How important is your UG Institution in Grad Admission?

In summary, your undergraduate school doesn't seem to have a lot of bearing on the admissions process for graduate school in condensed matter.
  • #1
lxhrk9
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Hi, I am currently applying to graduate school. My list right now contains all of the top schools for condensed matter and a few "safer" schools but I am wondering if I should try to expand my list further.

In undergrad, I attended a middle ranked university, and graduated dual Physics and Math with a 3.99. I also have done a lot of research (eg McNair, REU's etc) and other programs (eg QuISU @ MIT). I have 2 PRLs (both in theoretical condensed matter) and have given several contributed talks at major conferences. I also was the president of two academic organizations and very involved in the department. I will be taking the Physics GRE this Saturday, so this score is unknown.

How important is the school you attended for UG in the admissions process? What are some good (though not necessarily highly prestigious) schools in condensed matter that I should consider applying to?

Thanks for the help!
 
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  • #2
A 3.99 GPA from a "top" school might mean something more to an admission committee than a 3.99 from a "middle ranked" school. However, it is only a small consideration and depending on how you do on the physics GRE you sound like you have a strong application and your UG institution shouldn't matter much at all. Therefore, I would recommend only expanding your safety school list if you don't score as well as you wanted to on the PGRE and not because your school is middle ranked.
 
  • #3
As long as your undergrad university is a legitimate, accredited school, I wouldn't worry about it at all.

The size and name of your undergrad school won't matter. Your grades, research background, letters, and PGRE are much, much more important, and you seem to doing well in those areas.

I went to a small, liberal arts university for my undergrad. I had several REU's, great GPA, and good PGRE. and got into grad school no problem. Of course, some other people from my year had trouble getting into grad school, but there was definitely a correlation with bad PGRE performance and little to no real research experience.

Good luck on Saturday! Remember to eat well the night before and get enough sleep!
 

1. How much weight does the reputation of my undergraduate institution hold in graduate admissions?

The reputation of your undergraduate institution can hold varying levels of importance in graduate admissions. While some graduate programs may place a high emphasis on the prestige of your undergraduate institution, others may focus more on your individual accomplishments, such as GPA, research experience, and letters of recommendation.

2. Will attending a less well-known undergraduate institution hurt my chances of getting into a top graduate program?

Attending a less well-known undergraduate institution may not necessarily hurt your chances of getting into a top graduate program. Admissions committees typically look at a combination of factors, including your academic performance, research experience, and personal qualities. As long as you excel in these areas, the reputation of your undergraduate institution may not be a major deciding factor.

3. Can I make up for attending a less prestigious undergraduate institution with a strong graduate entrance exam score?

A strong graduate entrance exam score can certainly help make up for attending a less prestigious undergraduate institution. However, it is not a guarantee of admission. Admissions committees look at a variety of factors, and a high entrance exam score alone may not be enough to compensate for a weaker undergraduate institution.

4. Is there a difference between attending a public or private undergraduate institution in terms of graduate admissions?

There may be a slight difference between attending a public or private undergraduate institution in terms of graduate admissions. Private institutions may have a higher level of resources and opportunities available to students, such as research and internship opportunities. However, this does not mean that attending a public institution will hinder your chances of getting into a top graduate program.

5. Should I choose my undergraduate institution based on its reputation for graduate admissions?

It is not necessary to choose your undergraduate institution solely based on its reputation for graduate admissions. It is important to choose a school that aligns with your academic and personal interests, and where you feel you can excel academically. Your individual achievements and experiences will ultimately have a greater impact on your graduate admissions than the reputation of your undergraduate institution.

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