Are some sub-fields of physics easier to get into than others?

[zheng89120]

I am trying to apply to graduate school, and weighing my chances of getting into some programs.. I was wondering if the following scenario means anything:

School A has sub-field X, with 2 faculty and 2 graduate students
School B has sub-field X, with 4 faculty and 15 graduate students

Could this mean that school A is easier to get into than school B in sub-field X?

I realize there may also be other indications of how hard it is to get into a specific sub-field in a specific school.. Is it possible to easily get this kind of information (for sub-fields)?

Thanks for reading this.

 

[Pengwuino]

No, school A has only 2 faculty in a sub-field X, which means that program is not interested in admitting many students who say they want to work in sub-field X. A department can only admit so many students and if your sub-field is poorly represented, you're not going to get to admit a lot of students for it.

 

[Ryker]

No, school A has only 2 faculty in a sub-field X, which means that program is not interested in admitting many students who say they want to work in sub-field X. A department can only admit so many students and if your sub-field is poorly represented, you're not going to get to admit a lot of students for it.

I don't know, I disagree with what you said. I don't think you can infer anything about the ease of getting into grad school going from those two facts alone. The department could just as well have plans to increase the number of faculty in sub-field X.

 

[Pengwuino]

I don't know, I disagree with what you said. I don't think you can infer anything about the ease of getting into grad school going from those two facts alone. The department could just as well have plans to increase the number of faculty in sub-field X.

That's kind of out of the scope of the discussion though. You could also say the university with the 12 faculty is going to be hit by a meteor after the application deadline. Assuming nothing radical like a meteor or a university quadrupling the number of faculty it has in a field in 1 year, the one with 2 people in the field is probably harder to get into.

Then again, I should have mentioned it, a school with 12 faculty in one area compared to 2 faculty in the area is probably going to get a LOT more applicants interested in that area than the one with 2 faculty.

 

[Matrix0]

I understand your concerns about choosing a sub-field of physics and the potential impact on your graduate school application process. However, I want to remind you that the decision about which sub-field to pursue should ultimately be based on your interests and strengths, rather than the perceived ease of getting into a particular program.

In regards to the scenario you presented, the number of faculty and graduate students in a sub-field at a particular school does not necessarily indicate the difficulty of getting into that program. There are many factors that can affect admission into a graduate program, including the competitiveness of the program, the qualifications and experience of the applicants, and the availability of funding and resources.

Additionally, the perceived "easiness" of a sub-field may also depend on personal strengths and preferences. For example, some people may find theoretical physics easier to understand and excel in, while others may find experimental physics more accessible.

In terms of easily obtaining information about the competitiveness of a specific sub-field in a particular school, I recommend reaching out to the admissions office or faculty members in that program. They can provide you with more specific and accurate information about the application process and the current state of the sub-field.

Ultimately, my advice would be to choose a sub-field that aligns with your interests and strengths, and to put your best effort into your application regardless of the perceived competition. With hard work and determination, you can succeed in any sub-field of physics. Best of luck with your graduate school application process!