Admissions Should I submit 860 PGRE?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on whether to submit an 860 score on the Physics Graduate Record Examination (pGRE) when applying for Ph.D. programs in theoretical and computational biophysics. The applicant has a strong GPA of 4.0 from a lesser-known institution, relevant research experience, and good letters of recommendation, but lacks publications. The pGRE score is in the 72nd percentile, with strong performance in classical mechanics and quantum mechanics, but a lower score in electromagnetism. There is concern that the score could be perceived differently by various programs, potentially impacting the overall application. The applicant is seeking advice on whether submitting the score would enhance or weaken their profile.
XcgsdV
Messages
5
Reaction score
4
Hi everyone!

I'm a senior majoring in physics, math, and music, and I'm currently in the process applying for theoretical and computational biophysics (primarily thru physics departments) Ph.D. programs. I have a 4.0 from a basically unknown school in the American South, two REUs (T50 and T25) in computational biophysics and two semesters of research in optics (one purely experimental, one comp/exp) at my home institution (since there aren't any biophysics profs at my school), but no publications. I should be getting one stellar letter and two pretty good ones from REU advisors.

All that said, I wanted to take the pGRE to give some credibility to my GPA, since I expect no one to know anything about my undergrad university. My university also doesn't offer EM2 or QM2, and I wanted to try to make up for that by showing I know my stuff. Score report dropped yesterday, and I got an 860 which was 72nd percentile for this exam. Subject breakdown was 87% right on classical, 69% on EM, and 88% on QM (surprising me since I've taken and got an A in EM, but am currently taking QM, oh well).

So I think my score accomplishes what I want it to do, but its right on the borderline where it could be a boon at some schools and a bane at others. I'm going to talk to my professors about it, but I'd like to get opinions here too. Is it worth submitting? Or will my profile look weaker than without it? Thank you everyone!!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you want to get into theory/research, have you considered writing a straightforward, not too advanced paper you can improve over time, to resonate with your interest in research?
 
TL;DR Summary: What topics to cover to safely say I know arithmetic ? I am learning arithmetic from Indian NCERT textbook. Currently I have finished addition ,substraction of 2 digit numbers and divisions, multiplication of 1 digit numbers. I am moving pretty slowly. Can someone tell me what topics to cover first to build a framework and then go on in detail. I want to learn fast. It has taken me a year now learning arithmetic. I want to speed up. Thanks for the help in advance. (I also...
Hi community My aim is to get into research about atoms, specifically, I want to do experimental research that explores questions like: 1. Why do Gallium/Mercury have low melting points 2. Why are there so many exceptions and inconsistencies when it comes to explaining molecular structures / reaction mechanisms in inorganic and organic chemistry 3. Experimental research about fundamental Quantum Mechanics, such as the one being followed by Hiroshima university that proved that observing...
guys i am currently studying in computer science engineering [1st yr]. i was intrested in physics when i was in high school. due to some circumstances i chose computer science engineering degree. so i want to incoporate computer science engineering with physics and i came across computational physics. i am intrested studying it but i dont know where to start. can you guys reccomend me some yt channels or some free courses or some other way to learn the computational physics.

Similar threads

Replies
14
Views
4K
Replies
16
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
26
Views
5K
Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
3K
Back
Top