Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around recommendations for graduate schools in the fields of Quantum Gravity and High Energy Physics for a prospective PhD student with specific academic credentials. The scope includes considerations of admission competitiveness in the USA, Canada, and Europe.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
- Exploratory
Main Points Raised
- One participant expresses concern that the original poster's GPA may limit their chances of admission to top graduate programs, noting that many schools have a 3.5 GPA cutoff.
- Another participant suggests several universities, including RPI, University of Washington, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Cornell, and UPenn, but is challenged on the appropriateness of these suggestions given the original poster's GPA.
- A participant argues that the original poster should not aim for the very top schools based on their GPA and highlights the competitive nature of institutions like Columbia.
- The original poster acknowledges their GPA is not exceptional but emphasizes their intelligence and determination to study Quantum Gravity or High Energy Physics, seeking universities that might accept them.
- One participant recommends looking into a Joint Degree program from multiple European universities, although they later realize it may not be applicable to the original poster.
- Another participant suggests Montana State University as a less selective option with faculty working on General Relativity and Quantum Gravity.
- A participant notes that Canadian universities may be less selective than those in the US, listing several institutions such as the University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Western Ontario, and University of Waterloo.
- One participant challenges the original poster's assertion of their intelligence and will, arguing that past academic performance is a critical indicator of future success in competitive fields.
- There is disagreement regarding the selectivity of Canadian universities compared to US institutions, with some asserting that schools like Toronto, UBC, and McGill are competitive.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the implications of the original poster's GPA for their chances of admission to graduate programs. There is no consensus on which universities may be suitable or the relative selectivity of Canadian versus US institutions.
Contextual Notes
Limitations include the lack of detailed information about specific programs or faculty at the suggested universities, as well as the original poster's potential to improve their application through other means, such as GRE scores.
