Name

Enrique Arrieta

School

Michigan State University

Degree Program

Third year PhD student in Physics

Previous Degrees

Master of Science in Physics from Universidad de los Andes; Bachelor of Science in Physics from Universidad de los Andes

Dissertation Topic

The study of neutrino interactions to prove or disprove the standard model of particle physics theory

Research Interests

Particle physics; High energy physics

Advisor

Carl Bromberg

Advisor’s Research Focus

Experimental particle physics

Hobbies

Accordion, soccer

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I decided to pursue my PhD in physics at Michigan State University because of my lifelong interest in the subject. After earning my bachelors and masters degrees in physics from the Universidad de los Andes in Colombia, my teachers in Colombia recommended that I apply to Michigan State University.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, the application required GRE general and GRE physics subject test scores. The GRE general test assesses your reading, writing and mathematics skills, while the GRE physics subject test evaluates specific physics knowledge. In order to be admitted into my program, students need to obtain a minimum score of 85% on the physics test.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

For my personal statement, I wrote a clear and focused essay on my specific research interests and goals. Instead of writing an elaborate essay about wanting to win the Nobel Prize or take on the entire physics field, professors prefer students to describe a specific research topic. The admissions board looks for motivated students to accept into their program, not dreamers with vague or general interests.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

When I sought out letters of recommendation, I chose a prestigious faculty member who knew me well. As a result, I secured a personal letter and enhanced my credibility during the application review process. The admissions committee tends to gravitate toward candidates who receive a good letter of recommendation from a well-known professor.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in physics?

I would advise prospective physics students to enhance their physics knowledge as much as possible before enrolling in a PhD program. Since professors and scientists have such high expectations for students, students may feel too embarrassed to seek out resources or help from professors when they are struggling with a particular subject. The level of competition and intelligence is extraordinary, which leaves little room for error or academic confusion.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

The PhD program at Michigan State University is generally 6 years long. The curriculum is a combination of coursework and research. For the first 2 years of the program, students primarily complete 6 or 7 core courses centered on physics principles and past research conducted in the field. If students feel they already know the material, they can take an entrance exam to pass the class. Some students conduct small-scale research while completing coursework, but most professors don't take students seriously until they finish their core courses and pass their exams.

After the second year of the program, students mainly conduct research, although some students still take a few courses.

What is the focus of your dissertation research?

My research is focused on the high energy physics field. This particular field of physics studies the interactions between the tiny particles that make up atoms and molecules. In order to examine the nature of these interactions, the particles need to be accelerated to nearly the speed of light using large scientific instruments called particle accelerators. My particular topic examines a particle called a neutrino, an abundant but difficult to detect particle in the universe.

As a member of the NOvA experiment at Fermilab in Batavia, Illinois, I am able to study such particles. Neutrinos rarely interact with other particles, so they can be difficult to detect. At Fermilab, our goal is to create an intense beam of neutrinos to send continuously through a large detector. By generating this beam, my lab can analyze neutrino interactions by examining the charged particles and assimilating the reality of their collisions into a data set. Our end goal is to use this data to prove part of a theory called the standard model of particle physics theory. Basically, this theory explains the nature of particle behavior and the interaction of atoms and nuclei.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your dissertation?

Although I have not started writing my dissertation, I am currently working on preliminary research involving the testing of software packages for data analysis in my lab. When I do begin writing my dissertation, I can set my own deadlines as long as I finish the paper before I graduate. My only restriction is following a specific format.

How is the dissertation process different from working on a masters thesis?

The main difference between the dissertation process and working on a masters thesis is that PhD students tend to spend more time on research. They not only conduct research for their dissertation, but they also conduct research unrelated to the specific topic of their dissertation. On the other hand, masters students usually only carry out research related to their thesis.

Does your program have an internship component?

My program does not require an internship, although there are some available through my program.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor chose to work with me because we have similar research interests. A few months after I was accepted into the physics program at Michigan State University, I received a letter from my current advisor proposing that we work together. Apparently, he had looked through my background, liked what he saw and actively recruited me. Now that I am a student, my advisor has proven extremely helpful in guiding me in my research projects.

Does your doctoral program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

My doctoral program requires the completion of a qualifying exam and a series of subject exams prior to graduation. During the first year of the program, students must pass the qualifying exam, which tests for physics knowledge at the undergraduate level. In addition, students must pass 4 subject exams and obtain a minimum score on all of them.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your PhD program cost?

Although my PhD program can cost up to $20,000 per year, most students don't end up paying the full amount due to scholarships and teaching or research assistantships through the university.

How are you funding your education?

I am funding my education through scholarships and financial support from teaching and research assistantships. Few students apply to PhD programs in physics, so most universities will give students scholarships to help pay for tuition and room and board. During the first year, students usually serve as teaching assistants and then transition into research assistants in their second year of the program.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a PhD in physics?

Physics students usually spend 20 or 25 hours per week teaching and grading papers as well as 20 hours per week attending classes. By the second year of the program, students transition from attending classes to primarily conducting research. Although students are still given tasks and deadlines, they can begin to set their own weekly schedules and manage their time as they please. However, because research is so time consuming, most students spend at least 16 hours per day in the lab. As a result, free time for social activities or relaxation is limited.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Because I devote most of my time to graduate school, I have very little time for a personal life. It can be difficult to maintain friendships, so I mainly hang out with fellow classmates.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

During the next 5 years, I hope to complete a postdoctorate in the United States and either continue working in the high energy physics field at Fermilab or secure a position as an assistant professor. Either of these options will place me at the top of the physics community in the United States.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in physics?

I would advise prospective physics PhD students to prepare extensively for the GRE tests. American, European and South American students face extreme competition from Asian students who are trained to solve problems and typically receive nearly perfect GRE scores.

Once in the program, I would encourage students to purchase and memorize as many problem-solving books as possible. Most physics exams are problem-solving based, so it is beneficial to commit these problems to memory instead of trying to figure them out during the test.

I would also remind students to expect an extremely competitive and intelligent atmosphere. In order to keep up with some students who are basically geniuses, students need to be well prepared, hard-working and motivated, and understand that there are very few resources available if they fall behind.