geofizic

Hello, Thought I would give an update on my situation. So far it was been approx. 1 year into my 2 years MSc. I have taken 3 courses, 2 of which were physics. Did really well in those, however, on the 3rd course got an A- which drags my GPA down a bit. Gained loads of experience in my research field and traveled to the US to do experiments. I won a small travel grant for that ($500). I was fortunate enough to spend 5 weeks in Asia as a research intern (competitive application) and gained more experience and learned about new research techniques. I guess I did all I could really, except publish something. I tried hard to get a paper out, but wasn't happy with the quality. Also, there was some office politics/lack of support that got in the way. I was really lucky to get the research internship. I was a TA for 2 semesters, and this semester is my third. So I also have some teaching experience. Anyways, now that I read what I posted last year and application time is in, I actually feel less confident about my chances lol. I have contacted profs of interest. Only one gave me a somewhat favorable reply. When contacting this person I chose not to share my undergrad GPA. However, they were interested in my research experience and said I was definitely a good match....... if only I can pass the applications committee. It is kind of convenient, because I have narrowed down my interests to the one professor in only one school that I am targeting. I really don't plan on applying to any other "safety" schools. I just don't see myself going to a place I am not satisfied with. I still feel the weight of my undergrad GPA, but I guess I won't know until I actually get accepted/rejected. I will be writing the GRE sometime in November, just have to find time to study for it.

I am looking for an application review. I recently graduated a top 3 Canadian university with a BSc in Physics. In September 2015, I will be starting a MSc in geophysics at a mid-level Canadian university. After completing my MSc by the summer of 2017, my goal is to apply/attend one of the following PhD programs to start at fall 2017: - Stanford University (Geological sciences) - Princeton University (Geosciences) - Caltech (Geosciences) - U of Chicago (Geophysical sciences) - Northwestern (Applied Physics) - U of Texas – Austin (Geosciences) (Public) - Stoney Brook (Physics) (Public) - Harvard (Physics) - The Ohio State University (Earth Sciences) (Public) - University of Arizona (Earth Sciences) (Public) - University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Engineering) (Public) - Florida international University (Material science) (Public) - Yale University (Geoscience) There are other groups of interest in Washington state, and Wisconsin -Madison, but these too are public schools. I chose these universities/programs because they have a Professor/research group/center that does similar research to what I will be doing in my master's. I am hoping that ~2 years of experience in the research field will be a great asset when applying to these programs because it can be quiet expensive to train students on the experimental research techniques I will be doing. My master’s research will be hands-on experiments and lab work that includes trips to Argonne and Brookhaven national labs for data collection. Although the field is usually under the geophysics label it is actually more physics/condensed matter physics. Therefore, classical geophysicists don’t have the necessary background to be competitive in the field, and physicist would prefer to go for a physics degree. This could potentially increase my chances of admittance. You can probably tell that most of the universities in the list are easily ranked in the top 10 in any field (either geosciences or physics). Which presents a problem for me because my undergraduate cGPA isn’t impressive at all. The reason I got accepted into a fully funded MSc program was due to relevant research experience, a strong LOR and doing much better in my last 3 semesters GPA wise. In addition, after 2 weeks of searching the internet the best research groups (lab equipment, group size, reserach topics, funding,) are mostly in top private schools. The others are mostly in public universities. Having read on the internet that getting accepted to US grad schools as an international student is more difficult in when applying to public schools. Hence, it could be more likely to be accepted by a high ranking private school than a mid-ranking public school. Summary: Undergrad Institution: top 3 Canada Major(s): Physics Overall GPA: 3.12 Position in Class: not sure, but the low cGPA speaks for itself Graduate (Masters) Institution: mid-level Canada Major(s): Geophysics Overall GPA: TBD Type of Student: Canadian GRE Scores (revised/old version): Have not taken yet Physics GRE Scores (revised/old version): Have not taken yet, plan on taking for physics programs and to reinforce poor cGPA. Research Experience: Completed 1 semester research course with an A (3 months, experimental condensed matter). Awarded an undergraduate research fellowship by department (4 months, experimental condensed matter). Awards/Honors/Recognitions: - Entrance scholarship for MSc, - Department scholarship in BSc, - Summer research fellowship in BSc. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Will probably be a TA or RA by the time I graduate from the MSc Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Will probably have taken a number of physics/geophysics/geology graduate courses. Can’t think of anything else, any suggestions? Special Bonus Points: Strong recommendation from undergraduate supervisor (supervisor top in his field), probably a recommendation from MSc PI. Relevant research experience so maybe a good fit for most groups.Another thing that works to my advantage is that my PI at my MSc university did his post doc at one of the top ivy league schools in my list, and frequently collaborates with the professors running the research groups at that group and another group in a top public university. My PI also has relations/acquaintances with the profs in Chicago, and Stanford (the research field is really small, particularly in North America). Also, from reviewing numerous application profiles, it seems that it is easier to get accepted to a PhD program in geoscience than in physics, which seems to be much more competitive. My questions are: - Given my current situation, is there anything I can do in the next 2 years during my Master’s to help overcome my low undergraduate cGPA? I will be taking Quantum, Condensed matter, crystallography and electrodynamics (Jackson) graduate courses. I hope by doing well in these courses I can strengthen my application. - This is might be silly to ask, but what are my chances of getting accepted to these groups? do I have a shot, or am I delusional? - I have read that a MSc can a help or destroy one's application. In my case, I don’t think I have much choice, a masters will give me a GPA bump, 2 years research, an additional and potentially stronger LOR, and something to add to my CV. I understand that the quality of my research matters, but due to the nature of my work, having a chance to work on the lab techniques and mastering the equipment and procedures, puts me at an advantage when applying to the particular research groups I am targeting. Is there any way this can backfire? - Is it fair to say that the geosciences graduate programs are “easier” to get into than traditional physics programs? - If I do research relevant to my PI of interest at the target school, do I stand a better chance of getting in? Can a PI vouch for me? Any comments (good or bad)on my situation would be appreciated. I have contacted a number of senior members on this forum and they have given me priceless advice and encouragement, and I would like to see what other people have to say. Thanks for reading!!