how long should a physics personal statement be

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

How to write a personal statement for physics

Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not, say admissions tutors. You’ll soon be found out

"P hysics is a really cool subject because you can learn how to blow cars up." Not the most impressive opening to a personal statement Gary Barker of the University of Warwick has ever come across. More James May than Patrick Moore, he says wryly.

What would he prefer? "I would err on the side of formality rather than flippancy," he says.

Many admissions tutors look for two things in a personal statement: genuine enthusiasm for physics and signs of maturity.

Some statements border almost on the philosophical, which is absolutely fine, says Barker. "I like to think that there's a person out there who lies awake at night worrying about these things."

Demonstrating engagement with the subject is not difficult but do remember that some admissions tutors are looking for a richer knowledge of the subject than you get on prime-time TV.

"By all means mention what hooked you in the beginning, but do also mention what you are doing now to deepen your understanding," says Anton Machacek, a physics teacher who graduated from Trinity College, Oxford.

"Popular science programmes rarely develop your thinking skills in the way universities will want. In this sense, I would say that the influence of Nina and her Nefarious Neurons on you as a toddler might count more in your favour than Prof Brian Cox at age 16."

Think about which skills are relevant to your application: for example, computing experience will help you with a theoretical physics degree.

Machacek says it's a shame that students often forget to talk about their A-level courses in their personal statements. "It's no good saying 'I've studied A-level physics' – they already know that," he says. "But you can say what skills you enjoyed developing and which areas excited you."

And for a budding physicist it is well worth becoming a member of the Institute of Physics – membership is free for 16- to 19-year-olds.

Many physics undergrad hopefuls mention a lot of the same books, or say they read the New Scientist, says Professor Henning Schomerus, physics admissions tutor at Lancaster University. "This wouldn't put me off, but I would probably more or less ignore it," he says. If you want to talk about a journal you read, pick out an article and discuss why it interests you.

Be specific. If The Big Bang Theory sparked your interest in physics, explain why. Schomerus, for instance, likes the episode where Sheldon takes a job as an unpaid waiter to try to discover how electrons move through graphene – it's an area he's done research in.

"Make the statement truly personal," he says, a point reiterated by Machacek, who is also a visiting research scientist at the Central Laser Facility in Rutherford.

"It is extremely important to be yourself," he says. "If you are a quiet, modest type, and you force yourself to write an extrovert's personal statement to make you seem bigger, very odd things can happen if you are interviewed."

Most admissions tutors advise that content should always trump style or creativity, but stress that writing should be coherent because physicists must be able to communicate.

Physics admissions officer Kenny Wood points out that with over a thousand applications for tutors at the University of St Andrews to sift through each year, spelling and grammar can make all the difference.

Wood says competition is fierce, and urges students not to be disappointed if they don't get into their first choice. "Remember, all physics departments are accredited by the Institute of Physics and if you get a good degree from any department in the UK, this will keep the door open for postgraduate studies at other institutions."

Olivia Keenan, a physics masters graduate from the University of Southampton about to embark on a PhD at Cardiff in extra-galactic observations, urges more girls to consider physics.

"As a female, if you are as well qualified as your male counterparts and you can make yourself stand out, then you're often in a good position to get through the 'admissions game'.

"Having narrowly missed the grades to get on to my physics course, I'm sure that having a strong personal statement helped me," she says. "It displayed my passion for the subject, backed up with evidence to prove it – for example, I'd taught GCSE students about astronomy while in sixth form at school."

Extra-curricular activities can reflect passion – working at a science museum, being a member of a local astronomy society or having visited Cern, for example – but tutors realise that not everybody has these opportunities. Simply making the most of your school's library is fine if it gives you a deeper appreciation of physics.

Above all, don't get too worked up about it. At the University of Birmingham, Professor Andy Schofield stresses that the personal statement is unlikely to be the decider in whether or not you get an offer.

It's a chance to explain any unusual aspects of your application though, says Schofield – for example, why your past performance doesn't reflect your potential.

Not everyone knows what they want to study and it's okay to apply to more than one course, say, physics and natural sciences. "I'm quite happy to see a personal statement that talks in two halves," he says.

Whether your interests lie in the cosmos or computing, the most important thing is keep it personal and prove your enthusiasm for physics.

• Personal statements
• Guardian Students
• Applying to university
• Advice for students

Comments (…)

Most viewed.

Clearing Universities & Courses

Clearing advice.

Recommended Clearing Universities

Popular Course Categories

Course search & discover.

Start the search for your uni. Filter from hundreds of universities based on your preferences.

Search by Type

Search by region.

Recommended Universities

Ravensbourne University London

London (Greater) · 88% Recommended

The University of Law

London (Greater) · 92% Recommended

University of Kent

South East England · 96% Recommended

Search Open Days

What's new at Uni Compare

University of Sunderland

Unlock your potential at one of the world’s best young universities (THE, 2023).

Staffordshire University

Apply to the uni ranked 2nd for quality teaching (THE, 23).

Ranking Categories

Regional rankings.

More Rankings

Top 100 Universities

Taken from 65,000+ data points from students attending university to help future generations

About our Rankings

Discover university rankings devised from data collected from current students.

Guide Categories

Advice categories, recommended articles, popular statement examples, statement advice.

What to include in a Personal Statement

Personal Statement Tips

Personal statement examples physics personal statements.

Discover personal statement examples written by students accepted onto physics and related courses. Read through the examples to help shape your own personal statement.

Physics Personal Statements

Submitted by Sam

Physics Personal Statement

The varying scale of physics study is what most excites me: from the ...

Submitted by Jamie

Physics with Nuclear Technology Personal Statement

My first experience of Nuclear Physics was when I watched James May’s...

Submitted by Rachel

Physics Personal Statement*

I have a passion for problem-solving which is my main reason for want...

Physics Personal Statement Advice

A Physics personal statement is the part of your UCAS application that universities are clamouring to read. Yes, your GCSE, BTEC and A Level results are vitally important when applying for university, but your Physics personal statement is what makes or breaks your application. Your personal statement is your chance to show a university what you're all about and why you would be suited to their course. Your Physics personal statement doesn’t need to be an epic fantasy novel or the kind of length that has the reader yawning, it just needs to be a way for you to talk about yourself, your passions and your interests alongside your reasons for wanting to study the course you're applying for. Before you begin writing your Physics personal statement, you should look at some Physics personal statements beforehand. This will give you the chance to see what the structure, tone and feeling of the statement is before you write it. Knowing what to include can often be half the battle. Your Physics personal statement should only contain the essentials, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t start talking about some of the things you're passionate about! The three key points you should be focusing on are: Relevant work experience Extracurricular activities Your passion for the subject Make sure that your Physics personal statement captures what makes you you. Universities want to see personality in a candidate’s personal statement, so don't be afraid to show it!

Want to learn more about a university?

Get your questions answered by sending them an enquiry now.

undergraduate Universities

Undergraduate uni's.

Ravensbourne

Uni of Kent

429 courses

Uni of Roehampton

270 courses

Goldsmiths, UOL

272 courses

ARU Writtle

103 courses

West London IoT

Uni of Surrey

437 courses

Uni of Sunderland

200 courses

246 courses

Uni of East London

299 courses

Middlesex Uni

313 courses

Uni of Chester

402 courses

Cardiff Met Uni

304 courses

Northeastern Uni

Uni of Winchester

166 courses

Uni of Hertfordshire

418 courses

Uni of Suffolk

106 courses

238 courses

528 courses

Uni of Bradford

197 courses

Uni of Bedfordshire

343 courses

Uni for Creative Arts

323 courses

Coventry Uni

446 courses

Uni of Reading

393 courses

Leeds Beckett Uni

325 courses

Staffordshire Uni

276 courses

Heriot-Watt Uni

207 courses

Uni of Leicester

267 courses

415 courses

Kingston Uni

386 courses

Swansea Uni

782 courses

Anglia Ruskin Uni

463 courses

Uni of Westminster

331 courses

Leeds Arts University

Uni of Essex

802 courses

UWE, Bristol

250 courses

Wrexham Uni

168 courses

Uni of C.Lancashire

440 courses

Escape Studios

365 courses

Uni of Huddersfield

453 courses

Uni of Brighton

252 courses

Bath Spa Uni

295 courses

Edge Hill Uni

245 courses

Uni of Portsmouth

370 courses

Uni of Hull

273 courses

Nottingham Trent

531 courses

Edinburgh Napier

184 courses

Queen's Uni

410 courses

Find the latest from Uni Compare

Bath Spa University

Pick Bath Spa, awarded the Uni of the Year for Social Inclusion!

University of East London

The University of East London has been shortlisted as the Uni of the Year! (THE 2023)

Let your curiosity lead the way:

Apply Today

• Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Studies in A&S

Personal Statement for Graduate School

improve your grad school application with a strong statement

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Guide

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

Postgraduate Personal Statements

International Student Personal Statements

Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

Personal Statement Changes 2025

Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

Physics personal statement example 1.

One of the most appealing features of Physics is the way that complex physical phenomena can be explained by simple and elegant theories. I enjoy the logical aspect of the subject and I find it very satisfying when all the separate pieces of a problem fall together to create one simple theory. My interest and aptitude for maths adds an extra dimension to Studying science, particularly Physics. I relish the challenge of a complicated problem both in physics and mathematics. I am also a keen practical physicist, during a degree I would like to keep in touch with the practical side of the subject.

My interest in science extends outside the classroom. I keep up to date with new developments and ideas by reading around my school subjects in books and also in journals such as "New Scientist" and "Scientific American". I have read books by Richard Feynman, Richard Dawkins and lan Stewart, I also particularly enjoyed John Archibald Wheeler's "A Journey into Gravity and Spacetime". These books challenge me in a way that is very different from the way in which I am required to think at school.

Over the summer holidays of 2001 I arranged three weeks of work experience in the Department of Materials Science at the University of Oxford. During this time I worked with three different research groups studying the atomic structure of surfaces, use of the 3D atom probe, and the structure of magnetic storage surfaces. The work on magnetic surfaces was particularly exciting because it was a new development that could have a significant impact. I also wrote some documents for them, such as a guide to help students find Materials Science resources on the Internet. The whole experience was very useful because I had to apply what I had leamt at school to unfamiliar areas, thus using my brain in an entirely new way.

I am a keen sportsman both in and out of school, having represented my school, and the Oxford Devils' under-17 team, at basketball. For the past three years I have played cricket for the school team, being captain for two years I have been in the Oxfordshire cricket squad for my age group since the age of thirteen and have been a senior player at Bicester and North Oxford-Cricket Club since 1998. Playing team sports has taught me a lot about the importance of team work and I believe I can apply this in a working environment. Recently, I discovered an enthusiasm for scuba diving, and have achieved my open water diving license.

During my time at university I aim to get a first class education that will stand me in good stead for entering the world of work; I also want to continue my education in an environment in which I can thrive mentally. In return, the university will get a student who is hard working, always willing to learn and will put something back into the community.

Profile info

There is no profile associated with this personal statement, as the writer has requested to remain anonymous.

Related Personal Statements

Wed, 29/09/2004 - 00:00

a marvellous personal

Thu, 01/09/2005 - 00:00

a marvellous personal statement... oxford style... yeah!

Very clear, very good.

Sat, 17/09/2005 - 00:00

Very clear, very good. Thank you to whoever submitted this, it has greatly helped me to structure my statement. :)

Thu, 03/11/2005 - 00:00

Well written, well done!

Thu, 22/12/2005 - 00:00

Thank you!!! :P

Thu, 16/03/2006 - 00:00

Sun, 09/07/2006 - 00:00

to be honest, your statement OWNS

Very good indeed. I was

Wed, 23/08/2006 - 00:00

Very good indeed. I was particularly interested by the last sentence - the remark regarding what the University would obtain by having you as a student. Nicely structured, and I love the way that the statement constantly relates back to the point of it. First paragraph is abit 'blah' for my liking though. Thanks.

Excellent personal statement.

Sun, 10/09/2006 - 00:00

Your enjoyment of the subject really comes through.

very well written but the

Tue, 19/09/2006 - 00:00

very well written but the final sentance made me wanna hurl

it always seems to pay to

Thu, 21/09/2006 - 00:00

it always seems to pay to mention anything to do with oxford or cambridge

Thu, 19/04/2007 - 12:00

Lolz at "Very hard working... and will put something back into the community!" I bet you've no interest in advancing the community with your life. Lolz people are just halirious..

I find the wording of the

Sat, 29/09/2007 - 21:24

I find the wording of the first paragraph is a bit over the top, and the 'putting some something back into the community' a bit pretentious. Apart from that it seems very good.

Thanks to whoever wrote this.

Sat, 03/11/2007 - 14:26

Thanks to whoever wrote this. It helped alot showing me how I should structure mine. ^_^

yeah i agree, it has helped

Tue, 06/11/2007 - 16:37

yeah i agree, it has helped me a whole lot!!!!!=^.^=

before i read this i had no idea what to write but this has given me plenty of ideas

thanks again =^.^=

This helped me a great deal

Sun, 13/01/2008 - 17:37

This helped me a great deal in what to write about.

Tue, 22/04/2008 - 22:06

Good Personal Statement given

Mon, 11/08/2008 - 09:21

Good Personal Statement given me a good idea of what i should write :), anyone else notice the spelling mistake ????

professional approach

Fri, 15/08/2008 - 11:36

Thu, 28/08/2008 - 00:34

It seems to me that you are applying to either Oxbridge, or Imperial.

That's the kind of class this statement is in. I envy you.

Somehow, this helped with mine, so thank you.

Probably outstanding

Sun, 07/09/2008 - 22:32

Yeah, like someone else said

Sun, 21/09/2008 - 14:28

Yeah, like someone else said the first para was a bit OTT. The language disrupted the flow a little. Awesome statement though ;) *steals ideas*

WOW! This owned me out the

Sun, 12/10/2008 - 20:22

WOW! This owned me out the water. Damn!

Thu, 23/10/2008 - 16:53

i basically used this to complete my entire statement. I am just that lazy.

You cant even call this a

Thu, 13/11/2008 - 10:27

You cant even call this a personal statement

Bloody hell

Tue, 18/11/2008 - 07:47

this is friggin gd u really helped me with mine thnx

hey do the univeristies keep

Mon, 24/11/2008 - 18:42

hey do the univeristies keep records of personal statements? XD

yeeeeeeeehhhhh, Oxford,

Thu, 27/08/2009 - 18:18

yeeeeeeeehhhhh, Oxford, woooooeeeee u can never have too much Oxford...sarcasm is such a useful tool.

Thu, 27/08/2009 - 18:26

Fri, 05/11/2010 - 10:22

Dude your Personal Statment would win in a fight against a massive horny bison!!!!!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This

Mon, 15/11/2010 - 13:23

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This personal statement sucks!

Fri, 07/10/2011 - 09:14

funny how an r and an n look like an m with this font

very good statement very

Sat, 10/11/2012 - 14:35

very good statement very useful very brave of you posting it online to be checked good job and don't listen to guys who hate it

Thu, 25/07/2013 - 17:40

Major thanks for the article post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.

Add new comment

• College of Letters & Science
• Department of Physics
• Graduate Program

Application for Graduate Admission

Last Updated:  September 14 2023

Overview of the application process

New graduates are accepted for Fall term only. Applications that are received by the priority deadline will be acted upon and notification of admission sent by our notification deadline.  Applications received after the priority deadline will be treated individually on a space-available basis. Assistantships and fellowships will normally be awarded by the notification deadline. The absolute closing date for Fall admission each year is May 1st.

Note:  Being admitted to the Physics graduate program does not guarantee admission to any specific group in the department, or the mentorship of a particular adviser.

Most students receive a teaching assistantship (TA) contingent on being admitted to our program. The assistantship includes a stipend and tuition waivers. However, it does not include incidental and mandatory fees, or health insurance. Please see our frequently asked questions page for more information.

Important dates

• Priority deadline for your application to be fully considered:  January 5 th  
• Notification deadline:  April 15 th
• Closing date for admissions:  May 1 st

Application guidelines 

Before your application can be reviewed for admission, all of the items of the online application must be submitted.  To ensure full consideration, your application must be completed and submitted by the priority application deadline listed above. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Ensure all forms are filled out completely; list all colleges and universities which you have attended, no matter how brief attendance may have been or whether such attendance is shown on the transcript of another institution

The online application form can be accessed by the following link: online application form .

Overview of mandatory application items

Note: the subject and general GRE scores are  not required for applications to our graduate program. GRE scores will not be considered during our admissions process.

Active research areas and faculty

Additional information.

• Applicants claiming Montana state residency must complete the appropriate residency sections in their entirety. Failure to provide all requested information, with accompanying dates, will default your residency status to "Nonresident". Corrections require a lengthy appeals process.
• International applicants: additional information is available for international applicants .

Further questions

For questions regarding graduate admissions and application material, please contact [email protected] .

In addition, please refer to our frequently asked questions page that covers many common inquiries that we receive about our graduate program.

Department of Physics Montana State University P.O. Box 173840 Bozeman, MT 59717-3840

Department Head: Dr. John Neumeier Homepage

Location: Barnard Hall, Room 264 Tel: (406) 994-3614 Fax: (406) 994-4452

Frequently Asked Questions

• Application More
• Frequently Asked Questions More
• Requirements and Deadlines More
• Admissions Information More

Here are some of  the most commonly asked questions that might be helpful.

Admissions - Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer an undergraduate degree in Medical Physics?

We are a graduate degree program. If you are interested in a 4-year undergraduate degree program, check the University of Wisconsin – Madison Undergraduate Majors and Certificate Program website for more information.

I am an international student interested in studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Can I apply to your program?

We encourage international applications and value a student body with diverse backgrounds. The academic requirements for domestic and international graduate applicants are the same, namely graduate-level applicants who already have 4-year undergraduate (BS or BA) degrees. Individuals who meet this requirement, can apply online .

I have not taken the GRE yet. Is the GRE General and/or Physics Subject Test required?

The GRE is no longer required or accepted for our graduate program. Please do not submit your scores even if you have taken the GRE.

I have not taken the TOEFL (required* for international students) yet. What do I do?

If you know that the scores will be available by December 1 preceding the academic year for which you are applying and are confident they will meet the requirements for entry into the Medical Physics program, you may begin the application process now, as it takes time to receive the scores. We will include your TOEFL scores in the application reviews which take place in January.

Can the TOEFL requirement be waived?

*If you are a U.S. national or have studied at an institution where English is the official language of instruction for at least 2 semesters within the past five years, the TOEFL requirement does not apply. Other possible exceptions will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Can I apply to more than one department at the University of Wisconsin – Madison?

Yes. However, you will need to contact each department separately to determine the admission requirements as requirements vary from one department to another.

What are the basic requirements to the Medical Physics Program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison?

Most Medical Physics Program applicants are physics majors. For students majoring in other science disciplines, preparation in physics must be equivalent to at least a minor in physics and must include modern physics , a prerequisite for core medical physics courses. An applicant’s mathematics background should include calculus, differential equations, Fourier analysis , and, preferably, linear algebra . Some experience in computer programming and electronic instrumentation is recommended. Two semesters of chemistry , a biology course, and an introductory course in physiology are advantageous but not required.

Are paper copies of information and application materials available?

No. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School no longer accepts paper applications, and the Medical Physics Program requires electronic submission of all application documents through the Graduate School application process.

What is the process for applying to the Medical Physics Program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison?

• Go to the Graduate School application site and begin your application
• Collect all of the materials and upload to this site.
• As you upload documents, we will keep track and indicate on your checklist as we receive materials.

Feel free to contact the Educational Programs Coordinator at any time during the process. 608-265-6504.

What should I include in my “personal statement”? How long should this be?

The personal statement should include your reasons for graduate study, why medical physics, your future career goals as it relates to a PhD (or MS) in medical physics and your area(s) of research interest. It is to your advantage to research the faculty member(s) with whom you would like to work, and include them in your statement. The personal statement should be no more than 3 pages, single-spaced, 11 point font or larger.

What if I want to pursue both the MS and the PhD? What should I indicate on the application? Is one better than the other?

If your ultimate career goal is the PhD, please apply for only the PhD. This will avoid confusion when the application committee members begin the review process, as the process for review of PhD candidates differs from MS candidates.

Funding opportunities are available to PhD students, but not for MS students in our program, with some exceptions. If you meet certain requirements, you may receive the MS degree from UW-Madison on your way to the PhD.

Use caution when applying for the MS degree only. Many residency programs and/or employers prefer to hire PhD degree graduates over MS graduates for opportunities.

On occasion, some MS degree seeking student may change their mind and switch to the PhD program, and join a research group. This is dealt with on a case by case basis, and is not very common.

Please note that if you are not recommended for the PhD program, we do not consider you for an MS degree by default.

Is there a preference for MS or PhD candidates in admission consideration?

Often incoming students are offered research assistantships in a lab, and it is usually the advisor’s preference to choose longer-term candidates as it is to the benefit of the lab as well as to the candidate. Also, only PhD candidates are considered for fellowships or traineeships. (The one exception is the Medical Radiation Research Center/Accredited Dosimetry Calibration Laboratory. Two or three MS degree candidates may be accepted into that lab each year.) Other specialties in our field often require a PhD, and we have a high rate of post-graduation placement.

How competitive is admission to the University of Wisconsin – Madison Medical Physics program?

Admission to the Medical Physics Program is competitive. However, all completed applications received prior to the deadline will receive consideration. Statistics for the past 7 years as follows:

What is the typical length of time it takes to complete a PhD degree in Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin – Madison?

The average completion time for the PhD degree is 5-7 years. Exceptional candidates whose research projects are extremely successful may complete PhD degree requirements in less than 5 years.

What financial aid is available?

• Research Assistantships (RA): Typically, 85-90% of admitted students receive RAships. To be considered for an RAship, when applying you should directly contact faculty members in the areas of research in which you are interested. An online faculty listing is available. Upon the recommendation for admission to the Medical Physics Program, RAships are awarded. RAs receive a stipend, the cost of tuition (resident or non-resident) is covered, but the student is responsible for segregated fees.
• Fellowships: Qualifying applicants are submitted for fellowship consideration, but only a limited number receive them. Typically, fellowships are awarded to PhD candidates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Fellows receive a stipend and the cost of tuition (resident or non-resident) and segregated fees are also covered.
• Teaching Assistantships (TA): We have a limited number of TAships for students in their second year and beyond. To become a TA in Medical Physics, you must first take the corresponding class and then be selected by the instructor of that class. You can be considered for TAships in departments outside of Medical Physics such as math, physics, statistics, or engineering if qualified by their department standards. TAs receive a stipend and the cost of tuition might be covered depending on the percentage of the TA position.
• Traineeships: The Department of Medical Physics currently has a long-standing (40+ years) T32 Training Grant which fully supports up to seven students. Those students close to or already in dissertator status are nominated and selected for these traineeships. Trainees receive a stipend, and tuition and segregated fees costs are also covered. Faculty may also have other individual training grants which support students.
• Scholarships: The Medical Physics department offers limited scholarships for small amounts to cover travel and usually as a result of competitions in research or writing. The Graduate School is also a source of scholarships for graduate students.

I want to transfer from my current graduate-level physics program at a non-University of Wisconsin school to the University of Wisconsin – Madison Medical Physics Program. What should I do?

Only applicants who already attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison in another graduate program will be considered as transfer students. If you are coming from a school outside of University of Wisconsin – Madison, you will need to complete the application process to be considered for admission to our program.

What are the entry requirements for the Medical Physics PhD Program if I already have an MS Degree?

Entrance into the Medical Physics PhD Program requires successful completion of required coursework, a PhD Oral Qualifying Exam and a PhD Prelim Exam, with the latter focused on the student’s specific research proposal. If you earned your MS degree at a university other than the University of Wisconsin – Madison, you may need to take specific graduate-level courses to prepare for the exam.

I’ve already completed some graduate-level coursework. Will I be able to transfer my credits to your program?

The maximum number of course credit transfers we allow is in accordance with University of Wisconsin-Madison policies and procedures. Requests for acceptance of transfer credits are reviewed by the Graduate Committee Chair in close consultation with the professor for each relevant course.

Are there opportunities for PhD degree program students who do NOT wish to complete all the core curriculum requirements defined by CAMPEP to “opt out” of such requirements?

The University of Wisconsin – Madison Medical Physics Program is accredited by CAMPEP, Inc. The University of Wisconsin – Madison Medical Physics Program has options for students to complete the PhD degree in medical physics with or without completion of the core curriculum required by CAMPEP accreditation. Those students who complete the core curriculum receive attestation of such completion, which might be required for subsequent admission to a medical physics residency program and/or the American Board of Radiology board certification process.

Does the Medical Physics Program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison offer Distance/Online learning?

At this time, we do not have distance/online learning options in place. Medical Physics is very much a “hands-on” program. In order for you to receive the high-quality education and training we provide, you will need regular access to the labs, which makes local residency a requirement. With that in mind, generally we require students to be on campus for all MS degree work, and their first year of PhD degree work.

Occasionally, a student who is in dissertator status may conduct their PhD research at another location, away from the UW campus. However, this is unusual, and approved on a case-by-case basis by your advisor and the Graduate Committee Chair.

Do you accept new students for the spring semester?

We strongly discourage applications for spring semester. Our course sequence is designed such that prerequisites for more advanced courses are more easily met by starting the program in the fall semester. Exceptions do occur, but only rarely.

I’ve completed the application process. What should I do next?

Congratulations! Take some time to review the section of our website that addresses the work being done in various labs and by the faculty members . The applicants who are most highly ranked by the Admissions Committee are invited to attend an Open House in late-January/early-February. At that time, connections are usually made by faculty to determine research assistantships. It is a good idea to narrow down your specific interests in our Medical Physics Department research areas/labs before you attend the Open House, as there are many from which to choose.

• Official Communications
• Science Sparks
• Current Student Resources
• Faculty and Staff Resources
• Online Learning Resources and Support
• Photography/Video
• Social Media Account Request Form
• UIC Social Media Guidelines and Best Practices
• UIC in the news
• Communicating On Campus
• Sending Announcements / DDDH
• UIC Social Media Directory

I am UIC: How to personalize your personal statement

February 23, 2018

What are some of your strengths? What are you passionate about and how have you demonstrated commitments to those causes?

These are some of the questions you are meant to think about when developing a personal statement for graduate and professional school applications. Some thoughts may immediately come to mind, but when it comes to translating those thoughts to the written word, it’s easy to get stuck.

Personal statement workshops, such as those hosted by LAS Pre-Health Advising, provide students with guidance as they struggle to find words to fill a blank Word document. Here are some tips that I gathered at the latest of such workshops.

• Focus on describing how you have demonstrated the strengths you want the application committee to notice — don’t simply listing those skills.
• Identify key experiences that serve as highlights for your college career. Then extract concrete examples from those experiences that add to the story-like quality of your statement.
• It’s OK to write about your background, but make sure you use events that occurred prior to college to paint a picture of who you are today and what you’re doing now.
• You need to be comfortable speaking about everything in your essay at a potential interview. So, if you’re considering describing a very personal event, make sure it is one that you would be willing to answer questions about.
• Recognize that the personal statement is one component of your application and it’s unlikely that it will be the determining factor in your acceptance. However, it is still the only opportunity for you to introduce yourself on your terms and likely the component over which you have the most control. So, instead of viewing it as a burden, take advantage of it.

The next LAS Pre-Health Advising personal statement workshop will be held March 12 from 2 to 3 p.m. in 850 UH.

Hoda Fakhari is a senior studying biochemistry and English with a concentration in media, rhetoric and cultural studies. She is interested in making connections between subject areas that appear uncomplimentary in order to arrive at more diverse and relevant ways of understanding people and society.

Hoda Fakhari [email protected]

blog , graduate school , I am UIC , personal statement