Graduate School Reputation & Industry Job Market for Physics PhD

[scientist.jack]

(I've been reading PF for years now, and decided I should finally contribute. Unfortunately, my first significant post is a question, but I hope that will change in the near future!)

I'm graduating in May with a double major in Physics and Mathematics, and I have a couple offer for graduate school in the fall. Unfortunately, I did VERY poorly on the Physics GRE (no point in making excuses), so I was only accepted into two of the seven schools to which I applied, both safeties. I'm thinking about accepting the offer at a decent graduate program at a large private university ranked in the 60s (US News).

I am confident that I can retake the physics GRE and score significantly higher, thus drastically improving my chances at higher ranked schools (I was wait-listed at a top ten school this time around, with my abysmal physics gre score).

I don't want to delay graduate school another year, but at the same time, I don't want to severely limit my opportunities post-graduation.The big question becomes: How much do employers for physics PhDs care about pedigree and prestige?

(I'm asking strictly about industry, since I cannot picture myself staying in academia after my PhD)

Thanks for any help!

 

[scientist.jack]

Over the past couple weeks I've realized how little I knew about graduate schools and industry. I chose to enroll this Fall.