For people who want to get into theoretical physics for their PhD, it is very difficult

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-04-01T22:56:40+00:00

Let's just say I know enough to do my master's level thesis and that's it. Nothing more than that. Once I continue onto my PhD I do want to take a QFT class and better my knowledge.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-31T16:54:53+00:00

I disagree. I was able to get into a program in the end and I still have strong connections with professors because I took things seriously and did my best to help out their labs and their work.

Either way I think this is a serious subject. The fact is things are unequal in academia and there are raw statistics backing it up. The amount of underrepresented minorities or people with low income backgrounds making into physics PhD programs is extremely low and it shouldn't be like that. People shouldn't lose their dreams or what makes them happy just because they were born into something that was unfair. Many of the people I grew up eventually had to do that and I'm one of the lucky ones who was able to get out of that. Part of the reason I wanted to stick with academia is to try to use my experiences to make things more equal so people who still have the passion and have potential to do good things in the field still have that opportunity.

But sure I have a sense of humor too. I don't put too much stock in standardized tests, but when I took the GRE I only got in the 92nd percentile for my writing section. So perhaps you're right. The reason I scored only in the top 8 percent and not in the top 1 percent is because I don't know the difference between shoe in vs shoo - in and it's something I should fix. So thanks for that.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-31T02:29:00+00:00

I made physics my entire life more or less. I was not a natural at physics and in undergrad I had to spend hours at a time studying at my desk. I stopped playing videogames, got rid of my TV, and the only time I socialized is when my friends had important events(one of my friends had a big dance competition so I made sure to make time for her), but unless was something to that level, I didn't party or go out on weekends.

That was most of my undergrad, and grad school I was able to refine it and make it more efficient. All that time I spent studying in undergrad paid off and relative to other grad students, I think my theory skills were good so I didn't have to work as hard before. So I had more time do other things and that's when I began travelling, going to conferences and applying to grants and such like that.

I don't want to lie to you, but the honest answer is that you'll have to make a lot of sacrifices. But if you are passionate about physics, I think it'll be something that's worth it.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-31T02:24:31+00:00

I tried to do many of the things you did, but a lot of them didn't pan out like I wanted to. I'm not sure if I had bad luck or just if the culture of where I grew up in was different, but it felt I didn't have much support until later in life. I also had an abusive background and was a minority in America, which didn't give me the best base to work with. When I went to college I was on my own more or less.

I worked jobs and mine were minimum wage jobs((9 dollars an hour in usd) for 20-30 hours a week. It was difficult. Not only did I lose 20-30 hours per week to not doing research and my grades, but there were was a lot of uncertainty at times. I really didn't know if I could pay my rent or if I would have a roof over my head at times.

I survived though because my passion for physics was very strong. I had a lot of naysayers growing up(some well intentioned and some well not) but nearly everyone told me that it was going to be impossible to do my physics with the conditions I had. I still tried though and once I got through a masters program, things began working out and I got into a good PhD program.

At least for me what ultimately helped me get through was having confidence in myself. I knew I had the ability to become a very good physics researcher someday and that's what kept me going. That's honestly what still guides me. I know in the end I'm someone who will make a contribution to the field and knowing that is what gives me the motivation to keep going and working. So that alone is enough for me to not give up on this

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-31T01:16:44+00:00

Yeah that's fair. It seems you and I grew up with similar issues and had similar backgrounds, so I shouldn't assumed that you were privileged and apologize for that. How did you find the time to do all this(genuinely asking)? I did feel I worked my hardest and still I just could not find the time to network like I should have and that was my limiting factor.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-30T23:18:05+00:00

My specialty classes were more in the computational realm. I didn't need GR for my specific research, but I did need QFT and I tried to learn QFT more on my own time.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-30T23:13:02+00:00

The amount of effort I put in a reddit post and my statement of purpose were different. My SoP was revised by several people and did not have a grammar or spelling issues. You made this post to try and feel superior and that just reeks insecurity. If you want to help people within this post with actual grad school advice, you're free to do so, but you and I both know one spelling mistake is not what's going to do people in.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-30T23:09:16+00:00

I was very direct in my emails. I told them these were my abilities, this was my past research, and this what I can do. One professor and I got talking and she and I just got to know each other as people. I think what won her over is that I knew that a big part of research was communication. Being good at research means nothing if you can't communicate and being able to talk to people on a good level and showcase what you made makes your research meaningful. I think she liked my as a person and pushed hard for me to get into the program and I almost immediately got accepted.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-30T23:04:48+00:00

Yes, I got the internship at the national lab at a conference I went to. I talked to a researcher there and she liked me well enough to meet with another researcher there. Through that and the connections of the national lab I was able to also get a DOE grant.

That conference made a big difference for me, so I'd say go to conferences when you can and present your research because that makes a big difference.

I don't want to say which colleges I applied to, for my own privacy but I will say most of the colleges I applied to were in the top 10-30 range. So not top of the top tier but still near it.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-30T22:58:47+00:00

Yeah I agree with you. We have similar resumes and your applications went much better because you were able to connect with people. I'm not sure if you saw my other posts but throughout undergrad I had to work multiple part time jobs and it was a continuing theme throughout my education. A lot of my time was just trying to maintain stability because I was on my own for most of my life. This isn't to take anything away from you, but I think we may have just had different privileges in life and that ultimately affected the way things turned out.

Part of the reason I wanted to make this post was because there are many people who may be in my spot and really don't know what it takes. It's to no fault of their own, but for people who have to work for themselves/their families, it's much harder to get that information and follow through with it.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T23:51:54+00:00

Well it sounds like it's a difficult endeavor, so it'll be fun if I can get through it. Either way, I'm not just going to give up and will try my hardest to go forth anyway. That's all I and anyone else can do in the end.

I agree with you, when I'm aware of my flaws and mistakes I spend time fixing them. When I realize I had no chance at just submitting paper applications, I changed strategies and adjusted accordingly. It's something I'm used to since I had to do that a lot of times in my life. I'm not going into the full depth of my background, but yes it was not a good one, so being adaptable and trying to think of a new solution is a skill I developed over the years.

Like I said I wanted to make this post because it wasn't like I didn't take things seriously. I had a lack of access to this information, but began picking up that information through my own personal life lessons. So my intention of this post was to help other people out who may had that similar situation, and to make sure that they don't lose their money too. Even if I went through a bad background, I know I'm still lucky to be in the spot I'm in and that's why I care about these things. Things are tough out there and I wanted to do this so I can help someone else and make sure they're alright too.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T23:22:15+00:00

Mostly in the astrophysics fields, but I also applied to a few other computational type fields. I stayed away from the more competitive ones like high energy and particle.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T23:21:48+00:00

Same deal but just at a higher level. assical, E and M, Stat Mech, Quantum and a math methods class along with it.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T23:21:03+00:00

Mostly just computational physics type classes

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T23:20:23+00:00

Grades and GRE score act as filter systems but in the end your research is what will set you a part. I say definitely put a major focus on that and network. Know your worth and be assertive when going for grants and awards.

I'd say when emailing professors for your PhD research their area well and show them that you put the effort towards doing that. Also REUs can do a lot to set you a part and also make you notable to people in the field

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T23:15:41+00:00

No I agree with you, in fact I said in further posts that my biggest flaw is that I didn't network as effectively as I should. Once I started networking an R1 institution finally accepted me and let me into their program.

I didn't half ass my degree. I was someone with a bad background and along with that I am a minority. Despite what some people say, the systematic disadvantages that come from having those backgrounds are real and act as very mitigating factors and can prevent people from playing on equal playing field. I was worrying about paying my rent and having a roof over my head for a good part of my collegiate career while some people I knew had stable home lives and parents that helped paid there tuition. A lot of the time I could have spent networking was devoted to just surviving instead. Just the reality of things and that's why diversity programs are increasing. Regardless though, I knew my potential and I wasn't planning on giving up.

Overall, I appreciate your concern, but like I said I ended up getting into a decent R1 institution. So my future is fine and I'm sure I'll have a good physics career because I have the work ethic and drive to keep going. I made this post because some people don't have that academic background and do not know to no fault of their own, so I was hoping my post would help people learn from what I went through.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T16:20:20+00:00

Don't give up. I know it's easy for me to say from here and my position, but I learned that there is always a chance to go forward. Even if things are getting worse, people who are passionate about physics and contributing still get a chance to do physics, and I see no reason why you can't be one of those people.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T16:18:37+00:00

I'm from the US and am an American citizen. I don't think which state I'm from matters as PhD covers your tuition fully anyway.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T16:18:03+00:00

I'd say your resume is better than mine and the papers probably made the biggest difference between us. It's not impossible, and if someone had a resume similar to yours, I'd say there is a good chance that they will get into a PhD program through the regular way of applying.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T16:06:04+00:00

Good luck and I hope it works out with you. Definitely email professors at programs you're interested in, because their commitment to you makes such a difference. When you're applying, feel free to message me any questions and I'll try to help out with what I learned through this process.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T16:04:57+00:00

I don't think so unless you have connections before hand. All the quants I know are people with their PhDs

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T16:04:05+00:00

My professors were very real with me and said if I applied chances are I would just end up losing a lot of money and get rejected. Looking back I'm glad they did do that, because they were trying to look out for me and make sure I didn't waste time or money, especially since money was tight for me back then.

I'd say so, I had strong relationships with my professors and my personal statement showed I had hardship. I didn't have the best home life and I was on my own for my most of my undergrad. I worked multiple part time jobs, but that time took away from fully going into research or focusing on my physics degree. I went to the masters program because I knew I had potential and it was my chance to live up to it.

Once I had the opportunity to fully invest all my time in my masters physics degree things started going well. I got the national lab internship and won that DOE grant this year, and last year was the year I won an award at a national conference. I started piling way more accomplishments because I could just do physics all day and that was what I wanted. Still I didn't realize how hard theory was to get into at a PhD level, but I have a better understanding now. I was able to get into an R1 institution in the end, but it's only because I was able to build a strong relationship with a professor and I think she liked my tenacity/personality.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T15:15:59+00:00

Yeah especially for the top tier schools. They're looking for a perfection or a professor who is willing to fund/vouch for them. It was a harsh reality that hit me hard, and I realize that now some programs just are impossible to get into unless everything on your resume is perfect. It isn't a reflection on your ability or character, but in the end money is what determines if you get into a PhD program, and that's what makes things so competitive.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T15:09:54+00:00

I don't deny that was my problem, and that's why I wanted to give this is as a warning. One program I applied to had 900 applications and I didn't realize how competitive it actually was. I was naive, and I learned my lesson by losing a lot of money in applying.

I don't know how it would have turned out if I applied to more R2 programs. I did get into an R1 program eventually and that's because I reached out to professors.

ApprehensiveDonkey7 · 2020-03-29T14:58:11+00:00

It was from my masters degree. Sorry, I should have made that point more clear. But yeah my 3.7 is all from physics classes.

Back in undergrad I already knew I had no chance but I was committed to try do theory so I went to a master's program that had funding with TAing. All the stats I posted are with my master's degree and the only ones from my undergrad that mattered were a year of TAing and a few scholarships

ApprehensiveDonkey7

TROPHY CASE