- #1
amiras
- 65
- 0
I am currently studying Physics BS in UK, I just finished my third year and planning to apply for Ms/PhD programs in USA or Canada.
I think all that is relevant about me when applying:
I work hard at school, have mostly A's and likely to graduate with 1'st class degree, I think I'm somewhere at top 10% of my class, but I have no research experience so far, no publications. Currently I am doing summer internship in nuclear institute, but my work mostly involves programming and has very little physics. I am going to attend 2-week Particle Physics summer school soon (is this something to enhance my chances when applying to grad school?) I also did TA this year in my institution. I also have a lot of programming experience.
I don't think I am especially strong candidate for grad school, because of lack of research experience I have no deeper understanding in any field, all I know is basics. (Although I do study outside the class things like GR, number theory, differential geometry - but only at elementary level)
I am also more attracted to HEP theory, which makes it harder to get in.
Throughout the summer I'll be preparing for PGRE and reading Griffiths Introduction to Elementary Particles, I think that's best I can do at this time to succeed at grad school.
I have a few questions regarding grad school:
What do you think are my chances of getting into a decent program? Also, how do you know which program is decent, are school subject rankings adequately reflect the program?
I hear all the time that good adviser is more important than ranking of the school, but for international student it's very difficult to meet prospective advisers. Do you think I should contact some professors via email and find out more about the them and department itself?
Thank you,
I think all that is relevant about me when applying:
I work hard at school, have mostly A's and likely to graduate with 1'st class degree, I think I'm somewhere at top 10% of my class, but I have no research experience so far, no publications. Currently I am doing summer internship in nuclear institute, but my work mostly involves programming and has very little physics. I am going to attend 2-week Particle Physics summer school soon (is this something to enhance my chances when applying to grad school?) I also did TA this year in my institution. I also have a lot of programming experience.
I don't think I am especially strong candidate for grad school, because of lack of research experience I have no deeper understanding in any field, all I know is basics. (Although I do study outside the class things like GR, number theory, differential geometry - but only at elementary level)
I am also more attracted to HEP theory, which makes it harder to get in.
Throughout the summer I'll be preparing for PGRE and reading Griffiths Introduction to Elementary Particles, I think that's best I can do at this time to succeed at grad school.
I have a few questions regarding grad school:
What do you think are my chances of getting into a decent program? Also, how do you know which program is decent, are school subject rankings adequately reflect the program?
I hear all the time that good adviser is more important than ranking of the school, but for international student it's very difficult to meet prospective advisers. Do you think I should contact some professors via email and find out more about the them and department itself?
Thank you,