Schools Need Help: Calc, GPA, and Grad School.

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a sophomore pursuing a BS in physics with concerns about academic performance and future graduate school prospects. The individual has faced challenges, particularly during a demanding second semester, resulting in a cumulative GPA of 3.096. Current grades show improvement, with an A in optics and a B+ in circuits, but struggles in calculus persist. The individual is anxious about how grades in Electricity & Magnetism and calculus will impact graduate school admissions and is seeking advice on improving chances for acceptance into good programs. Key recommendations include focusing on achieving strong grades in future physics and math classes, performing well on the GRE, and gaining research experience, which is emphasized as crucial for enhancing graduate school applications. The individual is also applying for summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) and is optimistic about securing strong letters of recommendation.
nphysics123
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hello everyone. I'm currently a sophomore working toward a BS in physics (and a minor in astronomy) at a top private engineering school. With the semester finishing up, I'm a little worried about where I am now and where I will be after graduation and I have a few questions.

A little background: My freshman year was okay. I came out of mechanics with a B+ and most of my other classes were Bs or As. Unfortunately, my second semester required taking Biology, Chemistry and Electricity & Magnetism (and the recitations that go with them) at the same time along with a few other classes. I was pretty overloaded with work and was doing almost nothing except eating, sleeping, and school work. I found it very hard to properly study for all of these classes (especially since almost all exams I had were given during the same week for each class) and I passed E&M with a C+. I also passed my first semester calc class with a C+ and finished freshman year with a Cumulative 3.096 GPA.

Freshman year was pretty rough, but I do feel that I am improving. At the moment, I have an A in my optics class and my two other physics lab classes, a B+ in my circuits class, an A in one of my humanities elective classes, and a C in my multivariable calc class. I expect to finish with these grades and expect to raise my cumulative GPA to about a 3.15 (3.4 semester GPA). Other than my differential equations class and my intro to calc class (I took this over the summer before freshman year to get ahead), my grades in calc are going to be Cs and I am kind of bummed about it. I understand the material, but I have a history of not being a very good test taker and most of my poor grades go back to running out of time on exams. When it comes to applying the concepts I learned in calc to physics, I don't have a problem and usually end up doing pretty well.

With all of this, I'm wondering what my chances of getting into average or even good grad schools are, and what I can do to raise those chances. It really bothers me that I can't do anything about my E&M grade and that some of my calc grades are rather poor. How much will admissions pay attention to these classes? Should I kiss the chances of getting into a top-tier school goodbye? Will it make a difference if I manage to do much better in my later physics and math classes and perform well on the GRE? My classes for my minor will provide somewhat of a boost and I'm hoping to raise my general GPA to at least a 3.5 by the end of junior year and have a major GPA of at least a 3.7+. (And a side question: how difficult will it be to get accepted into a summer REU with my grades? I'm getting some good rec letters but I feel like my grades will still be a problem. I'm applying to several programs for the upcoming summer.)

Thank you
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Step 1: get research experience
Step 2: get research experience
Step 3: get research experience
Step 4: GET RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
 
Dishsoap said:
Step 1: get research experience
Step 2: get research experience
Step 3: get research experience
Step 4: GET RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Did anyone mention you should get research experience?

And in the process work hard and realize the value of that letter of recommendation.
 
Thanks, I'm applying to a bunch of REUs for the next summer and I will keep that in mind, Dr. Courtney.
 
I'm going to make this one quick since I have little time. Background: Throughout my life I have always done good in Math. I almost always received 90%+, and received easily upwards of 95% when I took normal-level HS Math courses. When I took Grade 9 "De-Streamed" Math (All students must take "De-Streamed" in Canada), I initially had 98% until I got very sick and my mark had dropped to 95%. The Physics teachers and Math teachers talked about me as if I were some sort of genius. Then, an...
Bit Britain-specific but I was wondering, what's the best path to take for A-Levels out of the following (I know Y10 seems a bit early to be thinking about A-levels, but my choice will impact what I do this year/ in y11) I (almost) definitely want to do physics at University - so keep that in mind... The subjects that I'm almost definitely going to take are Maths, Further Maths and Physics, and I'm taking a fast track programme which means that I'll be taking AS computer science at the end...
After a year of thought, I decided to adjust my ratio for applying the US/EU(+UK) schools. I mostly focused on the US schools before, but things are getting complex and I found out that Europe is also a good place to study. I found some institutes that have professors with similar interests. But gaining the information is much harder than US schools (like you have to contact professors in advance etc). For your information, I have B.S. in engineering (low GPA: 3.2/4.0) in Asia - one SCI...

Similar threads

Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
26
Views
5K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
3K
Back
Top