Graduate Study in Physics and Astronomy in US/Canada


Halaman ini merupakan tulisan informal, ditujukan bagi siswa di Indonesia, tentang langkah-langkah untuk melamar ke program pascasarjana fisika di Amerika Serikat dan Kanada.

  • PELAJARI DAN KUASAI BAHASA INGGRIS (LEARN AND MASTER THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE). Ini syarat mutlak yang tidak bisa ditawar-tawar sama sekali. Dunia kerja fisika adalah dunia multinasional, dan kemampuan bahasa Inggris adalah vital untuk komunikasi dalam dunia tersebut. Halaman ini selanjutnya akan ditulis dalam bahasa Inggris. If you can't read and understand what is written in English in this page, then you certainly are not qualified for further/advanced study in physics.
  • BERSIKAP PROAKTIF. Ada cukup banyak materi yang dapat dibaca dalam halaman ini, yang akan mempersiapkan siapa pun yang tertarik studi pascasarjana fisika untuk sukses dalam studiny. Jika anda sejak awal sudah bersikap tidak proaktif, maka kemungkinan besar anda akan gagal dalam studi anda, karena studi pascasarjana sangat memerlukan sikap proaktif dari mahasiswa.

The following links and document have been collected, edited, and put on the web to provide first-hand information on physics graduate study in US. I planned to include more information as time allows. And I hope some of the information will be based of my and my friends's own experiences.

I need to remind that different situations have happened, and I certainly not aware of all those. But I hope this homepage will give you a fair glimpse of physics graduate study in US, and enhance your chances to succeed in doing it, should you want to do it.

This page is hosted at Fermilab. Any questions, critics, and comments, shall be addressed to the author at

haryo ATSIGN fnal DOT gov

I made a few FAQ-style discussions here, but they will only scratch the surface on the details. Follow the links I provide in this page and read as much as you can to get the complete picture of graduate application, and graduate study in US/Canada.

Is it possible for a student from Indonesia to study physics in US/Canada ?

Yes. I have lost count how many students from Indonesia have successfully finished their Ph.D. in physics in US/Canada, but the number is large.

Why do you encourage students in Indonesia to study physics in US/Canada ?

  • Easier language barrier. English is the most common foreign language spoken by Indonesian.
  • Ample of choices. I estimate there are about 100 universities in US/Canada with Ph.D. program in physics.
  • Standard procedures which are almost identical across the country.
  • Financial aid/scholarship is awarded by University in the form of employment as teaching assistants, therefore no separate application is necessary to apply for scholarship.
  • No complications with Government-to-Government regulations/agreement.
  • From an educational/pedagogical point of view, the first-year program in physics Ph.D. program allows students from Indonesia to remedy their deficiencies by taking standard graduate courses in physics.
  • The flexibility to choose or change research topics after one or two years of study.

What are the drawbacks of graduate study in US/Canada ?

  • The amount of initial investment is expensive. I estimate a total amount of $2000-$2500 would be necessary to pay for taking standardized tests, sending applications, airplane tickets, and living cost for the first one or two months.
  • The standardized GRE test (especially Physics) is difficult.
  • Students may find hard to adapt to the heavy burden of first-year physics courses.

Which university should I apply to ?

As someone from Indonesia, I advise you to focus on applying to school of middle or moderate reputation. It is RIDICULOUSLY HARD to get admission for graduate study (and to finish it) at top schools like Caltech, MIT, Berkeley, Stanford, Chicago. Unless you graduated with a 4.0 GPA, won many awards, and has published a significant research work in international journal like Physical Review, your chance is probably small. I still advise that you probably should try one of them, though. Schools like Washington, Michigan, Northwestern, Tufts, Minnesota, Iowa, Florida State, Maryland, Alberta, Michigan State, Virginia, Arizona, Nebraska, Indiana, etc. have excellent programs too, and your chance of success to get admission from there are higher.

I am interested in a different major than my undergraduate major. Is it possible to apply for a different major ?

Sure. A physics major can apply for graduate study in Astronomy or Applied Physics. If your undergraduate major has strong physics content (e.g. Astronomy, Applied Physics/Engineering Physics, Geophysics, Mathematics) you may be able to apply to Physics. In any case, a strong and distinguished record of undergraduate achievement is always required.

Most of the people who have gone to US/Canada from Indonesia are doing theoretical physics, while I am more interested in experimental physics. Does this mean that I have a smaller chances ?

Not necessarily. As long as you have a mastery of the content of your undergraduate program, then you will have a good chance. And don't forget: There are more opportunities for experimental research than for theoretical research, in any given scientific subject (astronomy, physics, applied physics). Science, after all, is not a purely theoretical studies.

In general, what are the qualities important to get admissions ?

This is hard question. In my opinion, what is wanted is someone who can perform research and culminated in a Ph.D. thesis. My best bet is that someone must excel in the following two:
  • Academic achievements, in form of GPA and GRE scores.
  • Research achievements, in form of undergraduate research project, or better, a published paper in a recognized (international) journal.
My opinion is: a published paper is a PROOF that someone can perform research, therefore a published paper will be a very strong component in graduate application. Additional achievements which are desirable but optional are awards, either in academics or other areas (music, sport, arts, volunteering activity, etc).

OK, I am interested. What steps I must take now ?

  • Be PRO-ACTIVE. The remainder of this page will contain almost all the information you need, and you only need to be proactive to read and learn the steps from those information.
  • Find advisors/senior physicists in Indonesia who are supportive about your plan. Remember, you will need letters of recommendations.
  • Finish your undergraduate degree with distinction. Master ALL the subject in your undergraduate program.
  • While in principle it is not necessary to finish your undergraduate degree before applying, you probably want to finish it first. So you may have to spend one year between finishing your undergraduate and beginning our graduate school.
  • Start the preparation about one year before the fall semester (usually starts in September/October) of the academic year. This is why I suggest you to finish your undergraduate degree first.
  • Pay attention to deadline to register/take the standardized test, submitting application to gradschool etc.
Ok, I wish you the best of luck !

Here you can find some useful links to get more information about graduate study. The first three links give you the general descriptions and guides regarding the complete step of graduate studies: undergraduate preparation, application to graduate schools, the standardized tests, careers in physics, etc. The fourth gives you easy and quick access to almost all physics departments with graduate programs in US and Canada. The fifth (Grad School Shopper) is an official book, published by the American Physical Society, which gives complete outline of almost all physics graduate program in US and Canada.

  • Planning for Graduate Studies in Physics and Related Fields. An EXCELLENT GUIDE from the American Association of Physics Teachers. This is something that I have personally would like to write sometime, but why I have to reinvent the wheel ? Contains general ideas, procedures, preparation, etc. PDF version is available for download. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
  • Steps Toward Graduate School. RECOMMENDED. Written by a faculty member at Sonoma State University. Need a bit adjustment with applicants' different background, but nice advices nevertheless.
  • Careers in Science and Engineering. Publication by the National Academy of Sciences regarding career in science and engineering. Completer from introduction, grad school, post grad school, etc. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
  • List of Physics and Astronomy Department with Graduate Programs. my own compilation based on a similar list at Duke University. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to save time spent finding link to physics Department homepages.
  • Grad School Shopper. A very useful and free to download portions of the book "Graduate Programs in Physics, Astronomy, and Related Fields" published by the American Institute of Physics. The book contains compilation of roughly 100 graduate programs, mostly in physics and astronomy, a few in biophysics, nuclear engineering, materials science, optical sciences etc. The printed version cost about $50, so use this resource instead of the book. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

Books that may be useful in your applications and career as a physicist. The links will carry you to Amazon. I STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to read all three books.

Have you ever heard of essay writing service ? I didn't when I applied for graduate school. They are costly, but at their webpages there are some good examples for free, and also general advices. It doesn't hurt to look at their webpages. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

This part consists of some official link that is useful for the admission process.


  • TOEFL. Test of English as a Foreign Language. The recommended test to measure English-language skill expected from foreign student in US. REQUIRED for foreign applicants. Exception is for applicant from English-speaking countries: UK, Australia, New Zealand, English-speaking Canada; or applicants who already have a significant amount of their undergraduate instruction in English. In any case of possible waiver, check with the Department directly.
  • GRE General Test. Graduate Record Examination. This test is REQUIRED for all applicants for Graduate School.
  • GRE Subject Test. Most graduate Physics Departments require applicants to submit a score in GRE Physics Test.
  • GRE Test Preparation Materials. Official preparation materials for the GRE General and Subject Test from ETS. Most are free and downloadable, some are priced.
  • TSE. Test of Spoken English. A few Departments require foreign applicants to submit a score in TSE for teaching assistantship considerations.
  • CGS Resolution on Admission Deadline (html), PDF. A binding, official resolutions from Council of Graduate School in US (CGS). Universities signed the resolutions agreed to give admitted students opportunity to made their decision until April 15. ANY EARLIER DEADLINE FOR ADMISSION IS FORBIDDEN AND AGAINST THIS RESOLUTION. If you are happen to be excellent student, any university may try to force you to accept their admission while you are waiting for decision from another place. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to know your right and freedom to make choice.

Some free practice materials for the GRE Physics. All materials are copyright of Educational Testing Service.

  • GRE Physics Test Practice Book, GR9677. A full version of GRE Physics which was officially administered in 1996. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for Try-out.
  • GRE Physics Test Practice Book, GR0177. A full version of GRE Physics which was officially administered in 2001. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for Try-out.
  • GRE Physics Test Descriptive Booklet. This small booklet contains descriptions of the test, test-taking strategy, and 31 sample problems with answer keys. In the old times, GRE sent this booklet to test-takers freely with the registration ticket. This booklet is unavailable at the ETS website, but I find it at the Physics GRE website below. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
  • Physics GRE. A free website dedicated to the nitty-gritty of physics GRE. Including tips, advices, etc. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

Haryo Sumowidagdo

Last modified: Mon Nov 10 23:30:55 CST 2008