| I was awarded a GRA, will I be assigned to a group? |
| Experimental students who were awarded a GRA are expected to search out a research group that can support them. It is recommended that new admits begin this process prior to arrival, but many students are successful after they arrive on campus. Since GRAs are paid from individual research grants managed by a faculty member, it is very important that you notify the Physics Graduate Office the moment you secure a position so that your funding is charged to a specific research account. Please visit the Research Opportunities Page for faculty currently looking for research assistants. |
| I was awarded a GRA but I'd rather teach, is this possible? |
| Depending upon availability of teaching assignments, it may be possible to change your award. Alternatively, students awarded a TA may elect to find a research group that can support them on a GRA. Teaching stipends may increase with additional duties. |
| If I receive an NSF (US) Fellowship or NSERC (Canadian) Fellowship, how will this change my current award? |
| Students who are initially awarded a GRA or TA, and then receive an NSF Fellowship or other outside award, will be sent a change of financial aid notice canceling the previous assistantship award. In subsequent years it may be possible to increase your yearly outside fellowship stipend with the addition of a teaching or research assistantship. NSERC Fellowship recipients are usually supplemented with either a GRA or GTA depending upon the amount of the award and current rate of exchange. |
| I was awarded a GRA or TA but have since received a fellowship from outside the US, who do I notify? |
| International students often apply for fellowships outside the US that are awarded during the application review process. It is extremely important that you notify the Physics Graduate Office right away when you receive outside funding so we can modify our admission award to meet the terms and conditions of your fellowship. It may be possible to increase most outside fellowship stipends with a teaching or research assistantship in subsequent years. |
| If I join a theory group, will I have a TA every year? |
| Some students who do their thesis research in theoretical physics are supported by a TA during their entire graduate career, while some are supported by a GRA in their later years. It is suggested that students discuss funding with their potential advisors. TAs are paid at different levels depending upon experience and duties. A new student may be given a grading assignment whereas an advanced student may actually teach a section or instruct a lab course. Some TAs do both for additional funds. Some students who do their thesis research in theoretical astrophysics are usually supported by a TA during the academic year, and after passing candidacy may be supported with a research assistantship during the summer depending upon the availability of funds. Other theoretical projects might be supported entirely with research funds. |
| How can I get a Research Assistantship during my first summer? |
| Newly admitted physics gradute students wishing to begin research with an experimental group the summer before they begin their graduate studies should contact various faculty supporting research in which the student is interested. Oftentimes faculty members will contact experimentally inclined students during the recruiting process offering summer research assistantships. Many students find that beginning research early helps them acclimate to graduate school much more quickly and gives them a head start getting acquainted with the research possibilities available at Caltech. A summer research assistantship does not commit the student to further research once the appointment is up. If you plan to begin summer research earlier than September, please provide the physics department with your expected arrival date and the name of your faculty summer research supervisor. |
| How difficult is it to switch research groups during my first year if I find something else I would rather do? |
| It's not difficult at all. We require all new students to take two terms of Ph 242, which is a seminar course designed to acquaint new students with research opportunities. If a student is being supported with a GRA by an experimental group and wishes to change groups, the student should notify the advisor as soon as possible of that intent. The student should also notify the Physics Graduate Office as well so that the source of funding can be changed without interruption of paychecks. |
Physics, Math & Astronomy |
Graduate Study & Research Physics Graduate Office October 2008 |