Expert: Daniel Mazur - 11/30/2009

Question
Hi Sir,
I have completed my BTech in "Engineering Physics" from IIT Delhi.
I am very much interested in Physics and want to pursue higher studies.After working for more than 2 years in software industry,I am feeling that research work will provide satisfaction to my deep interest towards Physics.
Will not pursuing career in Physics after my Undergraduate degree prove to be negative?
How much are the chances of getting admission to good US university?Also does many universities offer stipends?

Thanks  

Answer
Dear Ajay,
there is a downside to almost everything, when you make a step like going back to school, you need to do it while accepting all good and bad that comes with it. As a student you have a low income compared to a programming professional. Universities in the Europe and North America do offer stipends, which simply cover the tuition and life expenses. Usually.
When you ask about good US universities, you must think of what you consider "good". You may mean "famous", you may mean "with excellent research teams", or "great student life". For the USA all that matters is to score high on the TOEFL and GRE standardized exams and having a decent grades' average from your undergraduate program to show. The more famous a school is, the more applicants they have and the more picky they will be about the admissions. Be advised that AFTER you are admitted to a Master's or Doctorate program in the USA you will need to pass a test caller the Qualifying Exam. There you will be tested on an excerpt of undergraduate physics and maths (belonging to a standard Physics program). The difficulty and pass levels are department-dependent. Without passing this exam withing the first 3 or 4 semesters you will not be assigned a diploma/thesis research project and that means a failure in the program....
Good luck,
Daniel