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I'm interested in String Theory and its relations to Astrophysics. I am a junior in a western state university, (and for fear of stalkers, will not say the name) and was wondering what my chances are to go to get a Phd in Theoretical Physics (with research in the above fields) in these universities: Caltech, Princeton, Boston University, and Harvard. Suggestions and comments are welcome. Here is my info:
Majors: Physics Honors, Math Honors, Economics
Physics GRE: 920
Mathematics GRE: 930
Putnam Score: 8 (pathetic)
GPA: 3.673
Math GPA: 3.610
Physics GPA: 3.711
Economics GPA: 3.823
Courses Taken (courses in blueare grad courses, only math and physics):
-Freshman (fall):
Light/Heat w/LAB
Intermediate Mechanics w/ Adv. Lab
Advanced Calculus 1
Partial Differential Eqautions
-Freshman (winter):
Modern Physics w/LAB
Methods of Theoretical Physics
Advanced Calculus 2
Abstract Algebra
-Sophomore (fall)
Quantum Mechanics 1
Gravitational Physics
Statistical and Thermal Physics w/ Adv. Lab
Point-Set Topology
Algebra
-Sophomore (winter)
Quantum Mechanics 2
General Relativity
Subatomic Physics
Differential Geometry
Lie Algebras
-Junior (fall)
Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure 1
Advanced Quantum Mechanics 1
Astrophysics
Algebraic Topology
Set Theory
-Junior (winter)
Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure 2
Advanced Quantum Mechanics 2
An Undergraduate Introduction to String Theory
Cosmology
General Topology
Real Analysis
-I'll probably take more astrophysics and string theory courses in my senior year (all 3 of the graduate ones, anyways :rofl: ), as well as 1 or 2 math courses, and take intro courses in particle physics and the intro courses in grad level E&M. I want to have a strong general base in physics.
-My biggest concern is I have no research at all. Most of my time was spent taking 22 credit hours a semester, and in summer, I took many economic and statistic courses to help me get a degree in econ. Next year, I'm not sure I can do research because I'm taking a full load in physics already, and need to take 4 econ classes for the completion of this summer. I only have this summer to do research, and hopefully I can get to work at my school's UROP program. Tentatively, it is just helping a string theorist with mathematical calculations in his paper, so I'm not doing anything really physics. I'll probably have my name on the coautored part. This probably will continue on to next year, but I'm not doing any "experimental" research, simply because other fields don't interest me besides string theory and astrophysics, and they're hard for an undergrad to get into.
-So, what are my chances? Comments?
Majors: Physics Honors, Math Honors, Economics
Physics GRE: 920
Mathematics GRE: 930
Putnam Score: 8 (pathetic)
GPA: 3.673
Math GPA: 3.610
Physics GPA: 3.711
Economics GPA: 3.823
Courses Taken (courses in blueare grad courses, only math and physics):
-Freshman (fall):
Light/Heat w/LAB
Intermediate Mechanics w/ Adv. Lab
Advanced Calculus 1
Partial Differential Eqautions
-Freshman (winter):
Modern Physics w/LAB
Methods of Theoretical Physics
Advanced Calculus 2
Abstract Algebra
-Sophomore (fall)
Quantum Mechanics 1
Gravitational Physics
Statistical and Thermal Physics w/ Adv. Lab
Point-Set Topology
Algebra
-Sophomore (winter)
Quantum Mechanics 2
General Relativity
Subatomic Physics
Differential Geometry
Lie Algebras
-Junior (fall)
Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure 1
Advanced Quantum Mechanics 1
Astrophysics
Algebraic Topology
Set Theory
-Junior (winter)
Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure 2
Advanced Quantum Mechanics 2
An Undergraduate Introduction to String Theory
Cosmology
General Topology
Real Analysis
-I'll probably take more astrophysics and string theory courses in my senior year (all 3 of the graduate ones, anyways :rofl: ), as well as 1 or 2 math courses, and take intro courses in particle physics and the intro courses in grad level E&M. I want to have a strong general base in physics.
-My biggest concern is I have no research at all. Most of my time was spent taking 22 credit hours a semester, and in summer, I took many economic and statistic courses to help me get a degree in econ. Next year, I'm not sure I can do research because I'm taking a full load in physics already, and need to take 4 econ classes for the completion of this summer. I only have this summer to do research, and hopefully I can get to work at my school's UROP program. Tentatively, it is just helping a string theorist with mathematical calculations in his paper, so I'm not doing anything really physics. I'll probably have my name on the coautored part. This probably will continue on to next year, but I'm not doing any "experimental" research, simply because other fields don't interest me besides string theory and astrophysics, and they're hard for an undergrad to get into.
-So, what are my chances? Comments?