U.S. Physics Olympiad (USAPhO / U.S. Physics Team)
Competition · American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)A two-stage physics exam — the F=ma exam, then the U.S. Physics Olympiad (USAPhO) — that can lead to a spot on the five-student U.S. Physics Team sent to the International Physics Olympiad. Your physics teacher registers your school as an official test site with AAPT (you can't sign up individually); the school pays a flat fee plus a small per-student fee. The top 20 USAPhO finishers are invited to a training camp at the University of Maryland, from which the U.S. Physics Team is selected.
Who can apply
FieldsPhysics
EligibilityMust be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or currently attending a U.S. school, and test within the United States.
Logistics
AwardsTop scorers earn medal-equivalent distinctions; top 20 USAPhO finishers attend a study camp, from which 5 students are chosen for the U.S. Physics Team at IPhO.
Applying
You submitYour physics teacher registers the school as an official AAPT test site; individual students cannot register directly. Take F=ma, then USAPhO if you qualify.