Dual Major, Crappy Cum. GPA, can I apply to top schools

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of applying to top graduate schools in physics given a dual major in Mathematics and Physics, a cumulative GPA of 3.4, and varying GPAs in the respective fields. Participants explore the implications of academic performance, research experience, and standardized test preparation on admissions prospects.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines their academic statistics, including a cumulative GPA of 3.4, a Physics GPA of 3.85, and a Math GPA of 3.0, and expresses regret over past academic performance.
  • Another participant provides a link to profiles from previous admission rounds to help gauge chances of acceptance.
  • A third participant encourages the original poster to apply, noting the difficulty of predicting committee responses without seeing the full application.
  • Concerns are raised about the importance of performing well on the GRE and PGRE, with a reminder to focus on actual preparation rather than overconfidence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the original poster can apply to graduate schools, but there is no consensus on the likelihood of acceptance based on the provided academic profile and experiences.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of confidence regarding the impact of GPA and GRE scores on admissions, and there are unresolved questions about how research experience may influence applications.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering graduate school in physics or related fields, particularly those with concerns about GPA and standardized test performance.

MPKU
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Stats after the fall semester (the time I will be applying for graduate school for Physics)

Best case scenario

I will have a 3.4 cumulative GPA, 3.85 Physics GPA, and a 3.0 Math GPA

Dual Mathematics and Physics major, took 5 years to complete.

1st - 3rd year grade were par or less than. (I didn't care about school, or anything for that matter... regret deeply)

4th year, 3.93 fall, 4.0 spring <---- bulk of Physics classes taken here.

5th year, hoping for repeat.

Research:

Have done research on oscillatory granular systems for a semester.

Will be taking two research classes (independent study) in fall, one with a solar cell, one dealing with spectroscopy.

Nothing published, may attend fall conferences.

Have not taken GREs or PGREs, obviously planning to kick a** on them.

Extra:

Tutored math for one year

Supplementary instructor for college algebra for one year

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
 
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Bump?
 
Of course you can apply. Guessing what the committees' responses will be would be difficult enough if we had your admission packet in front of us, and we don't.

As for the GRE (and please, keep the language family friendly), everyone on PF thinks they will do remarkably well. The key is to put the effort into actually do so.
 

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