Physics Grad School: How Big a Deal Is Proceedings Paper?

[scorinaldi]

hey physics grad school gurus,

i am an undergraduate senior applying to physics graduate school for next fall.

working with one of my advisors we published a proceedings paper for the 2007 SPIE noise and fluctations conference this year. ( http://spie.org/x6628.xml )

how different is this from publishing a paper in a physics journal? are proceedings papers the same as papers accepted in physics journals? or are they less of a big deal in the eyes of graduate physics admissions boards? do they matter at all?

thanks for your input!

 

[J77]

SPIE's not bad.

It's not a journal publication, in that you usually know the reviewers (your colleagues), but you can put it down as published proceedings.

e2a: for me it's more about presenting current, unfinished work.

Also, I've had reviewers for journals tell me my stuff's not new because it's already appeared in my SPIE articles -- of course, they have to be argued down. These days, I like to fill the SPIE pages with large pictures

 

[Mene]

I can provide you with some insights on the value of proceedings papers in the eyes of graduate admissions boards. Proceedings papers are typically papers that are presented at conferences and then published in the conference proceedings. They are often shorter and less detailed than papers published in physics journals, as they are meant to provide a summary of the research presented at the conference.

In general, proceedings papers are not considered as prestigious as papers published in reputable physics journals. This is because the peer-review process for proceedings papers is usually less rigorous compared to that of journals. However, this does not mean that proceedings papers are not valuable or important. They can still provide valuable contributions to the scientific community and can be a great way to share your research with others.

In terms of graduate admissions, having a proceedings paper can definitely be a positive aspect of your application. It shows that you have experience presenting your research at a conference and that your work has been recognized by your peers. However, it may not carry as much weight as a paper published in a reputable journal. Admissions boards will also consider other factors such as your grades, letters of recommendation, and research experience when evaluating your application.

In summary, while proceedings papers may not hold the same level of prestige as papers published in physics journals, they can still be a valuable addition to your application. It is important to remember that the quality and impact of your research is what truly matters in the eyes of the scientific community. Keep working hard and continue to publish your work in reputable sources, whether it be in journals or proceedings papers. Good luck with your graduate school applications!