- #1
bluechic92
- 175
- 15
Hey Everyone,
Before I made a thread about applying to grad school, now I am not sure if I should for PhD just yet.
I feel like my gpa is not high enough, my physics gre is not good enough, and overall feeling pretty lousy about applying. I am already taking a year off, and now I just think I should take some more time before applying to PhD programs.
I took a year off to improve my pgre scores and it only went from *very horrible* to 700 (52%). I was planning on applying to grad school as undecided between theory and experiment, but to be honest that's freaking me out. I have research experiences in high energy theory and I love(d) it! My app is not strong enough to continue with this field, however. Also, I have no experience in experimental physics at all ( unless if lab courses count).
I am thinking about applying to masters in physics instead. I think a masters program will give me the opportunity to take more advanced courses, hopefully do well and get a high gpa, and get more research experience. I can try experimental or another sub field or something. Of course I hope to raise my pgre scores even higher. This way, if I realize I still want to do HEP-th , I can work towards making my app stronger.
I only know that I want the PhD! I love research! The possibility of working in academia is appealing, however research is my favorite ( so any research oriented job is fine).
Do you think applying for only masters program is the better way to go? Should I apply for PhD at some places anyways? What do grad schools look for when people apply for experimental physics? I have not consulted with my research advisors yet. They believe that I will be successful in grad school, even at the institutions they went/have connections at. The only problem is, those schools are all top 10 and my current credentials are not strong enough.
I appreciate any sort of advice! =)
Before I made a thread about applying to grad school, now I am not sure if I should for PhD just yet.
I feel like my gpa is not high enough, my physics gre is not good enough, and overall feeling pretty lousy about applying. I am already taking a year off, and now I just think I should take some more time before applying to PhD programs.
I took a year off to improve my pgre scores and it only went from *very horrible* to 700 (52%). I was planning on applying to grad school as undecided between theory and experiment, but to be honest that's freaking me out. I have research experiences in high energy theory and I love(d) it! My app is not strong enough to continue with this field, however. Also, I have no experience in experimental physics at all ( unless if lab courses count).
I am thinking about applying to masters in physics instead. I think a masters program will give me the opportunity to take more advanced courses, hopefully do well and get a high gpa, and get more research experience. I can try experimental or another sub field or something. Of course I hope to raise my pgre scores even higher. This way, if I realize I still want to do HEP-th , I can work towards making my app stronger.
I only know that I want the PhD! I love research! The possibility of working in academia is appealing, however research is my favorite ( so any research oriented job is fine).
Do you think applying for only masters program is the better way to go? Should I apply for PhD at some places anyways? What do grad schools look for when people apply for experimental physics? I have not consulted with my research advisors yet. They believe that I will be successful in grad school, even at the institutions they went/have connections at. The only problem is, those schools are all top 10 and my current credentials are not strong enough.
I appreciate any sort of advice! =)