I have an unusual profile combining low grades and high test scores.
I had a 3.0 GPA at Caltech. I entered in the class of 2007 and graduated in 2009 due to academic problems. I didn't like doing the work I was given, concentrated on whatever I thought was interesting at the time (only sometimes physics), and failed the junior-level advanced quantum and EM courses. Two years later I finally finished them.
I spent my summers teaching at a high school camp rather than doing research, except the first two summers (2004 and 2005) when I did some basically-fruitless research.
After graduating, I worked at a tutoring agency, then at a pharmaceutical company doing statistics.
My test scores came out well (P / Q / V / W = 970 / 800 / 800 / 5.5).
I thought that my job experience would indicate that I had matured enough to have the work ethic required for grad school and that my test scores would indicate I had the aptitude. Since my poor academic record was due to the way I acted four years ago, and is no longer under my control, I hoped to get cut some slack.
As it turned out, I was rejected at eleven of the twelve schools I applied to, and accepted to Johns Hopkins.
So, should I be grateful to have gotten one acceptance, or should I expected to have some choice in where to attend?
Should I be more surprised at my acceptance or my rejection?
Re: Should I be more surprised at my acceptance or my rejection?
Being a domestic student yourself, I think you have a good application package.meichenl wrote:I have an unusual profile combining low grades and high test scores.
I had a 3.0 GPA at Caltech. I entered in the class of 2007 and graduated in 2009 due to academic problems. I didn't like doing the work I was given, concentrated on whatever I thought was interesting at the time (only sometimes physics), and failed the junior-level advanced quantum and EM courses. Two years later I finally finished them.
I spent my summers teaching at a high school camp rather than doing research, except the first two summers (2004 and 2005) when I did some basically-fruitless research.
After graduating, I worked at a tutoring agency, then at a pharmaceutical company doing statistics.
My test scores came out well (P / Q / V / W = 970 / 800 / 800 / 5.5).
I thought that my job experience would indicate that I had matured enough to have the work ethic required for grad school and that my test scores would indicate I had the aptitude. Since my poor academic record was due to the way I acted four years ago, and is no longer under my control, I hoped to get cut some slack.
As it turned out, I was rejected at eleven of the twelve schools I applied to, and accepted to Johns Hopkins.
So, should I be grateful to have gotten one acceptance, or should I expected to have some choice in where to attend?
So I would suggest, stay calm and normal and be confident that you're going Grad Class this time.
lol
Re: Should I be more surprised at my acceptance or my rejection?
A lot of school look at/for research, I'd say this was the major weakness in your applications.
Re: Should I be more surprised at my acceptance or my rejection?
I think this here is your problem. The job environment is very different from the academic environment (or at least that is the way many academics see it), and you still have not done anything to show that your motivation for academics has changed. You have not yet demonstrated you can be successful in that environment, let alone in independent research.meichenl wrote:I thought that my job experience would indicate that I had matured enough to have the work ethic required for grad school and that my test scores would indicate I had the aptitude. Since my poor academic record was due to the way I acted four years ago, and is no longer under my control, I hoped to get cut some slack.
You should start with a masters program and kick ass in it, and then I bet you won't have any trouble with PhD admissions.
Edit: just went back and found your profile and saw that you've accepted Johns Hopkins offer of admission. I think that's a fine school and a fine decision, and you should go and do the best you can. If you do good work there you'll move on to good post doc and I don't think it has to hold you back in any way.