Page 1 of 1

Help for finding schools with these scores (International)

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 3:57 pm
by Manheim
Hi everybody,

I am an International applicant. My MSc was in Gravitation. Is there somebody help me with these scores which universities best fit me? I want to apply for Experimental Physics.

GRE Physics: 860 (80%)
TOEFL IBT: 92 (R:25, L: 25, S: 19, W:23)

Verbal: 140 (10%)
Quantitative: 159 (74%)
AW: 3.

Verbal: 136 (3%)
Quantitative: 161 (81%)
AW: 3.

MSc GPA: 3.3 out of 4.
BSc GPA: 2.8 out of 4.
Paper: 1 in Classical and Quantum Gravity (in MSc period)

and three good recommendations!
Is there anyone who knows which school will accept such a weak applicant?

Re: Help for finding schools with these scores (International)

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 6:20 am
by deterministic devil
I think you should retake the TOEFL since your speaking score is low. You should make it at least 23-24 to be considered for TAship.

Re: Help for finding schools with these scores (International)

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 1:12 pm
by Manheim
deterministic devil wrote:I think you should retake the TOEFL since your speaking score is low. You should make it at least 23-24 to be considered for TAship.
If I get 23 or more in speaking section, then what? Can I find a school in top 50? I am running out of time and most graduate school's deadline is so close :?. For TOEFL I tried three times!

Re: Help for finding schools with these scores (International)

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 1:27 pm
by McLovin
The score on the speaking part of the TOEFL is not the problem, but the combination with the low score on the verbal GRE. That been said, its still worth a shot at a few top 50.

A lot of schools require an additional English assessment after you enroll and before you can do "human contact" TA. So I would apply as long as the school doesn't have a strict requirement on the TOEFL speaking part.

Re: Help for finding schools with these scores (International)

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 6:12 pm
by Catria
You said experimental physics... what do you want out of experimental physics?

If you want to do condensed matter experiment, you won't have the same list as a HEP-EX buff or a biophysics buff, let alone a gravitation experimentalist.

Re: Help for finding schools with these scores (International)

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 4:29 pm
by Manheim
Catria wrote:You said experimental physics... what do you want out of experimental physics?

If you want to do condensed matter experiment, you won't have the same list as a HEP-EX buff or a biophysics buff, let alone a gravitation experimentalist.
By experimental Physics I meant Condensed Matter Physics or some sort of Biophysics.

Re: Help for finding schools with these scores (International)

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 4:34 pm
by Manheim
McLovin wrote:The score on the speaking part of the TOEFL is not the problem, but the combination with the low score on the verbal GRE. That been said, its still worth a shot at a few top 50.

A lot of schools require an additional English assessment after you enroll and before you can do "human contact" TA. So I would apply as long as the school doesn't have a strict requirement on the TOEFL speaking part.
It seems risky but I am going to apply for 1 or 2 schools among top 50. I hope the admission committees do not look at my Verbal Scores :D.

Re: Help for finding schools with these scores (International)

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 7:31 pm
by Catria
Rutgers as a reach, Georgetown lower down the chain...

Re: Help for finding schools with these scores (International)

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 2:50 pm
by Manheim
Catria wrote:Rutgers as a reach, Georgetown lower down the chain...
Thank you Catria for suggestions. Rutgers need a score of 23 on the speaking section, and I haven't enough time to take another TOEFL exam. So, you think with my low speaking score I can get fund from Rutgers?
Thank you again for your attention.

Re: Help for finding schools with these scores (International)

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 5:20 pm
by deterministic devil
It would be more efficient if you ask physics department of Rutgers