The Department of Astronomy is accepting applications to our graduate program for Fall 2027 admissions.
For this year's admissions cycle we are encouraging prospective applicants to the UW Astronomy PhD program to submit this preliminary Expression of Interest form by October 19, 2026. This form is optional. Everyone who meets the requirements below is welcome to apply, whether or not they submit this form. By November 1, 2026 we will contact a subset of applicants who have submitted this form with invitations to submit full applications. Full applications must be submitted by December 1, 2026 at 11:59PM PST.
Applications must be submitted using the application available on the UW graduate school website.
Some basic things to note while preparing application:
- Bachelor’s degree in Astronomy, Physics or related field is required.
- Academic record must meet UW graduate school minimum admission requirements
- GRE scores are optional, may be submitted if desired.
- The application will ask for information on upper division physics and astronomy courses. Be prepared to enter information regarding course content.
- The application will ask for a two page statement of purpose. Please use this essay to address the reasons why you wish to pursue a graduate program in Astronomy at the University of Washington, including details about your selected Area(s) of Interest. It should also describe any exceptional experiences and achievements that might help support and strengthen your application.
- You will also be asked to upload a CV/Resume. This may include a research section with links to materials such as talks, posters, papers, etc. Be sure to identify which portion of the research project was your contribution.
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The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran in accordance with University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations.