Admissions Should I submit 860 PGRE?

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The discussion centers on whether to submit an 860 score on the Physics Graduate Record Examination (pGRE) when applying for Ph.D. programs in theoretical and computational biophysics. The applicant has a strong GPA of 4.0 from a lesser-known institution, relevant research experience, and good letters of recommendation, but lacks publications. The pGRE score is in the 72nd percentile, with strong performance in classical mechanics and quantum mechanics, but a lower score in electromagnetism. There is concern that the score could be perceived differently by various programs, potentially impacting the overall application. The applicant is seeking advice on whether submitting the score would enhance or weaken their profile.
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Hi everyone!

I'm a senior majoring in physics, math, and music, and I'm currently in the process applying for theoretical and computational biophysics (primarily thru physics departments) Ph.D. programs. I have a 4.0 from a basically unknown school in the American South, two REUs (T50 and T25) in computational biophysics and two semesters of research in optics (one purely experimental, one comp/exp) at my home institution (since there aren't any biophysics profs at my school), but no publications. I should be getting one stellar letter and two pretty good ones from REU advisors.

All that said, I wanted to take the pGRE to give some credibility to my GPA, since I expect no one to know anything about my undergrad university. My university also doesn't offer EM2 or QM2, and I wanted to try to make up for that by showing I know my stuff. Score report dropped yesterday, and I got an 860 which was 72nd percentile for this exam. Subject breakdown was 87% right on classical, 69% on EM, and 88% on QM (surprising me since I've taken and got an A in EM, but am currently taking QM, oh well).

So I think my score accomplishes what I want it to do, but its right on the borderline where it could be a boon at some schools and a bane at others. I'm going to talk to my professors about it, but I'd like to get opinions here too. Is it worth submitting? Or will my profile look weaker than without it? Thank you everyone!!
 
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If you want to get into theory/research, have you considered writing a straightforward, not too advanced paper you can improve over time, to resonate with your interest in research?
 
Given the current funding situation, you should contact potential departments or research groups before you apply and pay any application fees. Many programs are not taking new graduate students at all this cycle because of funding uncertainty, unless a specific advisor can show they already have money to support you for five years. This is what I’ve heard directly from 20–30 programs. Do not waste money applying blindly.

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