Graduate school Definition and 517 Threads

Hello fellow PF members, Some background about me: I am currently a senior (actually is my 6th year in college) in Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University. I am on track and will be graduating next summer. Given how long I have been in college, I would want to go straight to work...

Hi, I will be applying to US graduate schools this year (this would be my second attempt). I graduated from an Indian institute, not very well known for physics, and my CGPA (Cumulative Grading Point Average) is 7.991. Using http://www.foreigncredits.com/Resources/GPA-Calculator/India, I found...

I am a physics major currently scheduled to graduate next May. However, I want to take a 1 year break before going on to graduate school. What are some worthwhile things that I can do during that 1 year break? I definitely want to do something/ or join a program that is travelling-related...

I am a math student, but I was hoping I could find advice on this forum. In my third year, I retook a second-year stats course simply to improve my grade (the only time I've ever done this). I also ended up getting a work study position that same semester focusing on Bayesian statistical...

Hi Everyone, I was wondering how Electrical Engineering graduate schools particularly concentrating in Robotics and Automation would view an undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics? I just wanted to gauge how my chances would be. I have a 3.96 GPA with 1 REU, 1 paper and 1 poster...

I am about to graduate soon with a double major in math and physics. I have always wanted to go to graduate school for physics, but recently I did an REU and all I did was program the whole time and hated it. Also, I have been noticing that the overall job outlook seems horrible and many...

I am a senior undergraduate physics major but I am not sure I want to go to graduate school for physics. I do not actually enjoy physics. I find it do-able but I started realizing junior year that I definitely don't love it. I have had a subscription to physics today for three years and never...

Hi all, I'm a junior physics/applied math double major at a state school in Wisconsin. I'm on my third year of nuclear physics research experience (freshman year wasn't physics, but it was nuclear related) and I'm looking to go to grad school for a PhD likely in physics, applied physics or...

Hello all, I'm a German undergrad student wishing to do a physics graduate program in America. But the universities I looked at seems all too selective for me (for example at Louisiana State University they are looking for someone that have already done independent research and published...

ah, but which ones? There's some personal stuff mixed in here, which I hope you don't mind reading, but which is relevant. Some background (for those that don't know me here) I'm 37, just completed my bachelor's (BA in mathematics). I am married, no kids, but with a supportive wife...

I'm just reaching out to fellow graduate students who have already been through this. I'm about one month out from starting classes for physics phD program. Here are my concerns/questions: There is a preliminary exam; if students do not reach a certain percentage they will recommend (and may...

Hello, I need some help trying to decide my future degree. Any comments would be appreciated! My History: I want to dedicate my career innovating Electrochemical technologies (Fuel Cells, Batteries, Solar Cells, etc...). Before entering college, I originally applied as a "Chemical...

Hi, I finished my M.S. in Astronautical Engineering in 2010, B.S. in Aerospace Engineering in 2009 with a minor in physics, and am finding that the work I have been doing in the aerospace industry for the past 4 years is unfulfilling. I would like to focus on something more research...

Hello all, I am entering my senior year. I have a over all gpa of 3.3. My subject gpa currently is 2.83 due to some bad classes my freshman year. I have 6 classes left towards my major so I have a chance to bring up my major gpa. But I study and work hard as it is, and can't get an A in my...

I am a rising Senior in high school, and planning to major in Physics, with the intent of pursuing a Doctorate in Physics. Recently I received a "golden application" to the Colorado School of Mines (http://www.mines.edu/)... a school that I was not previously familiar with. Apparently this...

Hello everyone, This is my first post on the website or a blog for that matter. I'm currently going to a division 3 school for my bachelor's in physics and mathematics but it has taken me a lot longer to finish my degree. Consequentially, I've done poorly in some classes because of a medical...

Currently I'm a junior math and physics major from the US expecting to graduate May 2015 with a bs in math and ms in physics after 4 years. I'm spending a semester abroad in Australia this semester and I'm realizing I would like to try spending a few years in Europe, preferably around...

Hi PF, asking for course advice again. Currently I am finishing up undergraduate level series in: Abstract Algebra Real Analysis Particle Physics Topology. Next fall I will be registering for: Stat Mech/Thermodynamics (required for physics majors) Statistics and Probability (required for math...

Hi pf! I was wondering if any of you can lend your opinion on my situation: I've been conditionally accepted into a graduate school for mechanical engineering although my undergrad was in mathematics. Evidently to gain full admission I am required to take a 300 level course, namely fluid...

I will try to put this as succinctly as possible. When I was 26 I had spent two years in a terminal master's program in mathematics. I was pretty distracted. I was a B+/B student for the most part. I ended up with two C's, both in my first semester. Regardless, I was distracted and moved...

Its been a long ride. 4 years ago when I started college, I started as a finance major. I excelled in all of my classes but found the material to be a little boring so I changed to economics. I continued to get stellar grades and even now have nothing but A's in all of my economics courses. I...

I applied to universities X and Y. University X got back to me quickly and I visited and was relatively pleased with my visit. Recently I accepted this offer at X University, since University Y said I was wait listed. University Y says that they will have a couple of positions open, and they...

Hello all, I realize I may be a bit early for this, but I don't want to screw it up. I'm a junior in undergrad (physics major), and I'd like to begin thinking about graduate school. Usually only one or two graduates from my physics department go on to graduate school, so when I ask my advisors...

Hi, I am a high school senior and will be majoring in Physics next fall and I eventually want to go to graduate school but had a quick question. I want to eventually become an astronomer but I know there is not a major for it alone, so I would be majoring in Physics. If I get my Bachelors degree...

Its my 3rd try at an exam in graduate school. I failed it the 3rd time and now have a last attempt remaining,but this attempt would be a one-on-one viva exam session(oral exam). I don't want to justify how hard I worked because the end result is that I failed. What I would like to ask is about...

Hello, I'm a recent physics graduate (BS) who is having second thoughts about spending the next 5-6 years of my life in a physics PhD. program. I thought I wanted to do applied physics, but to keep options open I would like to include some engineering schools in my mix (will be applying...

I'm currently a junior at large state school and am a biochemistry major. I started college in a cell biology major, then realized how much I hated cell biology classes (although I remain fascinated by the chemical reactions and complex chemical structure in living things) and how much I loved...

What do you peeps think of the ranking of one's PhD-granting institution and non-academic jobs? We all know that academic jobs are biased in favor of the prestige of one's school first and foremost. I met a recently-granted PhD student from a low-ranked university with eleven relevant...

So I am currently holding 3 offers for physics grad school and while a few days ago I was pretty sure where I wanted to go, some new developments have made me question things a little bit. The options are: big midwestern public school, East coast school A and East coast school B. The first...

Hello, I would like to ask a few questions regarding funding in grad school for physics (and maybe for other fields). I know that tuition fees are quite large in grad school, but most of the time (if not always) they are being covered by the school. People who receive funding from school has...

So, I will have to start applying to graduate school in the near future, and I am still stuck between pure mathematics and theoretical physics. Both of these areas of study interest me vastly, and I have had to find a good balance between them, taking an equal number of graduate courses in both...

Hello, Out of curiosity, can MOOCs lead to getting accepted into a graduate school? I'm interested in knowing under what conditions (if any) MOOCs lead to graduate school. Thank you for your responses in advance.

Hello PF. I recently was accepted to a PhD program in nuclear engineering. I am planning on attending for the duration of my phd. I just wanted to ask from those of you who have successfully completed graduate school...how much time does it take? I did a research program last summer so I...

I'm currently half-way through my third year as a physics major, and I'm starting to reconsider my initial plans of attending graduate school. It's not so much my grades are bad (cGPA ~ 3.5, 3.8 so far in my third year and am will likely maintain this until I finish), but I'm just not at all...

I have been reading posts on PF for a while, but I have not signed up until now. I am applying to graduate programs this year. I have been told I have a very strong application. I have been doing theoretical physics research for 3 years, have taken 16 graduate courses in math and physics...

Hi everyone, asking for course advice again. Some background: I am on a quarter system, this coming winter quarter I am registered for: General relativity Elementary Particle Physics (I) Real Analysis (I) Modern Algebra (II) I'm currently a 3rd year physics major finishing up 4th year courses...

I live in a country within north east asia. I want to continue my education in US graduate school. GPA 4.0x/4.5 Physics GRE 990/990 No research experience. What university within what ranking should i apply to ? Is it possible to first get master degree in US then apply for better PhD...

Does anyone know if there exists a resource/web page on the Internet that lists all physics graduate school programs and their deadlines?

Hi, I have recently completed my undergraduate degree in Physics. While I have thoroughly enjoyed my last year, I feel like I am in quite a dilemma when approaching professors for graduate school. I have spent the final year doing research in theoretical particle physics, however my formal...

I'm a first year graduate student working toward a Physics PhD at a large, top 50, private university in the US. I have weekly (increasingly frequent) panic attacks and I cannot motivate myself to study or do homework. Because of this, I have intense feelings of guilt nearly constantly. I wake...

I currently have my math degree, and I am working in the actuarial world. However, I'm considering returning to school to study quantitative finance, because I like economics and it will give me exposure (without requiring ph. D for a job). Unfortunately, I'm in mostly financial constraints...

I am currently applying to PhD physics programs across the US and so far my letters of recommendation are from the following: 2 astrophysics professors who I have taken astrophysics classes from, and 1 professor with a physics PhD but taught an upper division scientific writing class to me...

I am looking for a central source of physics graduate school research expenditures, broken down by sub-field (nuclear, condensed matter, AMO, HEP, etc.). I can find the total amount spent here http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools but I am not sure where to go for this kind of...

Long time lurker here, this is just my first time posting. I've read through the 'So you want to be a Physicist' guide and just from experience I've noticed that in order to help pay for graduate schools most programs will have you TA for discussions or labs. Given my stutter, I know I...

Hi! I am new to the board so let me first just say hello - Hello! :) To my question - you guys have more experience so your judgement is way more accurate when it comes to graduate physics studies, so I wanted to ask if I have a shot at any of the better (say top 50) physics institutions...

hi what's the strategy of graduate schools when they accept or deny applicants? if I finish my bachelor degree with a strong GPA like 3.6 and above but from a normal school like Cleveland State university while this school is accredited for sure ,will I have a chance when applying to schools...

Graduate school dilemma--solicitng opinions Hello, I started a thread a couple of days back that never really caught on. I'd like to phrase the question a bit more generally so that those with experience can give some advice. I currently am deciding between applying to grad schools...

I'm currently in my last year as an undergrad B.S. Physics and am looking for graduate schools that would be suitable for me to study GR. I know that many schools are lacking in this department, i.e. my own school, so I'd like to find one that would allow me to study the area of General...

I know this bit awkward, but seriously I am in need of some advice due to my strange situation. Last year I joined a graduate school at US which is ranked below 150 as I got only offer from this university and rejected from the rest of universities where I applied. I was not at all happy...

Hello! I'm an undergraduate physics and math major and I just finished up my third year at a small university. I plan on staying an extra year to fulfill all of my requirements, so I have over a year to figure out exactly what I want to do in the future. I'm pretty set on going to graduate...