Do grad schools look closely at undergrad schools/programs?

xraymancs
Wed, 17 Apr 2019 06:36:12 +0000

Clearly the Physics GRE is an important exam but many physics departments are re-evaluating the emphasis they put on it for two reasons: 1) the predominant predictor for the PGRE is the ability to do well in courses and on written exams, and 2) it tends to be biased against underrepresented minorities and women. The ability to be a successful researcher is not necessarily correlated with the PGRE.

The problem is that in highly selective departments, there are so many outstanding applicants and some simple metrics are needed to cut down the number of applicants to the finalists whose applications will be thoroughly evaluated in detail. This means that the PGRE and the GRE as well as the GPA play an outsized role.