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Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Some degree programs in the Physical Sciences Division require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, while some programs recommend that applicants submit scores as part of their application. It is recommended that you take the test well in advance of your program's application deadline if you plan to submit scores. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) institutional code for the University of Chicago is 1832.
GRE scores are valid only if the exam was taken within five years prior to the application deadline. No program in the Physical Sciences Division requires a minimum GRE score for admission. Applicants should self-report their GRE scores in the application so that their dossiers may be reviewed while the official scores are en route. For information on GRE requirements, please see the admissions sections on the websites of our academic programs.
English Language Proficiency
MS Applicants
Students are invited to submit scores from any English proficiency examination they believe represents their English language ability.
Students who choose to submit English proficiency scores may share either official or self-reported scores. Students sharing self-reported scores will not be required to submit official score reports unless they are admitted and choose to enroll. For more information, view the Master’s Admissions FAQs.
PhD Applicants
Applicants to the PSD PhD programs who do not meet the waiver criteria must submit proof of English language proficiency. This policy applies to all graduate programs; the score level required for admission varies by program. Please see the Acceptable Tests information and required minimum scores in the Physical Sciences Division. Only the TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic tests are accepted as proof of proficiency. Information on validity of test scores and how to send your scores to the University is also available on the Acceptable Tests information page.
Application Fee Waivers
Generally, an application fee of $90 is required and non-refundable. Applicants may qualify for specific fee waivers.
MS Applicants
Master's program applicants should reach out to mastersadmissions@uchicago.edu to request a fee waiver.
PhD Applicants
PhD applicants must first submit an application. Once an application is submitted, your application status portal will display the option to request a fee waiver by filling out a short form and providing documentation, if required. If you are applying to one of the schools or divisions which allows multiple applications, you will need to ensure you are on the status page of the correct application; a separate waiver request must be submitted for each application.
Application fees are non-refundable. If you intend to submit a fee waiver request, do not pay the application fee until you receive a decision about your request. If you pay the application fee, and later have your waiver request approved, the fee will not be refunded.
Fee Waiver Categories and General Eligibility Criteria
A. University of Chicago degree program students and alumni
This waiver category is available in most programs to any applicant who has received or expects to receive a degree from another UChicago program.
B. Current or recent participants in qualifying programs
This waiver category is available if you have participated in one of the following:
- AmeriCorps/Vista
- Currently serving or honorably discharged members of the U.S. armed forces or uniformed services (active duty or reserves)
- Fulbright Scholars
- Peace Corps
- Teach for America
Additionally, participants in Physical Sciences Division summer programs and REUs are eligible for this fee waiver category if they participated in:
- Computer Science Summer Research Fellowship Program
- Data Science Institute Summer Lab
- Data Science Institute Data Science for Social Impact (DSSI)
- Mathematics REU
- MRSEC REU
- PKU-UChicago Chemistry Summer Research Program
- Summer Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics Accelerator (SUMSA)
- University of Chicago - Taiwan Student Exchange Program (UCTS)
C. Current undergraduates receiving need-based aid from a U.S. institution
To qualify for this waiver, if offered by the program, you must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate in a U.S. college or university and must provide documentation that you are receiving need-based financial aid.
D. Valid fee waiver codes received from an authorized representative of the University of Chicago
Codes will be reviewed to ensure that they are valid and were sent to you by an authorized representative. Programs may only accept their own codes, not those issued by other departments of the University. Do not contact faculty or staff to request codes.
E. Financial Hardship
The Physical Sciences Division provides fee waivers for PhD program applicants experiencing financial hardship.
If you do not qualify for any of the other categories and would like to be considered for a fee waiver on the basis of financial hardship, you will be asked to upload documentation as part of your request. Acceptable financial document categories are listed on the fee waiver request form.
Other Considerations
- International students must provide documentation of available funds as part of the request process for a student visa.
- Applicants to funded programs, including PhDs, should be aware that the first stipend disbursal typically takes place near, or after, the beginning of their first quarter.
- FAFSA-eligible applicants planning to use student loans to fund a significant portion of their program should be aware that their first student loan disbursal will take place approximately ten days before the start of their first quarter.