How do 'unique' courses look on graduate applications?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the implications of taking a unique, independent study course for graduate school applications in physics. Participants explore how such a course might be perceived by admissions committees, particularly in the absence of formal course listings or descriptions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about how an independent study course will be viewed by graduate programs, noting the lack of formal documentation.
  • Another suggests that having the professor write a letter of recommendation could help clarify the course's content and rigor.
  • A different participant posits that the independent study demonstrates ambition, drive, and self-motivation, which could be positively viewed by admissions officials.
  • It is mentioned that the skills gained from the course will be important for graduate school applications.
  • The original poster acknowledges the potential workload of the course and expresses hope that it will be recognized in their application.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that an independent study can reflect positively on an applicant's motivation and skills, but there is uncertainty about how admissions committees will specifically interpret such courses.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the lack of formal course descriptions and the subjective nature of admissions evaluations, which may affect how the independent study is perceived.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering independent study courses, applicants to graduate programs in physics, and those interested in the admissions process for graduate studies.

Troponin
Messages
267
Reaction score
2
I'm wondering how I can expect the "course" I'm taking this summer to look on a graduate school application for physics? I put "course" in quotations because I'm the only one in the course, and it is kind of made up for me as sort of an independent study with a professor.

The professor will dictate the focus of the course, but he said to start reading "Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei" by Osterbrock.

My first thought was "Great! This will look really good on my application!"
But after thinking about it...there will really be no way for the schools to know exactly what the course involved. There will be no course description or even course listing in my University catalogue...so now I'm not so sure it will look like anything special. I'm curious to see how an independent study type class like I'll be taking this summer will look to grad programs in comparison to the research stuff and graduate courses. (I'm not sure of the listing on this course, but I think it will be listed as a 5000 level course, which is graduate or special permission undergraduate level at my University)

I get the impression from the professor that he is going to put me through a good deal of torment...so I'm hoping that the end result won't be a "meh...so he took a non-standard class...next applicant!" when grad admissions see the listing on my records. lol
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Have the professor write a letter of recommendation for you. Then he can describe what you did. Assuming you do OK in it, of course...
 
I can't speak to how admissions officials will see it, but I think it shows that you are ambitious, driven, and self motivated. It takes a lot of discipline to self-study.
 
You'll have plenty of valid skills to talk about when it comes to graduate school, and that is very important.
 
Cool. I was hoping to hear answers along these lines. lol
It looks like it's going to be more work than the credit hours will show, so I hope I can show that on my applications.

I'll have the professor write a letter of recommendation (if I do well...), hopefully that will make it clear.

Thanks for the advice!
 

Similar threads

Courses Advanced Math for Computational Material Science Engineering
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Courses Is Dropping Out of a GR Course a Smart Move for a Future PhD Applicant?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Admissions Graduating a year early anxieties + grad school
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Admissions Advice on how best to spend my time for graduate school applications
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Programs I want to enroll in a beginning programming course
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Admissions How to improve graduate school applications after college?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Schools Help with shortlisting graduate programs in HEP-PH/TH
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Resources/sites for online courses
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Admissions Comments on my physics PhD applicant profile
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Any tips for doing a PhD in theoretical physics?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K