Application Process:

Remember that no individual faculty member ``hires'' a graduate student.
The selection of the candidates among the applicants is the responsibility of the
Dpartment and the Graduate Schoole. Of course, you should study the web pages of
faculty (like mine) whose research you might be interested in and contact them directly.
But you absolutely MUST visit the official web pages listing the requirement for
graduate students in the physics department and the Graduate School's pages for
Prospective Students. These pages guide you through an online application process
(there is a paper-only alternative). Most of the application is pretty standard,
regarding questions to your previous education, references from your teachers,
language qualifications, etc. But there are several issues that need some explanation.

_Key issues:_

* The application deadline is typically *early January* for admission to the program
starting the following September. This may represent a problem, for instance,
for some European applicants, whose academic year is shifted back by a few months
relative to the US. (Contact me), if you feel you missed or will miss the deadline.)

* The Physics Department requires the general GRE test. Foreign students
also require a TOEFL test, if they are non-native English speakers.
You should sign up for those tests and supply the scores as soon as possible,
even after the deadline.

* There is ample information on financial support for accepted graduate students.
But especially prospective international students have to provide " Sources of Support"
in the "Financial Certificate for International Students." The form asks you to cover
about >$40.000 per year for your time at Emory. This requirement does NOT apply to
graduate students who are admitted into the Physics program. Leave all items blank,
except for item 4,"University Award". After "from:" put in "Emory Physics Dept.",
and for "type and amount: ", write in all four boxes "Teaching/Research Assistantship,
$20.500+tuition waiver". This is NOT a promise that you have this award,
this award will be given to graduate students ONLY IF they are formally admitted
by the Graduate School!

* There is no application fee. (It is a small down-payment which is quickly amortized,
should you succeed in entering graduate school,even if you apply many places!)

* You are asked to write a short "Essay" explaining your intention to join the
Physics Department. If you want to work with me or any other faculty,
you can significantly improve your chances of admission by specifically
mentioning your intention to join a specific research group, and by
writing an Essay describing how your interests and/or qualifications relate to
the research interests of that group.

Feel free to contact me for any question,

Best wishes,

Laura Finzi, Director of Graduate Studies