MSc Physics: Should My Sister Take an Entrance Exam?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether the sister of the original poster needs to take an entrance exam for pursuing an MSc in Physics abroad, specifically focusing on the requirements in the USA and Canada.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that in the USA, applicants for graduate school typically take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), which includes both a general exam and a subject exam for their field, but emphasize that it is only one factor in admissions.
  • Others clarify that PhD programs in the US often do not require a separate MSc, as they include coursework typically associated with an MSc in other countries.
  • One participant mentions that terminal MS programs in the US may have different requirements and expresses uncertainty about their specific entrance exam needs.
  • It is pointed out that in Canada, it is generally unusual to have any type of entrance exam for an MSc program.
  • A participant questions why the sister is not asking the questions herself, suggesting a potential lack of direct engagement in the forum.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of entrance exams for MSc programs, with some indicating that exams like the GRE are common in the US while others assert that such exams are not typically required in Canada. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific requirements for MSc programs in different countries.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the specific requirements for MSc programs in various countries, as well as the distinction between terminal MS programs and those leading to a PhD. The conversation reflects a lack of consensus on these points.

shanmugapriyasp
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My sister is willing to study MSc Physics in abroad. Should she need to take any entrance exam?
 
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Abroad from where? :oldwink:

Also, "to where" makes a difference. In the USA, applicants for graduate school are usually expected to take the Graduate Record Exam (both the general exam and the subject exam for your field), but it is only one factor in admissions; there's no rigid cutoff score as for "entrance exams" in some countries.
 
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That's cool.. GRE is for MS and MBA right? So, For MSc? Ok fine, She is willing to study in Canada.
 
Why can't your sister get on here and ask these questions directly, rather than having to go through you? After all, it appears that you registered here JUST to ask these questions.

Zz.
 
shanmugapriyasp said:
GRE is for MS and MBA right? So, For MSc?
In the US, if you are aiming for a PhD in physics, you normally enroll in a PhD program directly after finishing a bachelor's degree. PhD programs in the US include the coursework that in most other countries is done separately as an MSc. MS programs in physics are usually "terminal degrees" that lead to work in industry, or are for teachers upgrading their credentials, and are not intended to lead into a PhD program.

Most PhD programs require you to take both the general GRE and the physics GRE exams, as part of your application portfolio. I don't know about terminal MS programs.
 
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Oh, and we don't have "MSc" in the US, just "MS", as far as I know. It's an "I say tomahto, you say tomayto" sort of thing. :oldwink:
 
shanmugapriyasp said:
That's cool.. GRE is for MS and MBA right? So, For MSc? Ok fine, She is willing to study in Canada.

In Canada, it is unusual to have any type of entrance exam for an MSc.
 

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