Grad School Resources

While there are many strategies for choosing a graduate program, the key to determining the best programs for you is identifying where you are likely to succeed, where each program can take you, and your personal preferences. Here are some of GradSchoolShopper.com’s favorite resources for finding your future in the physical sciences. If you have a favorite that should be on this list, contact us!

SPS Observer Magazine: The Grad School Issue

SPS Observer is the magazine of the Society of Physics Students, published quarterly by the American Institute of Physics. As an official companion to GradSchoolShopper.com, SPS Observer’s fall issue is centered around valuable guidance on the graduate school path in physics and astronomy, with stories from those who’ve been where you are now. The fall issue on grad school is delivered each September alongside AIP’s flagship magazine, PHYSICS TODAY.

The grad school issue offers an unmatched set of articles and Q&As that cover various topics:

• Grad School Demystified
• The Grad School Path
• Finding Programs for You
• Crafting Successful Applications
• Setting Yourself Up for Success
• Reflections from Those Who've Been There

Browse annual issues online or peruse the latest articles by category.

Spotlight on Partner Resources

Physics Today on education and careers

Physics Today, the flagship publication of the American Institute of Physics, is the most influential and closely followed physics magazine in the world. For articles on graduate school and career pathways, see Physics Today’s latest education and careers coverage or browse the careers issues published each October.

Radiations on hidden physicists

Ever wondered what you can do with a physics degree? Check out the hidden physicist stories published in Radiations, the magazine of the physics and astronomy honor society Sigma Pi Sigma. Real people with backgrounds in physics who don’t become physics professors write about their careers―in baking, science journalism, data privacy, and so many more areas―and share advice with physics undergraduates.

The SPS Observer on graduate school and careers

The SPS Observer is the quarterly magazine of the Society of Physics Students (SPS). Graduate school and careers are frequently discussed in two departments: Professional Development: Tips to Build Your Career and Pathways: Advice from Experienced Voices.

Additional Resources

Bridge programs

• American Physical Society (APS) Bridge Program: Many physics and astronomy bridge programs are part of this program and share a centralized application.
• Physics and astronomy bridge program list: The University of Maryland GRAD-MAP team has compiled this list of bridge programs. It includes programs that are not part of the APS program.

Financial support

• Fellowships in astronomy: Compiled by Astrobites, this list is a good place to start your astronomy fellowship hunt.
• Fellowships in physics: Compiled by the University of Arizona, this list is a good place to start your physics fellowship hunt.
• GRE fee reduction program: Planning to take the GREs? See if your quality for a 50 percent discount.
• Family budget calculator: This tool by the Economic Policy Institute is one of many for estimating the cost of living in a specific location.

Grad school applications, advice, and data

• Astrobites is a daily astrophysical literature journal written by graduate students in astronomy. The site features several articles about going to graduate school in astronomy.
• The Careers Toolbox from the Society of Physics Students is a resource for undergraduate physics students preparing to enter the workforce. Many tools are also helpful for finding internships and research positions and getting into graduate programs.
• Data on graduate education: Read reports and graphics from the American Institute of Physics Statistical Research Center on physics and astronomy graduate education.
• The Women+ of Color Project provides an open platform for women of color to communicate and learn about best practices for applying to graduate school, surviving graduate school, maintaining research productivity, and growing their academic careers.

Jobs opportunities and career pathways

• American Association of Physicists in Medicine: Learn about the radiological sciences and careers in medical physics.
• American Astronomical Society: Find career-related interviews with astronomers, archived webinars, career advice, and more
• Employment data for physicists, astronomers, and related scientists: Read reports and graphics from the American Institute of Physics Statistical Research Center.
• Machine learning, physics, and your future is an article from The SPS Observer that explores machine learning career opportunities and how well-suited physics and astronomy students are for them.
• Physics Today Jobs: Browse listings for physics, physical science, engineering, and computing jobs.
• SPS Jobs: Want to test-drive a career? Check out these internship and research experience listings.