I haven’t taken the GRE yet, but if I score highly on the physics subject test, and graduate with high honors from University of Illinois, and have ample research experience with my professors, how likely is is that I get into the Princeton grad school for astrophysical sciences? Princeton’s astrophysics program is often rated as the best in the country, so it would be amazing if I could get some advice. Thanks!
I feel like you need to provide more information to accurately “chance” you. Also, your letters of rec, research, and statement of purpose matter much more than numbers for graduate school. Research fit is also key. You can be a great applicant but if your reason for wanting to go to X school is generic or you can’t effectively explain what makes schools X special, research -wise, the chance of rejection is incredibly high.
There’s no way we can “chance” you. Admission to graduate programs relies on so many factors outside of your control that even if we did have the full complement of your stats we couldn’t. But we definitely can’t with the hypotheticals provided here. There are so many ‘ifs’ and undefined terms (what is “ample” research experience?)
If the question is can you go to Princeton having gone to UIUC for undergrad, the answer is yes. Being from UIUC won’t hurt you.
Princeton is a relatively small program and highly selective. There are no guarantees on getting in. Make sure you apply to other programs you would be happy to attend. If you actually get into Princeton, you won’t need the backup but you never know.
Where do your own professors suggest that you apply? They know where other students like you have been admitted in recent years, so they are likely to be your most accurate source of information on this topic.