Application Information

Details and information about the application.

Acceptance Rate
40%

This data is estimated based on applicant submissions at The GradCafe.

Institution
University of Maryland
Program
Physics
Degree Type
PhD
Degree's Country of Origin
American
Decision
Rejected
Notification
on 06/03/2025 via Other
Undergrad GPA
3.98
  • GRE General: 0
  • GRE Verbal: 0
  • Analytical Writing: 0.00
Notes
Sent an e-mail to the department, and was informed that all acceptances had already been sent out some time ago. Evidently they don't bother informing rejected applicants of their decision until the very last minute. If you haven't heard from UMD, you've almost certainly been rejected. This is my second year in a row being rejected by every single program I applied to. Graduated a year ago with a BSc in physics and mathematics. Six years of research experience in experimental cosmology (two at a university while in high school, and four during undergrad). Attended one conference, and presented at three undergraduate research symposia. Attended three summer NSF REU programs, one summer school in experimental cosmology, and one summer school in experimental particle physics Worked as a teaching assistant in physics for three years as an undergraduate, and have spent the past year working as a part-time instructor and tutor in physics at the local community college. Contributed to several widely-used open-source software projects made use of in cosmology, astrophysics, and high-energy physics (including two CERN packages). Also completed a year-long senior thesis with a professor doing cosmology research at an external institution (in addition to the research I had been conducting at my home institution). I don't have the slightest clue what went wrong. I significantly revamped my CV and essays this year. I also used three entirely different recommenders. I think this is it for me and physics. Good luck to everyone else.

Timeline

  • Received notification of Rejection