credit or Pass/Fail) and other grading options during the unprecedented period of COVID-19 disruptions, whether those decisions were made by institutions or by individual students. We also expect that the individual experiences of applicants will richly inform applications and, as such, they will be considered with the entirety of a student’s record.

Ultimately, even in these challenging times, our goal remains to form graduate student cohorts that are collectively excellent and composed of outstanding individuals who will challenge and support one another.

Questions or concerns about this statement should be directed to the Physics Department (physics-grad@mit.edu).

 School nameDepartmentAcceptance rateNumber appliedNumber admittedNumber enrolled
1Appalachian State UniversityPhysics and Astronomy100%191917
2Southern Connecticut State UniversityPhysics87.5%876
3Bowling Green State UniversityPhysics & Astronomy85.71%70608
4University of DaytonElectro-Optics Program81.13%534317
5University of Colorado, Colorado SpringsPhysics79.17%241914
6Creighton UniversityPhysics76.92%26209
7University of Massachusetts, DartmouthPhysics76.19%21165
8Eastern Michigan UniversityPhysics and Astronomy75%1296
9Virginia Commonwealth UniversityPhysics72.73%1188
10George Mason UniversityPhysical Sciences65.08%634124
11Alabama A&M UniversityPhysics62.5%854
12San Francisco State UniversityPhysics & Astronomy61.54%261612
13Illinois Institute of TechnologyPhysics61.36%885414
14University of HoustonPhysics60.53%764623
15Florida Atlantic UniversityPhysics60%201210
16Fudan UniversityPhysics60%1509090
17San Diego State UniversityPhysics58.33%603513
18University of Wisconsin, MilwaukeePhysics57.75%714116
19Northern Illinois UniversityPhysics57.58%99578
20East Carolina UniversityPhysics56.76%372113
21University of Minnesota, DuluthPhysics56%25146
22Missouri University of Science & TechnologyPhysics55.81%432424
23Boston CollegePhysics54.72%53296
24Montana State University, BozemanPhysics54.17%965219
25University of Tennessee, KnoxvillePhysics & Astronomy54.17%1447822
26Western Michigan UniversityPhysics52.94%34187
27Michigan Technological UniversityPhysics52.76%1276710
28Montana TechGeosciences & Engineering52.31%653426
29George Washington UniversityPhysics50%703517
30Montana Tech of the University of MontanaMaterials Science PhD Program50%843
31Texas State University, San MarcosPhysics50%22115
32University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyAtmospheric Physics Graduate Program50%1265
33Oklahoma State UniversityPhysics48.98%492414
34New Mexico State UniversityPhysics48.39%31159
35University of Nebraska, LincolnPhysics & Astronomy48.39%934518
36University of ArizonaOptical Sciences48.28%29014095
37New Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologyPhysics48%25128
38University of Alabama at BirminghamPhysics48%50245
39University of MainePhysics and Astronomy47.06%34169
40University of Nevada, RenoPhysics46.67%30148
41Ohio UniversityPhysics and Astronomy45.83%964410
42University of Massachusetts, LowellPhysics & Applied Physics44.87%7835 
43Northeastern UniversityPhysics44.74%22810224
44University of California MercedPhysics43.75%803518
45Columbia UniversityDepartment of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics43.28%536232 
46Indiana University – Purdue University IndianapolisPhysics42.86%1466
47College of William and MaryPhysics41.18%51218
48Texas Christian UniversityPhysics and Astronomy40.91%2297
49University of Alaska FairbanksPhysics40.91%2293
50Clark UniversityPhysics40.74%27114
51Auburn UniversityPhysics40%301212
52Oakland UniversityPhysics40%1563
53Seton Hall UniversityPhysics40%1566
54Southern Methodist UniversityPhysics40%1564
55University of New HampshirePhysics40%602412
56Georgetown UniversityPhysics39.66%58237
57University of North Carolina, Chapel HillPhysics & Astronomy39.55%1345327
58Oregon State UniversityPhysics38.89%722810
59University of VirginiaPhysics38.41%1515813
60Texas Tech UniversityPhysics38.18%552116
61University of VermontPhysics37.93%29115
62Arizona State UniversityPhysics & Astronomy36.89%1033819
63New Jersey Institute of TechnologyPhysics36.67%30114
64Virginia TechPhysics36.59%1234512
65University of Massachusetts, AmherstPhysics35.8%1766323
66State University of New York (SUNY), BinghamtonPhysics, Applied Physics & Astronomy35.71%42156
67University of ConnecticutPhysics35.48%1244419
68University of WisconsinMedical Physics Program35.21%712510
69University of FloridaPhysics35.14%2769727
70Rice UniversitySmalley-Curl Institute33.78%742512
71North Carolina State University, RaleighPhysics33.33%1655517
72University of MississippiPhysics & Astronomy33.33%602014
73Clemson UniversityPhysics & Astronomy33.01%1033414
74University of Illinois, ChicagoPhysics32.71%1073514
75Rensselaer Polytechnic InstitutePhysics, Applied Physics, Astronomy31.93%1193811
76Old Dominion UniversityPhysics31.75%63208
77University of IowaPhysics & Astronomy30.89%1233815
78California State University, Long BeachPhysics & Astronomy30.77%652015
79Ohio State UniversityPhysics30.71%39412141
80Purdue UniverstyPhysics30.31%3209728
81Clarkson UniversityPhysics30%1032
82Washington University in St. LouisPhysics30%1003010
83Drexel UniversityPhysics29.63%81248
84Emory UniversityPhysics28.87%972812
85Baylor UniversityPhysics28.81%591710
86University of MinnesotaPhysics28.8%3169133
87University of OregonPhysics28.7%2166216
88State University of New York (SUNY), Univ. at BuffaloPhysics28.45%1163312
89University of California, RiversidePhysics & Astronomy28.23%2948334
90Wake Forest UniversityPhysics28.21%39116
91Georgia Institute of TechnologyPhysics27.91%2587220
92DePaul UniversityPhysics27.78%1855
93Portland State UniversityPhysics27.78%36106
94University of Central FloridaCREOL, The College of Optics & Photonics27.07%1814923
95Rice UniversityPhysics & Astronomy27.05%2446623
96University of Notre DamePhysics27.03%1855011
97Kansas State UniversityPhysics26.83%123339
98University of South DakotaPhysics26.32%1953
99Kent State UniversityDepartment of Physics26.03%73199
100University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyPhysics Graduate Program26.03%73195
101Utah State UniversityPhysics25%40107
102University of Texas at AustinPhysics24.75%3037534
103University of Colorado, BoulderPhysics24.57%86321266
104Colorado School of MinesPhysics24.42%862113
105Georgia State UniversityPhysics & Astronomy23.58%1062515
106Lehigh UniversityPhysics23.48%1152710
107University of PittsburghPhysics & Astronomy23.29%3658527
108University of MichiganApplied Physics23.23%1553616
109University of Missouri, ColumbiaPhysics & Astronomy22.67%751710
110University of KansasPhysics & Astronomy22.47%89209
111University of California, San DiegoPhysics22.44%56612725
112University of CincinnatiPhysics22.39%67158
113University of ArizonaPhysics22.35%1794015
114Rutgers University, New BrunswickPhysics & Astronomy21.82%2756020
115University of South FloridaPhysics21.74%922010
116University of DelawarePhysics & Astronomy21.25%1603411
117University of Central FloridaPhysics21.16%1894021
118Florida State UniversityPhysics21.07%2615526
119Bryn Mawr CollegePhysics21.05%1941
120University of Wisconsin, MadisonPhysics20.96%47710030
121Iowa State UniversityPhysics and Astronomy20.83%120254
122Miami UniversityPhysics20.83%48109
123New Mexico State UniversityAstronomy20.56%107228
124University of RochesterPhysics & Astronomy20%4458915
125University of California, IrvinePhysics19.49%4318435
126University of South CarolinaPhysics & Astronomy19.23%78156
127Duke UniversityPhysics18.8%2504719
128University of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignPhysics18.66%74513944
129University of KentuckyPhysics & Astronomy18.56%97189
130University of Southern CaliforniaPhysics & Astronomy18.4%1633011
131Pennsylvania State UniversityPhysics18.09%4708525
132University of California, Santa CruzPhysics17.99%2785022
133Carnegie Mellon UniversityPhysics17.3%3185511
134Colorado State UniversityPhysics17.02%1883212
135Indiana University, BloomingtonAstronomy16.95%59105
136Cornell UniversityPhysics16.67%5949924
137University of OklahomaPhysics & Astronomy16.51%1091818
138State University of New York (SUNY), Stony BrookPhysics & Astronomy16.31%5589132
139University of Nevada, Las VegasPhysics16.13%3153
140University of WashingtonPhysics15.94%64610326
141Kent State UniversityChemical Physics15.91%4477
142The Graduate Center – The City University of New YorkPh.D. Program in Physics15.67%1342120
143University of ChicagoPhysics15.26%68810533
144Central Michigan UniversityPhysics15.15%3355
145Boston UniversityPhysics14.78%3725511
146Wayne State UniversityPhysics and Astronomy14.29%70107
147University of California, BerkeleyPhysics14.27%93213346
148University of California, Santa BarbaraPhysics14.27%86912425
149State University of New York (SUNY), AlbanyPhysics14.17%1201715
150University of WyomingPhysics & Astronomy14%100148
151Brown UniversityPhysics13.22%2953918
152Indiana University, BloomingtonPhysics12.61%1111414
153University of Texas, ArlingtonPhysics12.5%6488
154Northern Arizona UniversityPhysics11.43%7087
155University of Maryland, College ParkAstronomy11.26%1511710
156Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyPhysics10.6%100910749
157Florida International UniversityPhysics10.34%8797
158University of Alabama, TuscaloosaPhysics & Astronomy10.23%8896
159North Dakota State UniversityPhysics10%2022
160Columbia UniversityPhysics9.94%5035018
161Northwestern UniversityPhysics & Astronomy9.75%4724627
162Harvard UniversityPhysics9.64%7267044
163Stanford UniversityPhysics9.57%7947636
164Princeton UniversityPhysics9.28%6145725
165University of PennsylvaniaPhysics9.19%4574213
166Vanderbilt UniversityPhysics & Astronomy8.94%1791611
167University of DenverPhysics8.89%4543
168University of ChicagoAstronomy & Astrophysics8.57%245215
169Case Western Reserve UniversityPhysics7.8%141117
170Wesleyan UniversityPhysics5.77%5231
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