How to Apply to Physics at Rhodes College: A Memphis Liberal Arts College Where Physics Is Offered as a B.S. Major, You Declare by Spring of Sophomore Year with a Short Essay, Early Decision I Is 1 November and Testing Is Optional, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee is an undergraduate liberal arts college, and physics is offered by the Department of Physics. Students apply to the College as a whole, not to a separate school. Here is what you need to know, based on the physics department, the College catalogue and the Office of Admission’s websites, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Mathematics, chemistry, astronomy and computer science are not covered in this article.

1. Degrees and tracks

• Physics major (B.S.): the catalogue title is “Requirements for a Major in Physics Leading to the B.S. Degree”, and it requires 51 credits: Physics 111-112 (or 109-110 with departmental approval) and 113-114; Physics 211, 213 and 250; Physics 301, 305, 401 and 406; Physics 486; at least 4 more credits of physics (including directed inquiries) at the 200 level or above and at least 4 more at the 300 level or above; and Mathematics 122 and 223. The catalogue does not list a B.A. physics major or separate astrophysics, applied physics or biophysics majors; the department’s research areas include astrophysics and medical physics, but they are research fields, not separate degrees in the catalogue.
• Physics minor: 20 credits: Physics 111-112 (or 109-110) and 113-114, Physics 211, at least one more 4-credit physics course at the 200 level or above, and Mathematics 122. The catalogue adds that at least four courses in the minor must lie outside the requirements of the student’s major and other minors, which chemistry and mathematics majors should note.
• Honors in Physics: see section 3.
• Pre-Engineering Certificate and engineering dual degrees: the catalogue says physics or chemistry majors planning graduate work or a career in engineering can earn a Pre-Engineering Certificate, and the College has dual degree arrangements with Washington University in St. Louis, Christian Brothers University, a University of Tennessee/University of Memphis joint programme and the University of Memphis; see section 3. Engineering itself is not covered here.

2. How admission works: apply to the College, declare a major by spring of sophomore year

• At application: the admission checklists do not ask for an intended major or say that admission is decided by major. Whether an intended major entered on the application affects the decision is not stated in the pages read; please ask the Office of Admission.
• When to declare: the admission FAQ says students are not required to declare a major until the spring semester of the sophomore year.
• Declaring the physics major: the catalogue says that when declaring a physics major, students submit a 250–500 word essay to their academic adviser for approval, covering their goals in pursuing physics, the areas of physics that interest them most (for example astrophysics), other academic concentrations they plan (for example a mathematics minor) and how they complement physics, and their plans after graduation.
• Course advice: the catalogue’s physics page says prospective majors should consult a member of the department as early as possible and try to take Physics 111-112 and the associated laboratory in the first year, along with Mathematics 112 (if needed) and Mathematics 122 (integral calculus). Physics 101/102, 105 and 107 cannot count toward a physics major or minor, though they count toward general degree credits.
• Caps on places, grade requirements to declare, and internal-transfer conditions: not stated in the pages read. They are not published there; please contact the physics department or check the catalogue.

3. Prerequisites, laboratories and research

• High school physics and calculus: the admission pages read do not state a specific high school physics or calculus entry requirement; it is not published there. The catalogue’s requirements after entry: the major needs Mathematics 122 (integral calculus) and 223 (multivariable calculus); students who have not had differential calculus should take Mathematics 112 first; 122 is a prerequisite for Physics 211 and 223 for Physics 250; and the mathematics for the major should be finished by the middle of the second year.
• Advice for graduate school: the catalogue strongly encourages students planning physics graduate study to take as many upper-level physics electives as possible; recommended courses include Mathematics 251 (differential equations), 261 (linear algebra), 311 (probability), 312 (mathematical statistics), 324 (vector and advanced calculus), 370 (complex variables) and Computer Science 141 and 142.
• AP/IB/Cambridge credit (2026-27 equivalency table): the Office of Admission says AP scores of 4 or 5 normally earn credit (a 3 may allow advanced work if the department recommends it), IB Higher Level scores of 5, 6 or 7 earn credit (a 4 may qualify for advanced work after departmental review), and Cambridge A/AS-levels usually need a C or higher. At most 32 credits can come from AP, Cambridge Pre-U, IB and Option IB examinations, and official score reports must reach Rhodes by the first day of the first semester. The equivalency PDF’s physics rows: Physics 1 (algebra-based) corresponds to Physics 109 and 113 (4 credits) with Physics 110 and 114 next; Physics 2 (algebra-based) to Physics 110 and 114 (4 credits) with Physics 211 next; Physics C: Mechanics to Physics 111 and 113 (4 credits) with Physics 112 and 114 next; Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism to Physics 112 and 114 (4 credits) with Physics 211 next; IB Higher Level Physics to Physics 109, 110, 113 and 114 (8 credits); and A-Level/AS Physics at B or higher to the same 8 credits. For calculus, AP Calculus AB corresponds to Mathematics 112 (4 credits) and AP Calculus BC to Mathematics 112, 122 and 123 (10 credits). The table notes that a course for which you have AP/IB credit cannot also be taken for credit, otherwise the credit is waived. The major asks for Physics 111-112 (or 109-110 with approval) and 113-114; which credits count directly toward the major is decided by the department and the registrar.
• Laboratories and facilities: the department page says it combines formal class work with hands-on laboratory work and independent research; facilities include several instructional and research laboratories, a fabrication shop, a new observatory and a large student lounge in the physics building. The “Information for Prospective Students” page gives quick facts: 5 full-time physics faculty, about 9 majors graduating a year on average, 5 instructional laboratories, 5 research laboratories and 20 upper-level physics courses offered (the page prints no year).
• Undergraduate research: the department says many majors work with faculty in their research labs, some starting in the first year, and that it is not unusual for a graduating senior to have attended several national meetings and given formal presentations. Faculty research includes astrophysics (Prof. Rupke, galaxies with space-telescope data), medical physics (Prof. Hoffmeister, ultrasonic backscatter for bone assessment), theoretical physics and magnetic microparticles (Prof. Vieira, trapping and transporting magnetic beads on chips); Prof. Viano works on biomaterials. Students may also apply to NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates programmes, and the department keeps a list of external research opportunities (a Google Site, not read here). There is also the RHOK-SAT CubeSat project, studying the degradation of novel photovoltaic materials in space; the research page gives a 2023 launch while the department news column says NASA was targeting 14 September for launch (the pages show no year).
• Honors in Physics: the catalogue says the student completes the courses for the B.S. major plus Physics 495-496 Honors Tutorial; at least four credits per semester in the senior year are Honors Tutorial, with up to sixteen credits of honors work in the senior year; both cumulative and major GPA must be 3.50 at the time of application and at graduation; an original investigation, usually mentored by a physics faculty member (outside the department with approval), is required, with a thesis and an oral presentation approved by the Honors committee.
• Capstone or thesis in the major: the major lists Physics 486, 401 and 406 among its required courses; the pages read do not describe what Physics 486 involves, so please check the catalogue’s course descriptions.
• Pre-Engineering Certificate: the catalogue says physics majors interested in mechanical or electrical engineering take Physics 111-112, Mathematics 251, Computer Science 141, Chemistry 120/125L, Physics 220, Physics 304 or 307, and one approved experiential component (for example 4 credits of research, summer research or an engineering-related internship); those interested in biomedical engineering follow a different mix that includes biology and chemistry. Starred courses also count toward the major.
• Engineering dual degrees: the dual degree page lists Washington University in St. Louis (three years at Rhodes and three at WashU, ending with a Rhodes B.S. and a WashU B.S. and M.S. in engineering, with WashU tuition discounts starting at 50%); a University of Memphis M.S. in Electrical Engineering for physics majors (about three years at Rhodes and two at Memphis, two degrees in five years); Christian Brothers University (three years at Rhodes majoring in physics, chemistry or biochemistry/molecular biology and two at CBU, two bachelor’s degrees); and a University of Tennessee/University of Memphis BS/MS in Biomedical Engineering (three years majoring in chemistry or physics, then two more). The contact is Prof. Ann Viano of the physics department; the page also points to a “Roads to Engineering from Rhodes” site on sites.rhodes.edu, which this article did not read.
• Physics competitions: how USAPhO and similar contests are viewed in admission is not stated in the pages read.

4. Deadlines and application materials

• Rounds and deadlines: Early Decision I (binding) 1 November; Early Action (non-binding) 15 November (notified by 15 January); Early Decision II 15 January; Regular Decision 15 January (notified by 15 March). ED decisions normally come within two weeks of receiving all materials, and admitted ED students make a $500 enrollment deposit within two weeks; the College says ED applicants receive priority consideration for admission, scholarships and aid, plus a $3,000 Early Decision Grant renewable for four years. The pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry.
• How to apply: the Common Application. The application fee is not stated in the pages read; please check the College’s Common App page or the Office of Admission.
• Materials: a high school transcript; the Secondary School Report from the counselor, usually with a counselor letter; teacher recommendations, one or more but no more than three, from a teacher of any class (the College says those from core academic subjects tend to be the most informative; it does not say a science or physics teacher is required); a signed Early Decision Agreement for ED applicants; and for Regular Decision a mid-year report uploaded by the counselor after the first major marking period of senior year. An optional 90-second video “Elevator Pitch” (InitialView) is also accepted.
• Essay: the checklist mentions the personal essay, but the pages read do not list a Rhodes supplemental essay prompt; please check the Common App.
• Interview: the admission FAQ says an interview is not required; interviews are offered on campus and when counselors travel, and there are no alumni interviews.
• Testing: test-optional. You choose on the Common App whether to include a score; if you choose not to, you can still add a score before the decision is released, but once submitted a score cannot be withdrawn. All applications are first reviewed “test blind”. Submitted scores are superscored (the checklist says the highest score on each section; the FAQ says the average of best subscores), with no superscoring between the old and new SAT formats, no use of the SAT/ACT writing score, and the ACT science score optional. The College says no scholarship has a test score requirement. The SAT code is 1730 and the ACT code 4008.
• AP and IB scores: the FAQ says they are not needed for admission, but a student can self-report them on the Common App if they would strengthen the application.

5. US domestic applicants

• Tuition (2026-27): the fees page lists tuition of $60,240, mandatory fees of $820, and housing and food (the unlimited all-access meal plan) of $15,196, with a printed total of $76,256; students should also allow roughly $1,200 for books and supplies, $1,300 for transportation and $1,500 for personal and miscellaneous expenses. Proof of comprehensive health insurance is required before attending classes. A single tuition figure is listed, with no in-state/out-of-state distinction. The rates for 2027-28 are not stated in the pages read.
• Aid applications: the FAFSA (Title IV code 003519); the CSS Profile is also accepted (code 1730).
• Merit scholarships: all applications are considered automatically with no separate application, renewable up to four years; they do not stack and the student receives the highest one earned: Oak Alley full tuition; Cambridge $45,000 a year; Presidential $40,000; Founders $38,000; Ralph C. Hon $38,000; Diehl $36,000; Rhodes Award $20,000–$34,000; Tennessee Advantage $33,000. The admission FAQ separately says merit awards range from $12,000 to $45,000 (not identical to the list; please confirm with the Office of Admission). The College says no scholarship has a test score requirement.
• Tennessee residents: the website says Tennessee high school seniors who both qualify for the HOPE Scholarship and have an unweighted GPA of 3.7 or a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher automatically receive the $33,000-a-year Tennessee Advantage Scholarship, which stacks with HOPE and most aid and is renewable for four years but does not stack with other Rhodes merit scholarships; Tennessee students who apply ED I or ED II also automatically receive the $3,000 Early Decision Grant, and may receive a $1,000 Campus Visit Grant for an official senior-year campus visit; students living in and attending high school in Memphis and Shelby County may apply for the Clarence Day Scholarship (full tuition, housing and meals for four years). A completed FAFSA is needed before enrolment to confirm HOPE and other Tennessee funding. The website does not state guaranteed admission for in-state applicants.
• Physics scholarship: the Taylor Scholarship in Physics is covered in section 8.

6. International applicants

• English requirements: applicants whose native language is not English submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores; the requirement may be waived for students whose secondary instruction was in English. The international checklist says the most competitive applicants are recommended to score at least 5.0 on the (new) TOEFL (95 on the TOEFL exams before January 2026), 7.0 on the IELTS or 130 on the Duolingo English Test; the test-optional FAQ says at least 95 on the TOEFL, 7.0 on the IELTS or 120 on Duolingo. The two pages give different Duolingo figures (130 and 120); please confirm with the Office of Admission.
• Materials: the Common Application; a high school transcript translated into English; SAT or ACT scores (optional; the checklist says international applicants who do not submit them may be asked to take part in a virtual interview); English test results if needed; a teacher recommendation; the school report form; and the Rhodes Non-US Citizen Financial Information Form, accessed through the Rhodes portal after you submit the Common App, to show financial support and request need-based aid. The aid page adds that all international applicants complete this free financial supplement and submit a bank statement supporting their available funding.
• Interview: the checklist “strongly recommends” that applicants whose native language is not English take part in an interview run by an outside provider (InitialView or Vericant), acknowledging a cost; the interview is recommended, not required.
• Aid: the website says international applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships from $20,000 a year to full tuition; Rhodes meets the demonstrated need of admitted international students on visas, through grant aid and possibly on-campus work. International admission is “need-aware”, and admission is extremely competitive for international students seeking significant aid. The CSS Profile and FAFSA are not required for international students, and Rhodes does not offer CSS Profile fee waivers. The College says it offered more than $2.4 million in merit scholarships and need-based assistance to international students admitted last year. The aid page lists 2026-27 charges of tuition $60,240, mandatory fees $820, housing and meal plan $15,196 and international health insurance $1,600, with a printed total of $77,856; it excludes transportation, textbooks, SEVIS fees, break housing and personal expenses. Aid is renewable, with the same package for all four years given satisfactory progress.
• Visa: the website says Rhodes typically begins working on visa paperwork at the beginning of May and provides an I-20, but visa appointments depend on the US Department of State.
• Other: the International Student Services Office offers travel arrangements, shopping trips and tours in Memphis, help with the transition to American culture, and free diction and academic-writing workshops.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the admission pages read do not mention the Gaokao. Whether Gaokao results are accepted and how they would be used is not published there; please ask the international admission office.
• Contacts: the international checklist lists Tie Sun, Senior Assistant Director of Admission, as responsible for the territory “Asia” (phone +1 901.843.3700), and Director of International Admission Lauren Sefton (seftonl@rhodes.edu).
• What the website says about Chinese applicants: the international aid page presents anonymised sample scenarios, one of them from China with an AP curriculum (eight AP classes across grades 11 and 12, a GPA of 98/100, TOEFL 113, and an online recorded interview), admitted with a $37,000 Presidential Scholarship plus a $4,000 Rhodes grant, an expected family contribution of $30,000 and out-of-pocket costs of about $28,830 assuming work-study earnings; the page says names and details were changed and that these are similar to profiles of recently admitted students. Apart from that, no China-specific requirements (Gaokao, school-leaving examinations) are published in the pages read; transcripts must be translated into English, and other questions should go to the contacts above.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs: see sections 5 and 6.
• Jack H. Taylor Scholarship in Physics: the department page says it helps talented high school physics students continue their investigations in college; high school seniors who apply to Rhodes and intend to major or minor in physics are encouraged to apply; the recipient receives up to $18,500 a year in addition to any other Rhodes scholarship or grant (the department’s overview says “for tuition, up to four years”). Conditions: five hours a week of service to the physics department (research or special projects), satisfactory progress toward a physics major or minor, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Process: apply to Rhodes by the Early Action (15 November) or Regular Decision (15 January) deadline; then complete the Taylor application in the portal by 1 December (Early Action) or 1 February (Regular Decision); have a teacher or project supervisor send a reference letter to Prof. Brent Hoffmeister; finalists are notified within roughly six weeks. At least one scholarship may be awarded to a first-year student each year, renewed for three more years. Transfer students are not eligible.
• Department awards: each spring the department gives an Award for Excellence in Physics by a First-Year Student (cash), a Research Award in Physics (cash), a Physics Department Award (cash), the William Spandow Scholarship in Physics (a sophomore or junior physics major with outstanding results in physics and all other coursework) and the Mac Armour Physics Fellow award (a summer research stipend).
• Outcomes (department pages): the department page says that over the past 10 years roughly 30% of majors pursued graduate study in engineering and another 35% graduate studies in other disciplines (including physics, astronomy and medicine); the “Information for Prospective Students” page says roughly half of graduates pursue graduate study in engineering, physics, astronomy or medical disciplines, fifteen percent pursue advanced non-science study such as law, and the remaining thirty-five percent find jobs as teachers, engineers, computer scientists, laboratory specialists and so on (the two statistics differ in basis and neither page prints a year).

9. Transfer students

• Deadlines: fall entry 1 April (notified by 1 May); spring entry 1 November (notified by 1 December); applications submitted on time get a 1–2 week grace period to gather documents. The page shows no year, so check.
• Who counts as a transfer: anyone who has taken more than two courses in a single term at another accredited college must apply as a transfer.
• Materials: the Transfer Common Application (the Reapply form for those who applied before); the final high school transcript and transcripts from all post-secondary schools; syllabi for courses you want transferred; the College Official’s Report; a college Instructor Evaluation; a mid-term report if currently enrolled; a short explanation of why you wish to transfer; testing optional; and the FAFSA for need-based aid. Transfers are automatically reviewed for the same merit scholarships as first-years but are not eligible for the Bonner, Clarence Day, Jack H. Taylor (physics), Art and Music or Jewish Community Fellowship awards.
• Credit transfer: the College says up to 64 credits or 50 percent of the credits required for the degree may transfer, with grades of C- or higher, at least half of the credits earned at Rhodes, and at most 8 transfer credits among the 32 senior-year residence credits; online credits are limited; the registrar evaluates each course after admission, and whether a course counts toward a major is decided by the programme chair. A minimum GPA for admission and conditions for entering the physics major are not stated in the pages read. The transfer page read does not list separate requirements for international transfers; please ask the Office of Admission.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ED I 1 November; EA 15 November; ED II and Regular 15 January; Common App; up to three teacher recommendations; testing optional
• FAFSA (code 003519); Tennessee residents look up Tennessee Advantage; those intending to major or minor in physics look up the Taylor Scholarship (1 December for EA, 1 February for RD)

International applicants (including China):

• TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores (suggested levels in section 6); Non-US Citizen Financial Information Form and a bank statement; transcript translated into English
• Gaokao use is not published; ask the international admission office

After entry:

• Take Physics 111-112 with labs and calculus in the first year; declare by spring of sophomore year with a 250–500 word essay to your adviser; physics B.S. major is 51 credits

Transfer students:

• Fall 1 April, spring 1 November; syllabi for credit evaluation; up to 64 credits transfer

Sources: Rhodes College, Physics department; Information for prospective students; Student research; Taylor Scholarship in Physics; Department awards; Catalogue: Physics; Catalogue: major requirements; Catalogue: major essay; Catalogue: minor; Catalogue: honors; Catalogue: pre-engineering certificate; Catalogue: academic partnerships; Dual degree programs; Application plans and deadlines; First-year checklist; Test optional FAQs; AP, IB and Cambridge; International checklist; International financial aid; Tuition and fees; Institutional aid; Tennessee students; Transfer applicants; Transfer credit policies; Admission FAQs. The dates on the admission pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry and see Rhodes’ website for the latest.