How to Apply to the PhD Program
Step One:
Submit your application at the UCSB Graduate Division Website and pay the application fee.
Step Two:
Upload an official copy of official transcript. Transcripts are required for all post-secondary education where the applicant has completed 12 or more units.
Step Three:
Submit your Statement of Purpose online. Please note: three sections must be included for the Statement of Purpose to be complete and these parts must be completed in separate documents:
- Statement
- Personal Achievements
- CV
Step Four:
Arrange for the electronic submission of three Letters of Recommendation. Letters should be submitted through your online application.
Step Five:
Arrange for your ETS to send your GRE scores (General and Physics Subject), and TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable) to UCSB's Graduate Division by December 15.
UPDATE: FOR 2021 ONLY, the deadline was changed to December 16, 2020 (by 11:59 PM PST).
The GRE physics subject test is optional for applicants whose primary area of interest is astrophysics. UCSB's school code is 4835. A department code is not required, and should be left blank. Update July 1, 2020: due to the Covid-19 situation GRE scores are not needed and will not be considered for Fall 2021 applicants.
Should you have any questions regarding the application process, please visit our
Frequently Asked Questions page.