Question about graduate school application

[Quantumleaper]

When applying to graduate school in physics, how much weight does your undergrad institution carry in your application? I ask because I currently attend a school in the lower rungs of the top 50 and the graduate schools I am interested in attending are highly regarded as being much, much better.

On a sidenote, my undergrad institution has a very eminent astronomy department. Should I think about getting involved with some of the work they are doing? Perhaps add an astronomy minor?

 

[Leveret]

Generally, things like grades, letters of recommendation, and undergraduate research will outweigh where you did your undergrad. That's certainly not to say that a person from Delaware County Community College will have the same odds as someone from Princeton, all things being equal, but within a reasonable range, the name on your degree fades into the noise. Worry less about where you're getting your B.S., and more about making it the most outstanding B.S. you can.

As for astronomy, if you're only doing it because your school has a strong astronomy department, I'd say no. Put your efforts into what you're actually interested in, and what you actually want to pursue. If, on the other hand, your grad school interests overlap with astronomy, then adding that minor could well boost your grad school application--but even if it didn't, taking those classes would be a good decision as long as you want to learn the material. No matter where you end up, knowing more about your chosen field of study can only help you (provided you don't give up anything else to get that minor).

 

[twofish-quant]

When applying to graduate school in physics, how much weight does your undergrad institution carry in your application?

It's not so much the name but what you get from the undergrad institution. The other thing is that people often make assumptions about the reputation of the institution that are wrong. If you are interested in radio astronomy, a degree from University of Virginia will turn more heads than one from Yale.

On a sidenote, my undergrad institution has a very eminent astronomy department. Should I think about getting involved with some of the work they are doing? Perhaps add an astronomy minor?

Yes, if you are interested in astronomy.