<p>Hello,
I am new to CC and I didn't know if this post should go into the "What are my chances forum" or the "Graduate School" forum. I am getting ready to apply to materials science graduate programs and I am trying to figure out where I fall in the spectrum of potential mat. sci. grad students. Ill post my "stats" and if anyone with experience in this area could help me out I would greatly appreciate it.
College: Large State school- great rep for research (especially in physics)
Double Major: Physics; Materials Science (Took 5 years)
GPA: 3.72
2 Years of Mat. sci. research
2 summers of research at other institutions (REUs)
3 Publications (2nd author) (Two of which were in well respected Journals)
2 Conference abstracts
I also am involved in student organizations for physics and mat sci. Furthermore I participate in a group that does science experiments for youngs kids and I have travelled to inner city Philadelphia to speak about science (on my own initiaitve and dime)
Thanks, I hope you can help me!
-SuperBCS33</p>
<p>in terms of stats, you look fine everywhere. even places like Harvard/MIT.</p>
<p>the big questions-
- will your professors go to bat for you in their letters of rec? You could have a 5.0 GPA, but if you professors think you’re an idiot, you aren’t getting in. Anywhere.
- your personal statement. something you should do in your statement is semi-propose an idea of what you want to do in graduate school. Try and keep in the area of 2-3 paragraphs. Enough to show you have initiative and what not.</p>
<p>and the student organizations; I don’t think adcoms would care for that stuff. yes it’s nice, but treat grad school applications like a job application. the ultimate question is- can this person do research?</p>
<p>I don’t know anyone that got into MIT for MSE with an undergrad GPA below a 3.85. I had pretty similar stats to you (though I did a minor in physics instead of a double major so I could finish a semester early and save money). I got into a couple of “Top 10” schools in the field, waitlisted at a few others, and rejected by one or two. I think you have pretty good odds as long as you’ve got really good recommendations and do well on your GREs (I did considerably below where I felt I should have done on the math section, and I always wonder if that’s why I was waitlisted at a school or two).</p>
<p>Thanks for your replies! My letter writers should “come to bat” as you put it. Ive developed a good relationship with one. Im still deciding on the other; one is the advisor to a student group I am a member of, one I did research for over the summer. The latter knows my research capabilities, the former knows “me”. Which would be better? I really appreciate all the advice. You guys are great.</p>
<p>Research capabilities probably matter more, but you might want to see where they’ve gotten degrees from or maybe if they have some sort of connection to any of the schools you’re applying to.</p>
<p>Good luck with applications!</p>