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Grad School Applications

This document provides information about the graduate school application components and process. It discusses taking the GRE general and physics tests, obtaining letters of recommendation, submitting transcripts, and completing the application. The key components are GRE scores, 3-4 letters of recommendation that discuss the applicant personally, undergraduate transcripts especially grades in physics courses, and a personal statement expressing interest and experience in a subfield. Most application deadlines are in early January and the document provides tips for determining where and what subfield to apply to.

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Moutaz Elias
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64 views

Grad School Applications

This document provides information about the graduate school application components and process. It discusses taking the GRE general and physics tests, obtaining letters of recommendation, submitting transcripts, and completing the application. The key components are GRE scores, 3-4 letters of recommendation that discuss the applicant personally, undergraduate transcripts especially grades in physics courses, and a personal statement expressing interest and experience in a subfield. Most application deadlines are in early January and the document provides tips for determining where and what subfield to apply to.

Uploaded by

Moutaz Elias
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The components (~chronologically?

):
GREs (General and Physics)
Letters of Recommendation
Transcripts
Fellowships (covered 3 weeks ago)
The Application
(Personal Contacts)

GREs (General and Physics)


For those of you applying this year, you have already

taken care of this!


Most US graduate schools require the General GRE,
and of course the Physics GRE
Subject tests offered in the fall (Oct, Nov) and in the
spring (Apr)
General test has three parts:
Verbal reasoning
Quantitative reasoning
Analytical writing (essays)

Physics test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions

covering most of undergraduate physics

GREs (General and Physics)


Graduate schools accept students with a broad range

of GRE scores
The Columbia example: in recent years, accepted
students have had Physics GRE scores ranging from
630-990 (the average in recent years has been about
880)
Admissions committees recognize that GRE (physics)
performance may depend strongly on undergraduate
background (university, liberal arts school,
international,)

Letters of Recommendation
You will typically need 3-4 letters
Develop relationships with faculty (either those that

have taught you, or those that you may have worked


with in a research environment)
Need not all be in physics
Discuss your applications with faculty they will be
able to write better letters the better they know you!
Very important component
The more specific/personal the better
(Choose referees who know you well over prestigious
faculty)

Transcripts
Undergraduate grades, of course especially in physics

courses, are an important component


If there are any anomalous or unusual grades, you may
want to address those in a cover letter (or possibly in a
Personal Statement)
You may be able to include your fall semester grades
for senior year, so long as you do not miss the
application deadlines (usually early Jan)!

The Application
Most schools have deadlines at the beginning of Jan
What subfield/where to apply?
If you know what field(s) you are interested in, talk to local faculty in

those areas for advice and information about the best schools in those
fields; most schools are flexible if you decide that you want to change
Faculty may also be able to suggest reach/match/safety schools if they
know you well
It is fine not to know what field you are interested in (but show that
you have given this serious consideration, and narrowed options)

In some cases, you may want to look at other

departments (e.g. Applied Physics)


AIP publishes an annual summary of grad programs
(the Dept. has copies for reference)

The Application
Theory vs Experiment?
Easy if you know what your interests are!
Your undergraduate record/experiences may provide some clues
In general, there is more competition for positions in theory than in

experiment
and there is usually less funding for theory

Personal Statement:
Mention any awards/honors received
Significant research experience? Describe it
Publications/presentations?
Show passion/enthusiasm!

(Personal Contacts)
If you know of specific faculty/groups at a school that

you want to work with, it is quite appropriate to


contact them in advance and let them know of your
interest
Local faculty may be a useful resource here

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