How to Apply

What We Look For

  • a Bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an academic institution of recognized standing.
  • adequate preparation for graduate study in astronomy, astrophysics, physics or planetary science as evident in an academic transcript of undergraduate courses
  • fluent command of the English language. Foreign students for whom English is a second language should submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The Graduate School has specific criteria that Graduate Students are expected to meet.
  • evidence of promise in advanced study and research.
  • three strong letters of recommendation, at least two from researchers/faculty in a position to write. about your fitness for graduate work in astronomy and space sciences.
  • the General and Physics GRE exams are not required for admission, nor will scores be accepted as part of the admissions process. Please do not submit any GRE scores for consideration.
  • students of any race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, nationality or ethnic origin.

Research Opportunities

The following Astronomy Faculty are actively looking for graduate students to support their research efforts:

Prof. Dmitry Savransky

Seeking students to support a variety of programs including: 

Open Source Tools for Mapping Exoplanet Science Goals to Architecture Properties of the IR/O/UV Great Observatory.

This project involves development and maintenance of the EXOSIMS software framework (https://exosims.readthedocs.io/en/latest/) for the purposes of informing HWO mission design. Work on this project will involve interactions with the HWO program office and other external stakeholders. 

"Target Selection and Observation Modeling Tools for the Roman Coronagraph Technology Demonstration and Beyond." 

Work on this project will involve contributing to the Roman Coronagraph Community Participation Program in its efforts to prepare for launch and mission operations of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Key tasks will include collaborating on expansions and updates to the Imaging Mission Database (https://plandb.sioslab.com/), writing observing tools and observing sequences for the Roman coronagraph, and preparing for future publications utilizing Roman data. 

"Development of the Gemini Planet Imager Upgrade" and the concurrent upgrade of GPI's calibration unit. 

GPI is one of the world’s most advanced extreme-AO ground-based exoplanet imaging instruments. This project involves software development for instrument control and automated self-alignment as well as helping to plan and execute the survey to be carried out with the instrument, once commissioned.

Prof. Anna Y. Q. Ho

The topic will broadly be time-domain astronomy, using wide-field surveys including the Zwicky Transient Facility (optical) and the Simons Observatory (millimeter) to study energetic cosmic explosions such as gamma-ray bursts and supernovae. Projects will include observational work–the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data across the electromagnetic spectrum–as well as modeling.

Prof. Dongwoo Chung

I strongly welcome graduate students that would like to support observational, numerical, and theoretical projects in extragalactic astronomy and cosmology across a range of line-intensity mapping collaborations (COMAP, TIME, CCAT), working to trace atomic and molecular gas across large cosmological volumes. COMAP has been gathering data and publishing results for several years already, with TIME slated to begin science operations this academic year and the CCAT facility as a whole gearing up for first light.

Potential projects could include but are not limited to

  • exploring old and new statistical methods for optimal signal extraction and inference, guided by large ensembles of simulations;
  • applying novel statistical methods to low-level data to improve data quality and reduction;
  • improving model frameworks for cosmological line emission with the goal of guiding inference from reduced data.
Prof. Drummond Fielding

I am seeking graduate students interested in uncovering the theoretical foundations of galaxy formation. My group's work focuses on understanding the dynamics of gas in and around galaxies, particularly the complex magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and astrophysical plasma physics that shape their structure and evolution. I am excited to work with students eager to explore the frontiers of galaxy evolution by designing and running large-scale, high-resolution supercomputer simulations.

The overarching goal of our research is to develop robust and intuitive physical models that capture key astrophysical processes. Specific areas of focus include:

  • Galactic Winds: Understanding the role of galactic winds driven by supernovae in regulating star formation, dispersing metals, and shaping the circumgalactic medium.
  • Cosmic Ray Transport: Investigating how cosmic rays propagate through the magnetized interstellar medium and their influence on galaxy growth and star formation.
  • Multiphase Turbulence: Studying the physics of turbulence in systems with gas at a wide range of densities, temperatures, and ionization states.
  • Cosmological Galaxy Evolution: Using our novel framework, Arkenstone, to simulate cosmological galaxy evolution from the first stars and galaxies to the present day.

Our group combines theory, simulation, and analysis, offering an opportunity to gain a deep understanding of astrophysical phenomena. Students will use cutting-edge computational techniques, gaining hands-on experience with state-of-the-art simulation codes on some of the world’s most powerful supercomputers. An interest in computational methods and theoretical astrophysics would be ideal. Familiarity with MHD, plasma physics, or cosmic ray transport is a plus, but not required. More than anything, I value creativity, curiosity, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.

Prof. Gordon Stacey

Science and instrumentation work on galaxy evolution.

  1. Work includes finishing and first light with the Epoch of Reionization Spectrometer (EoR-Spec) which is being constructed for use on the FYST telescope. EoR-Spec is designed to trace the history of galaxy formation and the growth of cosmic structures through line intensity mapping. Our primary probes are the [CII] 158 um, [OIII] 88 um and CO rotational lines that trace the intensity of star formation, the properties of the stellar populations and the mass of the star forming gas from young star-forming galaxies from the local universe out to redshifts beyond 8. We are particularly interested in the interval from the epoch of reionization, when the first stars and galaxies formed to cosmic noon (z~ 1-2), when most of the stars in the current-day universe - including our own - were formed.
  2. We also have ongoing observational programs using ALMA and data from our ground-bases spectrometer, ZEUS-2 to trace the properties of stellar populations at cosmic noon through their far-infared fine-structure line emission.

Science and instrumentation work on protoplanetary disks.

  1. We have a NASA grant to develop Virtually Imaged Phased Array (VIPA) spectrometers for far-IR astrophysics. The VIPA is a novel device that can deliver high resolving powers (up to ~ 100,000 or 3 km/s velocity resolution) instantaneously over ~ 50 resolution elements in a compact device with no moving parts. The VIPA we are developing will be used in the Cornell-led NASA POEMM mission (see below) and in the Far-Infrared Spectroscopic Space Telescope (FIRSST). FIRSST is a proposed NASA Probe mission optimized for the study of dusty star forming galaxies at Cosmic Noon through broad-band (35 to 260 um) low resolving power (R ~ 100) long-slit spectroscopy and for the study of proto planetary disks with VIPA-based spectrometers in the far-infrared and heterodyne spectrometers in the submillimeter bands. Stacey is the PI of the Direct Detection Spectrometer Instrument (DDSI) for FIRSST. If approved, there will be positions for graduate students in the FIRSST Probe mission.
  2. Stacey is the PI of NASA's most recently approved Pioneers mission, the Planetary Origin and Evolution Multispectral Monochrometer (POEMM). POEMM is a long duration balloon mission designed to trace the mass distribution of the building blocks of planets - both rocky and gas giants - through the far-infrared line emission of water vapor, water ice, molecular hydrogen (using the rotational lines of HD as proxies) and neutral oxygen in protoplanetary disks. Through velocity-resolved tomography, the distribution of the gasses are determined at sub-AU accuracy which will strongly constrain models of planet formation and lead to insights into the origin of terrestrial oceans. We will design and test the spectrometer at Cornell and integrate it into the system at Goddard Space Flight Center. Within POEMM there are roles for students that include both instrumentation and proto-planetary disk science.
Prof. Ira Wasserman

Neutron Star Astrophysics 

Specific Topics: 

  • Multi-mode evolution of the r-mode instability of rotating neutron stars, which is driven by gravitational instability. 
  • Physics of magnetar crusts. 
  • Coherent electrodynamics of fast radio bursts.

Transfer Students

A student who has begun graduate study at another university will only be admitted under unusual circumstances. Admission to the program at an advanced level is possible only if a research position is available in the appropriate research group. Before submitting a formal application, a student with advanced preparation should contact the professor or research group with which he or she would like to work and determine that a research position is likely to be available.

Application Process

All application materials must be received by Cornell no later than December 1st. All supporting documents, including academic transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation, must be received by this date. It is preferred that you submit all items online. Please do not submit a document more than once. If it has been submitted online, do not send another copy in the mail.

The following must be completed when applying:

Grad School Application

Complete the Cornell Graduate School Application on-line. In the section on “Academic Information” indicate that your proposed field is “Astronomy and Space Sciences.” You do not need to enter a potential major subject area/concentration at this point. As described in the Application Guidelines, the Graduate School also asks you to submit a Statement of Purpose, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. Follow the instructions specific to the astronomy and space sciences program below for these application materials.

The application fee is $105, but students may apply for a waiver fee or may already be qualified for one through a pipeline program.

Financial Hardship: The Graduate Field of Astronomy is committed to creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged students.  In addition to offering generous funding to all admitted PhD students, we encourage applicants who are experiencing financial hardships to seek an application fee waiver if the cost of the application fee will be a barrier. 

Learn more about application fees here, https://gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/apply/application-fees/

Letters of Recommendation

Select with care the three people you ask to write letters of recommendation in support of your application. Preferably two should be from faculty or academic researchers who are well acquainted with your preparation and fitness for graduate research in our program. These letters should be submitted online.  

Required Academic Statement of Purpose

Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe (within 1000 words) the substantive research questions you are interested in pursuing during your graduate studies, and explain how our program would help you achieve your intellectual goals. Additionally, detail your academic background, intellectual interests, and any training or research experience you have received that you believe has prepared you for our program. Within your statement, please also identify specific faculty members whose research interests align with your own interests.

Required Personal Statement

Please describe how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Additionally, provide insight on your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and innovate productively and positively together.

Optional Personal Statement Addendum

Please use the Optional Personal Statement Addendum to submit (within 250-500 words) any personal information you would like to have considered as part of the Diversity Fellowship nomination and selection process, but NOT as part of the admissions process. Only the Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate School Office of Inclusion & Student Engagement will have access to any information submitted through this addendum, which is completely optional.

Please describe how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Additionally, provide insight on your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and innovate productively and positively together.

Transcripts

Please scan and upload one PDF file, including all of  your transcripts, into the online application. Your transcript(s) should be the official one issued to you by your university and then scanned to make a PDF. It must be legible and provide a course title eg “Phys 4310 Advanced Mechanics“. Please do not send screen shots from an online database.  If you accept an offer of admission, you will be required to submit an official paper transcript prior to matriculation.

GRE

Applicants should have a strong background in astronomy, astrophysics, electrical engineering, engineering physics, mathematics, or physics.  The General and Physics GRE exams are not required for admission, nor will scores be accepted as part of the admissions process. Please do not submit any GRE scores for consideration.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for applicants whose native language is not English. Scores must be officially reported by the Educational Testing Service to the Cornell Graduate School (Institution Code #2098, Department Code #76). Our program requires a TOEFL minimum score of 600 paper-based or 250 computer-based. Scores must arrive by the December 15 deadline. An applicant will automatically be granted a TOEFL exemption if he or she studied for two or more years (in the last five years) in a country where the primary language is English and the instruction was in English.  The Cornell Graduate School site has further information on Cornell's English Language Proficiency Requirements.

In addition, international students offered admission as a teaching assistant will also be expected to meet the oral proficiency outlines from ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) at the “Intermediate High” level. This test will be administered at Cornell as part of the Center for Teaching Innovation's International Teaching Assistant (ITA) summer program prior to the first semester.

A writing sample is not required, though there is space for one in the application.

Admissions Decisions

All admissions decisions for applications for fall will be made by March. The majority of decisions will be made in February. We regret that due to the number of files received and reviewed by the Admissions Committee each year, we are unable to provide feedback on individual applications. All decisions of the Cornell Astronomy and Space Sciences Admissions Committee are final.

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