What matters in grad school applications and how do you choose a program?

rhombusjr · Mar 21, 2011

I'm pretty sure there was a grad school FAQ sticky, but I can't find it (am I just blind?). Search didn't bring it up.

I've heard a lot of different things about grad school applications. Grades are everything, all that matters is if you've done research; being published is a huge boost, being published means nothing; recommendation letters are important, they're not important; etc., etc.

Also, how do you choose a grad school? MIT/Princton/CalTech/etc. is highly ranked, but that doesn't necessarily mean its the best school for you to go to. Likewise, xxxxxx is not highly ranked, but it doesn't mean it isn't a good program. How do you decide?

Anyone care to help point me in the right direction? (including pointing me to a thread where this is currently being discussed)

G01 · Mar 22, 2011

Perhaps you are looking for this thread:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=284463

rhombusjr · Mar 22, 2011

Ah, yes, that is the thread I was looking for. Thank you

What matters in grad school applications and how do you choose a program?

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