Students

The mission of the APS Bridge Program (APS-BP) is to strengthen physics in the United States by increasing the number of underrepresented minority students who receive doctoral degrees in physics. The APS-BP is open to prospective students who meet the eligibility criteria, exhibit academic promise, plan to pursue a doctoral degree in physics and can enhance the diversity of doctoral students in physics.

Students enroll in a one- to two-year Bridge Experience in a post-baccalaureate program that provides research experience, advanced coursework, mentoring, and coaching to prepare a graduate school application. The Bridge Experience aims to improve access to and culture of graduate education for all students, with emphasis on those underrepresented in doctoral programs in physics.

Successful applicants will be fully supported through a combination of funding from the Bridge institution and the APS Bridge Program.

Complete applications to the APS Bridge Program are due by April 26. We also forward information to institutions who may consider your application before this date, so please complete your submission as soon as practical.

The ideal candidate for this program will be a current or former undergraduate physics student, who for various reasons does not have the necessary coursework, research experience, or guidance to successfully apply for admission and complete a physics PhD program. Successful applicants must demonstrate the commitment, drive, and potential to complete a rigorous graduate physics program. Underrepresented minority students including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

Students must:

• Have a bachelor's degree in physics or closely related discipline
• Degree must be complete by the time students enter the Bridge Program.
• Degrees may include physics, applied physics, engineering physics, astrophysics, and other closely related disciplines.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Satisfy one or more of the following criteria in the current academic year:
• Did not apply to a physics graduate program; or
• Applied to one or more physics graduate programs, but were not accepted by any program
• Be committed to improving diversity in physics
• Meet any additional requirements that individual Bridge sites may have, including minimum GPA
• More information on specific programs is available on http://apsbridgeprogram.org/institutions/bridge.

Students cannot be enrolled in or have previously completed a physics graduate program.

Application Review Process

Eligibility will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the APS-BP management. All complete applications are forwarded to bridge sites for consideration. Programs make decisions to admit individual students. APS-BP will provide support for students admitted to bridge sites who meet eligibility requirements.

Admissions Evaluation Guidelines

APS recommends these criteria for admission into bridge programs, but final decisions are made by each bridge site.

1. Academic promise
2. Drive to pursue a doctoral degree in physics
3. Potential to benefit from 1-2 years of training in preparation for a doctoral program
4. Contribution to enhancing diversity of doctoral students in physics

Questions?

If you have questions regarding eligibility or the application process, send an email to BridgeProgram@aps.org or contact any of the project leadership.