How hard is it to get into graduate programs for physics?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion emphasizes the importance of focusing on research interests rather than the prestige of top universities like MIT, Caltech, or Stanford when applying for graduate programs. It highlights that many successful physicists graduate from lesser-known institutions, with a significant number of physics PhDs awarded each year outside of elite schools. The conversation also touches on the challenges of securing scholarships, particularly for international students or those at less prestigious universities. Ultimately, the consensus is that individual research experience and passion for the field are more critical for success in academia than the name of the institution.
schattenjaeger
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In general, places like MIT or Caltech or Stanford, and other places that aren't as "good"(yah I know good's relative and subjective, hence the quotes)I was talking to a guy who had a 3.9 GPA, research experience, and from my own personal knowledge really good at math, and he didn't even get a rejection letter from Caltech, he had to call(though that probably really was a mistake on their part, the not mailing the letter)
 
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Like I'll probably graduate with only a 3.4 GPA, and I didn't even realize until recently that I should even be trying to pursue undergrad research. I don't know where to look or who to ask and I figure this screws me outta the top choices for grad school
 
schattenjaeger said:
Like I'll probably graduate with only a 3.4 GPA, and I didn't even realize until recently that I should even be trying to pursue undergrad research. I don't know where to look or who to ask and I figure this screws me outta the top choices for grad school

First thing is that people(not just you) need to get over the silly obsession with 'top' schools. It is really quite silly. Over 1000 physics PhDs graduate in the US each year. Princeton lists 116 physics grad students. At an average of six years to graduate that's 19 per year. Caltech lists 21 PhDs granted last year. So what about the 900 or so students that don't get their PhDs from one of these 'top' schools?

You should be choosing what schools to apply to based on your research interests, not the name brand of the school.
 
heh, very good point, thanks!
 
Its all about going to a school that does the kind of research you enjoy. Nothing else really ever mattered. Sure its nice to have a top name school but in the end it is your work that will speak volumes for you as a scientist.
 
franznietzsche said:
You should be choosing what schools to apply to based on your research interests, not the name brand of the school.
hmm...i am very very interested in physics ..but it is really hard to get scholarship from university of america,even from a common university...much less those famous ones
 

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