Graduate school Definition and 485 Threads

I was diagnosed with moderate/severe ADD when I was a child but due to health concerns my parents chose not to put me on medication. They also erroneously believed that ADD was something that could be overcome with willpower, something I learned is not true. I attended the University of...

Hello, this is my first time to post to ask for some advice. I will try to describe as neat as possible, so that I can some good info or advice. I graduated 2 years ago with bachelor of science in biology as major and applied physics as minor. Now I'm hoping to get into graduate school in...

I am just curious as to why people drop out of graduate school.

It seems common that people say you shouldn't pay for graduate school. Besides the financial burden, are there any other reasons why this is the case? I am just curious. Thank you!

I know that undergraduate research is extremely helpful for graduate school, but how about research that was done in a field not directly related to what you're hoping to go to graduate school for? I'm looking at applying to PhD programs in Material Science/Materials Engineering this fall and...

If I did theoretical research in a certain area of physics but applied to graduate school indicating interest in another area of theory, will that affect my chances?

Hi all. This is strange question. Is publication of poetry during UGRADs helpful or will it hurt if I mention it while applying to graduate school in engineering, especially in extremely competitive programs like MIT? Thank You.

Hello all, I am a 33 year old pre-junior mechanical engineering major. This is my second degree and I am doing extremely well. Current GPA 3.88. Coming into the program I figured I would get my bachelors and that would be it, but since I have been doing so well and truly appreciate the...

I'm in a rather weird scenario. My first four years of college, I wasn't interested in studying or macadamia in general. I was a finance major and realized that I was learning an extraordinary larger amount at work then I was in class. I'd go to work and learn how to analyze investments using...

I went to school for physics as an undergradute. I did well in my upper level physics courses, all A's and B's but I messed up very poorly in a math course and didn't put much effort into elective courses and the result is a GPA around 3.0. This combined with the fact that I bombed the...

Hello all, I am currently an undergraduate in physics and have a significant amount of room in my schedule for classes. This is because I took mostly maths and general classes my freshman year, when deciding my major, and now will have to stay an extra half or full year to complete the core...

I am finishing up my third year as an EECS major of a five year program at a highly reputable public university and I am strongly considering applying to doctoral programs in EECS (I figure I can leave with a terminal masters should I discover research at that level is not my cup of T). By...

Dear fellows, my undergrad was not in maths, but I have quite a chance of getting into a master's program in pure maths, later this year. Long story, not particularly interesting. My question is due to the fact that I am quite prepared to the examination (basic real analysis and linear...

Hello, I am a physics student of sophomore standing and I have been having average, sub-par grades during it. I have been very stressed the last few years of my life, due to loss of parents and taking care of a sibling, but thankfully financial aid has been helpful through it. Due to my poor...

Hello. While I am not heading off to graduate school for a little bit, I am interested in persuing a phd in pure mathematics (Geometry is a broad interest of mine). I would also be interested in taking one or two mathematically inclined graduate courses from the Physics department (String...

I have been lurking on PF for a while, so I have done a bit of research on the subject but figure I should get some specific advice from those knowledgeable about my dilemma. Currently, I am a junior Economics major at a Big 10 school, recently admitted into the honors program for my subject...

When you're going for a master's/phd and you're choosing a thesis, does your adviser's research field have to be the same as the field you're studying, or does he/she just have to be familiar with it? Say you're aiming to go to a university but the professors there are unfamiliar with your...

hello everyone. I'm trying to plan my courses for next year, and I figured that I have room to take a foreign class (plus it's a requirement for me to graduate). now, I'm trying to decide to which one to take. i really want to learn mandarin, if nothing else matters, that is what I would...

Due to unforeseen circumstances (burnout, depression), I recently had to withdraw from all of my courses (5 courses) and this brings my total number of W's up to 11. Am I doomed? Even if I went back to school and continue to excel, would my graduate school application ever be given serious...

Hi, are there any pitfalls of switching subject area like this? I'm doing as much as I can to interact with engineers at the moment (such as student projects within the engineering dept. and generally trying to focus my physics towards what I understand to be engineering related as opposed to...

Hello everyone, Long long ago, I thought of being a physics major. When I came into into college, I had no experience with physics, problem sets, mathematics higher than trigonometry(very little trig), or much science(my school didn't really offer good science classes). I discovered physics...

To elaborate on said situation - I went to a top 50 US public university for a few years majoring in math and during this period of time I had no significant interest or motivation in school, much less any graduate school aspirations. I didn't do *horrible*, but my gpa was about a 3.1. I took...

So as the title stated, what kind of summer work would be good to put on one's resume, for helping an undergraduate to get into a good physics graduate program? It feels like awards such as REU and NSERC are usually rewarded to the top standing students, and hence are not overly easy to get, by...

Some of my TA are like 23 year old people who are graduate students. One of them said that when they applied for graduate school he had a hard time getting in because they were looking for foreign students but he got in. He said they gave him money just for like going to graduate school or...

I am interested in nuclear theory, and I was accepted to both Duke and Yale. I really like the research at Duke, and my best friend was admitted to the Duke law program. I also know that Yale has an excellent nuclear physics program and is generally regarded as the better institution. Am I crazy...

Hello all, I'm currently a semester away from wrapping up an undergraduate degree and am in the process of applying to a few graduate schools mostly with the intention of obtaining a master's degree in Electrical Engineering (though I have applied to a graduate program in systems engineering...

Hello, I'm undergrad in physics and am seeking prospective graduate (PhD) schools that have a very good program for studying GR and basically everything I can learn about gravity. I'm not overly concerned with schools being "ivy" league - I just want a school that specializes in my focus and...

I've seen and heard some scary things when it comes to graduate school applications and for all I know, these could be complete rubbish. On the off chance that these claims are indeed correct, I'd like to know. In general, when a physics/math department is looking at applicant profiles, how...

Hi, I am a student in Europe. I have been reading through the posts on Graduate schools and the essays like the one by Zapper on how to become a physicist. I am now in the stage of searching for a PhD position. 1. I would like to know what you guys think about the scope of Quantum...

Hi there, I am planning on going back to graduate school to get a PhD in Physics. I plan on applying during the fall of next year, and then going back the year after. However, I still need letters of recommendations, and its already been a while since I've last communicated with any of my...

With graduate school applications due soon, I'm looking for some advice on where to apply and what to do after I graduate. I have a strong academic background with a high GPA from a good school. I am a bit light on research and work experience, but my professors seem to think that this won't...

Hi all, I am currently applying to a few PhD programs in mathematics, and I was wondering what your opinion is regarding my chances of being admitted to any of these schools? Below is a very brief description of my background: Institution: Small, not known for math GPA: Overall: 3.94, Math...

Hi, I could use some help in evaluating my choices for a phd program in physics. Below is my background and I was wondering what you thought of my chances at the schools listed below or if you have any suggestions for other schools. I want to study atomic, molecular, optical physics for my...

Hi, I got my BS in Physics/Math in May, but left on a 1-2 year bike trip that is delaying my applying to graduate schools. I plan on applying next fall for admittance fall 2013. My question is: how necessary is it to have specific research interests when applying to graduate school? I am...

Long story short, I am currently a junior mathematics major, and I plan on going to graduate school for physics. My college offers but two, non-calculus based physics courses covering classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism. Correct me if I'm wrong (please!), but I believe that if I do...

Not sure how to disable BB-code here - please feel free to edit. ______________________________________________ Undergrad Institution: (School or type of school, such as big state, lib arts, ivy, technical, foreign (what country?)... Overall Reputation in Physics?) Major(s): Minor(s): GPA in...

Hi everyone, I am currently a Junior Chemistry Undergraduate at UofA. I already made my decision that I want to apply for chemistry graduate school after I graduate from my undergraduate study. Based on several good discussions with other graduate students at my school, they all told me to take...

I know it's possible to get an engineering graduate degree with an undergrad degree in physics. However, I'm not sure about specifics. Is it possible to go into different fields (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, etc.)? Also, do people typically have more luck getting into MS or PhD programs...

I am currently enrolled in a community college and I am a chemical engineering major. I plan on transferring to the local uni next fall (University of Utah if you are wondering). I would like to go to graduate school some day or at least keep the option open. The minimum gpa for the grad program...

Hello, I wanted to get a feel for if I'm wasting my time here in applying to graduate school and wanted some opinions from people on here. So I want to get into a ucla or a ucsd and I want to do experimental condensed matter. My physics gpa is approximately 3.4. I got an 830 on my...

Helloo, So I've spent some time drafting an admissions essay and I've had a professor read it over and he's said that he likes it. However, I'm still not convinced. I sent it to a couple of my graduate school friends who are studying English and they say it's so drab and boring, but I'm...

Hello, I am beginning to apply for graduate schools. Normally I wouldn't have thought to email the professors I am interested in working with on research. However, I heard from a professor that when they were applying to graduate schools they were only accepted to those programs that they...

3.11 GPA BSME 1230 GRE (740 Q 490 V) 3.3 last 2 years 1 year paid research, NSF funded research project. Acknowledge on a state report as a result of some of the research. Working with 2 professors currently with research. 1 deals with energy, the other is a project that is giving me...

I got kicked out for failing classes (I passed my quals though). This happened last year. Since then I tried to find a job as a programmer or engineer (I'm was a physics graduate) but ended up at the lab I was working for at the time because I just couldn't find anything. It's a year later now...

I looked back a few months but could find no posts that explicitly covered both these so my question to y'all is: From your personal experience, if you had to compose a list of undergraduate math/physics courses that are necessary/extremely beneficial to success in physics graduate school...

A little background first. I'm a Senior at a small state university and will graduate in May with a BS in CS. Last Spring I finally decided that I really do want to further my education and continue on to graduate school. I'd love to attend Texas A&M for a Master of engineering in CE, but I feel...

I know that getting into graduate programs, in any field, without first having an undergraduate degree is extremely rare. But it's not unheard of. I dropped out of school well over a year ago and going back is absolutely not an option. I don't have the money but even if I did, there aren't...

I have a 3.94 GPA (got one stupid B my freshman year). I am a junior now. I have been doing undergrad research since the start of my sophomore year. This past summer I did an REU that was 10 weeks of full time research. I know I am going to have great letters of recommendation. I am also...

Hi So I am currently in Grade 12 and I will be starting to apply for unversities soon. I am planning to apply for BSc in math but I just wanted to open graduate school option in engineering (especially in mechanical engineering). Is it possible to go master's program in mechanical engineering...

Graduate school applications are steadily approaching, and I am begging to investigate different institutions to apply to for math. Right now, I am performing a coarse inspection of schools, based on a few criterion. One of the more important of which is how strong they are in different...