Schools Undergrad/Grad school questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter AkGirl
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    School
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on considerations for applying to graduate schools in math and physics. A language requirement for math programs, specifically translating papers from Russian or German, is mentioned, with uncertainty about its potential waiver at some institutions. The participant seeks clarity on whether similar language requirements exist for physics grad programs. Concerns about the impact of the undergraduate institution, specifically the University of Alaska Anchorage, on grad school applications are raised, with a GPA of 3.64 noted. Recommendations for schools include UNLV, Purdue, and various Texas colleges, with an openness to additional suggestions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of aligning with a strong advisor in the chosen field of study rather than focusing solely on the reputation of the institution. This highlights the need for prospective students to identify their specific research interests before applying.
AkGirl
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
I'm currently a math major (just beginning; minoring in physics) and I've been looking into different grad schools...trying to make sure I'm prepared when it comes time to apply.

I'm not sure if I want to go to grad school for math or physics. So, here are my questions:

For math, I know one of the schools I'm looking at has a language requirement (translating a math paper from Russian or German). I've heard that in quite a few colleges this requirement may eventually be waived. Does anyone know about that? And is there a language requirement for physics grad school?

In applying to grad schools for either of these programs does anyone know how much your undergrad school matters? I'm currently attending the University of Alaska Anchorage (not noted for math or physics, but not bad, either). I can finish my math degree here or transfer to a more well known school in a couple years.

Oh, right now I'm looking at UNLV (Vegas), Purdue (Indianapolis), and a couple colleges in Texas. I'm open to others, though, if anyone has recommendations!

I don't know if this will matter, but I'm 33 and will obviously not be ready for grad school until I'm 37, as I'm just starting. I currently have a 3.64 GPA.

Thank you for the help! :biggrin:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
AkGirl said:
Oh, right now I'm looking at UNLV (Vegas), Purdue (Indianapolis), and a couple colleges in Texas. I'm open to others, though, if anyone has recommendations!

Grad school is totally different to undergraduate. For grad school, each university will have 'specialist' researchers, as it were, who will research a particular subject area. There are some researchers that are fantastic, and some that are not so good. The golden goal when applying to grad school is to find a school that has both the subject you're interested in and a fantastic researcher.

Thus, the search isn't about the school, it's about the subject + the advisor: so wait until you know what you're sufficiently interested in that you'd like to study it for a few more years :smile:

And about the language requirements, sorry, i have no idea.
 

Thread 'Where did all the “fundamentals-deepening” master’s programs go?'

I’ve been looking through the curricula of several European theoretical/mathematical physics MSc programs (ETH, Oxford, Cambridge, LMU, ENS Paris, etc), and I’m struck by how little emphasis they place on advanced fundamental courses. Nearly everything seems to be research-adjacent: string theory, quantum field theory, quantum optics, cosmology, soft matter physics, black hole radiation, etc. What I don’t see are the kinds of “second-pass fundamentals” I was hoping for, things like...
View full post »

Thread 'Applied Math PhD candidate but I hate group theory'

TL;DR Summary: I want to do a PhD in applied math but I hate group theory, is this a big problem? Hello, I am a second-year math and physics double major with a minor in data science. I just finished group theory (today actually), and it was my least favorite class in all of university so far. It doesn't interest me, and I am also very bad at it compared to other math courses I have done. The other courses I have done are calculus I-III, ODEs, Linear Algebra, and Prob/Stats. Is it a...
View full post »

Similar threads

Other How to Afford Moving to Another State For Grad School?
Replies
16
Views
2K
Admissions Curious about my grad school prospects
Replies
3
Views
3K
Other Physics PhD after working for few years
Replies
12
Views
2K
Preparing for Physics Grad School after Math/Comp Sci undergrad
Replies
8
Views
2K
Admissions Grad School Admissions: Which do I Bother With?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Is a Low CGPA a Deal Breaker for Grad School Admissions?
Replies
18
Views
4K
Advice: Doing grad school abroad and getting a masters instead of PhD
Replies
15
Views
4K
Schools Is a top physics grad school possible with a lower tier undergrad?
Replies
11
Views
3K
Admissions Need advice for Low GPA / Good Research / HEPth PhD application
Replies
26
Views
5K
Admissions Research experience for physics grad school application
Replies
7
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top