Spring GRE, Fall admissions. Will I get my scores in time?

[bhimberg]

So I'm studying for the physics GRE and plan on taking it this April. While I understand the deadline for admissions to most universities is right up until the semester begins, I also understand it is a first come, first serve deal.

Are most slots going to be filled by May, when the scores are available by phone? I believe it is possible to apply without GRE scores however my GPA is low and I have little research experience (my name is on one paper, last place).

Am I right to assume that an excellent GRE score will offset my low GPA, and that I will likely have to settle for Spring enrollment since most slots will be filled by May? I'm going by the dates on this site: http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/register/centers_dates.

 

[Ben Zina]

Hard to say. I'd take the time out and individually email each school you're interested in. Some schools are extremely anal about this, others not so much.

 

[Vanadium 50]

So While I understand the deadline for admissions to most universities is right up until the semester begins,

You misunderstood. Deadlines are usually in January. (mangled quote deleted)

Am I right to assume that an excellent GRE score will offset my low GPA

It will help, but the degree of the offsetting depends on how excellent is excellent and how low is low.

I will likely have to settle for Spring enrollment

In Physics grad school there is almost no such thing. Maybe one or two places have it, but it is an exception.

 

[bhimberg]

Thanks Zina, Vanadium.

Re: Vanadium
Definitely not what I want to hear, but perhaps what I need to hear. Basically this means that my GRE scores are useless to me until next fall. This puts me in a position where I will have to apply this coming week to schools at the bottom of my list if I want to go to school this year.

If I find a school has a need for a major say in solid state and I apply with the understanding that solid state would be my focus, could I change my focus at a later date without too much hassle? My impression is that once you are invited and accept you are tied to whatever professor you initially work with until the end.

The problem is I still don't know exactly which area of physics interests me the most and apparently I have little time to find out.