Second Bachelors, Physics this time GPA/GPA Split

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the implications of a previous academic performance in Political Science on the prospects of pursuing a second bachelor's degree in Physics, particularly regarding graduate school admissions. Participants explore the relevance of GPA, GRE scores, and the transition between disciplines.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about how a C+ to B- average in Political Science might impact chances for graduate school, even with a potential high GPA in Physics and strong GRE scores.
  • Another participant notes that the impact of previous GPA may vary by institution, with some schools focusing on recent academic performance while others consider the total GPA.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that achieving a high GPA and strong GRE scores, along with good letters of recommendation and research experience, could mitigate the effects of the earlier academic performance.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of realistically assessing one's ability to excel in a Physics curriculum, given past academic performance.
  • There is a recurring theme of caution regarding the assumption that one can easily transition from a Political Science background to excelling in Physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of succeeding in a Physics program based on past performance in a different field. There is no consensus on how much weight previous academic performance should carry in the context of graduate school applications.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the need for strong letters of recommendation and research experience, which may also influence graduate school admissions but are not universally agreed upon as necessary conditions.

TimGee250
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Some years ago, I graduated with a degree in Political Science. My grades were...nothing special, C+ to B- average.

How badly would that affect my chances at graduate school if I came back and just tore through the Physics curriculum with a 3.7-4.0 GPA the second time around? Assume that I was in the 95th percentile in both the subject and general GREs.
 
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It depends on the school. Some places calculate a total GPA over all post secondary work. Others focus on your more recent work. Generally speaking though, if you do well in a second degree that's directly related to the area of grad study you should be able to be in somewhere.
 
TimGee250 said:
Some years ago, I graduated with a degree in Political Science. My grades were...nothing special, C+ to B- average.

How badly would that affect my chances at graduate school if I came back and just tore through the Physics curriculum with a 3.7-4.0 GPA the second time around? Assume that I was in the 95th percentile in both the subject and general GREs.

If I were you, I'd put more time and energy into worrying if I could get such high GPA's first. Considering that you did a mediocre job with your first degree, I don't know where you got the idea that you can "tore through" a physics degree curriculum.

Some time, there is a lot to be said about putting the cart before the horse.

Zz.
 
If your can manage a 3.7-4.0 gpa and 95th %ile results on the physics GRE AND get good letters of rec and research experience your chances of grad school are very good. If you achieve this then your previous results in your Poli Sci degree will matter very little.

Also, I agree with ZapperZ. Don't put the cart before the horse. A physics program is much different from a poli sci program.
 
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Thanks, everyone, for the replies. It's basically what I thought it would be, but it's always nice to get a second and third opinion.

ZapperZ said:
If I were you, I'd put more time and energy into worrying if I could get such high GPA's first.

I never knew John Madden had a physics degree!

ZapperZ said:
Some time, there is a lot to be said about putting the cart before the horse.

Very true. Very very true. But even though mastering physics is rewarding enough on it's own, it makes sense to be reasonably assured that the cart isn't going to collapse before spending a good chunk of money and time on acquiring the horse.
 
TimGee250 said:
Very true. Very very true. But even though mastering physics is rewarding enough on it's own, it makes sense to be reasonably assured that the cart isn't going to collapse before spending a good chunk of money and time on acquiring the horse.

And you think that the assumption that you can tear through a physics curriculum after your performance in the polysci degree is "reasonable"? I am assuring you that of all the things you mentioned in your post, this the LEAST reasonable and the least realistic scenario.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
I am assuring you that of all the things you mentioned in your post, this the LEAST reasonable and the least realistic scenario.

And I know that you know I know.
 

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