Do I have a chance to get into top physics programs?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on an Electronics Engineering bachelor's student from a Middle Eastern university seeking advice on applying to top physics programs like Princeton and Stanford. Despite lacking a dedicated physics program at their university, the student has strong qualifications, including two Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) in theoretical physics in Germany, top academic performance, excellent recommendations, and a high score on the physics GRE. Concerns are raised about how the student's non-physics major might impact admissions chances. The consensus suggests applying to a range of schools, including both aspirational and more attainable options, while also considering the specific area of physics—specifically theoretical condensed matter physics—that the student intends to pursue.
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Hi,
I know such questions have been asked several times in this forum, but it would be a nice guide for me to choose where to apply.

I am an Electronics Engineering bachelor student from a university in the middle east that does not have a physics program (and physics programs in my country are bad anyway). However, I have two REU's in theoretical physics in Germany (with one presentation and poster), I'm the top of my class (about 500 students) with an A+ in all courses, I have excellent recommendations, I have won several regional contests in math, programming and chemistry, I had several math and physics extracurricular courses and I had a 990 in the physics GRE.

I know that the fact that my undergraduate major is not physics will make the admission committee not sure about my physics background and will be a big minus but I want to ask if
I have a reasonable chance to get into places like Princeton or Stanford, or should I try lower ranked universitirs?
 
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I'm not really qualified to comment, but I got to think you have a decent chance.
 
where are you right now? it'll make a difference
 
ice109 said:
where are you right now? it'll make a difference

I am in my final year at my university in Egypt (probably not a known university in the US)
 
No matter what you think your chances are, apply to both. Apply to a lot of schools. Pick a few that you really want to go to but may not get into. Pick a bunch that you'd like to go to and you think you have a good chance at, and pick a few that you're confident you can get into.

Also, it depends on what kind of physics you plan to study.

Hope this helps.
 
evenkolder said:
Also, it depends on what kind of physics you plan to study.

Well, I am planning to study theoretical condensed matter physics
 

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