Professional Experience and Graduate School

[Thomas Pace]

Hello,

I have a question about the benefit of professional experience in getting into graduate school in physics. I have a BS in physics from a reasonable school and I had the good fortune of being hired after I graduated by a company that is doing research and development on emissions sensors as a research engineer. The work I am doing is a now cross between material science and process engineering primarily. I will have my name on one or more patents by the time I would like to apply to graduate school and a good recommendation from my employer. So, I am curious if this will help offset my mediocre GPA and lack of undergraduate research experience in applying to a physics graduate program. I am planning on taking the physics GRE in October and hope to get a good score and I am trying to determine which schools I could hope to get into.

Thank you to everyone for all of your advice and help.

 

[fizziks]

Yes. Professional experience in research will definitely help. With that and a high score on your physics GRE, your GPA may be overlooked by some graduate schools. Undergrad experience shouldn't be able to top over research and development experience in the real field. Make sure you look into research programs that is related to your current work. Maybe somewhere in the area of semiconductors or whatnot.

 

[Mene]

As a scientist with experience in both academia and industry, I can say that professional experience can definitely be beneficial in getting into graduate school in physics. Your work as a research engineer has likely provided you with valuable skills and knowledge that can be applied to your future studies in physics. Additionally, having your name on patents and a strong recommendation from your employer can demonstrate your ability to conduct research and your potential for success in graduate school.

When it comes to your GPA and lack of undergraduate research experience, it is important to remember that these are just two aspects of your application. Admissions committees also consider other factors such as your personal statement, letters of recommendation, and test scores. Your strong performance on the physics GRE can certainly help offset any weaknesses in your application.

In terms of which schools you could hope to get into, it is best to research and apply to a range of programs that align with your interests and goals. Don't limit yourself based on your past academic record, as your professional experience and other strengths can make you a competitive candidate. Additionally, consider reaching out to potential advisors or professors at the programs you are interested in to discuss your background and potential fit for their research groups.

Overall, your professional experience can definitely be an asset in your graduate school application and I wish you the best of luck in your future studies.