The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southern California welcomes applicants to apply to our Physics PhD program or our Physical Biology PhD program.

Applications to these programs:

  1. Have a 3-Step process
  2. Do not require application fee
  3. Do not require subject or general GRE 

STEP 1 – Apply directly to the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Submit your application for review by December 31, 2024 to the Physics and Astronomy Graduate Admissions Committee: Apply for the Physics PhD program here and/or the Physical Biology PhD program here.

STEP 2 – If selected by the Department, you will receive an unofficial acceptance letter with instructions on how to formally apply to the university. This letter will contain a Fee Waiver Memo which you will need to upload during the process (STEP 3) of applying to the university.

STEP 3 –  Apply to the university’s Office of Graduate and International Admissions (through gradadm.usc.edu). When submitting your application to the university, your Official Transcript will be required.  Your Fee Waiver Memo is also necessary to ensure your application fee is paid for by the department. You will then be notified by the Graduate School of the university’s Offer of Financial Support. You will need to accept this Offer of Financial Support in order to be admitted to the university.

*International students will be required to take the English Language Proficiency Test via the USC American Language Institute.

 

Have more questions? Please read our Graduate Admissions FAQs!

  • Application open: Apply here
    Application deadline: The deadline for submission of applications is December 31st, 2024. All applications must be totally completed by this date, including letters of recommendation and transcripts

    You will need to prepare the following:

    1. Transcripts: Upload a PDF of your transcripts from all attended universities. You will not mail your official transcripts to USC until you are accepted to the program.
    2. Personal and Research Statement (3 pages maximum): Upload a statement on your prior research experience, future research interests, and any additional informational you may want to convey to the admissions committee.
    3. Recommender Information: You must have recommenders send their letters of recommendation through the system used.
    4. International Students Only: TOEFL or IELTS Score Report: If your undergraduate degree is from a non-English speaking country, you must submit a TOEFL or IELTS Score. You do not need to mail your official TOEFL or IELTS scores to USC until you are accepted to the program. There is no minimum TOEFL or IELTS score requirement. *International students will be required to take the English Language Proficiency Test via the USC American Language Institute.
    5. Resume or Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum): Upload a current resume/CV to the application.
    6. Supplementary Documents (Optional): In PDF format, upload peer-reviewed papers, pre-prints, or other documents that may be helpful in evaluating your application.

     

    If you have any questions, please contact the Physics and Astronomy Graduate Admissions Committee at  phys-phdadmissions@usc.edu  for more information.

  • Application open: Apply here
    Application deadline: The deadline for submission of applications is December 31st, 2024. All applications must be totally completed by this date, including letters of recommendation and transcripts.

    The Physical Biology PhD program at the University of Southern California welcomes applicants from a variety of backgrounds, including physics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, mathematics, and engineering. The program enables students to develop expertise in core aspects of biophysics through flexible, multidisciplinary coursework and an accelerated transition into research. Apply today!

    You will need to prepare the following:

    1. Transcripts: Upload a PDF of your transcripts from all attended universities. You will not mail your official transcripts to USC until you are accepted to the program.
    2. Personal and Research Statement (3 pages maximum): Upload a statement on your prior research experience, future research interests, and any additional informational you may want to convey to the admissions committee.
    3. Recommender Information: You must have recommenders send their letters of recommendation through the system used.
    4. International Students Only: TOEFL or IELTS Score Report: If your undergraduate degree is from a non-English speaking country, you must submit a TOEFL or IELTS Score. You do not need to mail your official TOEFL or IELTS scores to USC until you are accepted to the program. There is no minimum TOEFL or IELTS score requirement. *International students will be required to take the English Language Proficiency Test via the USC American Language Institute.
    5. Resume or Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum): Upload a current resume/CV to the application.
    6. Supplementary Documents (Optional): In PDF format, upload peer-reviewed papers, pre-prints, or other documents that may be helpful in evaluating your application.

     

    If you have any questions please contact the Director of the Physical Biology program, Prof. James Boedicker (boedicke@usc.edu), for more information.

     

To contact the Physics and Astronomy Graduate Admissions Committee

directly, please email phys-phdadmissions@usc.edu