Physics GRE Discussion Forums

Hey everyone, I have been upset over the past few weeks about what graduate schools I might be able to attend and would like to hear some input. I am currently interested in chemical physics. My GPA is relatively weak (a 3.25 out of 4) but it is low specifically because of one bad semester where I got 3 C's and an A. Over the last two semesters I have averaged a 3.6. I am currently getting a double degree in Physics and Astronomy with a minor in geophysics. I am taking the subject GRE and am scoring around the 750 to 800 area. The strong point is that I have been doing research in a geophysics lab for about a year and an AMO physics lab for 2. In my AMO lab I am sending in one paper where I am first author for review and another paper where I am second author for review before the end of this semester. I have also attended a conference in Rochester where I presented my research. I dont know if it helps but in addition to this I have been a fraternity president and an officer in my schools chapter of SPS. I know that these grades are not good enough to get me into a top school but I am trying to apply to boulder, JohnsHopkins, UMD or Austin Texas. I was wondering how much of a reach these schools will be because i honestly am afraid that my GPA will put me in bad standing. As for recommendations they should be strong from both of the professors I have worked with.

Please give me you opinion, I greatly appreciate it,
B.

If you have a bunch of research experience and a paper and strong recs and a good score on the PGRE I think you have a good shot at getting into one of those schools. Although important, GPA is just one piece of the application.

You have a realistic chance for all of those schools. However, as been addressed many times on this forum: Apply to SAFETY schools.

-Riley