And if I get all rejections...

[AnubisGate]

I applied to chemistry Ph.D. programs for fall of 2015, and I'm starting to freak out; if I get denied by all of them, I want to apply to Master's programs in physics next year. I want to work on theory, and I really crave the mathematical rigor in physics programs (hence, why I applied for theoretical chemistry). I've always wanted to take in-depth courses in E&M and QED.

Can a chemistry major be competitive for Master's programs in physics? Or is a Master's in physics kind of like in chemistry programs, where you apply for the Ph.D. and only get a Master's under certain circumstances? What would I do to become more competitive?

[FinallyAccepted]

Since your question is pretty discipline-specific, you might also try to ask in one of the subject forums. You might get more people who'd be familiar with your situation.

[AnubisGate]

Thanks for the advice! I thought of it, but the Physics subforum here is absolutely dead. Have you been over there recently? The last thread that was replied to is over a month old. I figured that this thread would get more eyes here, and I am in fact trying to distract my mind from the waiting process.

[Catria]

Thanks for the advice! I thought of it, but the Physics subforum here is absolutely dead. Have you been over there recently? The last thread that was replied to is over a month old. I figured that this thread would get more eyes here, and I am in fact trying to distract my mind from the waiting process.

 

In fact, there is an external website that acts much like TGC but is dedicated to physics only. Hence why the subforum is dead. One of the mods is also active on that particular website too.

 

I would probably say that, since you come to physics from another field, the Physics GRE will count more in your case than for run-of-the-mill physics majors. For the record, are you unsatisfied with chemical physics graduate programs? Said chemical physics graduate programs are much like chemistry or physics PhD programs, as far as admissions processes are concerned.

 

There exists terminal masters programs in both chemistry and physics but the ones that are funded are often offered at depts where the PhD is not offered.

 

Looks like you can do well in theoretical condensed matter research...

[AnubisGate]

In fact, there is an external website that acts much like TGC but is dedicated to physics only. Hence why the subforum is dead. One of the mods is also active on that particular website too.

 

I would probably say that, since you come to physics from another field, the Physics GRE will count more in your case than for run-of-the-mill physics majors. For the record, are you unsatisfied with chemical physics graduate programs? Said chemical physics graduate programs are much like chemistry or physics PhD programs, as far as admissions processes are concerned.

 

There exists terminal masters programs in both chemistry and physics but the ones that are funded are often offered at depts where the PhD is not offered.

 

Looks like you can do well in theoretical condensed matter research...

 

Awesome! Would you message me the name of that site? Thanks .

 

Anyways, I am in fact interested in condensed matter theory. It is interesting that the professors that I mentioned in my SOPs publish in journals such as Chem. Phys. and Phys. Rev. I'm mainly interested in electronic structure theory.

 

It doesn't matter whether I get in through chemistry or physics, I just assume that a physics program would require me to take more of the basics of physics. I fear I'll miss out on these classes if I go straight in to these very specialized fields. I already plan on taking mostly physics courses in grad school if I'm admitted.