Guitarfire wrote:I'm an international student.I graduated this year and would like to apply for a PhD next fall.I would really like to do my PhD in High Energy theory.I am not saying this by watching Brain Greene's Episodes,I know how difficult it is.And,I don't really consider ranking as a good measure.Right now,I am working as a project student and my work is mainly experimental and related to Condensed matter.It's not that I don't like experiments but I have a special interest on High energy theory,not strings but something related to Field theory.
I know it is really difficult to get into High energy theory because it is extremely competitive and low-funded.I want to be realistic and what I can do to my profile that can increase my chances of getting into a university?I have more than six months.Can you suggest me anything?
Thanks in advance..
Guitarfire wrote:Our undergraduate program is not that bad,we had four mathematics courses,one year long physics course(including some quantum mechanics) and Electromagnetic field theory.
bfollinprm wrote:Yes, get a masters. Your application is a joke without at least one full semester of advanced undergraduate quantum mechanics. It's likely you'll also need statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, relativistic E&M, and possibly some more work in math methods. I know a few engineer-types who ended up in our first year courses when the applied science department dissolved here at Davis, and they really struggled with the math methods class. Admissions know this, and need to see proof that you know your stuff well enough to survive before they commit to funding you.
admissionprof wrote:Guitarfire wrote:Our undergraduate program is not that bad,we had four mathematics courses,one year long physics course(including some quantum mechanics) and Electromagnetic field theory.
One year long physics course (which includes some quantum) and EM field theory would not be enough to get you into our graduate program, and we aren't top 20. And HE theory makes it even less likely. I think a Masters in physics would be needed (at least the masters level courses - the degree isn't important). Good luck.
Guitarfire wrote:I am doing a project at an university right now.There is a possibility that I can register for the advanced level courses taught here,but that would be unofficial.Would admissions committee take them into account?I looked up your previous posts and you said that anything which is not official would not be considered.If I am able to get a mention from the professor that I had actually taken the courses,would you consider that?
kangaroo wrote:My only question is how would you even know you're interested in something "related to field" theory if it sounds like you had little to no exposure to it? Have you at least opened a copy of Peskin and Schroeder and worked through the problems? HET is one of those things that sound really cool, but only once you dive into it one realizes just what a massive mess it actually is. If you don't have prior research experience specific to HET, no school is going to be convinced about your commitment to HET.
Return to “Prospective Physics Graduate Student Topics”
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests