What makes including research proposal in application bad?

  • This has become our largest and most active forum because the physics GRE is just one aspect of getting accepted into a graduate physics program.
  • There are applications, personal statements, letters of recommendation, visiting schools, anxiety of waiting for acceptances, deciding between schools, finding out where others are going, etc.

Post Reply
jchys
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:09 am

What makes including research proposal in application bad?

Post by jchys » Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:44 am

I read some posts that mention this, isn't it better to be specific rather than being vague on what your interests are?
Can someone share some thoughts?

User avatar
noojens
Posts: 187
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:59 pm

Re: What makes including research proposal in application bad?

Post by noojens » Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:03 pm

Depends. It's okay not to know what you want to specialize in after 4 years of undergrad, especially if you don't have a lot of research experience yet. Honestly, most people don't.

If you do write about a very specific topic, it'll look good iff:
1) you demonstrate a solid understanding of the field;
2) you propose a novel or at least interesting project; and
3) the school you're applying to has researchers with funding in that area.

That's my take, anyway. :)

signminus
Posts: 25
Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2010 12:15 pm

Re: What makes including research proposal in application bad?

Post by signminus » Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:20 pm

This could also work against you, though. For instance, if you state a narrow field of interest on your application, and all the researchers in this area at the school in question happen not to be taking new students, then there's a good chance you'll be SOL. It's good to check into these things before getting to specific about your interests.



Post Reply