Take the GRE. The Graduate Record Examination is administered by the company Educational Testing Service and evaluates reasoning, critical thinking and analytical skills. The GRE is offered as a computer-based or paper-based exam.
Obtain official transcripts. Request a set of official transcripts from all the institutions where you studied and/or completed your undergraduate academic work.
Write a personal statement. The written personal statement should take the form of an essay detailing your educational and research interests.
Obtain three letters of recommendation. The recommendation letters you obtain should be from academic faculty members familiar with your work and should ideally relate to your physics studies.
Create a resume. Write a resume that showcases your academic and work history, including any research or publications you may have done as an undergraduate.
Pay the application fee. Submit the $50 processing fee to the university. Keep the receipt for proof of payment.
Submit application materials. Compile and submit the application materials to the Office of Graduate Studies.
Take and pass the first qualifying exam. After you are admitted to the doctoral program, arrange to take the first qualifying exam, which is given twice a year.
Complete your coursework. Chart your academic career with an academic adviser. Then attend classes as well as study for and complete the required and elective degree coursework. In addition, regularly evaluate your progress with an academic adviser.
Attend seminars and colloquia. Doctoral students in physics are required to attend all departmental seminars and colloquia.
Take and pass the second qualifying exam. The examination generally is taken in the second year of the program. You must have passed the first qualifying exam before you are allowed to take the second qualifying exam.
Advance to candidacy. After passing the second qualifying exam, the faculty of the UNL physics department will evaluate whether you as the student are deemed prepared to be advanced to candidacy in the program and allowed to move toward the dissertation.
Take the comprehensive exam. After successfully advancing to candidacy, you must take a research-based comprehensive exam.
Complete a dissertation. You must perform original physics research and write a doctoral dissertation under the supervision of a committee within three years from the date of having passed the comprehensive examination.