Likelihood to enter foreign universities for Physics Ph.D

sphyrch

Hello,

I'm currently studying under an integrated M.S. program, majoring in Physics (Math as additional subject), and later wish to do Ph.D in theoretical Physics (broadly in particle physics). I know that universities look at factors like GRE score, reference letters, GPA, etc. as criteria, and first I'll state my own situation.

We have GPA on a scale of 10 here and after 3 yrs mine is between 8 and 9. I did well in my first year (9.5 GPA at the end of it) but screwed up in 2nd and 3rd yrs, getting B's and C's in Physics subjects. I have started doing research projects now at the end of 3rd year and will continue doing so in my 4th and 5th yrs.

Now I want to know, that if I can do good enough research projects and pull off really good performances in my 4th yr (especially in Physics core subjects), how would be my chances of getting into a Ph.D program in reasonably good institutes in USA or Europe (in both places I'll be a foreign student)?
Of course I'm aware that I will have to take additional measures/precautions (in addition to being careful academically) to better my chances, but I don't have a clear idea, so any explanations as to what I should do or what precautions I should keep in mind would be greatly appreciated.

(EDIT:) We typically have to start submitting applications after one semester in 5th yr (that is, mid-way into 5th yr), so is 1.5 yrs of research experience enough? And if not, what should be the quality of the project to make up for it?

Thanks in advance...

sphyrch

Anyone?

Karimspencer

You can apply however I suggest looking for some letter of recommendations and you should go more deeper into the subjects which are physics and mathematics. You should take a lot of courses and forget about your social life for a while. You have to get an idea of the subjects in general. Try being on the top of your classes. Your GPA isn't that bad but it's not the only thing that counts . Try making some research with actual professors of physics for 1 more year. You don't have to be in one of the top research universities like Harvard, Caltech or MIT. You can go to a regular university and do great as a professor in the future. But of course you can try for the great ivy-league and see if you can get accepted. Did you do great in the undergraduate program?

sphyrch

I'm in an integrated M.S program (dual degree at the end of 5 years). Although there's no clear demarcation, I suppose the first 3 years count as UG.

Karimspencer

What country are you , everything is so different there concerning education!