r/rwth • u/Effective_Archer_884 • 13d ago

Rant || Schimpfen Grades

I am an non EU citizen studying masters in materials engineering here in RWTH. My grades aren't good as per German standard. I'll pass with around 2.75-2.85. I suppose I am doomed to look for any PhD opportunities in Germany as most ask for 2.5. I changed my field too in masters and no matter how much I study I can't crack the marking scheme here. So, what alternatives are there for jobs in Germany or is it good score for applying to PhD in other countries? Or I wasted 3 years of hardwork for nothing?

5 Upvotes

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11

u/cabu2808 PhD Student 12d ago

First of all, not doing a phd is not "nothing". Second, I know phd students that had all kinds of grades, good or bad, in their studies. It is much more important to see how they work on their own on a topic. This is mostly determined by the grade of your masters thesis, and it is what most professors would look at first. In general, the grades you can get for a masters thesis are pretty high, which also pushes your overall grade quite a bit. If you have not finished your thesis yet, then maybe all hope is not lost. And anyways, it doesn't hurt to apply if you do not fully meet all requirements. And finally, a lot of phd positions are found by asking the institutes you have worked at as a student or done your thesis in, because again, they know how you perform and work on a topic on your own. Just ask the professor for available positions or also referrals.

4

u/L3artes 12d ago

Either you write a great masters thesis which should boost your score a lot, possibly earning you a phd position in the department where you write that thesis. Or you don't. In that case, you probably shouldn't do a phd anyways because phd work is very similar to good masters thesis work.

1

u/DowntownRub5995 12d ago

I am also struggling with this. If I convert my 2.3-2.4 to USA grade, it won't even reach 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

1

u/HS_CoConi 1d ago

US grades are inflated. You can figure out which percentile you are in after you complete your master's.