Is this list of applications stupid?
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2018 12:44 am
Majors: Physics and Mathematics
Minors: Computer Science
School: State University, not particularly well known.
Demographic: US white male
GPA 4.0/4.0
GRE:
Q:165
V:160
A:4.5
pGRE: 910
Research:
I have been working on several projects in numerical and theoretical Relativity, with one 3rd author paper submitted to PRD. I also got an REU in computational condensed matter at another state institution. I additionally did a poster presentation at an APS meeting, and a poster at a smaller poster session.
Jobs:
TA, grader, and peer mentor. Also, treasurer of SPS.
Accolades:
dean's and chancellor's list (GPA)
three merit-based scholarships
So far, these are schools to which I am applying.
MIT - CMT/QI
Caltech - CMT/QI
UChicago - CMT/QI
UMD - CMT/QI
UIUC - CMT
CU Boulder - CMT/QI
Cornell - CMT
State School where I did my REU - CMT/QI
Rutgers - CMT
Is this a recipe for disaster? What are the odds that I wind up getting rejected everywhere but my obvious fallback? I feel like my personal statements and rec letters are solid/above average. At this stage, I am sick of studying/applying/Proposal_Writing. Would it be wise of me to add an additional four or five medium state schools (Ohio State, UT Austin, Northwestern,...)?
Minors: Computer Science
School: State University, not particularly well known.
Demographic: US white male
GPA 4.0/4.0
GRE:
Q:165
V:160
A:4.5
pGRE: 910
Research:
I have been working on several projects in numerical and theoretical Relativity, with one 3rd author paper submitted to PRD. I also got an REU in computational condensed matter at another state institution. I additionally did a poster presentation at an APS meeting, and a poster at a smaller poster session.
Jobs:
TA, grader, and peer mentor. Also, treasurer of SPS.
Accolades:
dean's and chancellor's list (GPA)
three merit-based scholarships
So far, these are schools to which I am applying.
MIT - CMT/QI
Caltech - CMT/QI
UChicago - CMT/QI
UMD - CMT/QI
UIUC - CMT
CU Boulder - CMT/QI
Cornell - CMT
State School where I did my REU - CMT/QI
Rutgers - CMT
Is this a recipe for disaster? What are the odds that I wind up getting rejected everywhere but my obvious fallback? I feel like my personal statements and rec letters are solid/above average. At this stage, I am sick of studying/applying/Proposal_Writing. Would it be wise of me to add an additional four or five medium state schools (Ohio State, UT Austin, Northwestern,...)?