My son was very excited to be accepted at Brown and the University of Chicago. He plans on studying Applied Math and Physics. We understand that the Applied Math program at Brown is one of the best in the country but are wondering about the Physics program. My son would like to go to graduate school for physics and we are wondering if he will be able to get into a highly ranked program with an undergraduate degree from Brown. We have visited both campuses and thought they were beautiful. We loved Providence and thought the city of Chicago would be exciting. The main difference seems to be the core vs the open curriculum. We would appreciate any advice!
That difference is far greater than any difference between the physics departments and their grad school placements.
Great options, hard choice. My daughter also has that choice. She was very happy she chose Brown. She did start in Physics but ended up in Math/CS and went to a PhD program. One of her friends went to Berkeley for grad school in theoretical physics.
Agree with iwannabe_Brown
Brown has just as good, if not, better placement into top programs after 4 years. Not sure why OP is worried about that.
Where can I find information about placement into top graduate programs? I would also like to know how many graduates there are in Applied Math and Physics each year at Brown. We are very excited to attend A Day on College Hill Event at Brown and learn more about the programs.
The departments themselves you can start with the DUGs (department undergraduate group)
http://www.dam.brown.edu/amdug.htm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brown-University-Physics-DUG/198563820206015
I guess it won’t display the 2nd link, which is a page on that site created by Mark Zuckerberg
@lmb123 The opinions and anecdotes that have been expressed here generally reflect mine. But who am I to expound? Here is some data.
http://brown.edu/campus-life/support/careerlab/post_grad_data/list
http://www.brown.edu/about/administration/institutional-research/factbook/enrollment (Click on the “Academic Pursuits” tab for the specific data relevant to your inquiry)
For graduates in each concentration, look here: http://www.brown.edu/about/administration/institutional-research/factbook/degrees-and-completions.
I really doubt that Brown (or any school) keeps records on admission into “top” graduate programs vs. placement in graduate programs. How do you define a top program? For example, if a student decides to go to University of Denver law school because they are from Denver and want to live and work there after graduation, would that placement not count because it’s not one of the top 14 law schools? Anyway, look here for some info: http://brown.edu/campus-life/support/careerlab/2013gradprofessionalstudies. I’m sure if you search the Brown website you’ll find more information.
Have fun at ADOCH!
This is sort of tangental to the topic, so I’ll ask here rather than start a new trend: My son is currently a junior at Brown concentrating in CS/applied math. He’s interested in perhaps going for the 5th year CS master’s, but never seems to be able to find the spare time, after meeting more immediate deadlines, to chase down the necessary preplanning information. Can anyone here offer some guidance? Also, might it be better to get that master’s degree elsewhere?
With the intention of being helpful, I was just about to post up some links I found on the Brown website, that I found in fewer than five minutes. (Not bragging about my search ability, just commenting on how readily available the information is)
But then I thought, I would not be doing your son a favor if I posted them. He is a junior in college, interested in going for a fifth year master’s in his current concentration at his current school, doesn’t have time to find information on how to do it, so asks Mom to go on CC to help him out. (or Mom goes on CC at her own initiative). Do I have that fact situation right?
I think I can be more helpful to your son by advising both of you that he should find these things out on his own. He has had multiple CS professors and TAs, and has made friends with multiple CS classmates by now. No? He has a concentration adviser. He has access to the same public Brown website that anyone has. Plus he has access to advising tools online only available to Brown students.
What’s that saying about the difference between giving a man a fish and teaching him how to fish?
@Loremipsum Might it be better for what to get the MS elsewhere? For work? For grad school?
What type of career is he looking in to?
@ lmb123, I happen to have one child at Uof C and the other at Brown. They will get a kick ass challenging program in A-Math and/or Physics at either school but the schools are culturally different, based on what my kids tell me. Students at Uof C are super serious and stressed, which is not the case for many at Brown (some are but it doesn’t seem as institutional). Students at Uof C are very into school (in a good way, i.e. they bond at the library), whereas many at Brown are interested in many pursuits outside of class, such as causes and other interests. And the core vs. open curriculum plays a strong factor–some kids want/need that structure, and others thrive where given the freedom to be their own architect. So rather than try to draw distinctions in your DC’s major (which could absolutely change), I suggest you and your son evaluate his learning style and what type of students he feels more comfortable spending time with. That should make the choice of school somewhat obvious. PM me if you want.
Thank you for the thoughtful response – only on College Confidential would I meet someone with children at both schools! We are going to attend the accepted students days at both schools. I am sure he will be able to make a great decision after meeting students and faculty at both campuses.