Admissions EU MSc application without prior research

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the challenges faced by a senior undergraduate student from a low-ranking university who is considering applying for graduate school in nuclear or high energy physics in Europe. The student has a GPA of approximately 3.25 and lacks research experience, which may put them at a disadvantage compared to local applicants with more extensive backgrounds. They are contemplating approaching professors for research opportunities, given their strong coding skills in Python and C/C++, experience with scientific packages, and proficiency in data analysis and Linux systems. The conversation highlights the importance of checking university requirements and suggests that leveraging computer skills could be beneficial in the application process. There is skepticism about the claim of being "smarter" than peers, emphasizing that admissions decisions are likely based on a broader range of factors beyond perceived intelligence. Overall, the student is encouraged to seek research experience and consider internships to strengthen their application.
zivo
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I'm right now in Senior year in a bad school ( I mean ranking 1k+, actually best in country so I have an excuse ), with good GPA ( about 3.25 equivalent ) considering applying for grad school in EU in nuclear/high energy physics. However I'm from a not so good university undergrad research isn't heard of, so if I go without prior research experience I might be in direct contest with locals with much more research experience than me. But I'm considering "pushing" it with the profs ( Who I admit are very open ) to get internship/small research going.

What I do however have is better than average -compared to EU student- computer knowledge, as I can code with 2(3?) languages: Python C/C++, Python with which I made some course helping programs earlier last year ( code that basically does my homework ) and have experience with scientific packages ( Scipy,Numpy,Sympy mostly ) and Data analysis ( Pandas, Matplotlib,seaborn linmodels...etc ), even though my knowledge of C/C++ is almost exclusive to development of user software ( mostly games though :smile:, but knowledge of 3D should be very useful as I heard ), I can also use Linux systems effectively and managed a Linux server once for a week. + I'm good with Algebra ( I love it! ). I don't have any diplomas apart from Comptia A+/Security+/Linux+.

So if pushing the profs for research doesn't work, do I stand a chance at applying for grad school if I leverage my computer knowledge and how computer intensive the specialties are ?
 
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Check the requirements of the universities. If they accept you, finding a project for a master thesis shouldn't be too hard. An internship will certainly help. A summer student project would be interesting as well, but for this year it is too late.
 
zivo said:
What I do however have is better than average -compared to EU student-

On what basis do you make that claim?

"I am ever so much smarter than that guy over there" is very off-putting. I'm not sure it's even true in this case, and in any event, I don't think it will be a huge factor in admissions even if it were.
 

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