How to Apply to Graduate School
- Nadia Gonzales
- Aug 22, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 1, 2025
I knew I seriously wanted to attend graduate school my junior year of undergrad. I had just finished my REU, and I realized that research was something that I was truly passionate about and I wanted to pursue a PhD. I went through the graduate application process my senior year, and now this fall I am starting my PhD in space physics this fall.
Applying to graduate school can be overwhelming, but having the right resources and preparation will make the process so much smoother. In this guide, I will share everything you need to have a comprehensive graduate school application.
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Deciding what programs to apply for
The first step of applying to graduate school is deciding which programs you want to apply to.
Knowing which area of research you want to pursue is good for narrowing down which programs to apply to and having a focused application. Keep in mind that some astronomy research can also be found in both physics and astronomy PhD programs depending on the University. Luckily there have been lists made by professional societies such as AAS, APS, and AGU that list graduate programs by field.
Here’s some examples for planetary science and space physics!
There are still up to 40 programs on these lists, and a good number of programs to apply to is anywhere from 8 to 12. Another thing to consider would be networking and connections. A good strategy for seeking out connections would be to ask your research advisor or professor in your field if they know anyone at some of the programs you're looking at. Additionally, it is very common for students to reach out to professors at other programs prior to applying to see if they are taking students. A good time to start emailing would be anywhere from mid september to october.
Here is a sample template for reaching out to potential advisors:
Hello Professor _____
I'm Name, a senior ___ major at the University of ________ I am applying to graduate school this fall, and I was wondering if you have any open spots for graduate students for the next academic year?
I am interested in pursuing __________ research. This past semester/summer/fall/etc I was a REU/Research/intern student at university under mentor name_. My project consists of brief description of research. I am looking to pursue similar research on ________ in graduate school, and would appreciate any advice or information that would be helpful as I continue on my application process. .
Thank you so much!
One final thing to consider is that most PhD programs last on average 5-6 years. Location matters. You’re going to want to apply to places where you can see yourself living for at least 5 years.
Once you take all of this into consideration, you can make a spreadsheet with all of the programs you will be applying to in order to stay organized throughout the rest of the application process.
Putting together the application
Now that we have a good list of programs that you’ll be applying to, it's time to see everything we need for the application. Most astronomy and physics PhD programs will require you to submit your CV, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose and/or a personal statement, and your unofficial transcript.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A CV is similar to a resume. A CV is a document that lists your educational and work experiences throughout your professional career. For graduate applications you're going to want to have a section for the following:
Education: Where you’ll list your degree, any relevant coursework, etc
Research Experience: Any research projects you participated in during the semester or summer
Teaching Experience: Any experience as a teaching assistant or experience with tutoring
Publications/Conferences: List any conferences you’ve presented or publications you have
Outreach: Any volunteering or outreach you’ve done (star parties, elementary/middle school astro demos, etc)
Other Experience: Any other work experience or involvement you participated in. Any on or off-campus jobs, etc
Letters of Recommendation
Once you have your CV completed, a good next step would be to start deciding who to ask for a letter of recommendation. Most programs ask for three letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters could be from professors you’ve had for classes or research or from mentors from a summer internship/research program. It’s good to ask your rec letter writers at least a month in advance to ensure enough time for them to write the letter and submit. Additionally when asking professors/research mentors you should also send a copy of your CV and maybe a rough draft of your personal statement if necessary. Sending these materials will help your letter writer speak to your strengths and why you’re a good fit for the programs. Finally, don’t be afraid to send friendly reminders throughout the application process.
Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement
The statement of purpose might be the most important part of your graduate application. The statement of purpose is where you will share why you want to pursue a PhD. It’s where you can speak to your strengths, things you’ve learned throughout undergrad, and share what makes you stand out as an applicant. It’s a great place to discuss all of your research experience and why you should be admitted to the graduate program. Some programs will require a statement of purpose and a personal statement. For those programs, the statement of purpose will detail your research and academic experience, while the personal statement will detail your own personal journey and how going to graduate school will help you achieve your goals. Before submitting your statement of purpose, have people look over it and give you feedback. Ask your professors to read it to have the perspective of someone who is in the field and has gone through the process before.
Transcripts and the GRE… should you take it?
All programs will ask you to provide either an unofficial or official transcript. You can obtain a copy of your transcript from your university's registrar office. As for the GRE or Graduate Records Examinations, most programs have stopped requiring applicants to submit GRE scores. Some students will take the GRE if they have a lower GPA as a supplement.
Submitting the applications
Now that we have all the components and a comprehensive graduate application, we can submit everything! Make sure to go back through each program’s application portal to double check that you have everything. Finally the last step will be to pay the fee waiver. Fee waivers can add up during this process. Some programs will offer fee waivers based on income, but you can also get fee waivers if you participated in a specific program or are in a specific professional society. Be sure to check out the application website to see if you qualify for any fee waivers.
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That should be everything! All of those components make up a comprehensive graduate application. Remember to take your time through this process and stay organized! Applying to graduate school is a long and challenging process, and you should be so proud for making it through! Take some time after you submit to relax and do something you enjoy, you deserve it! Most applications are due early to mid December and you will start to hear back in early February. Best of luck throughout the application process!
Written by Nadia Gonzales
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