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Need a safety!

Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 4:06 pm
by triptown
So I have plenty of reach/super reach universities but am struggling to find one appropriate to my level that would be a safety. Here's my profile:

Undergrad (and Grad) Institution: Big russell group university in the UK, very strong reputation
Major(s): Theoretical Astrophysics (did my first three years in theoretical physics)
Minor(s): Not applicable
GPA in Major: ~3.5-3.7 (British rating 2:1)
Overall undergraduate GPA: Same
Overall graduate GPA: Same
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: Above average (top 10%-25% rank)
Type of Student: International/Domestic, Dual US/UK national so did my undergrad in Britain but could still be considered domestic as my residence is in the US

GRE Scores: Not taken yet, although I would imagine not that great. Around 60th percentile on practice tests.

Research experience: 1 summer REU at an ivy league uni. 1 Senior honours dissertation to be finished after I'm accepted (or not).

Awards: Presenting my summer research at AAS?

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Co-founder of the astrobiology society at the university, as well as president of the astronomy society.

Interested in Astrophysics, definitely not instrumentation though. Most of the theoretical side of it interests me, especially galaxy formation and cosmology.

Current list:
Harvard
MIT
Boston University
Columbia
UC Davis (I know about the low acceptance rates for internationals but I'm hoping I can count as not a true international)
Stanford
Berkeley
Seattle

Obviously this list is all reach but I don't know other places to apply, these are what my advisers here recommended. I really don't want to be in the midwest or south of america. I'm also applying to some British places.

Any advice on possible additions?

Re: Need a safety!

Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 5:01 pm
by Catria
Vanderbilt...