PhD Physics in Europe with Low Grade but a potential Publication

[Chetan_Waghela]

Hello Friends,
My name is Chetan Waghela and I have done M.Sc Physics from Pune University, India. My specialisation course has been Quantum Field Theory but I want to work on more application based subjects like BEC or Quantum Optics.

I have very low grades i.e. 3.35/6 in MSc which amounts to a C grade. I have always scored a First Class in my academics, but have scored low in MSc due to aggravation of a disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. I feel a bit worried and awkward to write it in My CV, but is it professionally and formally correct to mention it in SOP or CV?

I have worked independently on Non-Hermitian QM and have submitted my work to Int.J.Theo.Phys. Does having a paper and that to "independently" add to the credibility while specifically applying to Europe? I would confess that my work is not a major breakthrough but clears out a good amount of ideas related to people working on it. Also, I keep reading a lot of research work related to these subjects does it add upto credibility by mentioning in SOP ?

Can anyone give an example of a friend or an acquaintance who has been through such an issue and got a PhD position. Thanks in advance.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I have some bad news for you.

A C in graduate school is considered failing. Having a chronic condition that explains the C is not helpful, because you will still have this condition in graduate school.

Int.J.Theor.Phys. is a low impact factor journal. Also, "submitted" and "accepted" are two different things. Finally, submitting it to Vixra - a known crackpot site - was probably a mistake. It doesn't make you look like a serious researcher.

Truth be told, there are plenty of students from India who want to go to North America or Europe to continue their education. Most of these are less risky to the university: better grades and not changing subfields.

 

[Chetan_Waghela]

Thank You for your reply, what can be done to improve my credibility ? I took a break from studies and have got the problem in good control, just to hit back and do Physics efficiently. I am a serious researcher and cannot imagine myself not doing research. I will surely try and apply in India. I forgot to mention, I had it presented as poster at HRI, Allahabad at an international conference QIPA2013.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Your competition is the many students who graduated from better colleges with better grades and who aren't changing subfields - or posting papers on crackpot web sites. Why should the university take you over them? (Hint: "but I really want this" won't work - they want this too). When you have an answer, whatever it is, you need to build your application around that.

 

[Matrix0]

I understand your concerns about your low grades and how it may affect your chances of getting a PhD position in Europe. However, I want to assure you that grades are not the only factor that admission committees consider when selecting candidates for a PhD program. Your potential publication and your strong interest in application-based subjects like BEC and Quantum Optics are valuable assets that can greatly contribute to your application.

Regarding your question about mentioning your disease in your CV or SOP, it is completely up to you. If you feel that it has significantly affected your academic performance, it may be worth mentioning in your SOP to provide context for your grades. However, it is not necessary to disclose personal health information if you do not feel comfortable doing so.

Having a publication, especially one that you have worked on independently, can definitely add to your credibility as a candidate. It shows that you have the ability to conduct research and contribute to the scientific community. Similarly, reading and staying updated on research related to your field of interest can also demonstrate your passion and dedication to the subject.

I cannot provide specific examples of individuals who have gone through a similar situation and successfully obtained a PhD position in Europe. However, I can assure you that admissions committees understand that every candidate has their own unique challenges and circumstances. What matters most is your potential, passion, and ability to contribute to the field of study.

I wish you the best of luck in your PhD application and I hope that you are able to showcase your potential and passion for physics in Europe. Keep working hard and never give up on your dreams.