Cyclonela

Hello, I got my scores online for the TOEFL that was taken on 29th August, today (09/09/09),and I contacted the Graduate Office,but they haven't received it yet.(When I was ordering TOEFL I mentioned them on the list code,and so on...) I'm not sure if scores are sent to the graduate office online or via mail by ETS?

Hello, I'm excited that I have got my TOEFL score quickly... I took the test on 29th August... Has anyone else received it?

Well physics is trying to introduce DNA computing, and to extract as much as they can data from it,by exciting it(photonics)

I need to take TOEFL,even though it's so boring... I worked as an intern at Louisiana State University at High Energy Physics, neutrino oscillations for a year there, on research scholar level.It was great there to get new experience, talk on conference, and it is totally different than here. I wrote there my diploma work, and defended it there and than here. But studying there is different than here.Your mentor there just supervise you, he doesn't interfere in your methods and doesn't help you a lot. Only what he can give you are references and resources,like supercomputers. Every week, you need to report him your advance, then he checks data, if something looks odd, you need to explain it, because you need to know he doesn't know all details of your work... So that year in the US helped me a lot to gain experience,I couldn't get here,and hope so it would help me when I'm applying. Biophysics is actually branch of soft matter physics, where you research proteins behaviour ,cell membrane mechanics,DNA molecule and other biomolecules, and then you apply forces on them to see how they react on it, and other part is MRI, micro-fluids etc... Groups are very small, about 3 members so it is really taught to get in... Best regards

You are welcome, But have in mind that all applications are different, so they could waive GRE for someone, but not for someone other. Also take a look at funding requirements. It is really rare to be considered for fellowship without taking GRE, but as Elz said that admission process is more art than science. And once more, the best way to increase your chances for acceptance is to contact IACBG staff! Best regards

Hello, I'm still searching for schools, because I want to get into biophysics, so there are no a lot of schools offering those courses. In meantime I'm preparing TOEFL, and perhaps GRE. Look, I think my score was good, but not extraordinary, because if you look in average acceptance of Harvard (1st in physics) is above 880,Berkeley 920,Caltech 890,MIT (unknown) ,Cornell 750, Wisconsin 790. Of course you have to be aware that there were no Chinese students bellow 800, they are one of the best test takers. Infos about requirements of physics grad school can be found on www.gradshoolshopper.com . I suggest to take a look at that site . Because of not so extraordinary score, I'm not sure if I'm right person to give you advice how to prepare it. What I did was that I had a month to prepare it, so I took and read E&M by Matveev, Waves ad Optics by Nedeljkovic, lectures from theoretical mechanics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics and QM, and a bit of fluid dynamics. You have to be aware that PGRE is multiple choice and that you have in average about 1 minute per question, so that means, you don't have time to derive formula. Actually, you know or you don't know final formula (or you don't recall) , or if you aren't sure there is - or + sign, so that is a lot of different of what we are used to-on deriving formulas,without need of memorising it. I downloaded PGRE sample test from ETS, and you can find other tests on internet. I think good site is physicsgre.com . Also if you have time go visit IACBG, they probably have those tests. I suggest you to start preparing it as soon as possible.Questions aren't hard, but catch is too memorise as much as you can final formulas. If you apply for an American University, you will also need to take GRE, and verbal part is hard, and they rarely waive it, or you need to explain why you couldn't take it...Good school requires about >550 (for foreigners) Verbal section, and above 700-730 in Quantitative.They look carefully at analytical part, because case study at Yale University suggested only good correlation between analytical part and success in graduate school. And the last test you need to take is TOEFL, it is mostly needed because of Assistantships (teaching or research). Range of TOEFL scores vary from school to school,but commonly it is in 90-100 range, with emphasised lower bound on writing or speaking section,mostly above 22-23. Letters of recommendation are essential, and be aware of generic recommendation letters, they look carefully in it. It is good to have recommendation letters, that really describe you and your potential that has proof cited (you were involved in research, attended conference, summer school...) If you spent considerable time in foreign institution ask one recommendation from them, so it could prove that you have ability to adapt on different environment and be successful. GPA mostly needs to be over 3.0 -3.2-3.3 at 4- point scale. Research experience is very welcome and good motivation (cover) letter. Cover letter helps them to make impressions on your personality and of course maturity, and are you good fit for their department. I have to say,I'm not an expert in this area, you should visit IACBG, they will assist you in almost anything you need to be competitive applicant at the US University. They are the only, who know this best, and you should consider their advices carefully!

Thanks Elz, Yeah an application process is totally weird and you really cannot say with 100% where you'd be accepted. It's more weird than Quantum Mechanics . I saw o physicsgre forum that for example one Chinese student(and they are great in Subjects GRE and GRE) who had 970 points (5% or something) GPA 3.9,was rejected from many schools, and other guy with PGRE 680 accepted. It is real conundrum, and because of it is a bit stressful , because you cannot plan anything till date you receive a response.

I found statistics on www.gradshoolshopper.com for physics, so it's not bad score.Top 30 Universities mostly need PGRE over 650-680, and other over 600, or 50% .

Hello, I took GRE Physics on 4th of April and I have got results (called by phone) and it was 710 . Is it bad score or good score...? Ok , I suppose it's bad score for Cornell and other Ivy League Universities, but what about State ... Is it bad score for international student. I didn't have a lot of time to prepare it, just a month because it was take it or leave it ... and now when I have got the results, should I consider even applying in the US ... Thanks and best regards

I found this guidline on LSU site: http://www.oip.lsu.edu/iso/pdfs/J-1%20Overview.pdf http://www.oip.lsu.edu/iso/pdfs/J-1%20Request%20Form.pdf Actually,the University will send to students instructions how to purchase Health Insurance. As I understood, a student may choose to pay the insurance there, at faculty when they arrive, or bring a proof that they have Health Insurance. I think it isn't needed for DS 2019 to be issued, but all J1 Visa holders are required to have Health Insurance. So,actual question is if a student wants to purchase Health Insurance at some company in his homeland, what kind of Health Insurance is recognized at the US... Best regards, Slaven

Thank you very much ,I'll send it right now.Sorry I didn't do it before, my ISP was down.

Hi, I'm accepted by a professor to do my diploma work in his group at Louisiana State University. The diploma work is necessary to get degree (Bsc. in my particular case) for 7-8 months depending of the experiment, and tasks I need to do. I've finished listening of the 4th (last) year here(absolvent status),and I have three more exams and diploma work till graduation. So,I thought to do my diploma work at LSU,because they have great group for neutrino research,so I'll get necessary practice. My opinion is that I need J1 visa,but I'm not so sure, and to DS-2019 form be issued by LSU ISO (International Service Office +Human Resource Manag. Approval) they ask me Health Insurance in 50,000 USD value. I'm not sure where to get a form for Health Insurance, or may I pay my Health Insurance for example in the Zepter, and fax them the form, or it must something other? Best regards, Slaven