The department had a good number of faculty members in my area of ??research allowing me to chat with them in the hallways and the general vibe of the university felt very welcoming as they have a large number of international students.
Course Curriculum
It is flexible and many different types of specialized courses are offered. The core course can be done in a better way. I think there is definitely a fair scope for improvement in the academic curriculum and the department always tries to improve it.
Exams
Curriculum Vitae + Statement of Purpose + 3 letters of recommendation + General GRE + TOEFL + Sub GRE(Phys).
Placement
I can't give insight into the hiring process or salary as it varies greatly from department to department. Most people in physics end up in jobs in academia or industry after their Ph.D. Career fairs/recruitment drives are held several times a year on campus.
Internship
No, I didn't get an internship.
Events
Campus life pre-covid was amazing. Lots of things to get involved in. There is a great scope for extracurricular activities if you are interested. Good environment for music, sports, arts, etc. Research facilities are top-notch. There is campus wifi which is pretty good. The library is a good place to hang out and study in quiet and peace.
Fees
All Ph.D. positions are funded (so no tuition fee to worry about on your end) and you get paid a healthy stipend to support living costs.
Scholarship
No, I didn't receive any scholarship.
Faculty
The faculty-to-student ratio is approximately 1:6 (with std deviation). The faculty and staff are generally wonderful and very approachable about whatever you have in mind.
Hostel
Houston is a big city, so there is something for everyone. It's very intimidating at first but after a thorough search, you can find good cheap accommodation (It's hard to live alone with probably high costs in good neighborhoods but very affordable with a roommate or two). Commuting by bus and metro is also not bad.
