Masters in Mechanical to Physics PhD

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Mustangczap
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2016 11:25 am

Masters in Mechanical to Physics PhD

Post by Mustangczap » Sat Oct 15, 2016 11:56 am

So I'm hoping to get some feedback about what schools I can realistically get into with my background.

Degree:
I've got a M.S. in Mechanical Engineer (GPA 3.9) from a top public university (Not really sure how much this helps/hurts me). However, before my stint as an engineer I got my B.S. in Physics (GPA 3.5-3.6) from an unknown (?) university.

GRE:
pGRE = 800
V = 153
Q = 164
A = 4.5

Research:
3 years of undergrad research in experimental AMO
1 year grad research (in ME field) but it became my M.S. thesis and gave a presentation at a conference (and was admitted into a presentation competition for it)
Worked for a year as a rocket scientist (probably doesn't apply too much)
Quit that job and have 6 months research experience with a dark matter group in San Diego

I'm going to apply to experimental AMO programs and will have fairly strong LORs, but I'm having a hard time figuring out which programs I'm qualified for. My top choice is CU Boulder but am looking at Stanford, UC Berkeley, UW Madison, Ohio State, MIT, Harvard. Do I have a chance at any of these? Are there other schools that might be a better fit or maybe safety schools?

Thanks for the help



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