Should I even try?
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:31 am
Hello Forum!
I am physics undergrad just starting out in the physics part of my work, and I think very much I would like to continue on into grad school, perhaps especially for astronomy. However, I have a few thing that could keep me from reaching these dreams and I wonder how severe the impairment will be and how I can over come them. I want to look at this by taking a few things for granted:
1. Say I very good gpa when I am applying for grad school >3.6 or so
2. Better than average Physics GRE
3. A decent amount of research and good letters
This might by a lot to ask for but I think it is well within reach. Now here are the factors against me that will show up to people considering to bring me on as a phd candidate.
1. I won't be graduating until I am 25( not sure how big of deal this is)
2. At my first attempt at college I did completely horrid, was far more interested in partying and dropped out after 3 semesters.(this was at an unknown small state college)
3. Spent a few years doing part-time community college courses until I figure out what I wanted to do.
4. Went back to a reasonably well known Campus of a large State university system, I do have a few W's(2), I just hated the courses and didn't go and one F, in Calculus I not for academic but personal reasons, I took the CLEP for Calculus and got a nearly perfect score and did extremely well in subsequent math classes.
Clearly, I have a lot to atone for but recently underwent something of a soul-searching period and so far have a 4.0 GPA and am focusing intently on my school work. I don't see any more F's or W's in my future. So my next two years will be almost completely my physics major and associated math courses. I do work my ass off and ace across the board, do I have a chance to fulfill my dream?
I am physics undergrad just starting out in the physics part of my work, and I think very much I would like to continue on into grad school, perhaps especially for astronomy. However, I have a few thing that could keep me from reaching these dreams and I wonder how severe the impairment will be and how I can over come them. I want to look at this by taking a few things for granted:
1. Say I very good gpa when I am applying for grad school >3.6 or so
2. Better than average Physics GRE
3. A decent amount of research and good letters
This might by a lot to ask for but I think it is well within reach. Now here are the factors against me that will show up to people considering to bring me on as a phd candidate.
1. I won't be graduating until I am 25( not sure how big of deal this is)
2. At my first attempt at college I did completely horrid, was far more interested in partying and dropped out after 3 semesters.(this was at an unknown small state college)
3. Spent a few years doing part-time community college courses until I figure out what I wanted to do.
4. Went back to a reasonably well known Campus of a large State university system, I do have a few W's(2), I just hated the courses and didn't go and one F, in Calculus I not for academic but personal reasons, I took the CLEP for Calculus and got a nearly perfect score and did extremely well in subsequent math classes.
Clearly, I have a lot to atone for but recently underwent something of a soul-searching period and so far have a 4.0 GPA and am focusing intently on my school work. I don't see any more F's or W's in my future. So my next two years will be almost completely my physics major and associated math courses. I do work my ass off and ace across the board, do I have a chance to fulfill my dream?