I am a 5th year undergraduate student at BITS-Pilani university, India (the best university in India after the top 5 IITs). I'm pursuing an MSc. in Physics (Hons.) and a B.E. (Bachelors degree) in Electronics and Instrumentation (Hons.) as part of a 5-year Integrated Dual Degree program.
I'm currently working with a group at Purdue university for 6 months for my master's thesis. My GPA is a dismal 2.6/4 and I have yet to give the GRE and PGRE.
My question is regarding the process of Physics PhD applications in top US schools. I am confident that I can score well in both the general and physics subject GRE. However, past admission statistics seem to suggest that there is nothing that can offset my abysmal GPA.
The schools that I am considering applying to are on the level of Purdue, UCLA, maybe some top 10 schools (I have yet to finalize this). Consider schools in the top 20 (USA) as the target.
I have considerable research experience (well above average) and can get 2-3 strong LORs. My question is whether this, coupled with (potential) near-perfect GRE and PGRE scores, can offset my GPA.
Another factor is that I will be applying to universities with specific research groups in mind, for whose work my dual degree would be highly relevant and provide me an advantage over other applicants.
My question is related to PhD admissions specifically, and not Masters or Integrated PhD programs. The real question that I am asking is whether individual professors can vouch for an applicant with my sort of GPA and convince the department to take me in. I can possibly arrange for personal references from my mentors (to professors that I want to work with) and get in touch with research groups at my target schools beforehand. Will doing all this give me a chance of getting in to top 20 schools? If so, I will proceed to give the required tests and apply.
I am just looking for honest opinions and advice. Please feel free to express any views. If you feel that there is no point in my applying, then please let me know so that I can consider my options. This would be a no-brainer, but given the large exam fees for the GRE exams and applications and preparation and all, I feel I should clarify this first.
Question
Aravindh-
Hi everyone,
I am a 5th year undergraduate student at BITS-Pilani university, India (the best university in India after the top 5 IITs). I'm pursuing an MSc. in Physics (Hons.) and a B.E. (Bachelors degree) in Electronics and Instrumentation (Hons.) as part of a 5-year Integrated Dual Degree program.
I'm currently working with a group at Purdue university for 6 months for my master's thesis. My GPA is a dismal 2.6/4 and I have yet to give the GRE and PGRE.
My question is regarding the process of Physics PhD applications in top US schools. I am confident that I can score well in both the general and physics subject GRE. However, past admission statistics seem to suggest that there is nothing that can offset my abysmal GPA.
The schools that I am considering applying to are on the level of Purdue, UCLA, maybe some top 10 schools (I have yet to finalize this). Consider schools in the top 20 (USA) as the target.
I have considerable research experience (well above average) and can get 2-3 strong LORs. My question is whether this, coupled with (potential) near-perfect GRE and PGRE scores, can offset my GPA.
Another factor is that I will be applying to universities with specific research groups in mind, for whose work my dual degree would be highly relevant and provide me an advantage over other applicants.
My question is related to PhD admissions specifically, and not Masters or Integrated PhD programs. The real question that I am asking is whether individual professors can vouch for an applicant with my sort of GPA and convince the department to take me in. I can possibly arrange for personal references from my mentors (to professors that I want to work with) and get in touch with research groups at my target schools beforehand. Will doing all this give me a chance of getting in to top 20 schools? If so, I will proceed to give the required tests and apply.
I am just looking for honest opinions and advice. Please feel free to express any views. If you feel that there is no point in my applying, then please let me know so that I can consider my options. This would be a no-brainer, but given the large exam fees for the GRE exams and applications and preparation and all, I feel I should clarify this first.
Thanks in advance!
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