Recommend me a grad school for Q.Grav. or Th.High En.Phys

In summary: And I wouldn't be surprised if the University of Alberta is as well.In summary, the conversation involves a MSc Physics student with a GPA of 3.26 at the undergraduate level and 3.60 at the master's level, seeking recommendations for universities in the fields of Quantum Gravity or particle physics to apply for PhD programs in the USA or Canada. The student is told that with these grades, it may be difficult to get into top schools and is advised to look at less competitive schools. Some suggestions are made for universities in the USA and Canada, and the student also expresses interest in European universities. However, it is pointed out that even though the student believes they have the intelligence and will to study these fields, their grades do
  • #1
tt
6
0
Hi..

I am a MSc Physics student with undergrad gpa 3.26 and masters 3.60 I am working on Class. Gen. Rel. right now and I am going to apply for PhD in USA or Canada can anyone recommend me a University(in the fields of Quantum Gravity or particle physics) that I have a chance to get in?

Note: I am not from the States, but I study in the best university of my country
 
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  • #2
TT, I hat to tell you this, but with those grades it will be difficult. Virtually all schools require a 3.5 as an undergrad, and while your master's grades are better, they aren't much better.
 
  • #3
Here are a few suggestions that popped out of my head.

http://www.rpi.edu/index.html"

http://www.phys.washington.edu/"

http://www.jhu.edu/"

http://www.engineering.columbia.edu/homepage-views/view3/index.html"

http://www.cornell.edu/"

http://www.upenn.edu/"
 
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  • #4
First, I don't think Hippo's list is the one you want to be looking at. RPI, top of his list has only one particle theorist in the entire department.

Second, with GPA's like that, you shouldn't be looking at the very top schools. You really can't look at Hippo's suggestion of Columbia as something consistent with your grades. A 3.26 is below the 3.5 hard cutoff most schools have, and a 3.6 is better, but not so much better to demonstrate that you've turned things around. Columbia accepts 20 or so of the best students in the world. 3.26 and 3.6 does not, I hate to tell you, put you in that category.
 
  • #5
I already know that I am not one of the best students in the world, if I were I wouldn't need come here and ask about grad schools I would just apply to Princeton.

My point is that, I want to do PhD in States or Canada aybe Europe, and altough my gpa is not first class I still believe that I have the intellegence and will to study Quantum Gravity or High Energy Physics, so there should be a university or institution that will accept me, I just ask for someone who have knowledge about this to inform me.
 
  • #6
If your interested in Europe try checking this out. It is a Joint Degree program from multiple well known European Universities, and depending on your research you can choose to study and or research the topics to your liking. I don't know if this helps or not but its worth a look.

http://www.em-master-fusion.org"
 
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  • #7
Hippo said:
If your interested in Europe try checking this out. It is a Joint Degree program from multiple well known European Universities, and depending on your research you can choose to study and or research the topics to your liking. I don't know if this helps or not but its worth a look.

http://www.em-master-fusion.org"

Oops never mind the guy already has his Masters Degree lol. I guess this wouldn't work for him. My bad :biggrin:
 
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  • #8
You might want to check out Montana State at Bozeman. They have a few people (or at least one, Neil Cornish) working on GR and QG. And they're not too selective.
 
  • #9
Canada is much less selective than the US, so you'd have a better chance there.

Specifically,
-University of Alberta
-University of British Columbia
-University of Western Ontario
-University of Waterloo
 
  • #10
tt said:
and altough my gpa is not first class I still believe that I have the intellegence and will to study Quantum Gravity or High Energy Physics, so there should be a university or institution that will accept me, I just ask for someone who have knowledge about this to inform me.

It sounds like you want someone to tell you what you want to hear.

You say you have the intelligence and will to study Quantum Gravity or High Energy Physics. But you did not have the intelligence and will to get a 3.5 as an undergrad or to do substantially better than that in your MS program. These are easier than a career in the highly competitive fields of QG or HEP.

Every student who applies to graduate school thinks they have the intelligence and will to succeed. Saying that you do too doesn't add any new information. You have to demonstrate it. The one thing that you have told us - grades - does not. You would have to really smoke the GREs to have any sort of shot.

I also disagree than Canadian universities are substantially easier to get into than US ones. Toronto, UBC and McGill are all quite competitive for grad students.
 

1. What are the top grad schools for Quantum Gravity?

The top grad schools for Quantum Gravity are typically considered to be institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California-Berkeley, Princeton University, and California Institute of Technology (Caltech). However, it is important to research and consider other criteria such as faculty expertise, research opportunities, and location before making a decision.

2. Are there any online or distance learning grad programs for Theoretical High Energy Physics?

Yes, there are a few online or distance learning grad programs for Theoretical High Energy Physics, such as the program offered by University of London through their International Programmes. However, it is important to note that these programs may have limited research opportunities and may not be as highly regarded as traditional on-campus programs.

3. What is the average length of a grad program in Quantum Gravity or Theoretical High Energy Physics?

The average length of a grad program in Quantum Gravity or Theoretical High Energy Physics is typically around 5-6 years. This includes coursework, research, and thesis writing. However, the exact length may vary depending on the specific program and individual student's progress.

4. Is it better to attend a top-ranked grad school or a program with a specific focus on Quantum Gravity or Theoretical High Energy Physics?

It ultimately depends on your personal goals and priorities. Attending a top-ranked grad school can provide access to renowned faculty and resources, but a program with a specific focus on your area of interest may offer more specialized coursework and research opportunities. It is important to research and consider both options before making a decision.

5. How important is funding for grad school in Quantum Gravity or Theoretical High Energy Physics?

Funding is crucial for grad school in Quantum Gravity or Theoretical High Energy Physics, as these programs often involve extensive research and can be quite costly. Many institutions offer funding opportunities such as teaching or research assistantships, scholarships, and grants. It is important to research and apply for funding opportunities early on in the application process.

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