The admissions process for AY 2026-27 is open. Completed applications are due by 02 December 2025.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications in advance of the December 2 deadline to provide time for receiving reference letters, optional test scores, and language scores (when required). Applications are not considered complete until all required application materials (including ALL reference letters) have been received. The Department of Astronomy will begin reviewing complete applications immediately after the December 2 deadline. NOTE: The deadline is based upon Eastern Standard Time (EST).

This page will give you information on what to expect (and what is expected of you) as an astronomy graduate student at the University of Maryland. If you find that some of your questions are not answered here , please feel free to contact us directly.

Fee Waiver Information and Eligibility

To find out if you are eligible for a fee waiver, visit the University's graduate school page.

Questions about our graduate program should be directed to Graduate Admissions Chair.
For any other inquires about the graduate program, contact Olivia Dent.
Questions about general graduate student life should be directed to current graduate student Ell Bogat.

Main Information

• Introduction to the Department
  Learn more about us!
• Graduate Catalog (Astronomy)
  This is the Department of Astronomy's entry in the Graduate Catalog.
• Academic Program
  Learn more about our Ph.D. program/curriculum.
• Graduate School Application Process
  Apply to Maryland! (Note that admissions deadlines here may supercede those in the Graduate Catalog.)
• Funding
  The department provides full funding (with tuition waivers) for up to six years while students maintain adequate progress toward degree completion.

More Information

The following links are less important but can help give you a sense of the department and the University of Maryland.

• Graduate Wiki
  A student-written wiki that provides a glimpse into graduate student life in our department.
• Graduate Student Life - UMD's official guide for all graduate students, useful after you've been accepted.