A Masters in Physics after a Bachelor's in Enginnering

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A third-year Mechanical Engineering student at BITS Pilani, India, expresses a strong interest in Physics despite pursuing an engineering major. With a GPA of 7.45, the student has excelled in courses like Theory of Relativity and is engaged in a study project related to it. They are attending various Physics classes and plan to take more advanced courses next semester. The student seeks advice on their chances of admission to graduate programs in Physics in the US, Canada, and Germany, particularly regarding financial aid and the impact of research experience at institutions like ISRO or BARC. They are considering taking the AGRE exam and are advised to apply directly to PhD programs rather than master's programs, as this may enhance their admission prospects. Additionally, they inquire about the availability of an equivalent to the Physics GRE in India, learning that the Advanced GRE or PGRE can be taken locally.
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Hello all,

This is my first and probably the most important post, I am a 3rd year student of Mechanical Engineering at BITS Pilani, India. However, my primary interests lie in Physics, please do not ask why my major is in Engineering then, it is a long story.

I will make my current position clear, I have a GPA of 7.45 on 10 which is a bit low I know, I did a course Theory of Relativity last semester and fared well in it, I am now pursuing a study project on the same. I plan to take an experimental project next semester along with an elective on Chaos.

Our college has an optional attendance policy, owing to which I attend Physics classes, I am currently attending Mathematical Methods and Quantum Physics. I will attend EMT and Quantum 2 next semester, of course it won't show on my final transcript.

The Physics department knows me well and I can get decent recommendations.

I plan on writing the TIFR exam in India and applying to some universities in US, Canada and Germany.
Could anyone give me advice on my odds of admission with some financial aid, I am very sure I will pursue a PhD as well. Would working at a scientific institution like ISRO or BARC , or maybe a research assistant somewhere increase my odds, for I really do not mind working an year or 2 after graduation. Would the AGRE exam help ? It seems manageable.

In case someone has gone through something similar or met people in the graduate department from engineering backgrounds please help.
I am really in quite a confused state, kindly help.
 
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Here is one suggestion:
Don't apply to an institution for a master's program in Physics if there is a PhD program there---apply to the PhD program... you get your master's degree along the way. (In my opinion, applying to the master's program there would put you at a disadvantage.)
 
Thanks for the reply robphy, I was thinking on similar lines.
Would you mind answering some of the other questions or maybe direct me to someone who could ?
 
Is there an equivalent to the physics GRE in India? That's really what physics graduate schools in the US use as a metric.
 
lisab I can give the Advanced GRE exam or the PGRE from a centre in India
 

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