How to Apply to the Applied Physics Program
Students who wish to be considered for graduate admission to the Applied Physics Program must submit an application to the Graduate School. Applications must be made online. Online applications for enrollment starting in the fall 2024 academic term will open on September 13, 2023. Please consult The Graduate School Application Requirements and FAQs for general questions about your application. Also note that admissions to the Applied Physics graduate program is entirely separate from admissions to the Physics graduate program.For the Applied Physics Graduate Program, the deadline for applications is December 31, 2023, but please note that applications submitted by December 15 will receive priority review. You must submit the following material in support of the application:
- Completed online application form and application fee. In the online form, you need to choose Applied Physics to apply to this program. The application fee will be rendered during the online application process. Application fee waivers can be requested on the application website. For more information, see The Graduate School website.
- Official transcripts of work completed or in progress at all colleges or universities attended. While completing your online application, you will be required to submit one scanned copy of your transcript or academic record from each school you have attended. For the purposes of the application process, you'll only need to upload digital, unofficial copies of your transcripts into the Educational Background portion of the online application.Please do not upload foreign language transcripts unless English language transcripts are impossible to obtain. If you only have access to foreign language transcripts, your foreign language transcripts must be accompanied by an official English translation from a neutral third party (your institution, a credential evaluation service, independent translator, etc). We recommend a certified translation from ATA.
Please make sure your scanned transcripts are legible before uploading them. Illegible transcripts will not be reviewed.
If you are recommended for admission and decide to enroll, you will be required to submit one official copy of each of your transcripts to The Graduate School (TGS) Admission Office.
Any fraudulent activity or discrepancies found between uploaded and official transcript(s) will result in the immediate revocation of admission and/or dismissal from Northwestern University. - At least three letters of recommendation from professors familiar with your work. Letters of recommendation are very important; choose your recommenders wisely. The Graduate School's admission committees are interested in recommendation letters from those who are most able to assess your academic and research abilities in areas related to your field of study. Letters of recommendation must be submitted online. When you enter your recommender's contact information on the online application form, an email is immediately sent to your recommender with instructions. It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive all letters by December 31.
- GRE scores (General and Physics): the GRE General and Physics tests are not required for applications submitted in 2023 for Fall 2024 enrollment. If GRE test scores are submitted, the admissions committee will review them in the context of the applicant's background and academic trajectory using a holistic review process. We particularly encourage applications of students from groups who are under-represented in physics and applied physics.
- For non-native English-speaking students, official results of the TOEFL, IELTS or MET. A minimum TOEFL score of 90 (Internet-based test) or IELTS score of 7.0 or MET score of 61 is required for admission to Northwestern. Use institution code 1565 to send scores to NU. Official scores must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of entry
Students who attended an institution where English is the main language of instruction may be exempt. Please email the Graduate Program Assistant for more information.
The Applied Physics Program does not offer a terminal Master's program, and only students who intend to pursue the PhD are admitted. However, PhD students who satisfactorily complete the first year of classes and pass a comprehensive examination are eligible to receive a Master of Science degree.
See the Frequently Asked Questions about the Applied Physics Program for more information.