Genuine Advice on my Prospects
Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2019 9:45 pm
I am recently graduated and I am planning on applying to graduate schools for physics (PhD) but I am very hesitant due to my low grades. I will be applying during the upcoming cycle (in late fall, early winter). I will put it simply:
Undergraduate Institution: I believe around a top 20 in physics
Major(s): Physics:Biophysics, Chemistry
Minors(s): None
Overall GPA: 3.02
Overall Physics GPA: 3.08
GPA last two years: 3.42
Physics GPA last two years: 3.52 (most of my classes over the last two years have been physics)
GRE: Shall be taking both the general and PGRE in the fall, studying for ~ 2.5 months religiously.
Research: Will have +1.5 years research by the time I apply. My name will hopefully be on a paper soon, perhaps two. If I continue through the fall, perhaps I can have my name on more.
L.O.R.: One from research adviser, other two I am unsure as of yet.
I was a transfer student into my university, my low grades are due to my first year at university in which I was in a different major that I despised. I then changed to physics and chemistry and loved my physics courses (chemistry of little importance to me). I decided to stay an extra year at university solely so I could major in physics. My goal is to become a physics graduate student (not necessarily in biophysics), as my research has been in electrostatics/electrodynamics/optics.
Beyond any doubt, I know physics graduate school (PhD) is what I want to do. However, I know my GPA overall is horrid. Could anyone give me some advice on how bad my application might be? How much will this low GPA effect my prospects? How can I improve (GRE scores notwithstanding)? I am afraid to even ask the graduate students I am around because I am quite embarrassed by it.
If I have the opportunity, I might try additional research through the summer to get another "good" letter of recommendation. I will also be studying for the GRE and PGRE with great devotion.
Thank you to any who reply, it would be greatly appreciated.
Undergraduate Institution: I believe around a top 20 in physics
Major(s): Physics:Biophysics, Chemistry
Minors(s): None
Overall GPA: 3.02
Overall Physics GPA: 3.08
GPA last two years: 3.42
Physics GPA last two years: 3.52 (most of my classes over the last two years have been physics)
GRE: Shall be taking both the general and PGRE in the fall, studying for ~ 2.5 months religiously.
Research: Will have +1.5 years research by the time I apply. My name will hopefully be on a paper soon, perhaps two. If I continue through the fall, perhaps I can have my name on more.
L.O.R.: One from research adviser, other two I am unsure as of yet.
I was a transfer student into my university, my low grades are due to my first year at university in which I was in a different major that I despised. I then changed to physics and chemistry and loved my physics courses (chemistry of little importance to me). I decided to stay an extra year at university solely so I could major in physics. My goal is to become a physics graduate student (not necessarily in biophysics), as my research has been in electrostatics/electrodynamics/optics.
Beyond any doubt, I know physics graduate school (PhD) is what I want to do. However, I know my GPA overall is horrid. Could anyone give me some advice on how bad my application might be? How much will this low GPA effect my prospects? How can I improve (GRE scores notwithstanding)? I am afraid to even ask the graduate students I am around because I am quite embarrassed by it.
If I have the opportunity, I might try additional research through the summer to get another "good" letter of recommendation. I will also be studying for the GRE and PGRE with great devotion.
Thank you to any who reply, it would be greatly appreciated.