==> Sticky: 2009 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results

Undergrad Institution: Small liberal arts college. Great physics program for where it is. Not so good in recognition
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): Chemistry
GPA in Major: 3.76
Overall GPA: 3.79
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: one of the top students
Type of Student: American minority

GRE Scores:
Q: 760 (86)
V: 450 (47)
W: 5.0 (77)
P: 670 (47)


TOEFL Total: N/A

Research Experience: Summer research at my school. published a paper as 2nd author. working on a senior research project

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
Was nominated for Goldwater Scholarship (only 4 per school can be nominated each year)
Awards for physics and math at my school, Sigma Pi Sigma, also a scholarship

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: tutor and lab assistant

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: high school valedictorian

[b]Special Bonus Points: None

Applying to Where:

MIT - Physics - Condensed Matter Theory/Atomic Physics -- REJECTED 3/2
Berkeley - Physics - Condensed Matter Theory/Atomic Physics -- REJECTED 3/16
Cornell - Physics - Condensed Matter Theory/Atomic Physics -- REJECTED 2/3
Ohio State - Physics - Condensed Matter Theory -- ACCEPTED 2/3 <-- chose to go here
Wisconsin-Madison - Physics - Condensed Matter Theory/Atomic Physics-- REJECTED 3/10
Caltech - Physics - Condensed Matter Theory/Quantum Inormation -- REJECTED 2/27
Yale - Physics - Condensed Matter Theory -- REJECTED 2/11
Stanford - Applied Physics - Condensed Matter Theory/Atomic Physics-- REJECTED 3/17
Washington State - Physics - Condensed Matter Theory/Atomic Physics/Novel States of Matter -- ACCEPTED 2/9
Maryland - Physics - Condensed Matter Theory -- REJECTED 3/9

Undergrad Institution: International (Asian)
Major(s): Physics
Overall GPA: 4.1/5.0 (Masters)
Length of Degree: 2 Years (Masters)
Position in Class: Top (Masters)
Type of Student: International Male

GRE Scores:
Q: 740
V: 560
W: 4.0
P: 780

TOEFL Total: 103/120 (iBT)

Research Experience: Master Thesis. No publications so far!

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: For good grades a couple of times.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA for 2 grad courses. Research assistant. Also, I will start a job as a researcher at the Country's most prestigious research institute soon.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Maybe the only significant accomplishment is that I was 1st in the selection for the job mentioned above out of a total of nearly 200 applicants.

Special Bonus Points:
Graduate Courses: QFT 1 & 2, Advanced QM, Particle. 4 other general courses as well!
Recommenders: 2 of them are known people in their field but I don't know it'll help as I am applying to a different field. Very strong recommendations!

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Scored even lower on Physics GRE last year. PGRE is a real concern. I wish I were a domestic applicant!

Applying to Where:
Astrophysics/Cosmology

Carnegie - Physics: After Email Inquiry Wait Listed Mid March Rejected Mar. 31
Penn State - Physics: After Email Inquiry Wait Listed March End Rejected Apr. 14th
Rochester - Physics: Email Accepted Feb. 20th
Brown - Physics: Letter Wait Listed Feb. 16th Rejection Probable
Chicago - Physics: Letter Rejected Feb. 17th
Chicago - Astronomy: Email Rejected Feb. 13th
Waterloo - Physics: Email Preliminary Approval Feb. 28th - No Funding for Internationals

So many options to choose from!

Undergrad Institution: Thailand university
Major(s): Physics
Overall GPA: 3.88
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: second one
Type of Student: Male - International

GRE Scores:
Q: 790(92%)
V: 320 (12%) Worst
W: 3 (8%) Hee hee!
P: 800 (74%) -_-


TOEFL Total: 97/120 (iBT) -_-

Research Experience: Internship at National research center, Senoir project which is conssidered like master 's student.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: For good grades a couple of times., University's best academic award., Oral presentation in international conference at Melbourne, Australia (ICONN2008)

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA 1 year.

Special Bonus Points: Graduate Courses. My senoir project's advisor is kind of well know in my country but I am not sure about international

Applying to Where:

UIUC - Physics - CME - Rejected by e-mail
UC-Irvine - Physics - CME - Rejected by e-mail
UC-Riverside - Physics - CME- Accepted by e-mail 3/5 - declined offer
UC-San Deigo - Physics - CME - Rejected by e-mail
U of Maryland - Physics - CME - Rejected by e-mail 3/9 -*-
Michigan State U - Physics - CME - Accepted by e-mail 3/6
North Carolina State U- Physics - CME - Rejected by e-mail
Wisconsin-Madison- Physics - CME Accepted by e-mail 1/30 Accepted!
Florida State U- Physics - CME Accepted by e-mail 2/16 - with 18000$/Calendar year.
Texas-Austin - Physics - CME - Accepted by e-mail w/ no financial support
U of Colorado - Physics - CME - Rejected by e-mail

Undergrad Institution: University of Pittsburgh (in top 50)
Major(s): Physics and Astronomy
GPA in Major: 3.3
Overall GPA: 3.4
Length of Degree: 3 years (supposed to be a 4 year degree, but I crammed it all in cuz I ain't gettin' any younger and was running out of funding )
Type of Student: Domestic female

GRE Scores
Q: 710 (74%)
V: 570 (79%)
W: 5.0 (77%)
P: 520 (15%)


Research Experience: Research at the Allegheny Observatory studying near-earth asteroids and extrasolar planets

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Undergraduate Writing Award
Emil Sanielevici Research Scholarship co-recipient

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I'm taking graduate stellar structure this spring. Also I have experience teaching in public schools

Special Bonus Points: Met with Dr. David Charbonneau, transiting exoplanet prof from Harvard, one-on-one when he was visiting Pitt and got to show him the scope I'm using for my research

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: 31 year old single mom who's overcome a lot of financial and societal constraints to earn this degree.

Applying to Where
Boston University--Astronomy--stellar/extrasolar planets
University of Colorado at Boulder--Astronomy--stellar/extrasolar planetsrejected
Cornell University--Astronomy--extrasolar planetsrejected
Harvard University--Astronomy--extrasolar planetsrejected
Johns Hopkins--Astronomy--stellar/extrasolar planets
Lehigh--Physics--stellar astronomy
Ohio State--Astronomy--extrasolar planets rejected via email 01/27
University of Rochester--Physics and Astronomy--stellar astronomyadmitted 02/05 TA $17,640 + likely summer RA
Stony Brook University--Physics and Astronomy--stellar/planet formation
Tufts--Physics--observational astronomy
University of Chicago--Geophysical Sciences--planet formationaccepted via email 02/24 turned this down
UCLA--Astronomy--extrasolar planetsrejected
UC Santa Cruz--Astronomy--extrasolar planetsaccepted by physics department--go figure..~20k
UC Riverside--Physics--observational astrophysics--accepted ~$22k
University of Florida--Astronomy--extrasolar planetsrejected
University of Minnesota--Astronomy--stellar astronomyaccepted ~$16k
University of Pittsburgh--Physics and Astronomy--whatever they'd let me do (this is my backup school, since there is very little research going on for stellar astronomy; it's almost all large-scale structure, but they might let me continue doing exoplanet research anyway since I did undergrad here and have a rapport with many of the faculty)accepted ~$22k

As you might guess, my tactic is to blitz tons of schools so that I can get in somewhere, since I have a really bad PGRE score, and only mediocre GPA. But I'm hoping my research experience and the strength of my letters will help get me in somewhere.

dustdevil

I TOTALLY agree! I mean, I always make fun of humanities classes for being way way too easy. I got A's in pretty much all of them without even trying so I don't get how so many people do worse in overall GPA than in major GPA. I mean, to me, that's what makes our major so awesome: it's challenging and intellectually stimulating; it wouldn't seem rewarding to me if it came too easily... I'd be bored to tears like I am in humanities courses.

Undergrad Institution: Middlebury College and Dartmouth College (dual degree program)
Major(s): Physics (Middlebury), Engineering (Dartmouth)
Minor(s):
GPA in Major: 3.55 (physics), 3.38 (engineering)
Overall GPA: 3.47 (Middlebury), 3.41 (total)
Length of Degree: 5
Position in Class: no idea
Type of Student: domestic white male

GRE Scores:
Took everything twice and somehow did worse on second PGRE attempt.
Q: 770 (88%), 700
V: 690 (96%), 620
W: 5.0 (77%), 4.5
P: 810 (75%), 760


Research Experience: Senior thesis. 2 summers in unofficial REU working for a professor at Dartmouth doing CMP research. 1 APS/AAPT poster presentation.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Does an $80 senior thesis grant, Dean's List, or graduation with honors in physics count?

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: One summer working as the head laboratory TA for an engineering course at Dartmouth, and one winter working has the head TA for the same course.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Maybe having two undergraduate degrees?

Special Bonus Points: 1 graduate level QM course. My dad is a retired physics prof who was the chair of the New England section of the AAPT for a year. I doubt anybody will notice, though.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: My transcript shows 3 grades of C+ that are somewhat well-explained.

Applying to Where:

Cornell University - Physics -CME: Rejected via e-mail 2/3 (Now trying for Applied Physics--as of 4/23 never heard back from them)
Harvard University - Physics - CME: Rejected via snail mail 3/9
Stanford University - Physics - CME: Rejected via e-mail 2/26
Princeton University - Physics - CME: Rejected via e-mail 2/26
Duke University - Physics - CME: Accepted via e-mail 1/27 ($19,450 TA + $6,483 summer)--DECLINED
University of Wisconsin - Madison - Physics - CME, Quantum Computing: Rejected via e-mail 3/10
University of Colorado - Boulder - Physics - CME: Rejected via e-mail 3/10
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Physics - CME: Rejected via e-mail 4/10 (apparently because of the poor global economic situation--I was told I was amongst about 15 others who ordinarily would have been accepted)
Pennsylvania State University - Physics - CME: Accepted via e-mail 2/18 ($15,705 TA + $4,000 Fellowship + $4,000 summer + $1,733 summer if RA)--ATTENDING
University of Rochester - Physics - CME: Accepted via e-mail 2/5 ($17,640 + $2,000 fellowship)--DECLINED
Northeastern University - Physics - CME: Never heard back one way or the other
Purdue University - Physics - CME: Accepted via e-mail 3/2 ($17,543 TA)--DECLINED
University of Washington - Physics - CME: Rejected via e-mail 4/8 with comments about the economy and a supposed "error with the automatic mail system that should have notified me earlier"

Undergrad Institution: One of the Big Ten Institutions top 30 i think
Major(s): Astrophysics
Minor(s): Italian Studies
GPA in Major: 3.2
Overall GPA: 3.42
Length of Degree: 4.5 years
Position in Class: no idea???
Type of Student: domestic white female

GRE Scores:
Q: 710
V: 530
W: 4.5
P: very bad


Research Experience: worked for about a year in our space physics group as a research assistant, and another year as an RA for a prof in the astronomy department doing research on dark matter.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: School Deans List, Two scholarships from University

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: worked as an astronomy TA, and math and physics tutor, also a member of SPS and sigma pi sigma honor society. Worked for last year at major international research corporation- to earn money

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: ?? not really

Special Bonus Points: well i'm a female, I've got pretty good recommendations, and have made a few connections through email at least two of the schools I'm applying to.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: i've got a very varied academic background (which could be good or bad) with study abroad and second language experience

Applying to Where: all for - Astronomy - Theoretical/Computational Astrophysics

University of Virginia 03/23 REJECTED via mail
University of Florida 03/02 REJECTED in response to email
University of Georgia ACCEPTED 04/14 by email with TAship----Offer Declined
University of Rochester 03/05 Application Withdrawn
Michigan State University 03/07 REJECTED via email
Northwestern University 03/19 REJECTED via website
Boston University 04/09 REJECTED by email
University of Indiana-Bloomington 04/15 REJECTED by email after waitlist
University of British Columbia 03/03 ACCEPTED by email- $21K TA/RA for 12 months------->ATTENDING
McMaster UniversityStill Pending

Undergrad Institution: Top private university (beings with H )
Major(s): Physics and Math
Minor(s): None
GPA in Major: 3.92
Overall GPA: 3.92
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: Top
Type of Student: domestic asian male

GRE Scores:
Q: 800 [94%]
V: 770 [99%]
W: 5.0 [77%] :sigh:
P: 990 [96%]


Research Experience: 3 years in CME lab with one first-author publication and a few more in review. 1 summer research in AMO on quantum corrals. 1 freshman research in optics with publication accepted and in press (3rd author).

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Phi Beta Kappa, various fellowships

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Math CA

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Nope

Special Bonus Points: recommendations from big names

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Numerous graduate classes including advanced quantum, GR, two semesters of QFT, quantum information etc.

Applying to Where:

Harvard - CMT/HEP Accepted - Will Attend
MIT - CMT/HEP Accepted
Princeton - CMT/HEP Accepted
Stanford - CMT/HEP Accepted
Caltech - CMT/HEP Accepted
UC Berkeley - CMT/HEP Accepted
UCSB - CMT/HEP Accepted
UIUC - CMT/HEP Accepted
U Chicago - CMT/HEP Accepted

Undergrad Institution: Top 10 Physics
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): None
GPA in Major: 3.6
Overall GPA: 3.2
Length of Degree: 5 years
Position in Class: ? Average at best
Type of Student: domestic white male

GRE Scores:
Q: 770 [88%]
V: 680 [96%]
W: 5.0 [77%]
P: 840 [80%]


Research Experience: 3 years at different university in biophysics - resulting in one Physical Review Letters 1st author, and 4 co-author papers, 1 summer at home university in condensed matter, 1 summer at national lab in soft condensed matter, 1.5 years at home institution in solid state. Several presentations at conferences (MRS, APS)

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: none really

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Physics + math tutor

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Nope

Special Bonus Points: Recommendations all from people who supervised my research...

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Low GPA mostly due to a really bad 1st semester of college.

Applying to Where:

Harvard - CME
MIT - biophysics
Stanford - biophysics/CME
Caltech - CME
U Chicago - CME

NYU
Columbia
JHU
Rice
UCSD
UCLA

Undergrad Institution: state school... good surf
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): Mathematics
GPA in Major: 3.4
Overall GPA: 3.2
Length of Degree: 4 yrs
Position in Class: up there
Type of Student: female minority

GRE Scores:
Q: 730
V: 590
W: 4.5
P: 590 woohoo


Research Experience: REU - renewable energy; neutrino research

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: research lab assistant, science instructor, contract tutor, volunteer TA

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: worked 35 hr/wk outside of school

Special Bonus Points: apparently I had awesome recs, thanks guys!

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where:

Colorado School of the Mines - Physics - Condensed Matter Expt waitlisted??? no response
Colorado State - Physics - Condensed Matter Expt ACCEPTED 04/13 by email
Washington State - Physics - Condensed Matter Expt ACCEPTED 02/20 by email, TA + tuition + health insurance + 3k scholarship declined
Oregon State - Physics - Condensed Matter Expt ACCEPTED 02/09 by email withdrew
UCSC - Physics - Condensed Matter Expt ACCEPTED 02/19 by email will attend!

Undergrad Institution: University of California Santa Barbara
Major(s): Physics
GPA in Major: 3.80
Overall GPA: 3.76
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: I would say near the top
Type of Student: Domestic male student

GRE Scores:
Q: 770 - 88%
V: 620 - 89%
W: 4.0 - 37%
P: 690 54% <- I should have studied a bit more.

Research Experience: I started research this fall (my senior year) working under a professor in an experimental cosmology lab at UCSB.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: I am in the honor's program and have a few Dean's Honors on my transcripts.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: None

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: None

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I spent my third year abroad at Edinburgh University, I don't if this will help or hinder me in the end. It might hinder since I did not have the chance to do research during that time or it might help by making my application stand out a bit.

Applying to Where:

[u]University of Washington - Earth and Space Science - Space Physics - Accepted by e-mail 1/16/09 <-- Will be attending this fall.
University of British Columbia - Physics - Physics - Accepted by mail 2/20/09
University of Wisconsin Madison - Physics - Plasma Physics - Accepted by e-mail 1/30/09
University of Wisconsin Madison - Engineering Physics - Plasma Physics - Accepted by e-mail 3/16/09
University of New Hampshire - Physics - Space/Solar Physics - Accepted by e-mail 1/28/09
Montana State University - Physics -Space/Solar Physics - Accepted by mail 3/2/09

______________________________________________
Undergrad Institution: A small physics department in Hong Kong. Probably not famous at all.
Major(s): Physics (Bachelor of Science)
Minor(s): none
GPA in Major: 3.54/4.00
Overall GPA: 3.41/4.00
Length of Degree: 3

Major(s): Physics (Master of Philosophy)
Minor(s): none
Overall GPA: 3.54/4.00
Length of Degree: 2

Position in Class: near top
Type of Student: international male

GRE Scores:
Q: 790 (91%)
V: 350 (18%)
W: 3.0 (7%) Well, is it difficult to find someone whose writing is worse than me?
P: 990 (97%) typical of an international student... especially for those from China and India?


TOEFL Total: 100 (iBT)

Research Experience:
3 years in plasmonics/photonics/whatever you call it.
3 months of full time research in UIUC. If I am forced to classify the work, I would call it "NMR"
No publication

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: CN Yang scholarship

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: tutoring three courses. They are: mechanics (Lagrangian, Hamiltonian, rigid-body level), electromagnetism and optics (EM waves, waveguide, oscillating dipoles level), Relativity (special relativity plus a bit of general relativity level).

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Special Bonus Points: grad class on solid state theory and quantum mechanics. SOP carefully written and specific. For the specification of research interest, I mention the work of those faculty members I am interested in.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: In the application of Caltech, I include a brief discussion on the research I have been doing.

Applying to Where:

Caltech - Applied Physics - CME, optics - rejected 4/1 by e-mail
Northwestern - MSE - mainly CME - phone interviewed on 3/12 - accepted 3/18 by e-mail - attending
University of British Columbia - Physics - M.Sc - rejected 4/23 by mail
UIUC - Physics - CME - rejected 3/25 by e-mail
University of Michigan - Applied Physics - rejected 3/26 by e-mail
Rochester - Physics - CME - rejected 3/18 by e-mail
Iowa State - Physics - CME - accepted 3/13 by e-mail
Brown - Physics - CME - accepted 2/19 by e-mail
UCSD - Physics - CME - rejected 3/19 by e-mail
Indiana - Physics - CME - accepted 2/10 by e-mail

Undergrad Institution: Highly ranked public university in US
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): Nanoscience
GPA in Major: 3.53
Overall GPA: 3.67 (doesn't include my pre-reqs, ie math, for which I got a 4.0 at community college)
Length of Degree: 4? This is my second degree though.
Position in Class: Upper middle
Type of Student: Domestic WM

GRE Scores:
Q: 790 / 92%
V: 720 / 98%
W: 5.5 / 90%
P: 700 / 55% <- Lesson to others: manage your time, and wear an analog watch. I definitely could have done better.

Research Experience: 1 summer + 1 semester in a plasma confinement lab (publication forthcoming) at my univ., 1 semester in a biophysics lab at a nearby highly ranked univ.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list a few semesters

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: None

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: My other degree, which is in Politics and East Asian Studies

Applying to Where:

Caltech - Bioengineering Rejected 3/19 by e-mail
Berkeley - Biophysics - Rejected 1/22 by e-mail
Stanford - Biophysics - Rejected 2/1 by mail
UCSD - Physics - Biophysics / CM Exp. - Rejected 3/13 by e-mail
UCSB - Physics - Biophysics / CM Exp. - Rejected 3/4 by e-mail
UCLA - Physics - Biophysics / CM Exp. - Rejected 3/25 by e-mail
U of Maryland - Physics - CM Exp. - Rejected 3/9 by e-mail - Un-rejected 4/13 by e-mail - Will Attend
Johns Hopkins - Physics - CM Exp. - Informally rejected 4/10 upon e-mail request for info
U of Washington - Physics - Biophysics / CM Exp. - Rejected 4/8 by e-mail

Undergrad Institution: State school, ranked 30-50 in physics
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): nope
GPA in Major: about 3.8?
Overall GPA: 3.8
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class:
Type of Student: Male, domestic

GRE Scores:
Q: 800
V: 730
W: 4.0
P: 890

Research Experience: Nothing special. One summer at my school. Independent study this semester.

Applying to Where: all Physics

Minnesota Accepted 2/13 by e-mail, TA position
Texas Accepted by snail mail, received 2/28, postmarked 2/26, TA
Michigan Rejected 3/10 by e-mail
Carnegie Mellon Accepted 2/20 by e-mail, TA
Columbia Rejected 3/4 by e-mail
Boston University Accepted 2/17 by e-mail, TA
Chicago Rejected by snail mail, received 3/6
Maryland Accepted 3/5 by e-mail, TA

Undergrad Institution: UC Berkeley
Major(s): Physics and Applied Math
Minor(s): Nope
GPA in Major: 3.71 in physics, 3.6ish in math
Overall GPA: 3.63
Length of Degree: 4 (graduated May '08)
Position in Class: Um. No idea. Decent?
Type of Student: Domestic white female

GRE Scores:
Q: 800 (94%)
V: 680 (96%)
W: 5.5 (90%)
P: 870 (84%)

Research Experience: Didn't know I wanted to go to grad school until my last semester. Now I can't get any research experience because I have no research experience. Yeah, that makes sense.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List once... this is the problem with going to a school where you have to get a 4.0 to be on the honor roll. National Merit before? I don't think that counts.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: The reason I want to go to grad school. I tutored physics for 8 semesters, taught a study group (basically a discussion session) for 5 semesters. I really, really want to teach physics. Also, reader for one semester, private tutoring, math workshop leader for two summers....

Special Bonus Points: I... am female? I think my SoP was pretty decent.

Applying to Where:
All for theory, CMT especially, except where noted...
Stanford- Rejected (email 2/26), probably would have had difficulties being surrounded by stanfurd people anyway
Cal Tech- Rejected (email 2/27)
UChicago- Rejected (mail 3/7)
Cornell- Rejected (email 2/11)
Maryland- also Physics Education, ACCEPTED (email 3/5), TA. Offer accepted!
UCSD- ACCEPTED (email 3/2), TA. Offer declined.
UW- also Physics Education, ACCEPTED (email 1/16), TA. Offer declined, which was really really difficult to do.

Undergrad Institution: Midranked Tech School
Major(s): Physics, Philosophy
Minor(s):
GPA in Major: 4.0
Overall GPA: 4.0
Length of Degree: 4
Position in Class: Top
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Scores:
Q: 790 (92%)
V: 570 (79%)
W: 5.5 (90%)
P: 770 (69%)

Research Experience: 2 years condensed matter research at school, no publications.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Several in-school awards
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: None
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Not really
Special Bonus Points: Two grad classes in QM, strong rec's.
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Probably not

Applying to Where:

Cornell - Physics - CME - ACCEPTED (Mail, TA - 2/12/09)
UIUC - Physics - CME - REJECTED (Email - 3/25/09)
UPenn - Physics - CME - ACCEPTED (Phone Call - 1/29/09, TA)
Michigan - Physics - CME - ACCEPTED (Email - 2/27/09)
Maryland - Physics - CME - ACCEPTED (Email - 3/11/09)
JHU - Physics - CME - ACCEPTED (Email - 2/02/09) - Application Withdrawn
Colorado Boulder - Physics - CME - REJECTED (Email - 4/06/09)
G. Tech - Physics - CME - ACCEPTED (Email - 3/03/09, TA + Fellowship) - Application Withdrawn

Undergrad Institution: One of the top phys. depts. in Turkey.
Major(s):Physics
[b]Minor(s):Physics
[b]GPA in Major:4.00
[b]Overall GPA: 3.68
[b]Length of Degree: 4
Position in Class: Near Top
Type of Student: International.

GRE Scores:
Q:800
V:440
W:3.5
P:850


TOEFL Total: 101/120

Research Experience: 2 years of research experience in experimental cond. mat. including clean room experience, raman spectrescopy lab. No publications but its in progress now...

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: full scholarship awarded by university

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Tutor, TA, Grader since I was born Tutor for 6 semesters (3 yrs), for different physics courses.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: non

Special Bonus Points: I worked in a company as Harware manager, but I don't think that this is a +

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: -

Applying to Where:
Univ. of Washington - Physics Department - Condensed Exp.- ACCEPTED by e-mail 02/06 ADMITTED!!! Whoohooh!!! Thanks UWS

Princeton - Physics Department - Condensed Exp.-Rejected by e-mail 02/26
Harvard - Physics Department - Condensed Exp.- Rejected via mail
UCSD - Physics Department - Condensed Exp.-Rejected via E-mail
UCSB - Physics Department - Condensed Exp.- Rejected via E-mail 05/03
Cornell - Physics Department - Condensed Exp.- Rejected by e-mail 02/03
Ohio State - Physics Department - Condensed Exp.- Don't care
Stanford - Physics Department - Condensed Exp.- -Rejected by e-mail 02/26______________________________________________

Undergrad Institution: Private Institution in the U.S.
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): none
GPA in Major: 3.8
Overall GPA: 3.8
Length of Degree: 4 years
Type of Student: Domestic Female

GRE Scores:
Q: 780
V: 640
W: 5.0
P: 720

Research Experience:
- part-time astro research at my home institution
- full-time astro research during the summers

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
- scholarships, fellowships, Sigma Pi Sigma

Applying to Where:

University of Arizona - Astronomy Dept. - Acceptance by Phone
Johns Hopkins - Physics and Astronomy Dept. - Acceptance by Email 2/2
MIT - Physics Dept. - Rejected
University of Virginia - Astronomy Dept. - Acceptance by Phone 2/15
UC Santa Cruz - Astronomy Dept. - Rejected
University of Texas, Austin - Astronomy Dept. - Acceptance by Email 1/21
UCLA - Physics and Astronomy Dept. - Acceptance by Email

Undergrad Institution: Indian Institute of Technology Madras...highly reputed engineering school in India although not known so much for sciences
Major(s): Aerospace engg
[b]Minor(s): Physics
[b]GPA in Major: 8.6/10
[b]Overall GPA:8.1/10
[b]Length of Degree: 5 year dual degree (BTech+MTech)
Position in Class: Near top
Type of Student: International

GRE Scores:
Q: 800
V:590
W:4.0
P:910 (88%)

TOEFL Total: iBT-108, IELTS-8.0/9.0

[b]Research Experience: (a) Research intern in aerospace engg...got an international conference paper as a first author
(b) Summer research fellow...did some research in quantum field theory
(c) Master's thesis...currently working in atomic physics (photoionization of confined atoms)...one
publication in J Phys B as first author...two poster presentations also as first author

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Teaching assistant for 1 year

Special Bonus Points: Two of my recommenders are alumni of stony brook...third recommender is one of the leading atomic physicist of India...completed about 7 graduate courses outside of my curriculum including classical field theory and general relativity

Applying to Where:

MIT - Physics - HEP th Rejected
Harvard - Physics - HEP th Rejected
Princeton - Physics - HEP th Rejected 2/26 email
Cornell - Physics - HEP th Rejected 2/4 email
UCSB - Physics - HEP th Rejected 3/5 website
U Chicago - Physics - HEP th Rejected 3/5 snail mail
UCSD - Physics - HEP th Rejected
Penn State - Physics - HEP th Accepted 2/19-16k TA + 4k fellowship + 6k summer research...will be joining (obviously)
U Washington - Physics - HEP th Rejected
Stony brook - Physics - HEP th Rejected
Rutgers - Physics - HEP th Rejected
Brown - Physics - HEP th Rejected 3/7 email

Undergrad Institution: BS in Physics, Master in Physics, Master in Astronomy; all from well-known schools(Intl)

GPA: A
Length of Degree: 4+2+2
Position in Class: Top
Type of Student: International, male

GRE Scores:(2005)
Q: 800
V: 330
W: 3.5
P: 890(90%)


TOEFL Total: 107

Research Experience:
Physics Bachelor thesis(a piece of work on theoretical plasma physics:5 months)
Physics Master thesis(galactic dynamics: +1 year)
Astronomy Master projects(Minor(-1 year) and Major(1 year) on some topics in extragalactic astronomy)
Published 1st Author journal paper
Poster presentation in IAUS(and its published paper in the proceedings)

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
Few fellowships, few excellence awards

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
TA, 3 years. Some LOC and SOC memberships...

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:
ranked among top 10 in national entrance graduate school examinations among around 6000 other Physics BS holders

Special Bonus Points:
Good recommendations from well-known people
passed almost all of possible Astronomy and Physics graduate courses
Few intl. workshops attended

Applying to Where:

Harvard - Astronomy - Extragalactic---> Rejected by mail on 2/19
CalTech - Astronomy - Extragalactic ---> Waitlisted by email on 2/13 ---> Admitted on 4/14 (declined)
Princeton - Astronomy - Extragalactic ---> Rejected by email on 2/2
UCSC - Astronomy - Extragalactic ---> Invited for interview by email on 1/27---> Rejected by email on 2/4
Arizona - Astronomy - Extragalactic
UT Austin - Astronomy - Extragalactic ---> admitted by email on 1/21
Leiden - Astronomy - Extragalactic ---> Invited for interview on 1/29 ---> Got an offer on 3/7 and accepted it
Max Planck@Garching - Astronomy - Extragalactic ---> Invited for interview by email on 1/28

Undergrad Institution:[IIT Kharagpur] foreign (India...highly reputed)
Major(s):Aerospace Eng.(Dual Degree, BTech+Masters)
:MS in Physics(University of South Carolina)
GPA in Major:3.5/4.0
Length of Degree:[4 years]
Type of Student:International

GRE Scores:[/b]
Q:[780]
V:[380]
W:[3.5]
P:[990]


TOEFL Total:[/b] (waived)

Research Experience:Projects in Aerospace eng., Medical Physics and Foundations of QM

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA for 3 years now

Special Bonus Points:Recommendation from well known profs.

Applying to Where:

Harvard U - HEP-Theory rejected
Columbia U - HEP-Theory rejected
Duke U - HEP-Theory rejected
U. of Wisconsin Madison -- HEP-Theory rejected
UNC Chapel Hill - HEP-Theory rejected
UC Irvine - HEP-Theory rejected
Boston U - HEP-Theoryrejected
PennState - HEP-Theory rejected
NCSU - HEP Theory 04/02/09 accepted-> Declined Offer
UFL - HEP Theory 04/03/09 accepted ->Accepted Offer
UCincinnatti- HEP Theory 04/10/09 accepted-> Declined Offer


______________________________________________

Undergrad Institution: Mid-sized state school
Major(s): Physics, Mathematics
Minor(s): none
GPA in Major: 4.0/3.84
Overall GPA: 3.93
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: toppish
Type of Student: Domestic male

GRE Scores:
Q: 760 (86%)
V: 630 (90%)
W: 5.0 (77%)
P: 730 (62%)


Research Experience:
One year of condensed matter/nanotechnology experiment research
Two computational physics research projects
Co-author on submitted publication
2 poster presentations

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
Several Math and Physics scholarships
Tuition scholarship

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
Lab technician with company working with CNTs
SPS vice president

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:
Attended several conferences

Special Bonus Points:
Good, personal recommendation letters

Applying to Where:

MIT - Materials Science and Eng. - Computational Mat. Sci. - Rejected via mail 3/10
Urbana-Champaign - Physics - Computational CM - Rejected via email
Northwestern - Materials Science and Eng. - Computational Mat. Sci. - Accepted via phone call and email - 1/23 - ACCEPTED OFFER
Penn State - Physics - Computational CM - Accepted via email 2/18 - declined
Colorado School of Mines - Materials Science and Eng. - Computational Mat. Sci. - Accepted via email 2/14 - declined
CU Boulder - Physics - Computational CM - Rejected via email 3/10
Drexel - Physics - Computational CM/Biophysics - Accepted via email 2/25 - declined
Emory - Physics - Computational CM/Biophysics - Invited to interview via email 2/27 - declined
Mizzou - Physics - Computational CM - Accepted via email 1/30 - declined

Undergrad Institution: Medium-to-Large Canadian University, top 5 in the country for physics
Major(s): Math and Physics
Minor(s): N/A
GPA in Major: 3.9
Overall GPA: 3.9
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: Top
Type of Student: International white male

GRE Scores:
Q: 780/90%
V: 510/64%
W: 5.5/90%
P: 690/54% (oh boy...)

Research Experience: NSERC USRA at my school (summer) in experimental atomic physics, NSERC USRA at University of Toronto (summer) in experimental atomic physics, undergraduate thesis at my school in theoretical quantum optics.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Numerous academic (and athletic...) awards, and the above NSERC USRAs.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Tutor through a professional agency, and president of the physics society.

Special Bonus Points: One of my references is internationally renowned, and the other two have connections at various schools.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I explained that my PGRE does not reflect my ability.

Applying to Where:

MIT - Physics - Experimental Atomic Physics Rejected via mail Mar. 6
MIT - EECS - Experimental Quantum Optics Accepted Feb. 11 via e-mail
Harvard - Physics - Experimental Atomics Physics and Experimental Quantum Optics Rejected after e-mail inquiry Feb. 27
Harvard - Applied Physics - Experimental Atomics Physics and Experimental Quantum Optics Accepted Feb. 12 via phone call and e-mail
Stanford - Applied Physics - Experimental Atomics Physics and Experimental Quantum Optics Rejected via mail Mar. 6
Maryland - Physics - Experimental Atomics Physics and Experimental Quantum Optics Rejected Mar. 9 via e-mail
Caltech - Physics - Experimental Quantum Optics Rejected via e-mail Feb. 27
UofIllinois at UC - Physics - Experimental Quantum Optics Accepted via phone call Mar. 4, followed by e-mail Mar. 5 Declined Mar. 24
GeorgiaTech - Physics - Experimental Atomics Physics Accepted Mar. 6 via e-mail Declined Mar. 22
UofCalifornia SB - Physics - Experimental Atomics Physics and Experimental Quantum Optics Rejected via website Feb. 27
Boulder - Physics - Experimental Atomics Physics
University of Toronto - Physics - Experimental Atomics Physics and Experimental Quantum Optics Accepted via e-mail Feb. 14 Declined Mar. 24
University of Vienna - Physics - Experimental Quantum Optics Accepted Jan. 22 via e-mail Declined Feb. 21

Posting because I know there are people lurking with stats closer to mine than the overrepresented 3.9/900's.

Undergrad Institution: Big State School, average physics
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): Math, Astronomy
GPA in Major: 3.0, 3.5 upper division
Overall GPA: 3.25
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: No idea
Type of Student: Domestic white male

GRE Scores:
Q: 790
V: 610
W: 5.0
P: 680 (52%)


Research Experience:
Summer+semester of condensed matter experiment research with a professor at my university. Year of involvement in an astronomy observation campaign, additional author on resulting paper. Programming work on science instrumentation. Computational astrophysics work with a national observatory.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: A few departmental scholarships, a few university scholarships.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: None.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: None.

Special Bonus Points: All recommendations from people I did research with directly. All recommendations confirmed to be very strong.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Nothing I can think of.

Applying to Where:

CU Boulder - Physics - CME - Rejected 3/10 by email
UT Austin - Physics - CME - Rejected 3/3 by email
UC Irvine - Chemical and Material Physics - Accepted 2/19, email
UC Santa Cruz - Physics - CME - Rejected 3/5, email
UC San Diego - Physics - CME - Rejected 3/13, email
Michigan - Applied Physics - Rejected 3/3, by phone inquiry
Johns Hopkins - Physics - CME - Rejected 4/2, after waitlist, email
NYU - Physics - CME - Accepted 2/27, email, offer declined
Boston U - Physics - CME - Accepted 3/6, phone, after waitlist
Dartmouth - Physics - CME - waitlisted 2/26?, ambiguous email
______________________________________________

Undergrad Institution: Small liberal arts college, relatively strong Physics department - each year while I have been there, at least one student has been accepted to one of the top 10 programs.
Major(s): Physics/Math
Minor(s):
GPA in Major: 3.85
Overall GPA: 3.70
Length of Degree: 4
Position in Class: One sigma to the right of mew (I guess)
Type of Student: International - (Not Indian/Chinese/European)

GRE Scores:
Math: 800
Verbal: 550
Writing: 4.0
P: 810


Research Experience: Working in the lab since freshmen year as well as over the summer. I have not published but hope to do so soon. I will be the first or second author; Writing a thesis for senior year

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Excellence mathematics award.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Research Assistant, TA, math workshop tutor

Applying to Where:

Applying for Experimental AMO
Harvard -Waiting for Rejection
MIT - Waiting for Rejection
U Conn -
Yale - Rejected by email and on the web-page 2/11
Cornell - Rejected by email 2/24
Princeton - Rejected by email 2/26
U MD -Waiting for Rejection
U Va -Accepted by email 2/4 --17.9K TA+ 4.9K summer
W & M - Accepted by phone call 1/28 -- 22K TA
U Colorado -Waiting for Rejection
Stanford - Rejected by email 2/26
U NE -- Accepted
UC SD-Waiting for Rejection

Undergrad Institution: Private school with good reputation in the sciences.
Major(s): Astronomy
Minor(s): Physics
GPA in Major: 3.85
Overall GPA: 3.75
Length of Degree: 4 years.
Position in Class: Too small of class to be meaningful
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Scores:
Q: 800 (94)
V: 650 (93)
W: 5.0 (77)
P: 710 (57)

Research Experience: Three different projects, one at an REU. No publications, yet.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Aforementioned research

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Special Bonus Points: Recommenders are well-known at the places I'm applying.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where:

Univ. Of Hawaii - Astronomy -- Waitlisted by email 2/17.
UC Santa Cruz - Astronomy -- Rejected by email 3/31.
Caltech - Astronomy -- Rejected by email 2/23.
Univ. Of Arizona - Astronomy -- Rejected by email 2/17.
Univ. Of Michigan - Astronomy -- Accepted by email 1/28. -- Attending!
Univ. Of Wisconsin - Astronomy -- Rejected by email 2/24.
Univ. Of Maryland - Astronomy -- Accepted by email 2/17.
Indiana University - Astronomy -- Accepted by email 2/11.
Univ. Of Virginia - Astronomy -- Accepted by phone 2/14.

Undergrad Institution: Top 40 in Physics.
Major: Physics
Minor: Mathematics
GPA in Major: 3.92 (1 B, in an intro class)
Overall GPA: 3.71
Length of Degree: 5 years
Type of Student: Domestic white male

GRE Scores:
Q: 800
V: 560
W: 4.0
P: 860

Research Experience: 2 years at home institution. In the midst of writing a paper for J. Fluid Mech. (first author). 1 summer REU, work performed abroad at an MPI. First authored paper submitted to Phys. Rev. E.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Nothing special, the usual Honors Society stuff.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 2 years of physics and math tutoring.

Special Bonus Points: 1 grad class. My research advisers are part of a rather small subfield of physics in the U.S. in which they are well known. My research has all been theoretical work.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Took a year off after graduating (though it is well justified in my application since I have been doing research during this period). Took the GRE (both physics and general) twice, the scores above correspond to the second try, all of which happened to be better.

Applying to Where: (all Physics)

Yale - CMT ------------------------------------------- Rejected. email/website, 2/11.
Cornell - CMT ---------------------------------------- Accepted! postal, 2/17. TA.
UIUC - CMT/Complex Systems --------------------- Accepted! email, 2/18. TA.
U Penn - CMT ---------------------------------------- Accepted! email, 2/18. TA.
UT Austin - Nonlinear Dynamics/Plasma --------- Accepted! postal, 2/23. TA. - Offer Declined
Columbia - CMT ------------------------------------- Rejected. response to inquiry, 2/27.
MIT - Plasma/CMT ---------------------------------- Rejected. postal, 3/2.
U Chicago - CMT ------------------------------------- Rejected. response to inquiry, 3/3.
Stony Brook - CMT ----------------------------------- Accepted! postal, 3/4. TA. - Offer Declined
Berkeley - Plasma & Nonlinear Dynamics ---------- Rejected. response to inquiry, 3/5.
Maryland - Nonlinear Dynamics --------------------- Accepted! email, 3/5. TA. - Offer Declined

Undergrad Institution: Big State Top 20 Physics
Major(s): Physics
GPA in Major: 3.8
Overall GPA: 3.9
Length of Degree: 3
Position in Class: near top (?)
Type of Student: International M

GRE Scores:
Q:92%
V:93%
W:60%
P:800


Research Experience: A couple of second author papers. 2 years research lab exp.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: No such luck.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Peer tutor/grader for physics classes.


Applying to Where:

Berkeley - Physics - CMT Rejected via email 03/12
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Physics - CMT Rejected via email 04/10
University of Michigan - Applied Physics - CMT/CME Accepted via email 1/30
Stanford - Applied Physics - CMT/CME Rejected via email 03/05
UCSD - ECE - Applied Physics Accepted via email 02/25
Caltech - Applied Physics - CMT/CME Accepted via email 03/20

Undergrad Institution: technical school, okay physics reputation
Major(s):Physics/Math
Minor(s):
GPA in Major:3.4
Overall GPA:3.4
Length of Degree:[/b] 4 years (1 year spent abroad during those 4 years)
Position in Class: above average
Type of Student: female minority

GRE Scores:
Q:770
V:610
W:710
P:620


Research Experience: Summer REU at 2 schools

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Deans list, scholarships

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:TA, Tutor, grader, 1 1/2 years at major aerospace company

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Lots of extracurricular activities

Special Bonus Points: female, minority, well known recommendation writer, research/work experience, worked 20-30 hours per week while attending classes full time.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where:

University of Wisconsin Madison- Physics - HEP- Accepted
UCSB - Physics- HEP Waiting for Reply
UCLA - Physics - Astroparticle
UCI - Physics- HEP Waiting for Reply
UCSC - Physics- HEP Waiting for Reply
U-Minnesota Twin Cities - Physics- HEP Waiting for Reply
Stony Brook - Physics- HEP Waiting for Reply
Boston University - Physics- HEP Waiting for Reply

Undergrad Institution: UC Davis
Major(s): Physics, Mathematics
Upper Division GPA in Major: 3.83 in Physics, 3.21 in Math
Overall GPA: 3.63
Length of Degree: 5 years
Position in Class: My uni doesn't release these figures. I'd wager I was in the top 10% in Physics and the top 25% in Math.
Type of Student: Domestic white male

GRE Scores:
Q: 780 (90%)
V: 530 (68%)
W: 4.5 (54%)
P: 870 (84%) - Also took the test last year and scored 720 (60%)

Research Experience: No publications, but I've been working as a research assistant in a nuclear lab on campus for about 3 years writing various kinds of software to fit the needs of the researchers. I've also been working in an observational cosmology research group headed by someone pretty well-known for the past year. The cosmo stuff has been odds-and-ends as well: system administration, writing image analysis code that nobody else has gotten around to, etc. Did a senior thesis in computational physics with a dude that's pretty well-known in his field.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Highest honors + departmental citation for Physics. Honors for Math.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: I've stuck around for a year after graduating and continued my jobs at the nuclear lab and cosmo group.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I'm good at a couple of languages besides English? Dunno what else.

Special Bonus Points: I'm already a California resident, which is important to the UC schools because the state gives them money if I enroll. All my recommenders have a lot of first-hand experience working with me, and they like me... I hope.

Applying to Where:
NYU - Physics - Cosmology - 2/13 - Accepted by e-mail, offered TA/RA position + summer RA for a total of $34k/12mo + tuition for the first year + offer for student housing with subsidized rent ($1k/mo)
UCLA - Physics - Cosmology - 3/25 - Rejected by e-mail
UCSB - Physics - Cosmology - 2/20 - Accepted by e-mail, offered tuition + $16.5k/9mo TA position, or $15.5k/9mo RA position (if I can find a prof. to hire me). Summer RA also pays $11k (at 100% time). Will be attending!
Stanford - Physics - Cosmology - 2/26 - Rejected by e-mail
Berkeley - Physics - Cosmology - 3/5 - Rejected by phone
Caltech - Physics - Cosmology - 2/27 - Rejected by e-mail
UCSC - Physics - Cosmology - 2/20 - Accepted by e-mail, offered tuition + $16.5k/9mo TA position + $4k extra
Carnegie Mellon - Physics - Cosmology - 2/20 - Accepted by e-mail, offered RA position, $23.5k/12mo + tuition + $1k extra

Undergrad Institution: University of Minnesota-TC
Major(s): Physics
GPA in Major: ~3.67
Overall GPA: ~3.67
Length of Degree: 4
Position in Class: no clue
Type of Student: white domestic

GRE Scores:
Math: 760
Verbal: 500
Writing: 5.0
P: 640

Research Experience:
-2 years experimental space physics, had my work included in research grant proposals
-1 year theoretical cosmology research doing numerical simulations of inflationary phenomena

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: deans list

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: my resume lists tutoring, two graduate level courses, outreach, deans list, and SPS related activities. I didn't think it was important enough for the SOP so I doubt they will even notice.

Applying to Where: all physics, stated interests of QFT and theoretical cosmology
University of California-Los Angeles: rejected by email (03/11/09)
University of Chicago: rejected by postal mail (03/03/09)
University of Massachusetts-Amherst: withdrawn (03/11/09)
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: rejected by email (02/26/09)
University of Minnesota-TC: accepted by email (02/13/09)
University of Texas-Austin: accepted by postal mail (03/03/09)
Yale University: rejected by email (02/11/09)

Undergrad Institution: Medium sized private university in the Northeast, respected in optics, somewhat respected in physics (top 30)
Major(s): Optics-BS, Physics-BA
Minor(s): Math
GPA in Major: 3.59/3.74
Overall GPA: 3.61
Length of Degree: 4
Position in Class: Top 25%
Type of Student: Domestic white male

GRE Scores:
Q: 740
V: 560
W: 4.5
P: 590


Research Experience: Worked for two semesters on an Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope and two semester (only one completed at time of application) with quantum dots to achieve a room temperature single photon source. The second project has a submitted paper to IQEC 2009 and I am the third author.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List 6/7 semesters at time of application

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Community Outreach Chair of Optical Society of America Student Chapter, member and tutor of Society of Physics Students.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Special Bonus Points: Have taken one graduate class in radiation and detection of light, also contacted a professor at the University of Oregon who used to teach at my school and knows my advisor

Applying to Where:

University of Oregon - Physics - Experimental Quantum Optics -Accepted 1/24 via email, $14,968 9 month TA fellowship, $4,989 3 month Summer Research Assistantship
University of Colorado - Boulder - Physics - Nanoscale Optics - Rejected 3/8 via email
Stanford University - Material Sciences and Engineering - Nanoscale Optics - Rejected via email 2/12
University of Rochester - Institute of Optics - Experimental Quantum Optics and Nonlinear Optics - Admitted to Master's program (applied to PhD) 2/11

Undergrad Institution: Large size, ranked in 40s
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): None
GPA in Major: 3.8
Overall GPA: 3.6
Length of Degree: 4
Position in Class: ~25%
Type of Student: Domestic White Male

GRE Scores:
Q: 780
V: 550
W: 4.5
P: 700

Research Experience: One, coding up a model with a professor for the last 6 months. No publication yet.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Deans list 6/7 semesters

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 3 years tutoring (math, phy and chem), 1 year SPS Treasurer, 1 semester as TA

Applying to Where:
Research Interest - Experimental Condensed Matter and AMO
Department - Physics

University of Washington - Rejected 4/8 after numerous email inquires
University of Colorado - Rejected 3/3 via email inquiry
Colorado State University - Accepted 2/11 via email - Declined offer 2/20
University of Wisconsin/Madison - Rejected 3/10 via email
University of Oregon - Accepted 2/27 via email - Accepted offer 4/13
Pennsylvania State - Accepted 2/18 via email - Declined offer 4/13
University of Rochester - Accepted 2/5 via email - Declined offer 4/10
University of Virginia - Accepted 2/18 via email - Declined offer 4/13

Undergrad Institution: Public Research University, Top 15 in Physics
Major(s): Physics, Mathematics
GPA in Major: 3.95
Overall GPA: 3.95
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: Top
Type of Student: domestic white male

GRE Scores:
Q: 780
V: 570
W: 4.5
P: 840

Research Experience: 2 years research in experimental astrophysics, no publications

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Phi Betta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Pi Sigma

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Homework Grader for a Modern Physics course

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Should have strong letters of recommendation


Applying to Where:

Stanford - Physics - Cosmology/Astrophysics - Accepted by email on 2/27/09, TA/RA ~30k [Declined]
UC Berkeley - Physics - Cosmology/Astrophysics - Rejected by email on 3/15/09
UC Santa Cruz - Astronomy - Cosmology/Astrophysics - Rejected by email on 3/31/09
Caltech - Physics - Cosmology/Astrophysics - Accepted by email on 2/11/09, Moore Experimental Astrophysics Fellowship: 32k for 2 years Will Attend!
Harvard - Physics - Cosmology/Astrophysics - Accepted by email on 4/15/09, Purcell Fellowship + TA/RA [Declined]
Johns Hopkins - Physics - Cosmology/Astrophysics - Accepted by email on 2/2/09 [Declined]
Princeton - Astrophysical Sciences - Cosmology/Astrophysics - Rejected by email on 2/2/09
Columbia - Physics - Cosmology/Astrophysics - Accepted by email on 2/17/09, Faculty Fellow: 30k for 5 years [Declined]
University of Chicago - Physics - Cosmology/Astrophysics - Accepted by email on 3/3/09, TA ~23k [Declined]

Undergrad Institution: Top 5, Private
Major: Physics
Minor: History
GPA in Major: 4.03
Overall GPA: 3.98
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: Top or close to it.
Type of Student: Domestic white male

GRE Scores:
Q: 800 (94%)
V: 700 (97%)
W: 5.5 (90%)
P: 920 (90%)

Research Experience: A year and a half (first summer from home working remotely, second summer from school) of Astrophysics/Cosmology data analysis and simulation for a future weak lensing experiment. No publications, but a possible honors thesis.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: National Merit, Order of Omega

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Two years of writing tutoring for advanced freshman humanities, one year as undergraduate representative to the department's Undergraduate Studies Committee, two summers editing high school math textbooks for the author

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: An A in graduate Astrophysics/Cosmology.

Special Bonus Points: By the end of the year, I'll have finished 5 graduate level classes (Astrophysics/Cosmology, General Relativity, and a sequence on Quantum Information).

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I only did research with one of my recommenders, but I got A+'s in the other two's classes (upper level undergraduate) and got to know them both decently well. The recommenders are decently well known (although not Nobel Laureates) and from a variety of fields (Observational Astrophysics, HEP Theory/Phenomenology, and CM Experiment). (Also, I like parentheses.)

Applying to Where:
(All for Observational/Experimental/Phenomenological Cosmology)

California Institute of Technology - Physics - Accepted 2/11 by email with a research assistantship.
Columbia University - Physics - Accepted 2/17 by email. Funded as a "Faculty Fellow."
Cornell University - Physics - Accepted 2/2 by snail mail with a one year fellowship.
Harvard University - Physics - Accepted 2/20 by email with a one year fellowship.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Physics - Accepted 2/17 by a phone call from a professor with a one year fellowship.
Princeton University - Physics - Accepted 2/25 by email with a one year fellowship and $3000 merit prize.
Stanford University - Physics - Accepted 2/27 by email. Funded as a TA.
University of California, Berkeley - Physics - Accepted 2/20 by email. Funded as a TA. $2,000 bonus stipend.
University of Chicago - Physics - Accepted 2/27 by snail mail. Funded as a TA.

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship - Physics - Rejected.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship - Physics - Rejected. No word yet on honorable mentions.

Undergrad Institution: Top 20 in US News, strong physics program
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): None (University doesn't do minors for the most part)
GPA in Major: 3.6
Overall GPA: 3.6
Length of Degree: 4 yrs
Position in Class: No idea.
Type of Student: Domestic

GRE Scores:
Q: 800
V: 590
W: 4.5
P: 730


Research Experience: 3 summers of research at Texas A&M mostly in nuclear physics and engineering. Also this current academic year I am working in biophysics for my senior thesis.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Some scholarships

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Academic Fellow 2007-2008 (like a tutor)

Applying to Where:

University of Chicago - Medical Physics - Rejected 3/30
UCLA - Medical Physics - Rejected 4/17
Wisconsin - Medical Physics - Accepted 1/30 <---ATTENDING!!!
Duke - Medical Physics - Rejected 2/18
UT-Houston - Medical Physics - Interviewed 2/27, Rejected 4/21
UT-San Antonio - Medical Physics - Rejected 5/28 Almost insulting for this to come so late. As if they thought I was sitting around still waiting to hear from them at the end of May.
University of Florida - Medical Physics Accepted 4/6. Declined offer.
Northwestern - Physics - Rejected 3/19
UT-Austin - Physics - Accepted 2/2. Declined offer.
Texas A&M - Physics - Accepted 2/10. Declined offer.
University of Washington - Physics - Rejected 4/8

Figured I'd post my profile so everyone else can feel better about theirs.


Undergrad Institution: Big state school, no significant physics reputation.
Grad Institution: Mid-sized state school, somewhat known for engineering
Major(s): Astrophysics (undergrad)/Physics(grad)
Minor(s): Asian Studies
GPA in Major: 3.3 undergrad/3.9grad
Overall GPA: 3.1 undergrad/3.8grad
Length of Degree: 4-2
Position in Class: undergrad:middle grad:top
Type of Student: Oppressive majority male

GRE Scores:
Q:730
V:630
W:5.0
P:580


Research Experience: One year RA experience working on materials characterization using Terahertz. Presented thesis research at local APS meeting, no publications.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Receiptient of a private scholarship that fully covers tuition for up to ten years.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: One year undergrad TA, One year grad TA, six months part-time work for a military contractor studying aerospace materials.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Fluent in Japanese

Special Bonus Points: Good SOP (not great), better than average letters.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: None

Applying to Where:

Case Western Reserve University - Physics - Optics/Materials
Rensselaer Polytecnic Institute - Physics - Optics/Materials
University of Michigan - Physics - Optics/Materials
University of South Carolina - Physics - Optics/Materials
University of Massachusetts-Amherst - Physics - Optics/Materials
Georgetown University - Physics - Optics/Materials

"Physics is my business"

I finally decided to post my stats, now that I got in somewhere.
______________________________________________
Undergrad Institution: Big State, reasonably well-known
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): Math
GPA in Major: ~3.3
Overall GPA: ~3.3
Length of Degree: 5 years
Position in Class: Top third/quarter
Type of Student: Domestic Asian Male

GRE Scores:
Q: 730
V: 610
W: 4.5 (messed up on the second essay)
P: 740 (63%) in Oct 08, and 600 (~30 something %) in Oct 07


Research Experience: A year in cosmology (a summer of full-time), some computational astrophysics and some grunt work in an experimental lab. No pubs yet.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Not much. Got Dean's list a few times.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Audited a QFT course, took an undergrad differential geometry course, and some self-study in QFT and stuff related to quantum gravity and string theory

Special Bonus Points: Some well known recs, probably have strong letters, may have a strong SOP

Applying to Where:

UCSB - Physics - HEP Theory/Gravity - Rejected (E-mail->Website 3/4)
UCLA - Physics - HEP Theory - Withdrawn
USC - Physics - HEP Theory - Rejected (E-mail 3/24)
UT Austin - Physics - HEP Theory - Accepted (E-mail 2/2) Offered TA ship
Texas A&M - Physics - HEP Theory - Withdrawn
U Maryland - Physics - HEP Theory - Rejected (E-mail 3/9)
Johns Hopkins - Physics - HEP Theory - Withdrawn
Rutgers - Physics - HEP Theory - Rejected (E-mail 4/3)
NYU - Physics - HEP Theory - Rejected (E-mail 3/12)
U Washington - Physics - HEP Theory/Lattice Gauge Theory - Withdrawn

Decided to go to UT Austin
______________________________________________

Undergrad Institution: University of Idaho - Medium sized public research university, no real reputation in physics
Major(s): Phyiscs, Applied Math
Minor(s):
GPA in Major:3.94
Overall GPA:3.85
Length of Degree: 4
Position in Class: near top
Type of Student: domestic white male

GRE Scores:
Q: 800
V:640
W: 3.5 (ouch)
P: 810



Research Experience: 2 years at my school, 1 in computational Biophysics, 1 in CME. 1 summer Internship at JPL in Planetary Science.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: National Merit Scholar, Eagle Scout, Phi Kappa Phi, Honors Program

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Math/Physics Tutor, SPS, Student leadership in Honors Program and with a club

Special Bonus Points: Excellent Recommendations, one from my Mentor at JPL (famous in Planetary Science)

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Transfered midway into my college degree. Was at a religious school, didn't like the environment.

Applying to Where:

Caltech - Physics - CME Rejected via e-mail 2/27
MIT - Physics - Plasma/CME Rejected via snail-mail 3/2. Letter postmarked 2/25
Berkeley - Physics - CME Rejected via email 3/13
Stanford - Physics - CME Rejected via e-mail 2/26
Princeton - Physics - CME Rejected via e-mail 2/26
Cornell - Physics - CME Rejected via e-mail 2/3
Chicago - Physics - CME Rejected via snail-mail, postmarked 3/3
Maryland - College Park - Physics - Plasma/CME Accepted via e-mail 3/4 w/ TA - Delcined
UCLA - Physics - Plasma/CME Accepted via e-mail 3/2 - Declined
Wisconsin - Madison - Physics - Plasma/CME Accepted via e-mail 1/30. Official Acceptance 2/12. Later offered 30K GAANN fellowship - Accepted offer! Attending for Plasma physics
UC Irvine - Physics - Plasma/CME Accepted via e-mail 2/5. Fellowship + TA - Declined

Looks like I applied a little too high! Oh well, turned out to be a really competitive year year.

Undergrad Institution: Decent State School, definitely up there.
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): German
GPA in Major: 3.18
Overall GPA: 3.38
Length of Degree: 5 Years
Position in Class: Top 3rd at least.
Type of Student: Domestic White Male

GRE Scores:
Q: 790 93%
V: 650 92%
W: 4 37% (grrr...)
P: 630 41%


Research Experience: Worked in a lab for a year doing mostly grunt work. Spent the summer in Germany working on building a neutron detection experiment. Most of my work and research has been centered around WIMP searches.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Sigma Pi Sigma, SPS President for 2 years.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Physics Tutor, Astronomy TA, Lab Experience, Directed Research.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Copious Outreach experience, performing Public Astronomy Night.

Special Bonus Points: Hard of hearing, so I told whatever school that cared I was disabled.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: My strength is definitely not math, so I tried to emphasis how well-rounded I am. I mostly told the schools I was interested in Astroparticle Physics, WIMP searches and the like.

Applying to Where:

U of Arizona - Physics - WAITLISTED after email inquiry on 3/16
Stanford - Physics - REJECTED 02/26 by email.
Berkeley - Physics - REJECTED 03/16 by email.
Penn State - Astronomy - Pretty much REJECTED 03/13 after email inquiry.
Northwestern - Astrophysics - REJECTED 03/19 by website.
Rochester - Astrophysics - ACCEPTED by email on 4/10 $25,520/yr. - Declined
Boston - Physics - Sort of WAITLISTED after email inquiry on 3/13
Cornell - Astronomy - REJECTED 03/5 by snail mail.
Stony Brook - Astrophysics - REJECTED 03/24 by email.
U of Chicago - Physics - REJECTED 02/19 by snail mail.
Texas A&M - Physics - ACCEPTED by email on 2/13 $1,850 per month + $2,000 per year to cover fees. <- Accepted their offer
Universität Bonn - Astrophysics - Basically told I will not hear anything until after May 1st.

Undergrad Institution: small midwest liberal arts
Major(s): Physics, Math
Minor(s):
GPA in Major:3.74, 3.75
Overall GPA: 3.80
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: near top
Type of Student: domestic white male

GRE Scores:
Q: 800
V: 620
W: 5.0
P: 610


Research Experience: two years in NMR and semiconductors at my school, Honors project with a thesis defense at home institution

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: in school award for independent student research, tutoring award

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Tutor for phys. dept.; school tutor for phys, math, cs, stats; grader for math dept.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: president of physics club and president/founder of math club?

Special Bonus Points: Nope

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Don't think so

Applying to Where:

Northwestern - Physics - Astrophysics- Rejected 3/19 via website
UC Riverside - Physics - Astrophysics- Accepted 2/23 via email, TA ($11,091 / 9 months), stipend ($12,000/yr)
UC Santa Cruz - Astronomy and Astrophysics - Astrophysics
Carnegie Mellon - Physics - Astrophysics
Case Western - Physics - Astrophysics
Indiana - Astronomy - Astrophysics- Waitlisted 3/16 via email
Iowa - Physics - Astrophysics- Accepted 3/14 via mail, funding info coming soon
Minnesota - Astronomy - Astrophysics- Rejected 3/13 via email
Ohio State - Physics - Astrophysics - Accepted 2/3 via email, TA (at least $16,750 / 9 months)
Rochester - Physics - Astrophysics- Accepted 2/5 via email, TA ($17,640 / 9 months),fellowship ($2,000/yr) Summer RA positions available
UC Davis - Physics - Astrophysics
Arizona - Astronomy - Astrophysics- Rejected 2/7 via email
Notre Dame - Physics - Astrophysics- Rejected 3/9 via email
Massachusetts Amherst - 5 College Astronomy - Astrophysics
Iowa State - Physics - Astrophysics- Accepted 2/20 via email, TA ($15,500 / 9 months), fellowship ($1250/yr)

Undergrad Institution: Top 3 in England, rhymes with pimp and gimp
Major(s): Theoretical physics
Minor(s): None
GPA in Major: 80.6% (guess that makes a 4.0?)
Overall GPA: 80.6%
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class:12/188
Type of Student: male/international/Asian

GRE Scores:
Q: 760 /86%
V: 690 /96%
W: 5.5 /90%
P: 820 /77%

Research Experience: 2 summer placements at my institutions CMT group

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Best performance in 2nd yr maths exam prize

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: did a few months of physics tutoring before my degree

Special Bonus Points: One of my referees is chummy with the admissions guy at Georgia tech. Able to spin a book on 1 finger. Experienced in cleaning M16 assault rifles.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: 740 on my first attempt on the PGRE

Applying to Where:

Harvard - Applied physics - CMT - rejected by snail mail(dated 16/03/09), 20/03/09
Yale - physics - CMT - rejected by email, 12/02/09
UPenn - Physics - CMT - rejected by website, 30/03/09
Georgia tech - Physics - CMT - accepted by email, 03/03/09, $22000 TA <--- Shame to have to ditch Cambridge and go where the money is
Chicago - Physics - CMT - rejected by snail mail(dated 02/03/09), 11/03/09
Michigan at Ann Arbor - applied Physics - CMT - rejected, email enquiry reply on 20/03/09
UIUC - Physics - CMT - rejected by email, 25/03/09
Cambridge - Physics - CMT - accepted by snail mail(dated 19/03/09), 30/03/09 , no funding or fee waiver
Imperial - Physics -CMT - accepted by emai, 30/03/09 , no funding or fee waiver
______________________________________________

Undergrad Institution: Big State
Major(s): Physics, Mathematics
Minor(s):
GPA in Major: 4.0
Overall GPA: 4.0
Length of Degree: 5
Position in Class: 1 (small department)
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Scores:
Q: 760 (86%)
V: 680 (96%)
W: 4.0 (37%)
P: 780 (71%)

Research Experience: Worked at Texas Instruments as EE. Summer in CME (one talk out of it). Working on senior project in differential geometry. No publications

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Nothing outstanding

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Math tutor.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Not really.

Special Bonus Points: Well-known recommender. Students from my undergrad institution (which is not too well-known) succeeding at some of the schools I applied to.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I spent way too much time making my CV in LaTeX. Decent math background.

Applying to Where:

(All Physics - HEP Theory/Relativity)

Chicago - Rejected|Snail Mail|3/5/2009
UCSB - Rejected|Website|3/4/2009
Princeton - Rejected|Email|2/26/2009
Caltech - Rejected|Email|2/27/2009
UCLA - Accepted|Email|2/20/2009
UCSD - Accepted|Email|3/2/2009
Texas - Accepted|Email|2/2/2009
Penn - Rejected|Website|3/30/2009
Stony Brook - Accepted|Snail Mail|3/3/2009
Michigan - Rejected|Email (reply to inquiry)|3/10/2009
Duke - Waitlisted|Email|3/2/2009 <-- "Declined" waitlisting
Perimeter Institute (PSI) - Accepted|Email|3/18/2009

Undergrad Institution: huge state school, top 50 in physics
Major(s): physics, econ
Minor(s):
GPA in Major: 3.9
Overall GPA: 3.9
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: near top
Type of Student: domestic asian

GRE Scores:
Q: 800 (94%)
V: 660 (94%)
W: 5.5 (88%)
P: 960 (94%)

Research Experience: 1 year at large national lab, APS conference poster, "best poster award", senior thesis

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Phi Beta Kappa, Departmental Honors

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: none really

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Special Bonus Points: pretty good recommendations, one guy is a pretty big name in the field

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where:

Harvard ----- implicitly rejected (no contact whatsoever)
MIT ------ Accepted, snail mail postmarked 2/10, 12 month fellowship
Caltech ------- Rejected, email 2/27
Princeton Plasma ------ Accepted, email 2/24, full fellowship
Stanford ------- Accepted, email 2/27, ~32k RA / TA

Undergrad Institution: Big state school
Major(s): Astrophysics
Minor(s):
GPA in Major: 4.0
Overall GPA: 3.8
Length of Degree: 4 years business + 3 years physics
Position in Class: top
Type of Student: Domestic white female

GRE Scores:
Q: 760
V: 580
W: 3.5
P: 580


Research Experience: One REU, Presented a poster at AAS, One summer program at my school, Presented a talk at a regional conference, Additional research with a prof at my school

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Good scholarship from my department, Dean's List, Won departmental poster contest

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Physics tutor, Astronomy lab TA

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Don't think so

Special Bonus Points: Really good letters

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I have a business degree; don't know if it matters.

Applying to Where: All are Astronomy departments

University of Arizona - Rejected 2/17 by email
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Washington - Accepted 1/30 by phone call followed by email
University of Virginia
University of Florida - Accepted 2/13 by email
University of Michigan - Waitlisted 2/17 by email
University of Massachusetts - Accepted 2/17 by phone call
Indiana University - Accepted 2/11 by email

Hello~Everyone...I am a Chinese applicant...

Undergrad Institution: Shandong University, Jinan (China). Rank 5 in Undergraduate Education in China, and rank 9 in Condensed Matter Physics.of course totally unknown to you.
Major(s):Physics,BS.
Minor(s):N/A
GPA in Major:3.92
Overall GPA:3.71
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: Top 3 among 183
Type of Student: International, male

GRE Scores: 1270+3
Q: 800,96%
V: 470,53% <---What a shame...!
W: 3.0,8% ......(__+)
P: 990,96%
TOEFL Total: 98/120

Research Experience: Nearly two year in my advisor's spintronics research group. Recently work on the Sputtering system, fabricating TMR junctions. Involved in a research project. No paper...

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
National Endeavour Scholarship, National Ministry of Education (2008)
National Scholarship, National Ministry of Education (2007)
Government Outstanding student Scholarship, City Government of Jinan (2007)
Excellent undergraduate student Fellowship, Shandong Univ. (2006, 2007, 2008)

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: N/A

Applying to Where: US

Apply to Condensed Matter Experiment, esp. SPINTRONICS

UCSD - Physics -Condensed Matter Experiment, esp. SPINTRONICS-Rejected/3.16 Via Email......
Virginia - SEAS - Material Science & Engineering-Still under review
Brown - Physics - CME-Rejected......
Rice - Physics - CME-Rejected......
Penn State - Physics - CME-Wait list, then rejected-3.25
Ohio State - Physics - CME-Wait list, told me to wait...
Minnesota-Twin Citys - Physics - CME--Rejected via rude Email, 3.13; Damn!
Case Western - Physics - CME-Admitted-Feb,17-TA-Then add an award to me -Will attand!!
Texas A&M - Physics - CME-Smart rejection, told me no openning until mid April, if possible-4.3
Northeastern - Physics - CME-Still under review
Buffalo Suny - Physics - CME-Admitted-Feb,4-TA+Presidential Fellowship nomination-Declined offer
Alabama - Physics - CME-Admitted-Jan, 23-TA+Dean's Merit Fellowship nominaion-Declined offer

______________________________________________
Interviewed By Delaware on Feb, 18......Surprized...-Admitted-Feb,21-TA+Fellowship=26K [color=#0000FF]-Declined offer

Undergrad Institution: Big state school, top physics program
Major(s): Engineering Physics (astronomy too if it wasn't such a hassle)
Minor(s):
GPA in Major: 3.75
Overall GPA: 3.71
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: top I think, not sure
Type of Student: Domestic non-white male

GRE Scores:
Q: 790
V: 610
W: 5.0
P: 750


Research Experience: REU in observational cosmology, worked in a CM lab at home institution

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: None really, boring stuff

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: None, a few non-pertinent ones though

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: AAS presentation, future publication in the works

Special Bonus Points: good letters I think, two of them in the field I would like to continue in, Grad seminar courses

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I mentioned some success in a club sport. Its nice to be well-rounded I think.

Applying to Where: Cosmology, Observational and Instrumentation

University of California-SB Accepted, TA/RAship 2/23
University of California-SC
University of California-LA Accepted, TA/RAship + fellowship 3/2
University of California-Davis Accepted, TA and 5000$ Fellowship, 2/9 Declined Offer
University of Chicago Accepted, 1500$ Fellowship per month, 2/13
University of Minnesota Accepted, Fellowship Nomination 5000$,1/21 Declined Offer
NYU
Columbia
University of Texas-Austin Accepted, 1/28 Declined Offer
Johns Hopkins University Thought I was accepted after receiving Open House info, then received an email explaining some sort of error. Not happy about that
McGill Accepted 3/20 Declined Offer
University of Washington-Seattle
Brown University Accepted 2/17 Declined Offer

My professors had suggested I apply to more top schools, and in retrospect I think I should have. Up close I think I underestimated my application, but overall it holds together well.

Undergrad Institution: One of CUNY Schools of NYC
Major: Physics
Minor: Math
GPA in Physics: 3.81
Overall GPA: 3.89
Length of Degree: 4 yrs
Position in Class: don't know.
Type of Student: Domestic, non-white male, ( lets say Indian, if you're really curious)


GRE Scores
Q:720 (76%)
V:590 (83%)
W:5.0 (77%)
P: 680 (52%)

Research Experience: REU at University of Minnesota on Cryogenic Dark Matter Experiment
1 yr at home institute, but didn't do anything beside refill helium in dewars

Awards: Introductory Physics Prize (basically b/c I got A's in my two intro level classes)
Some Award for Academic Excellence (also from physics dept, maybe just for keeping the
Physics GPA above some level, perhaps 3.5)
Jobs: Worked at a copy/stationary store like Kinko's since 2nd semester

Misc: VP of Physics Club, 2nd year, President 3rd year, member of dept's executive committee 3rd and 4th yr.

Bonus Pts: Including last semester I will have taken 4 grad course: Math Methods, Solid State, QM 1,2

Applied:

University of California, Berkley -
University of Washington- Seattle -
University of Michigan -Ann Arbor - Rejected, 2/26
University of Minnesota- Accepted 2/4, TA + fellowship offer
University of Pennsylvania- Accepted 2/17, TA + small fellowship all incoming students get
Stony Brook University -
Rutgers University -
Syracuse University - Accepted 2/12, TA

I feel the same way as conunDrum, I originally had UCLA, Madison, Cornell, NYU, and Columbia, on my app, but I took them off after the horrible PGRE score, but now thinking about it, I should have just went for it, if they want to reject them that's fine, or at least that's what I should have told myself. Oh well, for now It looks like I'll give going to Minnesota, which I am happy about.

Undergrad Institution: Private school, very good reputation
Major(s): Math, Physics
Minor(s): None
GPA in Major: 3.4
Overall GPA: 3.4
Length of Degree: 4
Position in Class: Average
Type of Student: Domestic male

GRE Scores:
Q: 800
V: 600
W: 4.5
P: 780

Research Experience: Three semesters - two in optics, one in accelerator physics

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Nope

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Nope

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Undergraduate thesis, but not published.

Special Bonus Points: My statement of purpose was kick-ass.

Applying to Where:

Arizona - Planetary Sciences - Accepted
Boston University - Astronomy - Accepted
Cornell - Astronomy
Michigan - Space and Planetary Physics - Accepted
MIT - EAPS - Accepted
Texas - Astronomy - Accepted
UCLA - ESS
Virginia - Astronomy

Undergrad Institution: A University of California
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): Math
GPA in Major: 3.6
Overall GPA: 3.8
Length of Degree: 4 years
Position in Class: top 25%
Type of Student: domestic white

GRE Scores:
Q: 800
V: 440
W: 4... I think
P: 820



Research Experience: Have done research at my school in experimental plasma physics for about a year. No publications

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: nope

Special Bonus Points: none

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: a letter of rec to UW Madison got sent way late.

Applying to Where:

Princeton - plasma physics experiment - rejected (02/25/09).
UC Los Angeles - plasma physics experiment - rejected (03/20/09)
UC Irvine - plasma physics experiment - accepted by email (02/20/09) 16.5 T/A w/ 10k fellowship(offer accepted)
UC San Diego - plasma physics experiment - accepted (03/03/09)
UT Austin - plasma physics theory- accepted by email 16.5 T/A +10K (02/02/09)
UW Madison - plasma physics theory - Rejected (03/10/09)

Undergrad Institution: Large State School
Major(s): Physics
Minor(s): Mathematics (1 Course shy of the major)
GPA in Major: 3.82
Overall GPA: 3.78
Length of Degree: 4
Position in Class: lower top
Type of Student: Domestic Male

GRE Scores:
Q: 770
V: 520
W: 4.5
P: 590 <---- Yikes


Research Experience:
Two years calibrating electronics for neutrino experiment
Another year doing similar thing on another neutrino experiment
Helped in construction of particle detector (limited time, like a month total if you add up all the hours)
Small software project for running neutrino experiment

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
Undergraduate research award at University
Dean's list every term

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Special Bonus Points:

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
I can program in 2 useful languages, 1 fun one, and 1 useless language

Applying to Where:
All for HEP/Experiment (mostly neutrino programs -> neutrinos are pretty cool)

UC Irvine - Accepted by email 2/19 with 5k Fellowship and TA <-- Will Attend!!
UC Davis - Withdrew application 4/8
Indiana University- Rejected by mail 2/2
University of Pittsburgh - Accepted by email 3/2 funding info to follow<----Declined 4/10
University of Pennsylvania - Wait-listed and praying a spot opens up<----Withdrew application 4/10
Stony Brook - Accepted by email 2/26 with TA - Offered summer RA<---Declined 4/10
Columbia - Rejected by email 3/4
Boston University - Rejected by email 4/9
University of Chicago - Rejected by mail 3/3 (Dated FEB 27th)
Northwestern - Rejected by website 3/19
University of Colorado - Rejected by email 3/10
Colorado State University- Accepted by email 2/9 with TA 1725/month <---Declined 3/2
University of British Columbia- Accepted by email 2/13 funding info to follow <----- Declined 4/9 (I really liked it there... funding not that good)
University of Toronto - Accepted by email 3/18 funding info to follow<----Declined 4/10


All are for Ph.D. except the canadian schools, they are M.Sc.