Do I have a chance for Medical Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the prospects of gaining admission to accredited medical physics programs in the U.S., focusing on the qualifications and experiences of a senior student majoring in biophysics. The conversation touches on academic performance, relevant coursework, and the competitive nature of the field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their academic credentials, including a GPA of 3.89, a major in biophysics, and research experience, expressing concern about not attending a well-known school.
  • Another participant suggests that the size of the undergraduate institution may not significantly impact admissions chances and inquires about the physics GRE requirement.
  • The original poster clarifies that the schools they are interested in do not require the physics GRE and mentions having taken quantum physics but lacking depth in thermodynamics and modern physics.
  • There is a discussion about the acceptance of international students in medical physics programs, with one participant noting that many students in their radiation-detection class were international.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of concern regarding the impact of the undergraduate institution's reputation on admission chances. There is no consensus on the importance of specific coursework or standardized tests for medical physics programs.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific courses and experiences that may or may not align with the expectations of medical physics programs, but there are no definitive statements regarding the admissions criteria.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a career in medical physics, particularly those from less well-known institutions or with non-traditional backgrounds in physics.

migmigra
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Hello everyone,

I have a question. I need you guys honest opinion. I really want to go to one of the accredited medical physics universities in the U.S.
I am a senior at a school, and my stats are

GPA:3.89
Major: Biophysics
Class: general bio and some upper division bio, inorganic&orgaic chem, phys, bio-phys, math
GRE: math:710, Eng: 340, WR: 3.0
Research: in computational physics (only for a month><), in system physiology, and in biochemistry
doing vp for biophysics department for 2 years

My concern is that I am not coming from one of the top schools in the U.S. My school is not well known and physics department is tiny...><

Plz give me advise////
 
Last edited:
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migmigra said:
GPA:3.89
Major: Biophysics
Class: general bio and some upper division bio, inorganic&orgaic chem, phys, bio-phys, math
GRE: math:710, Eng: 340, WR: 3.0
Research: in computational physics (only for a month><), in system physiology, and in biochemistry
doing vp for biophysics department for 2 years

My concern is that I am not coming from one of the top schools in the U.S. My school is not well known and physics department is tiny...><
I took a class at a state university with some medical physics students, and they were very bright. Judging from the information you gave, you should do well, and the size of your undergrad shouldn't matter too much. Have you taken the physics GRE? Is that required for medical students? If so, you might not do too well since it seems you haven't had quantum, thermodynamics, or modern physics classes, have you?
 
Hello Geremia,

Thank you for your advise.
Actually ucla(where I want to go) and most of the accredited schools do not require physics subject test. I had quantum physics but i did not spend much time for thermodynamics and modern physics because I was heavily biophysics. I took biomedical imaging and hope that helps tho...
I'm wondering if they accept international students and wondering what qualities they are looking for among applicants...
 
migmigra said:
I took biomedical imaging and hope that helps tho...
I'm wondering if they accept international students and wondering what qualities they are looking for among applicants...
Yes, I took a radiation-detection class with students interested in biomedical imaging, and, yes, many of them were international students.
 
Geremia said:
Yes, I took a radiation-detection class with students interested in biomedical imaging, and, yes, many of them were international students.

Thanks Geremia,

That's good to know:)
I hope I can be accepted to one of the accredited grad programs.
 

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