Chance of admission to Imperial QFFF and LMU MSc Physics

[zhayan0309]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently an undergraduate student at Peking University in China, which is widely considered the top university in our country. I’m preparing my applications for two programmes that I’m very interested in:

• Imperial College London – MSc Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces (QFFF)
• LMU Munich – MSc Physics (theoretical physics direction)

However, I’m not very confident about my academic profile, especially my GPA, and I would really appreciate some advice from people familiar with these programmes.

My background:​

• University: Peking University (China)
• Major: Physics
• GPA: 3.63/4.0 (my main concern)
• GRE Subject Physics: 930(seems high but rather poor for Chinese students)
• Research:
  • Worked in a high-energy theory/phenomenology group
  • Second author on a JHEP publication (QCD, multi-loop calculation)
  • Currently studying holography / AdS/CFT and quantum gravity in another theory group
• Graduate-level Courses:
  • Group Theory II
  • Quantum Field Theory(I and II)
  • Quantum Statistical Mechanics
  • General Relativity

My questions:​

1. Based on your experience, how competitive are the Imperial QFFF and LMU MSc Physics programmes for someone with my profile?
2. Does my GPA significantly hurt my chances, even though my university is well-known and my research background is strong?
3. For LMU, does a strong theoretical background + research help compensate for a GPA that is not perfect?
4. Any advice on how to strengthen my application would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance! I'd really appreciate any honest feedback or insight.

 

[CrysPhys]

Your best strategy would be to apply to ~6 programs of varying degrees of selectivity, ranging from top schools on your wish list to the lowest schools that you would consider worthwhile.

 

[zhayan0309]

Your best strategy would be to apply to ~6 programs of varying degrees of selectivity, ranging from top schools on your wish list to the lowest schools that you would consider worthwhile.

I understand what you meant, but I just want to have some preparation for the result.

 

[robotkid786]

I know people who have gotten into Imperial from far less prestigious universities in the united kingdom with only a first class in their programme. I'm sure the Admissions officers would consider you at Imperial even for QFFF. It's a programme I'm also aiming for, but I'm still completing my undergraduate in physics/mathematics