
so basically i got Q:720, V:590, and writing i guess i have to wait for. my question is what to do now?
option A) retake by end of November, but i have to get an 800 for sure otherwise re-test probably looks useless.
option B) take it next year (still have to get 800) meaning deciding to stay for a fifth year. while i wait i was thinking of taking a couple of more grad classes and working with a professor who does theoretical work. however this won't lead to a publication, and i won't be coming out with a 2nd degree, or another minor or anything. so maybe doing the 5th year will also look weird, and just be an overall waste of time.
Please use the profile below to figure out just where i stand.
Overall GPA;3.888
Physics GPA; 3.710 ( i think this is bad since, its lower than my overall)
Research Experience: 1 REU at the University of Minnesota
Extra-circulars: `Vice-president of Physics Club (sophmore year), president (junior year) ,and i'm doing some tutoring for intermediate level physics classes this year. i'm also the undergrad representative on the department's executive board.
Work: I work at a stationary/copy place on Saturdays.
Schools I'm applying to (or least wanted to apply to)
UCB, UCLA, Columbia, NYU, Cornell, U of Wisconsin, U of Michigan, U of Washington, Penn State, Rutgers, Stony Brook, U of Minnesota, Syracuse U.
I was going to apply for high energy theory only, but now with my grades I might say i want to do both theory and experiment, on the applications. and even some things outside high energy.
Other stuff: i've got two awards from science department. one was specifically for physics. and if we include this semester i will have taken 3 graduate classes. one was Math Methods (which makes my crappy math score an even bigger joke). the other two are this semester, they are Solid State, and Quantum Mechanics 1. i might be able to take 3 more grad classes next semester.
I have a friend who is doing a physics PhD and he told me not to worry about it too much. that i should just try to get a really good score on the Physics GRE that, that would be enough kinda. and that i should just put this test behind me.
what do you guys recommend i do?