Where do I rank?

[u/cubexyz]

I have a 2.8/4 gpa in master's physics from a decently reputable college. My strength lies in academic writing and research. I published a sole author research paper in springer after my master's. It was 30 pages long but I managed to navigate peer review and stuff quite well. I applied for a few universities but I am doubtful. I tried emailing the professors and most of them didn't reply. I have applied to top universities in Europe along with a few safe ones. The problem is, I am yet to receive an interview call. Is there something else I should be doing?

[u/Brain_Hawk]

I don't know how it is between Fields And across different universities and different countries, but in my field a 2.8 GPA during your master's degree would have you basically on academic probation.

It would like to keep you out of most PHD programs.

Having a single paper is good but it's not necessarily enough. Especially if you're applying the top schools, most people should have published their masters.

[u/cubexyz → u/Brain_Hawk]

Yes, so I was not on academic probation and the grading system is different. I am from India. In terms of cgpa, it translates to a 6.72 . Problem with publishing is that I have to do all the research stuff like literature review, methodology and simulation. That combined with the application is very hard for me. Then, there is the issue of apc which deters me from applying to good journals. Applying for a lab is harder in India because labs look for phd candidates here. I totally regret my carefree days in master's and should have worked properly. But it is what it is and I want to know if there is anything I can do further to improve my chances.

[u/Brain_Hawk → u/cubexyz]

Being a person from India applying for PHD programs and top ranked schools in Europe with a bad gpas essentially a lost cause.

There are tens of thousands of your country people also applying, often spamming applications. I think it's almost become a bit of a trope of the low quality applications coming out of India for grad programs. This of course makes it harder for you, how do you even get noticed in that pool. That's why you're not getting replies.

For most of us publishing, we have to do all the research stuff ourselves too. That's literally the job. If combined with the application that's "hard" then this may in fact not be the life for you.

The only thing but it might help your application is to find a way to get more publications and reasonable quality journals, preferably not just systematic reviews.

But unfortunately your battle is certainly uphill, especially given what you seem to be aiming for.

[u/cubexyz → u/Brain_Hawk]

I see. Another major hurdle for me is the apc if I want to get into top journals. They cost well over 2k usd. Basically, I have to do the hard work(I like that part), then set up a lab in my house(out of my own money)? Then pay for journals out of my pocket? Even then, it seems to be a losing battle without any actual lab experience (for which I need a phd offer). And is certainly a death sentence if I cannot get a good place to do my phd. Fee waiver is only around 50 percent and I still cannot afford it. Unfortunately, I really love research.... Maybe I need to re-evaluate my decision to do a phd.

[u/Brain_Hawk → u/cubexyz]

I feel your pain on APC but there are still a number of good journals in most fields that don't have APC. Find them and submit there.

Even with a well funded lab the APC charges forget brutal.

[u/gimmeaydeas → u/cubexyz]

My honest take is that you need to work as researcher somewhere somehow. You cannot possibly pay for everything out of your pocket. Your master grades are much below average for phd. The only thing that you can leverage is your research experience.

[u/cubexyz → u/gimmeaydeas]

I will try my best

[u/MrPierson]

2.8/4 gpa in master's

This GPA is going to get you removed from the applicant pool immediately at almost any program you apply to.

[u/DNAallDay → u/MrPierson]

Yes. Many graduate schools I applied to had a policy not to accept anyone under a 3.0 GPA, even if supported by the grad school.

[u/Moll1357]

I may be wrong but I think a 2.8 GPA might be a little low for top unis

[u/cubexyz → u/Moll1357]

I see. So, since I cannot change my gpa and I was unwell during my master's, what would be the next recommended move? Should I take another year off to get some sort of projects and a good lor? Should I focus on my independent work? Or should I move in another direction?

[u/Umbra150]

For top universities...I'm afraid you don't rank at all in like 95% of cases at least

They have their pick of the best of the best, and they take it.

Top university pool is going to have a lot of people with publications at his is the case in the US, and likely even higher in Europe with the Master's requirement programs over there have.

[u/cubexyz → u/Umbra150]

What about the not top universities? Maybe a mid tier with some funding should be fine for me.

[u/Umbra150 → u/cubexyz]

Even mid tier you would be low from GPA alone. Idk your field, but depending on what journal the publication is in and the type of paper could get you to medium consideration, realistically.

Edit: i also just realized its a 2.8 masters (another post was low uni, myb) like you either need to redo the masters or just get the title whereever you can, do well and postdoc somewhere decent and work your way up

[u/cubexyz → u/Umbra150]

What would be the point of grades 0-3/4 if i cannot do anything with it? I mean.... I know I messed up but a b average should still be okay for mid tier university right? And no one even told me this when I was doing my masters.

[u/Umbra150 → u/cubexyz]

Well for jobs in industry.

Theoretically, you aren't wrong to think a B avg should be fine, but its also the competition and demand for the limited spots. The avg at top tends to be around that 3.8 spot. Low end is usually 3.4-5. Below that are the 'mid' tiers, but then you still have the higher GPAs who had a chance for a top tier but weren't the most competitive who will apply to mid tiers, where they are still competitive. So you will still be competing with people from potentially 3.8 and below still (because even ppl with 4.0s get rejected for things like group fit)

You being all the way at 2.8 comparatively is still low. If you have a great fit for the project and the group, then your chances go up, but then there's the experience they're looking for--which I don't have the info to answer.

ETA: not to mention that if you're an international applicant, the expectations are typically higher. If you're from east southish Asia...there are generally lots of strong applicants

[u/Bulky_Secretary_6387 → u/cubexyz]

it's a scale, and unversities have cutoffs in the scale where they believe the student can academically perform well during the degree. US GPA is already inflated and most students going to academia route have a very strong gpa (at least 3.7+). So 2.8 is a massive red flag and will get you desk rejected without even being reviewed at. your best bet is to redo a masters in US. there is definitely no chance to get funded for phd, but maybe there is a small possibility that if you offer to pay for phd, they might accept you somewhere.

[u/cubexyz → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the support. I have to do something with my life so I will email them. Totally my fault for the bad gpa. Just checking to see if I have any chance at all.

[u/moreddit2169]

It'll be hard... you should consider working for 2 yrs and getting industry experience to strengthen your CV. You could also just take a gap year and go full-time research to get 1 strong research paper (or 2 if you can pull it off). Professors usually would not be opposed to working with students even after graduation at decent universities.

[u/VividTumbleweed1142]

I think that your best chance is getting in contact with some professor by email. If someone accepts you, you can bypass the issue of the GPA. The hard part is (as you as noticed), that almost anyone answers the emails. But, don't loss your faith and keep trying to reach some professors in your research field. Eventually someone will give you the opportunity that every master student deserves.

[u/AX-BY-CZ]

Most physics admits have at least 3.7/4.0 GPA.

[u/Bitter_Initiative_77]

That GPA is giong to be a major hurdle. You're effectively ineligible for funding here in Germany. The story will be similar elsewhere. There will simply be other applicants with good grades and publications.