What is Admissions: Definition and 170 Discussions

University admission or college admission is the process through which students enter tertiary education at universities and colleges. Systems vary widely from country to country, and sometimes from institution to institution.
In many countries, prospective university students apply for admission during their last year of high school or community college. In some countries, there are independent organizations or government agencies to centralize the administration of standardized admission exams and the processing of applications.

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  1. T

    Schools Transcript vs Research - grad school admissions

    Transcript vs Research -- grad school admissions Background: I'm a sophomore math/physics major with a 3.9 GPA at a top-ten school. I've begun grad-level studies in physics and have made room in my schedule for me to more-or-less complete the masters curriculum by the time I graduate two years...
  2. D

    Schools Failed Engineering Admissions: How to Stay on Track for a EE Degree?

    So I applied for the engineering college and they rejected me even though I have a 3.9 gpa and all the classes required for admission. They made it sound like the college is full because they can't even accept me as a undecided engineering major. I'm freaking out a little bit because next...
  3. Pengwuino

    Admissions UC Davis department admissions closed? (Anger enclosed)

    UC Davis department admissions closed?!? (Anger enclosed) So UC Davis dropped a damn bombshell on me this morning. I applied to the universities Department of Applied Science Graduate Program for the Fall 2011 semester. I get an e-mail this morning, MARCH 31ST, that I'm not even rejected, BUT...
  4. Simfish

    Schools Are grad school admissions offices generally horrible at replying to emails?

    And if so, what other routes have you tried? Does calling them usually work? I've emailed a lot of grad school admission offices, but I generally get horrible reply rates (as in, I usually only get around 1 reply for every 5 emails). I do try to keep my questions short and simple. Here's...
  5. I

    Admissions How competitive are admissions to math phd programs ?

    So I understand admissions to the top PhD programs are close to impossible (being a math prodigy is a necessary requirement), but how competitive are admissions to programs ranked in 15 - 20 (Northwestern, Brown, UPenn, Wisconsin - Madison to name a few)? Also, just how important is a solid...
  6. A

    Admissions Admissions Essays: Exploring Personal Interests and Unique Experiences

    Well, pursuant to my other thread (Undergrad Engineering Schools), I've decided to apply at the two big name universities and see what happens. They require a couple essays. One is a topic of special interest to me. The other is a 'statement of purpose' essay. I'm doing the former on fossil...
  7. D

    Schools Criminal records and University Admissions

    Back a few years ago, a friend of mine got into some trouble with the law for something involving drugs (possession of some kind of psychedelic drug precursor is all I know). He was given a suspended sentence + probation, which he completed. In the years since, he has been well-behaved and I...
  8. E

    Schools University of Toronto admissions average

    I had an 83 average in grade 11 A 70 in physics I applied for mathematics and physics at UofT I currently have a 92 in my grade 12 physics course, and a 90 average overall in grade twelve I am wondering if grade eleven will reduce my chances of getting accepted
  9. Simfish

    Admissions Are the admissions statistics at Peterson's reliable?

    At that website, you could look at a lot of statistics. For example: http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/cornell-university-graduate-school-field-of-astronomy-and-space-sciences-admissions-000_10028228_10088.aspx But the information at the website says this: I have a hard time...
  10. Pengwuino

    Admissions Grad admissions and fluffy personal history essays

    I've been applying throughout the UC system and one thing common to their application process is their absolutely stupid essay requirements. Now, maybe if you're in some fail-major like psychology or sociology or ethnic(racist)-studies, these stupid essays might make sense. They want the same...
  11. S

    Admissions Transfer Admissions to US

    Hey, I am a second year physicist at Imperial College London. I've got an outstanding academic track (89% in my first year), but not much in terms of extra-curricular. Thing is, I'm an international student, so money is an issue for me. So, I am thinking of applying for transfer...
  12. H

    Schools BME Graduate School Admissions

    I've seen a lot of helpful advice on this forum, and I'm at a soon-to-be crossroads as to what I do academically. For those who want the short version, skip to the end of the quote. Short story: senior undergrad EE, 3.1 GPA, should have good GRE and letters of recommendation. Want to get PHD...
  13. C

    Schools An Extra Edge In Grad School Admissions?

    From what I've read, these things seem important for any student considering graduate school: - GPA, with particular emphasis on higher level classes within a student's major - Good GRE scores, especially on the quantitative section - Some undergraduate research experience, an REU through the...
  14. D

    Admissions Does undergrad curriculum effect graduate admissions?

    I'll be transferring to a University within the year to finish my Physics Degree. I've compared the classes of several universities in Illinois (UIUC, UIC, IIT to name a few) and the one that stands out the most is IIT (Illinois Institute of Technology, not Indian :P ). They have a required...
  15. O

    Testing SAT Admissions: Is Math Coverage Sufficient?

    Hi, for admissions into American universities, is SAT the only standardized test that is required? If so, why is it that the math questions in SAT do not appear to cover a whole lot. I noticed that there is no calculus and trigonometric functions are not tested. Also, is there no...
  16. I

    Admissions MIT & WPI Admissions: How Can 15 yr Old Home-Schooler Prepare?

    Hello, I am a 15 year old male, and I would like to eventually become a scientist of some sort. (Preferably in the realm of astrophysics) First, a little background: I'm a high-school freshmen, and I am home-schooled. Thus, I can complete courses at my own pace, which means that by the end...
  17. M

    Admissions Quality of undergrad institution affect grad admissions?

    Hello! I was just wondering if the perceived quality or ranking of an undergrad institution has a significant imapct on the chances of getting accepted to a given graduate program in physics. There have been people who have said things ranging from "little to no impact" to "vital", so I'm...
  18. B

    Admissions Admissions Q: MS in Statistics @ OSU

    I originally posted this at testmagic.com's forum, but NO ONE seems to respond to anything at that forum. So here it goes: I'm interested in applying for an MS in Statistics from Oregon State University (there are other schools, too but OSU is my top choice). I'm a math and biology double...
  19. B

    Schools Mathematics Graduate School Admissions

    I am hoping to apply to graduate schools in mathematics this fall, and I am in the process of deciding where I'm going to apply. I have a 3.95 GPA (overall and in math). I go to a top 30 math school. I've taken upper division in pretty much every topic (about 15 undergraduate) and have taken...
  20. P

    Schools Woes about graduate school admissions

    Hi everyone, I'm currently a 4th year applied math major who goes to a top 40 school and due to stupidity and poor class scheduling in my lower division years, has to stay an extra semester to fulfill graduation requirements. Here's the story: During my first two and a half years of college...
  21. N

    Admissions Workload Vs. GPA In Grad Admissions (Math)

    Hi everyone! I'm currently a second year at UC Irvine. I'm working on majors in Computer Science and Engineering and Mathematics with a minor in Philosophy if time permits. I want to study Logic somewhere in the UC system or perhaps out of state if it seems worth it. So I've been...
  22. H

    Schools Undergraduate college Name Recognition - Graduate School Admissions

    If I go to Arizona State University to major in Physics w/ an Astronomy minor, get good grades (GPA ~3.0 to 3.3), do some research, and get good letters of recommendations, do graduate schools look at what school you went to for the admissions process? In other words, do astronomy graduate...
  23. A

    Does 9th Grade Grades Affect University Admissions?

    I need to know if universities care about grade in the 9th grade, because I've been a little off this year (blame the raging hormones) and my average is really bad (76% in term 1, I still didn't get the marks of term 2) but I'm pretty sure I can get 85+ next year but I'm worried about what...
  24. 1

    Admissions Do PHD admissions (specifically EE) prefer BS candidates over MS ones?

    I've heard some schools do this. True in general?
  25. A

    Admissions Am I Screwed? (Undergrad Admissions)

    I'm wanting to go into aerospace engineering. I'm looking at Texas A&M, U-Texas or U-Texas Arlington for my bachelors (grad school decisions will come later, I guess). Problem is, I don't know whether I can get in or not. I'm a homeschooled student, and have been homeschooled since a little...
  26. F

    Admissions Seeking Graduate Admissions Advice

    Hi, I am a freshman engineering major thinking about graduate school. I am also thinking about whether or not to change my major when I get to graduate school. If I change my major, I will change it to either physics, mathematics, actuarial science, or statistics. I have made a list of pros and...
  27. K

    Admissions Fall 2010 Graduate Admissions Thread

    So, the time has come that grad school decisions are coming in. Anybody received any acceptances yet? I have applied to 8 schools for a master's in math and have gotten accepted to two - Miami University of Ohio and Bowling Green State University.
  28. J

    Schools Explore California's 4-Year Colleges: Admissions & Facts

    mentioned here? This is a list of 4 year Colleges in California, ranking from easiest to get into to most difficult. Anyone want to share any additional facts about them, other than that there are already a very limited number of comments down below a few of the schools listed here. Additional...
  29. C

    Schools Grad School Admissions Question – GPA and Whole Person Concept

    Grad School Admissions Question – GPA and “Whole Person Concept” I’ve searched through many of the different grad school threads on the forums and cannot find exactly what I am searching for, or I’m completely missing it. Going into spring semester, I am a little over 50% through my degree...
  30. O

    Schools Math graduate school admissions

    Realistically speaking, what league of schools does a hardworking, smart but not brilliant math major have a shot at for a PhD in pure math? Let's say I might apply with 8 graduate courses at a "lower Ivy", coauthored 1-2 papers, solid recommendations. I am not getting my hopes up for Stanford...
  31. A

    Schools Do Graduate Schools Look at Extra Curiccular Involvement In Admissions?

    Do Graduate Schools Look at "Extra Curiccular Involvement" In Admissions? I'm a freshman in the honors college, and we were told to make a resume that we'd like to have in four years when we graduate. I wrote that I'd have a B.S. in aerospace engineering with a minor in nondestructive...
  32. H

    Admissions What forms do I need to fill out for Oxford Physics admissions?

    Hullo everyone, I am a student from India wishing to apply as a senior student to Oxford for there undergraduate degree in physics (starting in Oct 2010). Can anyone guide me as to what all forms need to be filled ? I know about the UCAS form but are there any additional forms that need to be...
  33. D

    Deciding on a Master's Thesis Direction for PhD Admissions in Canada

    I'm in Canada, where (usually) a master's degree, with a thesis, is required before being admitted in a PhD program. Now, I am told that a master's thesis does not need to be... substantial. However, you could say I'm ambitious (or stupid) and I want to get some original results. I'm in comp...
  34. D

    Admissions Do physics grad admissions care about the general GRE?

    I know that the PGRE is a big deal, in that a poor one can easily disqualify you, but what about the regular GRE's? Should I spend much time studying for them?
  35. D

    Schools The importance of computer science and math classes for grad school admissions?

    Say two students both express interest in becoming experimentalists of some sort. They both have research experience with experimentalists, comparable GPA's and GRE's, even similar letters of rec. However, one of them took two computer science courses, and the other didn't. Would admissions...
  36. P

    Schools What Does it Take to Get into Top Graduate Schools in Physics and Math?

    Hi all. I'm a Physics/Math major at the University of Iowa and have a few questions about getting into graduate school. What does it take to get into schools like Harvard, MIT, University of Chicago, or UIUC? I've looked though the information on gradschoolshopper.com, and from that I can get...
  37. U

    Schools Grad School Admissions Process

    Hey everyone, I am a rising senior Elecrical engineering major at University of Delaware. I have done research in biomedical optics for 2 years and am highly motivated to go to graduate school. I have bought the book "Getting What You Came For", which is a guide to applying and living...
  38. thrill3rnit3

    Math Education at NYU: Admissions Requirements

    How is the math education in NYU (undergrad pure and applied)?? I know they have this courant institute but I want to hear first hand opinions about their math program. Also, how tough is it to make it to NYU? Thanks.
  39. N

    Admissions GPA Requirements for Strong Graduate Programs

    I am now a junior in physics and will be applying to graduate schools in the next year and a half. I've been curious about what kind of GPA that most strong graduate programs would consider to be a respectable GPA. Unfortunately, no one has been able to give me a straight answer to this question...
  40. G

    Admissions Unexpected waitlist admissions

    I just got an a very unexpected admissions of the waitlist at school A and I'm not sure what to do. I have pretty much today to decide to go to a school that just admitted me as opposed to a school that admitted me almost 2 months ago, call it school B! The pros of school A are great location...
  41. F

    Admissions Possible admissions discrimination?

    Hello all. I am a senior undergraduate Physics concentrator at Brown U and I have just heard back from the grad schools I applied to. I have been accepted into UIUC with a 1 year fellowship, but have been rejected from all other schools. The ones I were rejected from: Harvard, MIT, Stanford...
  42. P

    UWaterloo: Admissions, Programs & Extracurriculars

    Does University of Waterloo have one of the best programs in Canada? How hard is it to get accepted into it? (just recently applied) *got roughly a 96/97% avg through hich school Plus, how much do schools rely on extracurricular activites? Any tips for someone looking to pursue...
  43. D

    Schools Odds on Grad School Admissions

    Due to poor performance the first year or so of school, I have an overall GPA of 3.1 and a physics GPA of ~3.55. I've done pretty well otherwise, at least I think I have. Can someone tell me what range of schools to which I should be applying. GPA: 3.5/3.1 Major/Overall (all As for the past...
  44. A

    Admissions Will a B- in Physics Hurt Math PhD Admissions Chances?

    I'm applying for math PhD programs; will a B- in physics (quantum mechanics) hurt my chances (or, more generally, a bad grade in an area other than math, but which makes substantial use of math)? Thanks, asdfg
  45. D

    Admissions Help with SOPs and US admissions (Ph.D. math)

    Hi, (This is a long post, so hopefully someone has time to read it) I am trying to make my SOPs as good as possible for the last applications I have left. I already sent in them for 5 universities, but there's still a few to go... My background is that I am studying in Europe, and I really...
  46. JasonJo

    Admissions Fall 2009 Graduate Admissions Thread

    This is a thread for all us nervous Fall 2009 grad applicants. All my applications are in and all my letters of recommendation were sent in. I don't want to post any stats or profile data until I get my admissions decisions in. Where did you guys apply? What field do you want to pursue...
  47. P

    Schools Need quick advice on US college admissions

    I have my brother going to US for his studies and I need to help him out for his preparation. This all needs to be done very quickly and I am looking for some good resources that can help me out to get his plans accomplished. Will appreciate your inputs..
  48. T

    Schools Astronomy/AP Grad School Admissions

    I am a Junior Physics/Astro student at a large university in the US and have been wondering about my chances to get into grad school. I have been to a couple informational meetings, talked with people applying this year, and met with advisors and professors, but they seem to say a lot of...
  49. Andy Resnick

    Graduate Admissions Policy: Impact & Unintended Consequences

    There's been some very consistent rumors here regarding a new structure to the graduate program here and I'm wondering if anyone else has any experience with this, which is that the entire graduate program is being centralized at the level of the Dean's office. That is, there will be no more...
  50. A

    Two Oxford Admissions Questions, Pedulums and Aircraft

    Though I'd scan for ease ;) Homework Statement Check the Pendulum question out http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/37461/physhelp/secC1.png and http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/37461/physhelp/secC2.png,and the http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/37461/physhelp/secB1.png.Homework Equations Should all be in the...
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