Physics Advice on aiming for top-tier plasma physics PhD. programs

AI Thread Summary
To optimize a CV for admission to top-tier plasma physics PhD programs like Princeton, MIT, and Columbia, candidates should focus on demonstrating strong research aptitude through relevant internships and publications. Despite a low undergraduate GPA of 2.7, the candidate has improved their academic performance with a 3.8 GPA in a master's program and is working on a thesis in plasma spectroscopy diagnostics. Faculty from target schools recommend gaining experience at fusion startups to enhance application strength. The candidate plans to apply to a broader range of programs, including both U.S. and European institutions, to increase their chances of acceptance. Emphasizing theoretical understanding in plasma physics is a key goal for the candidate.
mrdx
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hi! First time poster here, looking for some advice on how to optimize my CV for the title-stated goal. By “top-tier”, I have the big three of Princeton, MIT, and Columbia in mind. Those schools are the target because while I really love experimental work, I want a PhD that will give me the absolute full-package theoretical understanding of plasma physics esp. re fusion.

My background: I graduated w/ a BA in Physics in ‘21. The bad news is that my undergrad GPA was very poor, about 2.7.

The good news is that (1) I did a topic-relevant thesis, and (2) said BA is from a particular little LA college which is statistically & by reputation (I think) a peer of the above schools for undergrad, and it’s well-liked by grad schools writ large. It also (in?)famously has very low grade inflation.

I’m now finishing up a MS in physics at a considerably less prestigious public university. My GPA there is 3.8, in about 2 years’ worth of coursework. I’m opting to do a thesis, and I am reasonably sure it will be novel & rigorous enough to be publication-worthy. (Side note: this topic is plasma spectroscopy diagnostics, specifically. If anyone in the field is reading, perchance, do you have suggestions as to which particular journals might be appropriate to submit to?)

I also did a 6mo internship at ITER in the midst of this MS. While I’m sure I’ll get a good letter of rec from that, what I was asked to do was not terribly technical, so it will be of limited value.

I recently visited one of those target schools and talked to faculty— they strongly suggested that I try and get an internship or two at a fusion startup to improve my application strength, and that they basically don’t accept anyone who hasn’t demonstrated research aptitude.

I’m reasonably certain I do in fact have research aptitude, but my own self-conceit is insufficient, I need to really accumulate lots of evidence that way, to go where I want to. Would anyone have suggestions or about how to best do that in my somewhat non-traditional trajectory? Thank you in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
mrdx said:
By “top-tier”, I have the big three of Princeton, MIT, and Columbia in mind. Those schools are the target because while I really love experimental work, I want a PhD that will give me the absolute full-package theoretical understanding of plasma physics esp. re fusion.

mrdx said:
I recently visited one of those target schools and talked to faculty— they strongly suggested that I try and get an internship or two at a fusion startup to improve my application strength, and that they basically don’t accept anyone who hasn’t demonstrated research aptitude.

<<Emphasis added.>> Your best advice will be from faculty at your target schools. You've talked to faculty at one; now repeat for the other two. Caveat: Only 3 target schools? That's not wise, even for a stronger applicant.
 
CrysPhys said:
<<Emphasis added.>> Your best advice will be from faculty at your target schools. You've talked to faculty at one; now repeat for the other two. Caveat: Only 3 target schools? That's not wise, even for a stronger applicant.
Appreciate it! I’ll see if I can find faculty to pester at the other two. I’m certainly going to be applying to more than that: Washington, Wisconsin, Maryland, and UCLA are my 2nd group (in the US). There are several European programs I’ll be applying to too, since I will have a master’s and some European connections from my time at ITER: Aix-Marseille, Paris Politechnique, Uni di Padua, Carlos III de Madrid, Eindhoven Technical, among others.

My complaint with most other American programs (ones I didn’t mention) is that so far as I can tell, their focus is very much on the applied and are not so heavy on the theoretical side. It’s a lot easier to learn applied skills post-PhD than the theoretical, imo.
 
I don't know if anyone on here works for any of the well known defense companies of your country, whichever country you are from?? Also, if you choose to work in one, do you think the engineering education provide from your school would adequately prepare you for the job. What do I mean by that? Well if you work at say Lockheed Martin and you work in the latest iteration of a missile or if you work at Pratt & Whitney, they assign you to work in the team helping out with building the jet...
Hello, I graduated from undergrad a few years ago with a Major in Physics and minor in Electrical Engineering. I tried to get experience working on and testing circuits through my professor who studied Neutrinos, however covid caused the opportunity to go away and I graduated with no experience or internships. I have attempted to break into the engineering industry with no success. Right now I am considering going for a Masters in Electrical Engineering and I need advice on if this would be...
So lately, my interest in the realm of optics/optoelectronics/photonics engineering has grown and I have started to seriously consider pursuing a career in the field. I have done a bit of career research and also have done some learning on the side to gather more knowledge on these topics. However, I have some questions on what a career in these fields would look like, and I wanted to find out more about this area to know what I would be getting myself into if I did make the choice to pursue...

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
11
Views
4K
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
20
Views
3K
Replies
12
Views
4K
Back
Top