<p>Hi everyone. Currently I am a double major at UIUC in Matsci Engineering and Physics Engineering. Only recently have I decided that I wanted to pursue a PhD, and as a result have no formal research experience. I've had two extensive internships at two different small battery companies in which I did R&D and had to read papers/run experiments. My main concern is that I have a relatively low GPA of 3.5 exactly (about 3.65 for junior year) and no publications. However, the second half of this summer I will be working on research for solar cells.</p>
<p>So should I even bother throwing money at applications to the top 10 schools? Honestly, I don't really know where to begin as for deciding where I should apply. I've been told that I should look for somewhere that has faculty working on projects that interest me. Ideally, I'd like to study semiconductor devices like solar cells, or maybe even ferroelectric/magnetic materials. However I've found that pretty much any decent school has professors working on both of these topics. So how do I focus this down further? Thanks.</p>
<p>I should add that while my GPA isn’t too great, my course load was highly rigorous. I had only one non-science/math course and a large number of 400 courses.</p>
<p>Lets just say that whatever you do, do not allow your GPA to drop below a 3.5.
The research will definitely be a good look.
That being said, the big elephant in the room and almost a deciding factor will be your GRE scores. A score of 165 and above on both Verbal and Quantitative will boast your chances.
So, take the exam first.
Of course this is assuming you are looking at TOP schools in your filed. Lesser ranked schools of course will have lesser requirements.
Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>S2 was just accepted at a top-20 PhD program in matsci with a 3.4 GPA. So it depends.</p>
<p>Check out thegradcafe.com for more info about applying to grad school.</p>
<p>^ What was your son’s GRE scores? That might have helped tip his chances among other things.</p>
<p>Apply to one or two of those top schools (I like to call them “highly selective” instead) and one safety that you are happy going to. The bulk of your applications should be for strong but not highly selective programs. Your GRE and GPA will be used to make a first cut but after that, your letters of reference and research experience will be important.</p>
<p>So how do you choose for the safety and the middle range of schools you apply to? Well, ask your research mentor and then go look at the individual faculty who are doing what you are interested in. The most important thing in your Ph.D. is your research advisor. A well-regarded advisor, even at a lesser known school, will help you find a good job. As I have said in the past, my Ph.D. students at Illinois Tech (physics) have all done very well after graduating and we certainly don’t have a “top 10” program in physics (although I question these rankings anyway…).</p>
<p>Really it is the research that is the issue. You should talk to your profs about your plans–see how much your school name will carry you. The gpa you have seems pretty good. Missing the research experiences would cut you out of top programs in the area I’m more familiar with, computer science–it would be a no go not to have more extensive research than you indicate. One or two years would be expected. Papers are the icing on the cake but not necessary. However to have good letters of recommendation, you need to have them written by people you do research with. Otherwise you don’t really have letters that speak to your ability to do research, which is what the PhD committee is looking to evaluate. You just have did well in class letters, which aren’t very helpful. You might ask if it is possible to do a year post grad research at your university. Did you look at doing a Master’s and getting research during that time?</p>
<p>My son’s GRE scores were 167 Q and 165 V. So not too shabby. He also had research experience and excellent letters of recommendation (we think). </p>
<p>Would it be worthwhile to take the physics subject test, or would MSE departments not care making it a waste of my time and money?</p>
<p>^the GRE physics subject test*</p>
<p>MSE departments would not care too much about the Physics GRE.</p>