Grad School Advice: Applying to Physics Programs

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around advice for applying to physics graduate programs, focusing on the competitiveness of a specific applicant's profile, including academic performance, GRE scores, research experience, and letters of recommendation. The scope includes considerations for school selection based on perceived competitiveness.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • The applicant has a strong GPA in physics and a high Physics GRE score, but questions the impact of a law degree on their application.
  • Some participants suggest that letters of recommendation, particularly from the REU and graduate faculty, are crucial for assessing competitiveness.
  • One participant notes that the percentile ranking of the GRE scores may provide better insight into the applicant's standing among peers.
  • The applicant expresses concern about not having strong relationships with faculty at their current institution for recommendation letters.
  • The applicant mentions having guaranteed admission to programs in the second quartile but desires to apply to top 20 programs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of the law degree and the role of recommendation letters, indicating that multiple competing views remain regarding the applicant's competitiveness and school selection.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the impact of the applicant's law degree on their physics applications, as well as the significance of GRE percentiles versus raw scores. The discussion also highlights the applicant's lack of familiarity with current faculty, which may affect their application.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals preparing to apply to physics graduate programs, particularly those with non-traditional backgrounds or additional degrees, may find the insights relevant.

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Hey everyone,

So, here I am, going over my grad apps and making sure that I've got everything together. Want to make sure I'm not shooting too high or anything.

About me:

Undergrad: State School with unrecognized physics dept.
GPA: 3.76
PHYS: 3.86

GRE
VERBAL: 570
QUANT: 790
WRITING: 5.0
PHYSICS: 800 (retake)

Research: REU at Top 20 Physics Dept. (if rankings actually mean anything)

Other random info:
I'll have a law degree from a top 10 law school. I've been slacking, so my gpa is about a 3.0. In the meantime, I've taken a few grad physics classes here (really strong physics department) and have a Grad physics gpa of a 3.85.

Without getting into the details of my research interests, etc. (which are unrelated to my REU experience), if you were to judge how competitive my application will be, what would you say? What sorts of schools do you think I should be applying to?

Much appreciated!
 
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Oh, the law degree, why? I don't know, it seemed like what I wanted to do at the time.
 
The missing key factor is your letters, particularly from your REU and graduate faculty. If you are at a Top 10 school now, and you are compared favorably to the grad students there, you could be looking at Top 10.

I don't think the law degree will matter one way or another.

The raw Physics GRE score is hard to judge by - the percentile is more useful. About 1/2-1/3 of the people who take the GRE are accepted, so that should let you know where you stand: e.g. the 85% percentile means that you are somewhere in the 55-70 percentile range among people admitted to grad schools, so you would be (based on that score alone) competitive for schools in the second quartile. There are just under 200 schools offering PhD's, so you'd be looking at rankings between 50 and 100.
 
I see, an 800 this year corresponded to the 74th. I should have a strong letter from my REU advisor and professors that knew me very well in undergrad, however I haven't had the opportunity to really get to know any of the faculty here. I wouldn't feel comfortable asking any of them for a letter of rec.

Oh, if it helps anyone, I also was a TA for 5 semesters and have pretty much guaranteed admission to a couple of programs in the 2nd quartile. However, My main concern is those programs in the 1st.
 
Sorry, read incorrectly. Barring anything unforeseen, I pretty much have solid offers from schools in the top 40 or so... I would just like to break into that top 20 range.
 

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