Applying for Ph.D program in physics and got 166 quant GRE

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the implications of a 166 score on the quantitative section of the GRE for applicants to physics Ph.D. programs. Participants explore whether this score is considered competitive and how it fits into the broader context of graduate school applications, including other factors such as research experience and recommendations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if a score of 166 is good enough for a physics Ph.D. application, particularly in relation to achieving a score of 170.
  • Another participant suggests that graduate school applications depend on a holistic view of the applicant, including grades, research, and recommendations, indicating that a 166 is not disastrous.
  • It is mentioned that a score of 166 may fall within the mid to low 90th percentile for physics and math applicants, suggesting that the original poster may be overestimating the importance of the score.
  • A later reply emphasizes the stressful nature of scientific careers and questions whether the applicant is suited for a field that involves significant stress, particularly if they are overly concerned about their GRE score.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of the GRE score, with some downplaying its importance while others suggest it could impact admission to top programs, particularly in theoretical physics. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact weight of the GRE score in the application process.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not reach a consensus on the implications of the GRE score, and the discussion highlights various factors that could influence admissions decisions, which are not fully explored.

xdrgnh
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I got a 166 on the quant section of my GRE today. I also took the PGRE and believe I did quite well on it, at least 900+. Is a score of 166 on the quant section considered good for someone applying for a physics Ph.D program or can anything short of a 170 hurt my application?
 
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xdrgnh said:
I got a 166 on the quant section of my GRE today. I also took the PGRE and believe I did quite well on it, at least 900+. Is a score of 166 on the quant section considered good for someone applying for a physics Ph.D program or can anything short of a 170 hurt my application?

Grad school applications depend on the whole package. Grades in BS program, reputation of BS program, research, recommendations, publications, etc.

It's not a disaster, but it won't pave the way into theoretical physics at a top 10 school. Experimentalists won't worry a bit about it.
 
xdrgnh said:
I got a 166 on the quant section of my GRE today. I also took the PGRE and believe I did quite well on it, at least 900+. Is a score of 166 on the quant section considered good for someone applying for a physics Ph.D program or can anything short of a 170 hurt my application?

166 is probably somewhere in the mid 90th percentile for physics applicants/maybe low 90's for math majors. Or in other language, you're stressing for no good reason.
 
Student100 said:
Or in other language, you're stressing for no good reason.

And this is maybe the fourth or fifth thread you've posted that's stressing for no good reason. If stress bothers you that much, I think you might want to consider whether science is really the right career for you. You can wait two years for telescope time - and then have it rain. You can work on a detector for a decade, only to have the accelerator blow up. Or the detector catch fire. You can be on the verge of making an important calculation - only to find someone beat you to it. You can have a grant application or a paper in limbo for months, with nobody at the agency or journal having any explanation. This is all part of the job. If you find the application process this stressful, will you be happy with a career with an order of magnitude more stress?
 
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