Applying to the Graduate Program

Proceed Directly to Web-Based Application Form

Special Fellowship Opportunities

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences guarantees all of its Ph.D. students full financial aid, a support package that includes a tuition scholarship, a stipend, and Northwestern student health insurance. Major sources of aid for first-year sudents are University Fellowships and, to a lesser extent, research and teaching assistantships.

In addition to this support, EPS is currently offering special fellowship opportunities for newly defined, externally funded research initiatives in a variety of areas, including geochemistry, isotope paleoecology, tectonic tomography, paleoclimatology and Earth systems history, and mineral physics. These prestigious awards will carry the department's highest stipend levels and offer unique opportunities to perform leading edge research in the first year of graduate study. Learn about these exciting projects by clicking here.

Desired Background

Students needn't have an undergraduate degree in geology to enter our program. Because the Earth and planetary sciences are increasingly interdisciplinary, we welcome applications from students with backgrounds in such varied disciplines as physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, computer science, mathematics, applied mathematics, and geology. A strong foundation in math and science is a prerequisite for admission.

The Application

To apply to the Graduate Program in Earth and Planetary Sciences, students must complete the web-based application form and submit the following additional materials:

• Application Fee of $75
• Official transcripts for each undergraduate and graduate institution attended
• At least two letters of recommendation
• GRE (General Record Examination) Scores for the general test only

Additional Requirements for Foreign Applicants: Foreign applicants from countries in which English is not the native language must certify their English proficiency in one of the following ways:

• By providing acceptable Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. The test must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of entry. To qualify for admission, students must earn a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based TOEFL, a 250 on the computer version, a 100 on the internet test, or a 7.0 on the IELTS. To qualify for teaching assistantships, foreign students must also pass the Test of Spoken English(TSE), often taken in the first year of graduate study.
• By earning an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution (or equivalent), where the language of instruction is English.
• By earning a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution where the language of instruction is English.

Deadline

Prospective students must submit their applications by December 31st to be guaranteed consideration for the full range of financial aid (fellowships, research and teaching assistantships).

• Apply
• Request Information from the Department

If you are interested in receiving information on graduate studies in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern University, please email us at eps"at"earth.northwestern.edu. In your message, please indicate your area of interest and include your postal and email addresses.