Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics

To be admitted to graduate study in the Department of Physics, an applicant must have graduated from a recognized four-year college, university or institute of technology, or must have earned equivalent credentials. 

Your first step is to create your online account through our Application System. Once you start your application, you can save your work and return at any time to complete it. Only complete applications will receive full consideration.

A $25 application fee is required. We regret that it is not possible to waive this small fee, with the exception of specific cases (at present for GEM Fellowship and Rales Fellowship applicants only).

For a complete application package, please provide the following items:

• Online Application: Our Online Application System opens typically by late August to early September. The application will include: a cv, biographical information, a personal statement, information about prior research activities, and research interests. More detailed instructions are given once you start your application.
• Transcript: A copy of your transcript is required from all college-level institutions you attended – independent of whether you received a degree or not. Please upload a digital copy of your transcript to our Online Application System.
• Letters of Recommendation: Please provide three (3) letters of recommendation from professional references. At least one letter should be from the institution that you currently attend or attended most recently. Your recommenders will receive instructions after you have completed the online application.
• TOEFL, IELTS or DET: International applicants whose native language is not English —  and who have not completed an undergraduate degree at an English speaking program in an English-speaking country — must document sufficient language proficiency. Meeting the minimum requirements of the English language test scores (see below) is a necessary requirement for admission. Arrange for your scores to be sent electronically to Carnegie Mellon University directly. We accept official reports from the following:
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Minimum required scores: Composite Score IELTS, IELTS Indicator: 6.5, Subscores for Reading, and Listening, IELTS and IELTS Indicator: 6.5 Subscores for Speaking and Writing, IELTS and IELTS Indicator: 6.0
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): The TOEFL Institution Code for Carnegie Mellon is 2074 and the TOEFL Department Code for physics is 76. We recommend that you take the internet-based test (TOEFL iBT).
    • Minimum required scores:
      • Composite Score TOEFL IBT, TOEFL Home: 86,
      • Subscores for Reading, Listening and Writing, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home: 22
      • Subscore for Speaking, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home: 20
  • DUOLINGO English Test (DET): Information on sending your Duolingo scores to as many universities as you wish free of charge can be found on the Duolingo website
    • Minimum required scores:
      • Overall Score DET: 110
      • DET subscores:
        • Literacy: 105,
        • Conversation: 95,
        • Comprehension: 115,
        • Production: 90
• GRE: GRE General or GRE Subject Test scores are optional.

Applications should be complete and submitted by December 15 to begin study in the fall semester of the following year.