Freshman in college wants advice about getting into good grad program for physics

Graduate School
1

Hey,
I am assuming this is the right place to post for advice regarding grad school. I am currently an freshman undergrad student at UT Austin double majoring in physics and data analysis. I was hoping ya’ll could help me out and give me tips on how to maximize my chances of getting into a good grad program for physics.

Thanks in advance.

2

If you want to get into a physics graduate program, take as many physics electives as you can in your Junior and Senior years, get involved in physics research as soon as you can convince a professor to let you volunteer in the lab, look for summer REU or national laboratory internships after your Sophomore and Junior years and get good grades.

3

^This. @xraymancs is a professor in this field and knows what he’s talking about.

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Check out these sources of information. But honestly, what xraymancs said.

http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php?q=physics*&t=m&pp=250&o=d
http://www.physicsgre.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5572

5

Thanks for the replies!

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I know its been a while but I had a follow up question if anyone is still following this post. If I do a double major in Aerospace engineering and physics would grad schools look at my cumulative GPA or just the physics one? For example my ASE GPA is a 3.2ish but my physics GPA is still 3.6+ would this hurt my chances?

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They will look at both. Every program weights it differently. When I do graduate admissions, I look at the overall GPA and then at the grades in specific physics courses that will tell me whether the student is stronger in physics than overall or vice versa. Others may do it differently.

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I’m thinking I’ll stick to just physics so my engineering GPA doesn’t hurt me. Thank you once again!

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This is probably a good choice. Not because of the GPA but I have heard of some physics departments question why a student does a double degree instead of taking extra advanced physics courses when the ultimate goal is graduate school in physics. It is more understandable if an engineering major later decides that physics is their preferred career path. The exception I can see is if it takes you 4 years to complete both and you don’t wantto graduate in 3 years.

I would question whether your GPA will be lower for physics or aerospace engineering. I have advised many students over the years who switched to physics because they thought it would be easier than engineering. It isn’t really…

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I know it isn’t I was thinking about double majoring as a safety. Graduate school, as I’ve heard, is extremely tough and not everyone is cut out for it. If i happen to be one of those people it would be nice to have something to fall back on.
As I’m currently enrolled in both aerospace engineering and physics and still can finish in the three years I have left would it hurt my chances if in fact my GPA for aerospace is lower than my GPA for physics? I am still considering the double major option due to parent influence and I can’t say they don’t have reasonable argument. Sorry for the late reply and thank you so much for your help.