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Each graduate program is different in their admission criteria. Admission committees are generally made up of faculty members of the program (another reason to get in contact with program faculty).  Some general admission criteria are grade point averages (GPA) and GRE scores (General, or both General and Subject). They will also look at what classes were taken, reputation of the undergraduate school, letters of recommendations, application statements, research experience, published journal articles, and attendance to scientific meetings.  In some smaller, less well-funded programs a student is admitted to work only with a particular professor or laboratory. In this case the applicant’s success will depend if the professor/lab has financial support for another graduate student.

One of the goals of your application should be to convey that you have the skills needed to succeed in the program, both intellectual and research skills.  A good way to do this is to have research experience.  This shows that you have experienced a research setting and enjoyed it enough to pursue it further.  Many undergraduate schools have summer research programs that you may apply to be a part of.  This not only displays that you are actively pursuing research, but you may get a chance to author a journal article on your results.  Since the research will likely be short term, even a lower-tier journal article will reflect positively.  This would also give you a chance to discuss research on a personal level and share with professors your approach to research.

There are other reasons that schools may or may not be accepting students that are out of your control.  One example would be based on a financial basis, if the government has not approved a large enough budget to the NSF, programs may be accepting a smaller amount of students.  Keep this in mind when applying to specific programs.  Very prestigious programs will have a higher number of competitive students applying for their slots.

Generally, those with an overall grade point average of 3.5 or above, score well on the GRE, have good research experience, and obtain good letters of reference, will be competitive at the best schools.  Most students with a grade point average of at least 3.0 will find a good graduate program willing to admit them.  Those with an average below 3.0 may have difficulties getting into a graduate school; however, with very good GRE scores and letters of recommendations students may be able to get in schools under a “probation” type status.

No matter what grades and scores are you should always apply to several schools, ranging from the minimal that you would consider attending to at least one that you think is normally above your reach.  Don’t apply to so many schools that you stretch yourself too thin.  Remember to aggressively pursue the admissions process, and to give your very best to each application. Don’t waste your time and the time of the admissions committee by giving a mediocre or half-hearted attempt.

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