Physics GRE Discussion Forums

hi,

i'm interested in experimental condensed matter physics and complex system
now i'm fixing up the list of programs to app
but i'm not sure how many factors should be considered
since some concrete information is not on the home page of those grad schools,
some other resources is needed
anyone can give me some suggestions?

best regards

..........

RG:

If the information on gradschoolshopper is any indication, I'd actually presume condensed matter is far and away the most popular field in the country. The breakdown between theory and experiment looks like it leans more toward the experimentalists, but there's no lack of CM theorists either.

That said, I don't mean to sound like a jerk, or come off like some threads on here (the sentiment occasionally being that basically, if you don't score higher than 97% of everyone else interested in pursuing graduate school you shouldn't even be trying)... So what I'll say is this: There's six billion some people on this rock- sure there's no shortage of scientists, but there's no shortage of teenagers to man the fryers at McDonald's either, so keep on keeping on; good luck!

@ will,
What do you mean I shud not even be trying if I do not have 97%??? are you talkin about the GRE physics score!

yeah, 97th percentile on the physics GRE. But it's not me saying that, I'm just saying that I've read threads on this board that convey this doom-and-gloom message that no one except Einstein or Feynman can make it in this business, where I'm saying that frankly isn't true... But the other thing I'm saying is that you'll be far from lonely in Condensed Matter Theory, but that's okay. It's a big field and it's not going anywhere.

Remember this, if nothing goes on in the field, then it is your job to make it RUN!!

i plan to do CMT in grad school too...you're not alone RG

@nvanmeter
This is really Cool!
So where are you applying to? When did u take ur subject GRE! How did it go!!
Also if you do not mind can you tell me the title of your articleon Physical Review A? I would really enjoy going through the article. I have interest in quantum optics too. I hope this is not too personal.
Thanks.

i'm applying to UIUC, UCSB, UCSD, Stanford, Berkeley, CalTech, MIT, Cornell.

i took the gre nov 3 - answered 99, but might have made a few careless mistakes for all i know (i always seem to...), but hopefully 990 still. it seems that we're applying to pretty much the same places.

..............

I want to do CMT in grad school too. But very poor GRE's may preclude that as a possibility. Oh well I'm still going to apply anyways.

And congrats on the publication! I'm in the process of getting published in JVST-B, not the most amazing journal out there, but still, it's a great feeling!