Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who makes the decisions regarding admission to the graduate program?
The Graduate Recruiting and Selection Committee is responsible for these decisions, but their decisions must be approved by the Graduate School. So, while we encourage prospective students to contact faculty to find out about research opportunities, it is important for prospective students to understand that the final decision for admission is made by the Selection Committee. The Committee tries, of course, to select the best students from the applicant pool. As you can imagine, comparing the applications of students from around the world is a difficult task since every country, sometimes every school, uses a slightly different system, has different standards, etc. Further, we can only make our decision based on what is sent to us in the application. So, to give yourself the best chance of acceptance, make sure your application is complete. We are happy to help you prepare the best application you can, so contact us (graduate@phys.ksu.edu) with any questions.
What kind of financial support can I expect?
With very few exceptions, you will receive full financial support if we accept you into our program. This support will be in the form of a GTA and the details will be outlined in our offer letter.
How do I find out about financial support?
We automatically consider all applications to our Ph.D. program for a GTA stipend unless the candidate states they have their own finances..
What can I expect from a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)?
Most students will have a GTA their first academic year here and a GRA for the remainder of their studies. The precise financial details will be spelled out in our offer letter, but generally they will include a tuition waiver and a nine-month salary to carry you through the first academic year. To earn this salary, you will be required to teach lab and/or recitation (problem-solving) courses and to grade papers and exams. We strive to keep the load fair and manageable since you will have your own coursework to complete and a research group to locate. The salary is competitive, especially considering that the cost-of-living in Manhattan, Kansas, is about 25% below the U.S. national average. You can directly compare the cost-of-living in many U.S. cities using http://www.homefair.com/homefair/calc/salcalc.html. or or http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html.
Do you offer financial support to those applying for an M.S.?
We will not normally offer financial support to someone applying for the Master’s program. In fact, we will not normally accept someone applying for a terminal M.S. degree. We have made exceptions for well-qualified students who have their own source of support.
Do you accept students seeking an M.S. degree?
We do not normally accept someone applying for a terminal M.S. degree. If your plan is to get a Ph.D., there is no need to get a M.S. first, so be sure to mark the Ph.D. degree program on the K-State application form!
What can I expect from a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA)?
Beginning the summer after the first academic year, most students join the research group they will complete their Ph.D. with. A research group provides a GRA for you to work on research that will eventually lead to your degree. A GRA provides a year-round salary that is comparable to or higher than a GTA, and most GRAs also cover at least part of tuition. Students here live relatively comfortably on a GRA — many even support families.
Are there any scholarships or fellowships available?
There are a limited number of University-sponsored Timothy R. Donoghue Scholarships available to incoming graduates of U.S. colleges or universities. These scholarships provide a substantial financial supplement to either a GTA or a GRA and can be held up to two years. You do not apply directly for these scholarships, rather the Selection Committee will select the best candidates from among the application pool. Awardees will be notified with their offer letter. Note that only U.S. citizens are eligible.
What benefits are GTAs/GRAs eligible for?
TA brochure describing the plan provisions and an enrollment form (including premium rates) are available from the Division of Human Resources website at www.k-state.edu/hr/benefits/gta.html or at 103 Edwards Hall.
How many applications do you receive?
We typically receive an average of about 150 applications each year for fall admission. We do not normally consider spring admission, so the few such applications we receive are usually considered for the next fall (after notifying the student, of course).
How many offers do you make?
We average about 20-30 offers each year.
How many students do you enroll?
We will typically enroll 13-15 students each fall.
What is the minimum grade point average (GPA) required to be admitted into your program?
During the last two years of your coursework, you must have maintained a B average or its equivalent (3.0 on a 4.0 scale).
What is the ratio of domestic to international students admitted to the physics program?
Approximately 1/3 of our students have graduated from U.S. colleges or universities. The remaining 2/3 are international, including China, Georgia, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates.
Can I apply if my BS degree is not in Physics?
We will consider an applicant whose degree is not in physics, but our preference is for those with physics degrees. An applicant whose degree is not in physics should have at least taken several physics courses or courses with equivalent content. An applicant without a physics degree should stand out in other respects in order to have the best chance of acceptance.
What is the deadline to apply for fall admission?
For full consideration, completed applications should be submitted to us by January 10. We will generally begin reviewing the applications soon after that date, with first round offers typically following within two to three weeks. A second round of offers has not been needed in recent years. Any applications received after this date will be reviewed if open positions remain.
Can I apply for spring admission?
We strongly discourage spring admission. We will consider it on a case-by-case basis, but our most likely response will be to defer consideration until the next fall.
What do you want in my Statement of Objectives?
We are looking for a statement about your goals for your graduate physics education. We would also like to know why you want to continue your studies in graduate school and what your plans are afterward. This statement is a good place to describe any specific research interests you have and how they might mesh with the research opportunities in our department. If you have relevant experience that does not appear in other parts of your application, the statement is a good place to describe them, too. In total, you should try to keep your statement to roughly one page.
I do not have my Bachelor’s diploma yet. What do I do?
The Graduate School requires original transcripts showing your completed Bachelor’s degree and the original diploma before you can be officially admitted. You can, however, bring them with you when you come to K-State. The Graduate School will then make a copy of them for their records.
Can I be admitted without taking the advanced physics GRE?
We strongly recommend that you take the GRE subject test in Physics, but can consider applications without it in exceptional circumstances. Since the physics GRE is the only way we can compare applicants on a common basis, applications with a GRE will be given preference. Should you choose to apply without the GRE, you should make every effort to strengthen the rest of your application. It is not necessary to submit your General GRE scores. The University Code for testing is 6334.
Do you accept a copy of the GRE score?
Yes, we do.
Is there a minimum GRE score to be accepted?
No, but a low Physics GRE score must obviously be accompanied by other strong proof of your physics knowledge.
Has my GRE score been received yet?
You may send an e-mail to graduate@phys.ksu.edu to find out.
What should be included in the recommendation letters?
We look at recommendation letters for information that we cannot get from transcripts or scores. We want to know, for instance, whether you are creative, can communicate well both in English and scientifically, work hard, and work well with others. We want to know whether you take the initiative on projects and whether you go beyond the minimum requirements. We want to know whether the recommender believes you have the necessary skills to succeed in the demanding environment of graduate school and beyond. The best information is comparative. That is, how you compare in each of these categories to other students at the same stage of their career. Your recommenders should also include a brief description of how they know you and how many students at your stage they can compare you with in their experience. Specific examples are, of course, much better than general statements, and anecdotes can also be useful. Any other information your recommender cares to share is certainly welcome as well.
Are there special forms for recommendation letters?
No, there are no special forms, but they should be printed on the letterhead of the recommender’s institute if available and include an original signature.
How should letters of recommendation be sent?
The letters should either be sent directly to us at:
Graduate Secretary
Department of Physics, Cardwell Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-2601
or included in your mailed application packet in sealed envelopes that have been signed by the recommender across the seal.
What forms do my transcripts have to be?
You need to submit certified copies of your transcripts both in English and your native language (for international students) of all degrees received along with copies of your graduation certificate/diploma. We do not need high school transcripts.
I am a student with limited financial resources. Can the application fee be waived for me?
We do appreciate your financial situation, but unfortunately we have little flexibility on this requirement. We will, however, make every effort to review all applications whether or not they include a fee. Be aware, though, that priority will normally be given to applications with the fee. If you are selected for admission, we will require payment of all fees. Under very exceptional circumstances, some financial assistance may be available for this part of the process.
How should I pay the fee?
Several methods are available, including online payment by credit card. Check the Graduate School’s FAQ for complete information.
Have you received my application materials?
You may send an e-mail to graduate@phys.ksu.edu to find out.
I have sent a complete application. When should I expect to hear from you?
We will usually send out first round offers by mid-March. If you do not receive any notification in this time frame, your application is being held for a potential second round of offers. Final decisions on second round offers can not be made until after the nationally agreed upon April 15 deadline. A second round of offers has not been needed in recent years.
Is your office open during Christmas break?
The University is typically closed from December 24 through January 1, but is otherwise open.
Why does K-State require English Proficiency (via TOEFL or IELTS) for physics?
Most graduate students support themselves by working as a teaching assistant (GTA) for their first year. It is obviously important to be able to interact effectively with our K-State undergraduates! Furthermore, your professional success in physics demands that you be able to communicate results to others in spoken and written English. For these reasons, the K-State Physics Department seldom relaxes the TOEFL requirement. In exceptional cases [usually a TOEFL score just below 79/213/550 for an application that is otherwise very strong], we can provisionally admit a student to Physics provided he or she is simultaneously accepted into the K-State English Language Program (ELP). Students may have to bear the cost of the ELP themselves, and restrictions on other financial assistance may apply until the ELP program has been satisfactorily completed. For more information on the ELP, see http://www.ksu.edu/elp/. TOEFL scores are only valid for two years, so we cannot accept TOEFL scores older than two years. The University Code for testing is 6334.
Is there any circumstance under which the TOEFL or IELTS can be waived?
Yes, if you are an international student that has received a degree from a U.S. institution.
Do you accept copies of TOEFL or IELTS scores?
Official scores will need to be submitted to KSU by ETS.
Is there a minimum TOEFL or IELTS to be accepted?
See link.
Has my TOEFL or IELTS score been received yet?
You may send an e-mail to graduate@phys.ksu.edu to find out.
Do I need to submit an “Affidavit of Financial Support Form" if I’m applying for an assistantship?
Yes, even if you are applying for an assistantship, you need to sign Section I of the form. The University will not admit you without this signed form (original signature—no copies accepted).
I want to bring my spouse/children, what do I need to do?
You will need to provide evidence that you have financial support for each dependent you bring by filling out all three sections (mandatory) of the “Affidavit of Financial Support” form (original signature required—no copies accepted).
Can I come to
K-State
the summer before I begin graduate study to get a head start on research?
In many cases arrangements can be made with a
K-State
research group and the Department to provide support. Your chances will be
especially good if you know who you want to work with and what you want to
work on.
Can I visit K-State to see if it’s the right place for me?
If you are interested in visiting K-State to help you make your decision about applying to our program or accepting our offer, write to graduate@phys.ksu.edu. We will pay the expenses for most U.S. students to visit K-State, so please contact us to inquire about the possibilities. We recommend a 1-2 day visit in order to have time to see the research in the Department, to see campus, and to see Manhattan. Once we find suitable dates for your visit, we will arrange everything except your flight. Make sure you keep your receipts so that we can reimburse you!
Who is the Graduate Student Advisor?
One faculty member is selected by the Department Head to serve as the Graduate Student Advisor. He/she advises each graduate student from the date of entrance to the time when the student chooses the Major Professor who supervises the M.S. or Ph.D. research. After selection of the thesis problem, the student is advised by both the Major Professor and Graduate Student Advisor, the former providing guidance primarily in the area of specialty and the latter contributing broader advice on overall departmental requirements on courses and procedures for the graduate degree. Note that the student is required to consult with the Graduate Student Advisor each semester before enrolling until the student has completed the core courses. See Section II of Graduate Student Guidelines.
How and when should I choose a Major Professor (research supervisor)?
The Major Professor is the person who will supervise your research work during your time at K-State. You should talk to several faculty in your field of interest before making a final decision. According to the physics departments Graduate Student Guidelines, this should be done by the end of the second semester in graduate school — for this requirement summer is not counted as a semester. Once this is done you should form your supervisory committee (see next question) and fill out the 'Program of Study' as soon as possible.
What is a supervisory committee?
The student's supervisory committee has the responsibility for planning the program of study, advising the student (on classes, research and anything else pertaining to their graduate study), administering the preliminary examination, and ensuring that the student's doctoral program is of high quality. Note that the advising on class enrollment is done in collaboration with the graduate student advisor. A supervisory committee consists of a Major Professor (selected by the student) along two (for MS) or three (for Ph.D.) other committee members. Note that for the Ph.D committee: one of the other committee members must be from outside the department. All must be members of the graduate faculty. One very important part of this process is the students’ selection of the major Professor. Students are strongly encouraged to talk to several Professors in their general field of interest before making a decision. See Chapter 2, Section B (for MS) or Chapter 3, Section B (for Ph.D) of the Graduate Student Handbook.
How do I enroll?
All incoming graduate students on GTA and GRA stipends must enroll for 9 credit hours during the Fall and Spring of their first year of graduate study at K-State. In the second year and beyond the minimum drops to 6 hours if you are: i) a terminal M.S. student, or ii) a Ph.D. student who has completed Math Methods (Phys801). All GTAs and GRAs shall enroll in 3 credit hours during the summer semester.
If you have not completed the core courses you must meet with Dr. Mick O’Shea for academic advising. You need to enroll before the first day of class or you will be charged a late fee. Contact Jane in CW107, janie@phys.ksu.edu to have your academic advising flag raised. Enroll on-line through ISIS.
This is my last semester, how many hours do I need to enoll in?
If you are a GTA/GRA on a stipend and this is your last semester the number of hours you need to enroll into is based on when you are terminating with the Department. If you plan to be here until approximately November 17 (Fall) or April 17 (Spring) you have to enroll into six hours. If you are leaving before these dates, please see Peggy.
What do I do if I have an incomplete?
If you have an incomplete you must NOT enroll in the class again. The instructor who gave you the incomplete may require you to sit in on the class a second time (but not enroll in it), turn in late homework, turn in late papers or repeat other parts of the class. It is your responsibility to: i) understand what is required to remove the incomplete and ii) do the work on the timeline agreed to between you and the instructor.
The student has the responsibility to take the initiative in completing the work, and is expected to make up the incomplete during the first semester (enrolled) at the university after receiving the grade of I.
If after the end of the first semester, the I remains on the record it will be designated as F for record-keeping purposes and will be computed in the student's GPA, weighted at 0 points per credit. A grade of NR will be treated in a like manner using the designation F.
In the case where the class is only offered in certain semesters the Department can request the “I” be kept until it can be retaken.
Can I retake a class to improve my grade?
Yes, you can retake a class. However, you MUST be on probation, your grade in the course you wish to retake must be a C or lower, and it MUST be approved by your committee before you retake it.
The retake grade will always be used in computing the grade point average regardless of whether it is higher or lower than the original grade. A student may retake a course with subsequent removal of the prior grade only once for each course and for a total of two courses in a degree program.
When you retake a class you MUST do two things:
-
Fill out a 'Request to Retake a Graduate Course'. [The deadline to file this request is the last day to drop a course without a W being recorded in the semester the course is being retaken]. This form can be found in the Student Guidelines section of the graduate school website. You MUST do this in a timely manner. This will allow your new grade is to replace your old grade in the calculation of your GPA. If you do not do this, your GPA will be calculated using both your old and your new grades. Note that since your committee must sign this form, you must find a major professor, fill out a 'Program of Study', which involves forming a committee, and submit this program of study to the graduate school before you submit your 'Request to Retake a Graduate Course' form.
-
Enroll into the class.
This is discussed in more detail in the Graduate Student Handbook under Chapter 2, section F3 (for M.S.) and Chapter 3, section F3 (for Ph.D).
When do I have to take the written Departmental Exam?
Each student must take the DE by the beginning of his/her third semester in graduate school in physics at Kansas State. Students are encouraged to take the exam earlier if they are prepared. Exceptions to this rule must be approved in writing prior to the examination by the department head and the department graduate student advisor. All five subjects must be taken on the first attempt. Any subjects not taken or failed on the first attempt must be passed the next time the DE is offered to continue as a PhD student. In addition, if a student fails any part of the DE on the second attempt, he/she will receive no further GTA or GRA support beyond that semester or beyond completing a terminal M.S degree. See section C of the Graduate Student Guidelines for more details.
What is a supervisory committee?
The student's supervisory committee has the responsibility for planning the program of study, advising the student (on classes, research and anything else pertaining to their graduate study), administering the preliminary examination, and ensuring that the student's doctoral program is of high quality. Note that the advising on class enrollment is done in collaboration with the graduate student advisor. A supervisory committee consists of a Major Professor (selected by the student) along with two (for MS) or three (for Ph.D.) other committee members. Note that for the Ph.D committee one of the other committee members must be from outside the department. All must be members of the graduate faculty. One very important part of this process is the students’ selection of the Major Professor. Students are strongly encouraged to talk to several professors in their general field of interest before making a decision. See Chapter 2, Section B (for MS) or Chapter 3, Section B (for Ph.D) of the Graduate Student Handbook.
When do I have to take the oral preliminary exam?
Once the student has passed the written DE, chosen his/her committee and filed a program of study with the graduate school, the oral preliminary exam (PE) can be taken. The PE should be taken before the end of the eighth week of the semester following completion of these requirements. This exam should be completed by the end of the fifth semester. The supervisory committee determines the format of the PE. It is the student's responsibility to schedule the PE with the Graduate School at a time and place agreed upon by the student's committee. This exam should be scheduled with the Graduate School at least four weeks before the agreed upon date. See section C of Graduate Student Guidelines for more details.
What is the purpose of the preliminary exam?
From the Graduate School Catalog: The preliminary exam is designed to test the student's breadth and depth of knowledge in the proposed field of specialization, as well as the student's ability to explore problems on the boundaries of knowledge. Satisfactory performance in the examination is an indication that the student is prepared to perform independent work toward the doctoral degree and results in the student being classified as a doctoral candidate, upon affirmative recommendation by the supervisory committee.
What is the structure of the K-State preliminary exam?
The exam is divided into two parts — a Departmental Exam over topics in physics and an Oral Exam. The Departmental Exam has five parts. One part for each of the areas: classical mechanics, classical electrodynamics, statistic mechanics, quantum mechanics and modern physics. The exams focus on a level of knowledge equivalent to a strong undergraduate preparation. Student must pass all five parts of the Departmental Exam before they are admitted to the Oral Exam.
How often is the exam offered?
The exam is given twice per year — at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. The Fall exam is in mid-August while the Spring exam is in mid-January.
When is the exam taken?
The exam is typically taken before the beginning of the fall semester of the second year. All five parts must be passed separately. Everyone gets a second chance to pass any part of the exam they fail. Only the failed parts need be repeated.
Can I take the exam earlier than the beginning of my second year?
A student who wishes to take the exam early must discuss his/her reasons for feeling prepared with the Graduate Student Adviser. After this discussion the student must present to the Graduate Student Adviser a written statement which describes in detail the reasons for taking the exam early and include in that statement the student's understanding of the consequences of failure on the exam. The details must include a description of completed courses which are relevant to each exam, performance in those courses, and actions taken outside of formal classes to prepare for the exam. Then, the Graduate Student Adviser and the Department Head will approve or deny the request. If the student disagrees with the decision, the Examination Committee will serve as an appeals committee.
What kinds of problems are on the exam?
Exam problems are drawn from a set of questions which are made available to the students. Students have access to the set of questions, but do not know before the test is given which of the problems will appear on the exam. This link will take you to the most recent set of questions.
Suppose I am preparing for the exam and find a question which seems inappropriate. What should I do?
A student may feel that a question is written at a higher level than a strong undergraduate preparation, is impossible to work, poorly worded or very tricky. He/she should communicate that information to the Chair of the Departmental Exam committee. The information should be sent to the Committee Chair at least two weeks before the exam.
When will the questions be placed on the Web?
The Departmental Exam Committee has the responsibility to post the questions in a timely manner so that students will have sufficient opportunity to study them before the exam.
May I take fewer than five exams on my first try?
No, you must complete all parts of the exam on your first attempt. Failure to appear to complete a scheduled component of the exam will be counted as a failure on that part of the exam.
When do I retake any parts that I fail?
You must take all parts of the exam which you fail on the first attempt at the next time that the exam is offered.
May I discuss my performance on the exam with anyone?
Students may request to discuss any part of the exam with a member of the Departmental Exam Committee. The chair of the Committee will designate the member who will discuss the questions with the student and/or his/her adviser.
What are the consequences of failing any part of the exam twice?
Departmental rules state, "If a student fails any part of the DE on the second attempt, he/she will receive no further GTA or GRA support beyond that semester." Once support is removed for failure on the Departmental exam it cannot be reinstated except by a vote of the full faculty. A student who has failed the exam twice may continue in our program without financial support but is encouraged to seek other career choices.
How many students fail the preliminary exam or leave K-State for other academic reasons?
Students must leave the program if they have exhausted all efforts to pass the exam, or have failed to maintain a "B" average in course work for two consecutive semesters. This affects about one person every two years.
What is a Program of Study?
This is a formal list of courses the student intends to take to fulfill the requirements of the degree. Every Ph.D (or MS) student must file with the Graduate School this Program of Study. Full-time students must file their programs before the end of their second semester of graduate study, and part-time students must do so upon the completion of 9 credit hours. The student should prepare the program of study in consultation with the supervisory committee, all members of which must indicate their approval by signing the Program of Study form provided by the Graduate School. See Chapter 2, Section C (for MS) or Chapter 3, Section C (for Ph.D) of the Graduate Student Handbook.
Where do I get forms/instructions for the Program of Study, Prelim, Committee Change, etc.?
Graduate School, Fairchild Hall 102 or on-line at: http://www.k-state.edu/grad/gscurrent/guideforms/
How many graduate
students and faculty are there?
We currently have 74
graduate students, 27 graduate faculty members and 4 research faculty members
- an excellent faculty-to-student ratio.
What fraction of the
graduate students are from U.S. universities?
About one-fourth of
our students are graduates of US universities. The
remainder are from China, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Korea,
Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, Taiwan,
and
Vietnam.
How many women
graduate students and faculty are at
K-State Physics?
The K-State
Physics Department currently has two women on its faculty:
Kristan
Corwin, an atomic, molecular and optical physicist and
Eleanor Sayre,
a physics education research who will be joining the department in the summer
of 2011. About 24% of our students
are women.
Do graduate students
have a voice in setting department policies?
Yes. Graduate
students elect representatives to all relevant departmental committees. This
includes the Advisory Committee to the Department Head, which is the most
important policy-making body for the department.
A teaching
assistantship will support me for my first year of study. What happens after
that?
Many students receive
research assistant (GRA) appointments. GRA's are
typically paid a little more than GTA's, and most
have a portion of their tuition paid as well or are paid a substantial
difference to offset the tuition. GRA's do not
teach, and thus have more time for research. In some cases, students may have
to continue to support themselves as GTA's beyond
the first year.
What is the average
time it takes a K-State student to get a Ph.D.?
5.5±1.5 years covers
almost all cases.
Research Opportunities
Can I come to
K-State the summer before I begin graduate study to get a head
start on research?
In many cases
arrangements can be made with a
K-State research group and the Department to provide support.
Your chances will be especially good if you know who you want to work with and
what you want to work on.
What sort of technical
support for my research can I expect?
The Department has
its own machine shop staffed with a quality team of machinists and a designer.
We also have excellent in-house support
from
PCSC for computer
hardware and software (Linux
and Windows). Physics faculty and students may additionally
access the
K-State Electronics Design Laboratory, which is led by a
full-time electrical engineer. Finally, there is a well-staffed Math/Physics
library in the building.
Quality of Life
Manhattan, Kansas!
You've got to be kidding.
Nope, this is a great
place to live. We are not one of the five boroughs of New York City. We are a
small city of 40,000 (60,000 with students) nestled near the junction of the
Kansas and Big Blue rivers in the Flint Hills of Kansas (the great flat wheat
fields start fifty miles or so to our west). We average around 150 blue sky
days per year, with summers warm, but not unbearable, and winters usually
milder than the rest of the US Midwest. Manhattan has clean water, clean air,
clean parks, clean streets, and a low crime rate.
What is the cost of
living?
Housing costs range
from $300-$600 per month, depending on whether apartments are shared or rented
individually. A great deal of decent housing is available within walking
distance of campus. Better deals and fancier places can
certainly be found, though! A car is not an absolute necessity, but your quality of
life will be higher if you have one. Food costs are typical for American
university towns.
I have children. Are
there daycare facilities? How are the schools?
There is a large
on-campus daycare facility, the
K-State Child Development Center (CDC) in the
K-State graduate student housing complex, and two smaller
on-campus facilities associated with academic programs in child development.
Private facilities exist as well. Rates for the CDC currently range from
$488-$740 a month for full-time care, depending on the age of the child. "Childships"
can be applied that provide financial
assistance in meeting these bills. For more information,
see their webpage at
http://www.k-state.edu/ksucdc/ or call the CDC Director at
785-532-3700 or ksucdc@ksu.edu. The public
school system is generally well-regarded, especially in the elementary schools
where class sizes average 22 students.
So what's there to do
other than physics?
Kansas State
University boasts the fine regional Beach Museum of Art and a year-round
performing arts series at McCain Auditorium. Our student fitness and
recreation center has been rated tops in the country. The University fields
national class sports teams in football, women's volleyball, men's and women's
basketball, track and field, and livestock judging (this is Kansas!). Just out
of town are Tuttle Creek Lake, a vast recreational expanse, and the
Konza Prairie Natural Research area. A new
Tallgrass
Prairie National Park is opening an hour drive to our south. Many canoeing
venues are available in eastern Kansas and western Missouri, and western
Kansas offers several superb wildlife refuges. Manhattan may have the best zoo
for a town its size in the country.
What's there to do
that's not so healthy?
There is no shortage
of establishments in the Aggieville district
adjacent to campus that you can visit to help forget about your qualifying
exams. Manhattan has a decent selection of restaurants (very good steak),
several nice coffee houses, a microbrewery, two movie complexes, and a
community theater. Large concerts are occasionally held nearby; expect the
singers to have a nice country twang.
But what else is there
to do?
Kansas City is an
easy two hour drive to the east and offers concerts, museums, jazz, major
league sports, and many other activities. The Rocky Mountains and Denver are
an easy one day drive to the west.
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS, USA
66506-2601
Voice: 785-532-6786
Fax: 785-532-6806
office@phys.ksu.edu
