A few quick q's about grad school criteria

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on considerations for applying to graduate school in physics and mathematics, particularly regarding the impact of undergraduate institution reputation, age, and research experience on admissions chances. Participants share personal experiences and seek advice on whether to transfer to a more prestigious program.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the reputation of their current institution, San Francisco State University, and its potential impact on PhD applications.
  • Another participant suggests that age should not negatively affect admissions chances, emphasizing that the reputation of UC Berkeley may carry more weight in applications.
  • A participant highlights the importance of research experience, suggesting it may be a more significant factor than the institution's name.
  • The original poster is considering whether to transfer to UC Berkeley's nuclear engineering program and seeks advice on this decision.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the importance of institutional reputation versus research experience, indicating multiple competing views on what factors are most critical for graduate school admissions.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the weight of various factors in admissions decisions, such as age and institutional reputation, without providing definitive answers.

Who May Find This Useful

Undergraduate students considering graduate school in STEM fields, particularly those weighing the decision to transfer institutions or concerned about admissions criteria.

strangequark
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hey all,

I'm entering my junior year as an undergrad, hence looking forward towards grad school studies. At the moment, I'm attending san francisco state and have a 4.0 in my major with a 3.7 overall. I'm working toward a BA in physics and a BS in mathematics, both to be completed in Spring of 2009. Obviously I haven't taken GRE's, but am confident I'll do well. Also, I have had some opportunity (and will continue) to work on research projects with my professors.

I'm very happy with the academic programs at SFSU, but am aware that it does not have a top name/rating in my field. I am wondering if (and to what extent) this will weigh against me when applying to PhD programs.

Secondly, I will be twenty-nine when I graduate, and while I am familiar with the "does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, etc." clause, but I am wondering if this will negatively affect my chances of admissions.

Anyone who can offer insight/opinions... I highly appreciate it.

Thanks.
 
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Anybody? I'm trying to decide wether to continue at sfsu or to transfer to UC berkeley's nuclear engineering program (for which I was accepted), and i need to make a decision within a couple weeks...

anyone who's been in or known someone to be in a similar situation... I would REALLY appreciate some advice
 
age won't matter. berkeley will carry more weight. (but my experience is in the field of math.)
 
Last edited:
I don't see where you list your research experience. That's really a bigger factor than some of the other things you list there.
 

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