Need help knowing where I stand.
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 2:26 am
I'm having trouble finding out where I will fit in the physics grad school hierarchy. I am unsure what my specific interest are, leaning towards CM or Astro. I'm looking for a school with a large program, and obviously the more academically prestigious the school the better. I've talked to my advisor and he seemed to think I should apply to AT LEAST 10 schools. I've listed my stats below and I hope this helps you figure out where I fit in.
Undergrad Institution: Big State school, Top 10
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): Math
GPA in Major: 3.97 (400-level physics and math [37 credits])
(Lower division courses included 3.76 [66 credits])
Overall GPA: 3.73 [94 credits]
Length of Degree: 4
Type of Student: domestic, white male
GRE Scores:
Q: TBD
V: TBD
W: TBD
P: 910 (87%)
Research Experience: Less than a years work in a computational physics group. Given two poster session, working on a project that will lead to a paper (possibly get it submitted before I apply). Will give two talks and writing a senior thesis. Professor seems extremely pleased with work, often sayings I am working at a graduate level.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Teaching assistant for engineering level physics for 3 semesters. Won teaching awards.
Special Bonus Points: Applied for the NSF GRFP, high unlikely. Taking graduate level QM and GR.
My list so far?
MIT
CalTech
Harvard
Standford
Berkley
Princeton
U Chicago
UIUC
Santa Barbara
U Maryland - College park
Boulder
I know its currently a lot of reach schools, maybe too many, but I am probably shooting to applying to 15. I know some of you probably will say that is overkill, but I'm fairly lost. Thanks for any help you can offer, and any input you can give me about how I will fair.
Undergrad Institution: Big State school, Top 10
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): Math
GPA in Major: 3.97 (400-level physics and math [37 credits])
(Lower division courses included 3.76 [66 credits])
Overall GPA: 3.73 [94 credits]
Length of Degree: 4
Type of Student: domestic, white male
GRE Scores:
Q: TBD
V: TBD
W: TBD
P: 910 (87%)
Research Experience: Less than a years work in a computational physics group. Given two poster session, working on a project that will lead to a paper (possibly get it submitted before I apply). Will give two talks and writing a senior thesis. Professor seems extremely pleased with work, often sayings I am working at a graduate level.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Teaching assistant for engineering level physics for 3 semesters. Won teaching awards.
Special Bonus Points: Applied for the NSF GRFP, high unlikely. Taking graduate level QM and GR.
My list so far?
MIT
CalTech
Harvard
Standford
Berkley
Princeton
U Chicago
UIUC
Santa Barbara
U Maryland - College park
Boulder
I know its currently a lot of reach schools, maybe too many, but I am probably shooting to applying to 15. I know some of you probably will say that is overkill, but I'm fairly lost. Thanks for any help you can offer, and any input you can give me about how I will fair.