kbl2017 wrote:Hi! (To you and others applying in the fall)
Start researching sponsoring facilities now! Watch who gets interviews and if people are willing to share who hires a math/physics major. There are a lot of engineering majors on here - you'll have to look around for some physics and math majors! I suggest reading into what the research labs do. One of your essays will be along the lines of "why should we hire you" (the wording wont be straight forward like that) and you'll want to be able to discuss your top three facilities and why youd be a great fit there. It is extremely important and seems to be overlooked.
As a masters degree applicant you'll be judged more on your essays and experience than you'll be judged on your classroom scores and test grades.
Thank you for the response and advice.
I have researched the SFs that fall under both Mathematics and Physics separately and SFs that are listed for both. I have found quite a few that I like that are listed for both and have narrowed down my top 3. As you can imagine they are Research Facilies that emphasize basic research over implementation, which in my eyes would be better aligned with engineering degrees.
I am leaning towards my graduate studies focusing on electrodynamics and quantum field theory for my Physics portion and Applied & Computational Mathematics for my Mathematics portion.. Fingers crossed I can cross thesis’ between them and reduce the work load, but if not, oh well.
I am probably an older candidate, in my young 30s, but I have quite a bit of experience under my belt. I worked offshore in the Oil & Gas industry, Commercial Diving, for 10 years where I worked as a Life Support Supervisor and Diver Medic for Saturation Diving, all over the world, and I’m hoping this paints a good picture of experiences and leadership.
I currently work as a Supplemental Instructor for Calculus 1 & 2, and I also plan to start working as an RA this Summer as an undergrad, hopefully in the laser lab.
My SFs of choice are Kirtland AFB with the Directed Energy/Space Vehicles directorate, White Sands Army Research,Wright Patterson, and China Lake. Still deciding which one out of the last two will make my top 3!
I have been trying to search the forum for both physics and mathematics majors but it seems they are very scarce. I’ll keep looking!