Applicant Guidelines

Room 211 Bryant Space Science Center
PO Box 112055
Gainesville, FL 32611-2055
Office: (352) 392-2052
Fax: (352) 392-5089

Dear prospective student:

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Florida.
This letter provides information to assist you in applying for admission into our graduate program. Please also visit the UF Graduate School web pages where you will find more instructions and electronic forms. We also encourage you to explore our Department web pages or send us email at: gradapps @ astro.ufl.edu if you have questions.

The department of Astronomy provides opportunities leading to either the Master of Sciences (M.S.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in astronomy. We normally give preference to applicants who intend to pursue the Ph.D. Prospective students should have strong backgrounds in both physics and mathematics. We are interested in students of high caliber, and cannot accept all applicants even if they meet minimum Graduate School requirements. The Graduate School computes a grade point average (GPA) based on your undergraduate work. The Graduate School's minimum requirements are a GPA of 3.0 and a total score of 1000 (verbal + quantitative) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test. We also now require that you take the GRE subject test in Physics, but there is no minimum score associated with that. Our department can request a conditional admission for students not meeting the University's minimum requirements. However, we rarely do so. We encourage you to apply for admission if your overall academic record is compatible with the guidelines enclosed with this letter. Please note that our graduate admissions committee evaluates each student's record individually. Grades and scores are only part of the overall application. We will consider your own particular circumstances in our admission process.

Acceptance into our graduate program does not guarantee financial aid. However, we do not normally admit students unless they have financial support. The number of financial awards varies from year to year and is a function of the number of students graduating, departmental grants and contracts, state funding, etc. Presently, all of our graduate students are fully funded through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships. All students must fulfill a one-year part-time teaching requirement, and must therefore be proficient in English (reading, writing and speaking) before entering our program.

A complete application must include the materials listed below (see also the UF Graduate School web pages). Send these materials directly to the offices indicated. Our Department requires all completed application materials by January 31, including applications for fellowships and assistantships. Please note that this Department deadline may differ from those of the University. We recommend that you make personal copies of the completed application forms for your records.

U.S.A. APPLICANTS

A. Send the following to the Office of the Registrar, P.O. Box 114000, 201 Criser Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611-4000:

1. Original Application for Admission.

2. Two (2) copies of official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work you have attempted.

3. An official report of your Graduate Records Examination (GRE) general test results.

4. An official report of your Graduate Records Examination (GRE) subject test in Physics.

5. The thirty dollar ($30) application fee (make checks or money orders payable to the University of Florida).

B. Send the following to the Graduate Admissions Committee, University of Florida, Department of Astronomy, P.O. Box 112055, 211 Bryant Space Science Center, Gainesville, FL 32611-2055:

1. Copies of items A (1)-(3) above for department records.

2. A personal statement of your qualifications and your plans after completing graduate work (refer to the Application for Financial Support for details). This statement should also include information on your research experience and interests, and may include a discussion of special circumstances in your academic background.

3. At least three (3) letters of recommendation from your professors or supervisors who can comment on your ability to pursue graduate work in astronomy.

4. Application for Graduate Fellowship or Assistantship form.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

A. Send the following to the Admission Office, P.O. Box 114000, 201 Criser Hall, Gainesville, FL. 32611-4000:

1. Original of Application for Admission

2. Two (2) copies of official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work you have attempted

3. An official report of your Graduate Records Examination (GRE) general test results.

4. An official report of your Graduate Records Examination (GRE) subject test in Physics.

5. An official record of your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score if English is not your native language (NOTE: A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required for consideration of admission.)

6. An official record of your Test of Spoken English (TSE) score if English is not your native language and you wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship. (NOTE: A minimum score of 45 is required for consideration of an initial teaching assistantship. Those who score 45 to 50 will be considered eligible for teaching assistantships provided they enroll concurrently in ENS 5502, a course designed to help their interpersonal and public speaking skills. Students who score less that 45 and wish to become eligible are advised to take ENS 4501 to improve their oral language skills before retaking the test. Students presently at UF may take the locally administered SPEAK test in lieu of the TSE. Before Fall 1996 a minimum score of 220 is required for teaching assistants; as of Fall 1996 the required score will be the same as for the TSE.)

7. The thirty dollar ($30 US) application fee (make check or money order payable to the University of Florida).

B. Send the following to the International Student Center, University of Florida, P.O. Box 113225, 123 Grinter Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611:

1. Certification of Financial Responsibility to obtain a visa allowing your to study in the United States. (See the Bulletin of Information for Prospective International Students.)

C. Send the following to the Graduate Admissions Committee, University of Florida, Department of Astronomy, 211 Bryant Space Science Center, P.O.Box 112055, Gainesville, FL 32611:

1. Copies of items A (1)-(4) above for department records.

2. A personal statement of your qualifications and your plans after completing graduate work (refer to the Application for Financial Support for details). This statement should also include information on your research experience and interests, and may include a discussion of special circumstances in your academic background.

3. At least three (3) letters of recommendation from your professors or supervisors who can comment on your ability to pursue graduate work in astronomy.

4. Application for Graduate Fellowship or Assistantship form.

We normally will not admit international students who cannot meet the minimum GRE, TOEFL and TSE requirements.

Please note that our Department cannot pay the $30 application fee for you, and the University will not waive or postpone this fee. International students who find it difficult to submit the application fee because of currency restrictions in their country should try to find a friend or relative in the United States who can submit this fee on their behalf. International students who are accepted will need to supply immunization records to the Infirmary and procure health insurance. This can be obtained through your family coverage or you may purchase the insurance yourself. The University offers student health insurance.

Finally, remember that you must comply with the Department's January 31 deadline to receive full consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Ata Sarajedini
Chair, Graduate Admissions Committee for Astronomy

Email: gradapps@astro.ufl.edu
Phone: (352) 392-2052 x238