How important is it for an undergraduate student majoring in Physics and Mathematics (or any other science) to have experience in research (e.g., have a peer reviewed paper to his name most probably in collaboration with a professor) at the undergraduate level, keeping in mind that he will be applying for a master's or other postgraduate degree?
Answer
If you want admission to the very best PhD programs in the US, prior formal research experience is very important, if not necessary. Admissions committees are primarily looking for evidence of research potential. The best possible evidence for "I'll be a good researcher someday" is "Look, I'm already a good researcher." So having formal peer-reviewed publications is better than having publishable but unpublished results, which is better than having research experience but no publishable results, which is better than having no research experience. If you're applying to the top PhD programs, you will be competing with applicants (yes, plural) who have peer-reviewed publications (yes, plural).
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