Up to 8 course units may be transferred from another institution, subject to approval from the Graduate Group Chairman. A single application covers both admission and financial aid. A complete application including admission fee, which partially covers the processing cost of the admission materials, must be submitted by July 1 for fall semester candidates and by November 1 for spring semester candidates. However, for both fall and spring applicants, the deadline for financial aid consideration is January 15, hence those with financial need must abide by this earlier application deadline. Awards are competitive and based on merit.
All fellowships cover tuition and a stipend for living expenses.
In addition, an Ashton Fellowship, which covers only tuition, is available to third generation American born students, under the age of 25, who are residents of New Jersey or Pennsylvania and are applying to the Ph.D. program. Typically, the fellowships are awarded for one year and do not require any service. During their fellowship year, the Ph.D. candidates choose a research program, which, subject to availability of funds, will support them as RAs after the termination of the fellowship. Fellows take four courses per semester. Teaching Assistants typically run recitations, supervise laboratory sessions, and grade papers.