Are there any grad programs left that have no application fee?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the availability of graduate programs with no application fees, particularly in the fields of Physics and Astronomy, as well as interdisciplinary programs. Participants share their experiences and knowledge about various universities' application fee policies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention that Penn State and Georgia State previously had no application fees but have since implemented them.
  • One participant claims that Penn State charges a $65 fee only if accepted and matriculated, suggesting it is effectively free.
  • Another participant provides a list of schools with no or low application fees, including Rochester and Carnegie Mellon, while noting that other costs like transcripts and GRE scores still apply.
  • A participant questions the accuracy of the claim regarding Penn State's fee, citing official information that states a $65 non-refundable fee is required for all applications.
  • Concerns are raised about the increasing prevalence of application fees, with one participant suggesting that many schools that were previously free now charge fees.
  • Another participant reflects on the high costs associated with PhD programs, emphasizing that even if application fees are low, the overall financial commitment is significant.
  • There is a discussion about the application process for Physics and Astrophysics at Penn State, with questions about whether applications can be submitted to both departments and how they are processed.
  • One participant mentions that the University of Oklahoma's physics/astronomy department has no application fee if the application is mailed directly to the department.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the current status of application fees at various universities, with no consensus on which programs remain free to apply to. Some participants agree that many schools have moved towards charging fees, while others provide specific examples of programs that do not.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that while some programs may not charge application fees, other costs such as transcripts and GRE scores are still required, which complicates the notion of a "free" application process. Additionally, there are restrictions on applying to multiple programs at certain universities.

Simfish
Gold Member
Messages
811
Reaction score
2
I know that Penn State and Georgia State were both free-to-apply several years ago, but they both seem to have put in application fees since then.

What about other programs? In addition to Physics/Astronomy, I'm especially interested in interdisciplinary programs that take students from all analytical majors (especially cognitive science and computational biology).
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
FYI, Penn state will only charge you $65 if you are accept and matriculated, so it's basically free. Here's my list,
Rochester is free, Carnegie Mellon is free, Ohio State is only $5. Keep in mind that most schools still require you to send in transcripts and GRE scores, so it's not entirely free.
 
On Penn State, really?

It says this:

The graduate degree application fee is $65, non-refundable. This fee is in effect for all degree applications submitted beginning October 1, 2008, regardless of the intended date of enrollment.

http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html

===
EDIT: Oh, for *PHYSICS*, there is no application fee (there is one for astro, which is the one i looked at first). But if I apply to physics, is my application going to be forwarded to the astrophysics department? (I'm an astrophysics major and I've heard that applications from the physics dept get forwarded to the astro dept if they feel that the student is a better fit there). Am I *not* allowed to apply to both physics and astrophysics?
 
Last edited:
I'm afraid that this may have gone the way of the dodo. Many schools that used to be free now have an application fee. 10,000 applications at $50 a pop is serious money.
 
One university that I passed up applying to had an application fee only if you were accepted. That's practically free! However, it's not like you're applying for a job at fast food or something, it's a phd program where you'll spend the next 5-8 years of your life with tuition rates $15-$40k per year... even though for most it is waived... not really a cheap game to be playing.
 
Simfish said:
Oh, for *PHYSICS*, there is no application fee

You have to read between the lines there. What they are saying is that if you send the application to the department first, and you don't get in, don't bother applying to the graduate school. They'll just take your money.

Not a bad deal.

Simfish said:
Am I *not* allowed to apply to both physics and astrophysics?

[PLAIN said:
http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html][/PLAIN]
Applicants may apply to only one graduate program and campus at a time.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I know that University of Oklahoma physics/astronomy department is free. You have to physically mail to application to the physics department, and the department will pick up the check. You can submit an online application, but that'll cost you.

But applications can bring in a couple dollars, so almost every school you will apply to will have fees. Some schools can get quite expensive (more than $100).
 
Oh okay I see. Thanks for all the additional information, everyone!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K