Graduate admission Definition and 33 Threads

I'm currently a senior Computer Science / Applied Math double major, but I've realized through my research and extracurriculars that I would much rather prefer to work in material science, specifically with biomaterials. However, due to my non-engineering background, I would need to get a...

Hello everyone, I graduated with a B.S in physics 3 years ago, and I plan on preparing to apply for graduate school. I would love to hear any advice or comments from you. I had a difficult time in my undergraduate so my grades were terrible, slightly above 2. I took a job as a software...

Hello all, First of all thanks for your attention and time! I am a rising senior at MSU and am applying to graduate school soon. I understand there is no shortage of information regarding ones chance of being admitted to tier X of schools on this forum. In addition, there is a valuable and long...

I go to a good private undergraduate institute with a small physics program (~#50 per US News, but I am not sure whether that's reliable). I am in my 2nd year and my GPA is around 3.6 after messing up my sophomore year. I am doing better now but at most I will graduate with a GPA ~ 3.85 (with...

Hello everyone, This is my first time posting here. I'm currently a rising senior double majoring in physics and math at a top 10 (maybe top 15) research institution. I'm quite worried about my admissions prospects and I'm wondering whether my application is competitive or not. More exactly, I...

Hello, and thanks so much in advance for any advice. I’m currently a third year physics undergraduate student who’s looking for what programs I should apply to for my PhD. I’m not sure I should bother applying for anything top 20 but wanted to get a second opinion on my applications...

I failed all classes in my freshman year first semester. I am going to retake them.Does that affect my graduate admission?

I've written a Statement of Purpose for Physics PhD applications, and I wanted opinions on it from as many people as I can, which is why I am asking here. Honest reviews and tips on how to improve it are really appreciated! When I joined <my uni> as an undergraduate student in Physics, I had...

Hello, I am graduating with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering next July. I have been considering a move to astronomy/astrophysics. I read this thread by @ZapperZ and yes with a bit of revision, I can clear the Physics GRE. I also read a few testimonials of people who have made the...

I am applying for a master degree in Germany. I have submitted my application but wish to strengthen it as I want to be accepted. What can I do to enhance my application? Can I contact any of the professors or maybe the student advisor? Will it look artificial? If so, what must I say? (I am...

Several universities say that taking courses pass/no-pass or credit/no-credit during terms disrupted by COVID-19 will not necessarily harm those applying to their graduate program. There are also more open-ended invitations for applicants to discuss how the pandemic has impacted their lives. In...

Hello all, I did the classic mistake of overestimating my application and submitting only to some high profile universities (all above 150 on the QS physics [i know no the best indicator but I used it]). I got rejected from nearly all and I can't be hopeful that the rest won't follow similarly...

What are some things a freshman physics major can/should be doing to get a head start on becoming a competitive applicant for graduate schools?

Hi all, I am interested in advancing my education in theoretical physics, specifically topics concerning quantum field theories and quantum gravity. However, I have a somewhat rocky background as an early undergrad and while my Master's degree was achieved with great success in the classroom...

Hello everyone, I'm new to the Physics Forums, so please feel free to visit the linked thread if you'd like to know a bit about me: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/hello-everyone.960116/ And please ask any questions if you need to know more about my situation, since I have a bit of an...

I want to get a poll going... When U.S graduate schools consider applicants for physics, what are the most important factors they consider in admissions? —RANK THEM— *Consider both theoretical and applied applicants.

Do graduate schools in physics look more favorably upon undergraduate students with published research, rather than just research experience? How would an admissions committee weigh two students if one had done published research, but not in the field of physics of which he was applying for, and...

Hi, I have one year of undergraduate classes left. I am trying to figure out how best to prepare for my applications to an AMO physics program (hopefully highly competitive). My first question is: how much importance can one class have? Maybe I am stressing too much about trying to make myself...

I have received an invitation to interview for a graduate program in the U.K. The email came from a professor who previously expressed interest in working with me and helped me write a fellowship application. Now, my question is: what makes a graduate interview in physics "informal"? Mind you...

Hi, I'm an undergraduate physics student in Turin (Northern Italy), currently in the first year of my bachelor degree. Before enrolling here in Turin, I thought a lot about going to sudy abroad because I would like to get a job somewhere in Europe or even outside it. But then, for several...

I am currently studying math (honours) in a university in Canada. Due to family issues that made my first and second year of very stressful,which caused problems to my mental health Anyway here is my full transcript:First Year: Mechanics 1: 86 Calc 1: 90 C++ programming: 91 Economics: 82 Optics...

Hello forum, I will be an undergrad senior majoring in mathematics. Instead of taking the ordinary 5-course workload, I am thinking of doing 3 courses per semester and postpone graduation by an year. But I am wondering if by doing so my graduate application is going to be affected negatively. I...

Hello, I am currently a sophomore student double major in physics & math in a flagship state university. Last semester I took 28 credits with 4 math courses (Multivarible Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equation, Elementary Analysis), 3 intro-level physics courses (E&M, Thermal...

I have a graduate admissions question for anyone who might have been part of a graduate admissions committee. How do you view undergraduate research projects that are not cutting edge or particularly interesting? My project is on the effect of ball milling on production of a bulk high-Tc...

Hello guys, Recently, I checked university sites, especially US universities, for graduate admission in Mechanical Engineering. I am interested in doing a program at a reputed university for good career prospects. I have a GPA of 2.87 /4.30 for the first two years cumulative at good Canadian...

To give a bit of my background, I am a junior double majoring in mathematics and philosophy aiming for a Ph.D. in pure mathematics. Recently, I wrote a paper for a philosophy class that was extremely well-received by my professor, so much that he encouraged me to submit it for possible...

I am currently a freshman at the University of Houston as a Physics and Mathematics double major. From what I understand, UH isn't the most reputable university; however, I am dead set on doing whatever it takes to get into a top graduate school for anything Math or Physics related. My...

UG senior currently finishing up my applications. Applying to 8 schools (MIT, Stanford, Columbia, Caltech, MSU, Notre Dame, Duke, UW-Seattle for the curious). I have plenty of research experience and a 3.8 gap (higher for math, physics). My recs should all be solid. This past semester was pretty...

I am an international student and I need some advice regarding applying to phd program in expt HEP. The following are my scores: General GRE Verbal-660 Quant-790 AWA-4 Subject GRE-820(75 percentile) TOEFL-96 I also have one publication to my credit and good recos. Any chances of finding...

I will be applying to grad school (physics -- particle theory) for next fall and have in my estimation an unusual background , I was hoping some people here might give their opinion about my chances of getting into a top tier physics school like MIT or Princeton. Here's my (condensed version)...

Here's what my situation is, I hope this will help to better answer below questions. Citizen(Non-International) Major:Physics and Applied Mathematics Junior College - GPA 3.5 Large Public University- GPA 3.8 Research Experience - two summer REU and Honors Thesis Research I just got my GRE...

Hello, I was wondering, if anybody know how competitive is the admission of applied physics ph.d program is compare to physics ph.d. I noticed many school has both departments but they won't let you apply to both! Any idea?

Hi, In short: If some one screw up in his grades in the first term/year in Uni, [for emergency reasons] then he/she shows an excellent results later. With a good teachers recommendations. Is that "screw up" will be almost forgetton, even though its effect will still in the GPA? [Take into...