Astronomy & Astrophysics

Useful Application Tips  

I)  You are strongly encouraged to contact the astrophysics group graduate recruitment coordinator, Prof. Sean Brittain (sbritt@clemson.edu), and indicate your intent or desire to apply.  While not a formal requirement, doing so alerts us to your application, enables us to stay abreast of its status, and facilitates any special "shepherding" needed for us to obtain your final application packet from the Graduate School.  First, however, consider tip II below.

II) The Department of Physics & Astronomy does not have strict, rigid admission criteria.  In particular, note that the GRE Physics subject score is NOT a required component of your application, though you may have ETS provide us with this score if you wish.  However, the admissions process is competitive and your application is viewed by both astronomy and physics proper faculty, and evaluated within a pool of astronomy/astrophysics and physics proper applications.  All students in our integrated Department are expected to demonstrate the same high quality academic credentials regardless of which research group they are interested in joining.   In our experience, astrophysics applications that do not demonstrate the following features are less competitive and successful than those that do:
   a) GRE verbal scores above 500
   b) GRE minimum quantitative scores in the mid 600's to low 700's
   c)  GPA minimum in the 3.0-3.5 range
   d)  consistent A/B work in upper level undergraduate physics and mathematics

III) Applications from those with undergraduate research experience and/or astrophysics coursework may be considerably strengthened; such features, however, may not be a sufficient replacement of criteria in tip II above.  While not required, we welcome the inclusion of brief personal statements in your application.   These might discuss  a) undergraduate research experience,   b) the source of your passion for astrophysics and long-term career goals (if known),  c) interests in specific areas of astrophysics or in working with particular Clemson faculty members,  d) any experience with educational or outreach activities,  e) explanations of any hiccups in your academic record, and  f) brief expressions of interest and/or need for the supplemental funding sources described in the information overview section.  Rather than knowing you as simply an application form or a file folder, we find it useful to learn all that we can about you during the admissions process, and enjoy developing cordial personal relationships with our prospective students.

IV) Both prospective student applicants and Clemson faculty reviewers benefit from letters of reference that speak to possible deficiencies, work ethic, professional career commitment, educational/outreach efforts, and research experience as well as academic successes.  Honest letters with this sort of information, and those providing specific examples or stories illustrating their claims are usually more helpful than glowing half-page
statements.  In sum, the admissions committee relies upon the valued feedback about you kindly provided by our diligent colleagues from other institutions.  Accordingly, we find it useful to receive the type of letter that one of your professors/advisors would like to receive (and we would hope to provide) if he/she were reviewing competitive graduate applications.  A polite discrete and professional reminder can be effected by printing this page, highlighting this paragraph, and slipping this in with the reference form that you give to your letter writer.

V) Clemson is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools and a signatory to this organization's April 15 decision deadline resolution.  What you need to know regarding this policy is that students receiving an offer of a graduate assistantship for the next academic year and accepting this offer prior to April 15 have complete freedom through April 15 to submit, in writing, a resignation of this appointment in order to accept one elsewhere.  
An acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another appointment without first obtaining a written release from the Graduate School.  You should be aware that violations of this policy might have serious implications for an appointment accepted elsewhere--especially if the other institution is a Council of Graduate Schools member.  In general, we find that honest communication concerning timelines for
consideration of offers from other institutions benefits prospective students and us.  Such offers are not held against applicants-- on the contrary, they are generally confirmation of a strong application.  We are often able to leave offers open past the April 15 magic date, and commit to notifying students at any time if an offer of assistantship is in danger of being withdrawn.  Above all, the Clemson astrophysics group wishes professional success and happiness for all prospective students, regardless of  where they eventually choose to attend graduate school.  

VI)  We find that many students simply do not know what to expect from the application process.  Applying to graduate school is a significant step in one's life, and the deliberate and esoteric process  can admittedly be quite frustrating.  This makes the month of April in your senior year a very stressful time: you may be trying to complete the inevitable application you were just notified is still incomplete, waiting for other institutions to make decisions concerning your admission, waiting for other students to make their decisions so that your
waiting list status can be resolved, and considering competing offers from different institutions-- all while still attending to your final undergraduate coursework.  We urge you to be patient, realize that the frustration and stress you experience is "normal" and felt by many others, and stay in communication with us concerning your status.  Admissions and acceptance dilemmas (on the part of students and institutions) are generally resolved
blindingly fast and in a couple day window around April 15.  You should be prepared for this typical endpoint of events in your graduate application journey.  We encourage you to find a local professor or advisor, with whom you have good rapport, that can provide guidance and advice concerning the application process.  

How to Become a Tiger

If you enjoy gory details, feel like surfing about a bit, or wish to read all appropriate disclaimers and relevant formal Graduate School policies, then we encourage you to see the application information on the Graduate School application website.

Departmental guidelines for applying are available here on the Department of Physics & Astronomy website.

Help!

We are pleased that you viewed this information, and hope to see your application for graduate study in astrophysics at Clemson.  If at any time you need information on the application or admissions process, have questions about your status, wish to share a concern, or are interested in additional information about our program, please contact Prof. Sean Brittian (sbritt@clemson.edu).  No question is too trivial, and we are pleased to have the chance to serve you and to tell you more about Clemson astrophysics.     

Graduate Program Links:

Information- An overview of information for prospective students

Curriculum- The requirements for obtaining M.S. and Ph.D. degrees

Current Grad Students- A listing of current A & A graduate students

Grad Student Publications- Publications of past and current A & A graduate students

A & A Alumni- Former A & A graduate students and current positions

Clemson Graduate School- The Clemson University's Graduate School homepage

College of Engineering and Science- the college of the Depart. of Physics & Astronomy