Advice for Senior Physics/Math Major Planning a Gap Year

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of taking a gap year for a senior Physics/Math major planning to apply to graduate school. Participants explore the potential impact of a gap year on admissions to top-tier PhD programs, the merits of applying now versus deferring, and the importance of being a well-rounded candidate.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern that taking a gap year may be perceived negatively by admissions committees, suggesting it could imply a lack of commitment to academia.
  • Another participant argues that a gap year can be framed positively if it involves broadening experiences, such as travel or volunteer work, which could enhance a candidate's profile.
  • Some participants assert that graduate schools primarily value academic performance in physics, suggesting that extracurricular activities may not significantly influence PhD admissions.
  • There is a viewpoint that gap years have lost their positive connotation, with some suggesting they are now often viewed as a period of unproductive leisure.
  • Others counter that admissions committees may appreciate diverse experiences, especially if they contribute to personal growth and skills beyond academics.
  • A participant shares their experience from a graduate school panel, indicating that admissions committee members were supportive of gap years and did not see them as detrimental to admission chances.
  • There is a belief that the most critical factor for admission is the candidate's ability to conduct research, with personality and fit also playing a role in the decision-making process.
  • Some participants emphasize that the admissions process for PhD programs differs from undergraduate admissions, focusing more on research potential than on a well-rounded profile.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reveals multiple competing views regarding the impact of a gap year on graduate school admissions. While some participants believe it can be beneficial, others express skepticism about its value, leading to an unresolved debate on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference varying experiences and opinions regarding the admissions process, indicating that perceptions of gap years may differ across institutions and individuals. There is also a lack of consensus on the importance of being a well-rounded candidate versus focusing solely on academic excellence.

estedrich
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I am a senior Physics/Math major. I want to go to grad school (99% sure) but I am not ready to start immediately after undergrad, I hope to bike to and live in South America next year. My question is, how harmful will this be to my chances at getting into a top tier physics Pd.D. program the following year? And would it be a better idea to apply now to grad schools and ask for a deferral if I am accepted, or just wait until next year to apply?

Thanks.
 
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A deferral is a very rare thing. Usually graduate admissions are for a specific entering class. As far as your prospects, it's hard to see how this would be interpreted any way other than "I'd rather be biking than working for you."
 
Just do all that fun stuff then apply the next year. They really won't care that there is a year missing out of your life. For all they know, you could have been hiding in a cave reading dozens of physics texts :biggrin: .
 
I disagree with Vanadium beucase what he said is an oversimplification, it's all about the reasons for deferral and the spin you put on it.

"You went traveling around South America to broaden your experiences of the world."
This is a legit reason, it makes you look like a more rounded individual, gives you an interesting talking point. I'd also suggest you maybe do some volunteer work out there, and that's always good point to help plug yourself."I rode a bike and took it easy"
Would not give a good impresson.Universities don't wan't someone that is only good at what they do. Ie read textbooks all day and sit at home learning. They want people that are good at what they do AND are well rounded individuals. I'd make the arguemnt that they would rather take a second best (if you are crap there is no amount of 'well roundedness' that would save you) physics student, but is a very well rounded individual. Than the best, that has absolutely no other skills whatsoever.
 
xxChrisxx said:
Universities don't wan't someone that is only good at what they do. Ie read textbooks all day and sit at home learning.

This is grad school so, yes, they do only care about how good you are at physics.

Gap years also don't hold the weight they used to anymore: nowadays, when you see "gap year" you read "dossed around on a holiday in a different country for a year". (http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/sep/06/gap-year-thailand-full-moon-party)
 
cristo said:
This is grad school so, yes, they do only care about how good you are at physics.

The experience I have of people that went for a masters begs to differ. You just can't be a one trick pony any more, you have to good at physics and have a wide variety of other skills to be accepted.

cristo said:
Gap years also don't hold the weight they used to anymore: nowadays, when you see "gap year" you read "dossed around on a holiday in a different country for a year". (http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/sep/06/gap-year-thailand-full-moon-party)

This clearly falls into the category of riding the bike and arsing around doesn't it?Scenario: You have two very similar students, both on par academically. Student A has a slight edge on the other, so one is say a 90% student the other is 80%.

Student A has done nothing but phyiscs in his life, has no extra curricular activities and spends his spare time reading textbooks.
Student B is not quite as good. Has been around the world, spends his spare time helping build schools in Ghana, is a member of many clubs.

Which would you chose and why?
 
xxChrisxx said:
The experience I have of people that went for a masters begs to differ. You just can't be a one trick pony any more, you have to good at physics and have a wide variety of other skills to be accepted.

"grad school" in the US typically means studying for a PhD, not a taught masters.


Scenario: You have two very similar students, both on par academically. Student A has a slight edge on the other, so one is say a 90% student the other is 80%.

Student A has done nothing but phyiscs in his life, has no extra curricular activities and spends his spare time reading textbooks.
Student B is not quite as good. Has been around the world, spends his spare time helping build schools in Ghana, is a member of many clubs.

Which would you chose and why?

I wouldn't choose based on extra curricular activities: they are important for undergraduate admissions, but not for PhD admissions. There is no "admissions tutor" for a PhD: applications get sent round to academics who are working in the area the candidate is looking to study. They are then filtered out based on ability and experience in courses that are important for the particular area. They would then be called for interview. It might be that student B interviews better and will better fit into the group, but going on a "gap year" is not a prerequisite for this.
 
cristo said:
"grad school" in the US typically means studying for a PhD, not a taught masters.

Ahhhh, what you said before makes sense now.

cristo said:
I wouldn't choose based on extra curricular activities: they are important for undergraduate admissions, but not for PhD admissions. There is no "admissions tutor" for a PhD: applications get sent round to academics who are working in the area the candidate is looking to study. They are then filtered out based on ability and experience in courses that are important for the particular area. They would then be called for interview. It might be that student B interviews better and will better fit into the group, but going on a "gap year" is not a prerequisite for this.

That's fair enough, the way I read OP's post was, gap year then masters -> PhD the year after.
 
I'm not sure how deferrals work for grad school, but I go to a top-ten university for math and physics and went to a math graduate school panel last week and asked about gap years. Everyone (including members of the admissions committee) seemed very supportive of gap years / taking a year off and mentioned that it would not affect chances of admissions.
 
  • #10
I have no faith in the myth of the "well-rounded" applicant.
 
  • #11
as other people have pointed out, the adcoms for graduate schools are basically professors saying "would i take this kid as phd student?"

something I've heard from them is: we're going to spend 5 years with this kid. if its a tie, we'll take the more interesting person. (s)he'll be more fun to interact

of course the most important thing is your ability to do research.
 
  • #12
it is not harmful for u. you must take admission in next year.
 

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