![npsc [logo]](/img/site/logo.gif){kind=logo}
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply for the fellowship?
When is the application deadline?
Am I restricted to any particular graduate school?
Does NPSC pay the application fee for admission to graduate school?
Is the NPSC application used for graduate school admission?
Am I guaranteed admission to NPSC member universities?
What fields of study are included in the program?
Am I restricted to any particular physical science or engineering discipline?
What about health care expenses while attending graduate school?
What about housing while I'm at the work site and in graduate school?
How can I get more information about scheduling and taking the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?
When are the award announcements made?
Who should apply?
NPSC welcomes applications from any qualified U.S. citizen who has the ability to pursue graduate work at an NPSC member institution. NPSC attempts to recruit a diverse pool of applicants with a special emphasis on underrepresented minorities and women. Applicants should be in one of the following categories:
- Be in your senior year with at least a 3.0/4.0 GPA
- Be in your first year of a graduate program pursuing a Ph.D.
- Be in a terminal master's program (your university offers no Ph.D. in your discipline).
- Be returning from the workforce with no more than a master's degree
- Be near the point of beginning your dissertation research.
Eligibility
Persons who already possess a doctoral degree (Ph.D., MD, JD, ED, etc.) in any field are ineligible.
When should I apply for the fellowship?
You should apply in the fall of the year before the year in which you expect to begin the fellowship. For example, if you plan to start graduate school in the fall of 2005, or begin your dissertation research in 2005, you should apply in the fall of 2004.
When is the application deadline?
The annual deadline is November 5. If the deadline falls on a weekend, it is automatically extended to the following Monday.
Am I restricted to any particular graduate school?
You may attend one of more than 100 NPSC-member Ph.D. granting universities or colleges (click to see NPSC University Members). Questions regarding non-NPSC member universities should be directed to the NPSC at (800) 854-6772 .
Does NPSC pay the application fee for admission to graduate school?
No, you must pay the fee as applicable unless the graduate school agrees to waive it.
Is the NPSC application used for graduate school admission?
No, the NPSC application is for the fellowship only. Application to the graduate schools of your choice is a separate process and up to you.
Am I guaranteed admission to NPSC member universities?
Each university has its own entrance requirements; you must be accepted on your own merits.
What fields of study are included in the program?
Each year, the disciplines sought by NPSC's employer-members vary. Consult Disciplines for the latest information.
Am I restricted to any particular physical science or engineering discipline?
You will indicate on the application which graduate discipline(s) you wish to pursue. If you are a dual major and are flexible on which discipline you pursue for your graduate work, then should a fellowship be offered, you will be advised regarding the discipline to which the fellowship applies.
May I work as a research assistant or teaching assistant while I attend graduate school as an NPSC Fellow?
Many schools require that their graduate students perform some teaching or research assistantship. If this is the case, it is recommended that you work no more that nine hours per week (quarter time). This work requires mutual agreement between the school, the student, and NPSC. See the NPSC policy as stated in the NPSC Graduate Handbook.
What about health care expenses while attending graduate school?
In most cases, member universities do not cover your health care expenses. We encourage you to take advantage of the medical insurance and services available to the regular student body.
What about housing while I'm at the work site and in graduate school?
We recommend that you search for suitable housing by contacting other NPSC Fellows, the employer, and the university's housing office. You are responsible for paying for your housing from your summer earnings or stipend.
How can I get more information about scheduling and taking the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?
You can either do it by mail or online at http://www.gre.org/.
If you are paying by credit card and are testing in the United States, U.S. Territories, Puerto Rico and Canada, call the National Registration Center (NRC) at 800-473-2255 or the test center directly to schedule an appointment.
If you are paying by check, money order or fee waiver, mail the completed Authorization Voucher Request Form (in the center of the bulletin) to:
Graduate Record Examinations
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6020
Princeton, NJ 08541-6020
Am I still eligible to apply if the GRE results can't be sent prior to the NPSC's November 5 deadline?
Yes, you are still eligible to apply. The review committee meets the first week of December. We will receive and process all GRE results up to the last weekday prior to the committee meeting. If you are not scheduled to take the GRE until December, then your application package will be reviewed without the GRE's. This means that you will be evaluated solely on your course work, GPA, research experience and letters of recommendation. The absence of a GRE score may place you at a disadvantage in the review process, however.
When are the award announcements made?
The awards process begins in late January and runs until all of the awards have been accepted. Awards typically are offered in early March, but may be offered later.
© Copyright 2004, National Physical Science Consortium.