Need some help in selection
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:44 am
Hello All... I hope everybody did well in their applications. I know it's way too early, but I figure I'll start the ball rolling on Fall 2013 applications. I'm hoping to get some opinions on school selection (the profiles aren't very helpful for me), any advice is appreciated.
My Info in point form:
GPA: 3.5
(Royally screwed up one semester recently where I failed a Math course (an elective) and got B's in physics, but I got my act together and got A/A-'s last semester including in two grad physics courses, co-authored a paper, and founded an IT/applied math based start up)
length of program: 5 years (taking an extra year)
Research: 8 months in an biomed lab, a year in a Biophysics lab, and currently working in an experimental CM lab
Pubs: one published, probably another next fall
Interests: Experimental soft condensed matter and biophysics
plus random small awards and extra curricular things
Nationality: Canadian
I'm looking at PhD programs exclusively (Masters are much cheaper in Canada, so I would stay here if I do a Masters)
The GPA is beyond repair, but my research is decent and my recommender's are not unknowns in their fields.
What would be my chances at a Top 40? How about at NYU or BU? (I'm concentrating on private schools as funding at state schools is hard for international students). How much of a deal breaker is my GPA?
Thanks!
My Info in point form:
GPA: 3.5
(Royally screwed up one semester recently where I failed a Math course (an elective) and got B's in physics, but I got my act together and got A/A-'s last semester including in two grad physics courses, co-authored a paper, and founded an IT/applied math based start up)
length of program: 5 years (taking an extra year)
Research: 8 months in an biomed lab, a year in a Biophysics lab, and currently working in an experimental CM lab
Pubs: one published, probably another next fall
Interests: Experimental soft condensed matter and biophysics
plus random small awards and extra curricular things
Nationality: Canadian
I'm looking at PhD programs exclusively (Masters are much cheaper in Canada, so I would stay here if I do a Masters)
The GPA is beyond repair, but my research is decent and my recommender's are not unknowns in their fields.
What would be my chances at a Top 40? How about at NYU or BU? (I'm concentrating on private schools as funding at state schools is hard for international students). How much of a deal breaker is my GPA?
Thanks!