School choice overhaul, need a bit of advice
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 2:03 pm
Hi everyone. I've posted here before, but upon receiving my abysmal PGRE score, I've decided to completely overhaul my school list in favor of some much easier schools to get into. Everything is for Astro research. I've found a lot of programs that don't require the PGRE, and I'll be applying to mostly those. If you can think of any other Physics, Astro or Planetary programs that won't require submission of the PGRE score, I'd be happy to hear about them. As of right now, here is my profile, with the school list below:
Undergrad Institution: State University, no rep for physics
Undergraduate Major(s): Physics
GPA in Major: 3.18
Overall GPA: 3.17
Type of Student: Domestic White Male
GRE Scores:
Q: 155 (60%)
V: 155 (67%)
W: 3.5 (38%)
P: 500 (9%) (obligatory )
Research Experience:
Two years on a significant astro instrumentation project funded by a huge NSF grant. Advisor of this project is my primary recommendor, and he will write me a stellar letter. The research itself is highly notable and should look really great on my application. Publication pending in a reputable journal.
I also just recently started some research with another notable Yale professor doing observational stellar astronomy -- the details of which she doesn't really want me to discuss, as we're fighting time on this project. If we're successful, this will provide significant evidence toward a recent theory about a specific Milky Way satellite, and that will lead to another publication on which I will be the second author. This advisor is my second recommendor.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
Tutored physics to the youngins' at my school, did generic lab work/repair work for the physics department. Presentations regarding my research for the Physics Club, and I've represented the Physics department at a number of university events.
Other Information:
Major coursework such as E&M, Classical and Quantum came way later in my studies than they should have. Also worked 30+ hours a week (plus research) for most of my college career.
Applying to Where:
Schools that will not require PGRE scores are noted by "NO PGRE." The schools that do require a score are mostly programs at which my advisors have colleagues (some of whom I've met) and thus I stand a better chance in spite of my poor score. These I've marked with a *.
Reach:
University of Delaware - Physics & Astronomy *
University of Hawaii - Astronomy
Caltech - Planetary Sciences NO PGRE
Optimistic:
Georgia State - Physics & Astronomy *
Stony Brook - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE
University of Pittsburgh - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE
Florida Institute of Technology - Space Sciences NO PGRE
University of New Hampshire - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE
Clemson - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE *
University of Iowa - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE
University of Oklahoma - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE
If you know of any other Space Science, Planetary Science or Astro programs that don't require a PGRE and that I'll stand a good chance at, please let me know. Likewise, if any of these look horribly out of my reach, let me know so I can avoid wasting the app fee. Obviously my research is my selling point -- as such, schools like Caltech, which prioritize research, are at the top of my list. I really don't care about getting into a "prestigious" university; I want to do astronomical research and that's all I care about. If my career is spent doing research like I have been the past two years, I will die a very happy man.
Undergrad Institution: State University, no rep for physics
Undergraduate Major(s): Physics
GPA in Major: 3.18
Overall GPA: 3.17
Type of Student: Domestic White Male
GRE Scores:
Q: 155 (60%)
V: 155 (67%)
W: 3.5 (38%)
P: 500 (9%) (obligatory )
Research Experience:
Two years on a significant astro instrumentation project funded by a huge NSF grant. Advisor of this project is my primary recommendor, and he will write me a stellar letter. The research itself is highly notable and should look really great on my application. Publication pending in a reputable journal.
I also just recently started some research with another notable Yale professor doing observational stellar astronomy -- the details of which she doesn't really want me to discuss, as we're fighting time on this project. If we're successful, this will provide significant evidence toward a recent theory about a specific Milky Way satellite, and that will lead to another publication on which I will be the second author. This advisor is my second recommendor.
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
Tutored physics to the youngins' at my school, did generic lab work/repair work for the physics department. Presentations regarding my research for the Physics Club, and I've represented the Physics department at a number of university events.
Other Information:
Major coursework such as E&M, Classical and Quantum came way later in my studies than they should have. Also worked 30+ hours a week (plus research) for most of my college career.
Applying to Where:
Schools that will not require PGRE scores are noted by "NO PGRE." The schools that do require a score are mostly programs at which my advisors have colleagues (some of whom I've met) and thus I stand a better chance in spite of my poor score. These I've marked with a *.
Reach:
University of Delaware - Physics & Astronomy *
University of Hawaii - Astronomy
Caltech - Planetary Sciences NO PGRE
Optimistic:
Georgia State - Physics & Astronomy *
Stony Brook - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE
University of Pittsburgh - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE
Florida Institute of Technology - Space Sciences NO PGRE
University of New Hampshire - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE
Clemson - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE *
University of Iowa - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE
University of Oklahoma - Physics & Astronomy NO PGRE
If you know of any other Space Science, Planetary Science or Astro programs that don't require a PGRE and that I'll stand a good chance at, please let me know. Likewise, if any of these look horribly out of my reach, let me know so I can avoid wasting the app fee. Obviously my research is my selling point -- as such, schools like Caltech, which prioritize research, are at the top of my list. I really don't care about getting into a "prestigious" university; I want to do astronomical research and that's all I care about. If my career is spent doing research like I have been the past two years, I will die a very happy man.