Admissions PhD Admission: What Do Committees Want from an MS Applicant in Research?

[Hassan Raza]

I am currently in the second (and final) year of my MS in Physics. I've just started my research, which focuses on identifying Dark Matter through Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) extensions.

My supervisor has directed me to learn model building using FeynRules and subsequent calculations via MadGraph or other simulators. I've successfully built models for QED and QCD, and I am now working on Weak Interactions, Electroweak theory, and symmetry breaking. My immediate goal for the next few months is to successfully reproduce a paper based on an extension of the Inert Doublet Model (IDM) before moving on to original work.

My main concern is the PhD application deadline (most close in December/January). It will be difficult to have significant research completed by then. And people say that when approaching a professor, one should ideally highlight their research and propose a potential project. However, it is already rare to find a professor working exactly on the IDM, which is my current focus. Most professors I find are working on Dark Matter via different BSM models, or entirely different areas of particle physics, which makes it nearly impossible for me to suggest a new idea or project to them.

How should I approach these professors? Do they look strictly for applicants whose previous work aligns perfectly with their own research? And how closely does my current research need to align with a professor's work to make a successful connection? And can I approach a professor with a slightly different research area, let's say SUSY or Grand Unification Theories like String Theory?

I am concerned about my timeline, as I don't want to waste another year. Also, I have a lower GPA from my B.S. (below 3.0), although my M.S. GPA is currently around 3.5, and I'm not from the US/EU/AU or other first-world countries, but I've studied from the Best Universites of my Country.
Kindly help me out.

 

[CrysPhys]

My main concern is the PhD application deadline (most close in December/January).

This is a common deadline in the US, where you typically apply to a PhD program in your senior year undergrad (no MS required).. But since you are applying after an MS, I assume you're not planning to apply to the US. Is this correct? If so, what universities are you applying to? In some, PhD openings are posted as jobs and due dates are distributed; e.g., see the following for current openings: https://www.kth.se/lediga-jobb?l=en.

 

[Hassan Raza]

This is a common deadline in the US, where you typically apply to a PhD program in your senior year undergrad.. But since you are applying after an MS, I assume you're not planning to apply to the US. Is this correct? If so, what universities are you applying to? In some, PhD openings are posted as jobs and due dates are distributed; e.g., see the following for current openings: https://www.kth.se/lediga-jobb?l=en.

I'm also planning to apply in the US. I applied after my BS as well, but couldn't make it because of the low CGPA, So I started my MS to cover up for my CGPA and lack of research.

 

[CrysPhys]

I'm also planning to apply in the US. I applied after my BS as well, but couldn't make it because of the low CGPA, So I started my MS to cover up for my CGPA and lack of research.

In that case, check carefully the admissions policies of the US universities that you plan to apply to.

See my previous post: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/hepth-programs-in-europe.1082397/post-7282974

 

[gwnorth]

Really you're in no different a position than many undergraduates who are applying in their final year while undergoing their final year research project. Ideally you would have more research experience than just that, but what counts is that you're currently undertaking research. Whether or not it is complete at the time of application doesn't necessarily matter as your letters of recommendation speaking to your ability to do research will be just as important.

With regards to how to frame your statement of purpose, that will depend entirely on in what countries you're applying. In the EU it's quite common to be applying to work on a specific project so tying your previous experience to that project will be key. In the US however it's a bit looser. You aren't expected to have a specific thesis topic picked out, just an outline of the general area of research you are hoping to pursue for your PhD. Perfect alignment with faculty is not expected, but should be in the general sphere of what they study.

HTH