<p>Isn't a 3.4, 3.5+ GPA kind of high for AEP? Or is that just for top 5 eng/physics schools? How bout like a B average and similar amounts of research. What types of grad schools would consider me then? (I realize this is far in the future.) </p>
<p>From that list of schools, it seems that AEP is pretty sure fire into getting their kids into the top of the top. Is that representative of only the top tier of grads? I suppose there are only 20-40 grads anyway....</p>
<p>Speaking of which, are the junior and senior year EP courses small and more personalized because it is a small program than other engr. majors?</p>
<p>When are where is a good place to start research? How much experience is necessary? ie should I complete my 3 semester physics sequence or give it a go spring of 05? I know it's a personal decision, but there should usually be a trend as to when it is appropriate to start.</p>
<p>You've had one week of classes under your belt. Relax a little bit and worry about grad school later.</p>
<p>Junior and senior year EP classes have 20-40 students, depending on the number of people affiliated.</p>
<p>I would personally wait until you completed your 3 semester physics sequence. A good place to start is by looking through faculty profiles and reading what their research is about. If you like it, shoot an email.</p>
<p>Hi, I am a prospective Cornell applicant, transfer student, female, and I've been intrigued by the engineering physics major. I have quite a history with Cornell-- I had been accepted into the school of engineering last spring and had deposited. Unfortunately, a series of financial disasters in the summer prevented me from going, and I had to withdraw, because Cornell wouldn't let me deferr. I got myself into another college in Canada (I'm Canadian) in early August, and intend on trying to transfer back in. I want to do engineering physics because it seems to be the one that trains you how to think and solve problems while giving you a firm background for whatever you plan to do in the future, and quite frankly, the thing I love about school is to sit down and solve problems with a close knit community, and it seems like EP at cornell is just this. I hear it's a difficult major though, and is there anything you suggest me to do so my transfer application will look strong? (I screwed up in Ap Physics C senior year, I ended the class with a B-, but got a 4 on the AP.) As well, the school I'm going to now won't let me take English this year because I am in Applied Sciences, and I notice that for requirements you need at least one writing seminar, so I'm a bit worried.</p>
<p>EP surprisingly has a decent number of transfer students. In my class I think there were 3 transfers out of a class of 35ish. I don't know how transfer admissions work, but my guess is that:</p>
<p>1) you need a strong college transcript
2) you need a compelling reason for wanting to attend Cornell</p>
<p>I take it that you already have a strong reason, considering you were forced to not matriculate last year due to circumstances beyond your control. You should also give them a good reason why you want EP at Cornell. If you combine that with a solid college GPA and high performance in your science and math courses, you should be golden.</p>
<p>shizz, where did you live after your freshman year (soph, junior and senior)? just wondering if the on campus experience is better or is it better to be off campus. Isnt getting to the college from an apartment quite a chore? Whats the food plan for upperclassmen? thanks for taking the time to help everyone.</p>
<p>I lived in one of the low-rises my freshman year and I felt like I didn't really have that college dorm experience, so I lived in class of 18 my sophomore year. The Class of 'xx halls are pretty crappy. Socially, everyone just splinters off into their own groups because everyone on West Campus is an upperclassman. Walking up the slope every day blew royal chunks.</p>
<p>I lived in an apartment in junior year and in a house my senior year. It's a longer walk and since we were relatively close to campus, it costs more than living in the dorms. However, it was definitely worth it.</p>
<p>After sophomore year, very few people live on campus. By senior year, I think only a handful of people choose to do so.</p>
<p>shizz,
I have heard that it is best to NOT go to graduate school at the same place you did undergrad. Do you think this is true? Was this a consideration for you going from Cornell to Columbia? Thanks!</p>
<p>It's better to attend somewhere different for grad school so that you have a broader view of your field. Staying in the same place raises lots of red flags for employers. It's basically a back-up plan if everything else fails.</p>
<p>It wasn't just a consideration but a necessity. Besides what I just stated, I wouldn't want to be in Ithaca for another 5-6 years. I'm in a different field at Columbia and the program and department there fit me quite well.</p>
<p>I've also seen enough here at Columbia to comment on the differences between here and Cornell regarding undergraduate education in the sciences. So if anyone is <em>seriously</em> considering both Columbia and Cornell and you are interested in knowing about this, you can contact me in private. But only do so if you are seriously considering Columbia. I don't want to get flooded with 15 PMs and have to type out the same thing over and over again.</p>
<p>Another question for you shizz,
Are you happy about your decision to do your undergrad in engr. physics? Did it open doors for you? Would you do it over again? It seems like most of your class went on to grad school of some sort. Do you have any sense of how many went to engr, sciences, med, law, business, etc? Did you ever consider physics instead of chem? Thanks again!</p>
<p>I am happy I chose EP. It's a well-known and recognized program with strong faculty, and it certainly opened doors for me. There were about 35 or so graduating EPs in my year and about 25 went on to some form of higher education. This includes PhD programs (chemistry, physics, applied physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, probably some more), M.Eng (biomedical engineering, applied phys, computer science, electrical engineering), and law school (one guy did this).</p>
<p>People don't usually go to professional schools because something like law or medicine is a trade school, which is very different than how EP is structured.</p>
<p>I actually did consider physics instead of chem. I applied to a total of 3 grad schools (bad choice, always apply to many more) only one of which was chemistry.</p>
<p>Would I do it again? You know, I think about this a lot and some days I say "yes without a doubt" and other days I don't. If I would have had to do it allllll over again from the very beginning, I would have applied to CAS instead of ENGR and double majored in physics and chemistry. But I'm lazy so I probably would have just majored in physics and minored in chem.</p>
<p>This brings me to my next point. My reason for applying to engineering was "hmm I like math and science, so I'll like engineering." I wish someone told me that logic was stupid because the former does not imply the latter. Engineering is very different than physics and it requires another type of mindset. However, I do not regret engineering because EP was a nice choice for me. I learned A LOT - physics and math - which is the basis for any and all sciences. Half the most successful scientists in biology, chemistry, etc have all had physics backgrounds. That definitely says something.</p>
<p>How tough is it to minor within the engineering school, say in Applied Mathematics? Also, how does the grading change through the years. I heard that it is really difficult to do well the first year, and then EP gives you more work than you can possibly handle. But in the end, they treat you well if you survive (i.e. better upperclass grades, opportunities, and wonderful grad school prospects). Is this true?</p>
<p>
[quote]
How tough is it to minor within the engineering school, say in Applied Mathematics? Also, how does the grading change through the years. I heard that it is really difficult to do well the first year, and then EP gives you more work than you can possibly handle
[/quote]
I don't know, it all depends on your intelligence and diligence.</p>
<p>
[quote]
But in the end, they treat you well if you survive (i.e. better upperclass grades, opportunities, and wonderful grad school prospects). Is this true?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The median for EP classes is set at a B/B+ but your classmates are so smart that the generous curve doesn't really matter. If you work hard, you'll end up fine in the end.</p>
<p>shizz,
I was wondering, because my son is considering changing from engineering to physics & astronomy and he's only a freshman. I'm not sure why, because he's getting all A's so far. He's just kind of bored and disgusted with the busy work. Also, he just has always loved physics, he loves his job in a planetarium and now says that he will never be an engineer only to sit in a cube all day. Hmmm. I really can't advise him. All engineers don't sit in a cube all day, do they? What sort of options are there for physics majors? (ARGH!)</p>
<p>I recommend that he take the physics honors sequence of courses and classes in the astro department. If he enjoys those and still likes his job in the planetarium, then he should definitely consider switching. It's possible to stay in engineering and still do astronomy coursework if you major in EP. A classmate of mine spent a lot of time researching in the observatory and took all her electives in the astro dept, and now she is doing her PhD at Caltech in that field. Switching into CAS for Physics has a lot of benefits too. For example instead of taking a bunch of engineering requirements, your son would have the option to take a lot of math courses and even tack on a minor.</p>
<p>Physics majors usually go into research or get an advanced degree. They can go into the workforce too and can work at many of the same jobs as engineers, if they wanted. Engineering ... well, I'm trying to think of a concise and articulate way to explain it ... all I can say is if he knows it's not for him, then I would put faith in his opinion.</p>
<p>I'm planning to major in chemistry, and thinking about a minor or a double in literature. Is this possible? Also, how hard is it to get A's in classes, especially in chemistry? If I haven't taken any physics in high school, is it a problem if I'm going to major in chemistry (I hear physical chemistry is pretty tough). Any comments would be great.</p>
<p>Shizz, what is your opinion on ILR students (undergrad)? I do not see many posts regarding ILR. In comparison to the other schools, would you consider ILR to be more demanding and more competative to get into?</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm planning to major in chemistry, and thinking about a minor or a double in literature. Is this possible? Also, how hard is it to get A's in classes, especially in chemistry? If I haven't taken any physics in high school, is it a problem if I'm going to major in chemistry (I hear physical chemistry is pretty tough). Any comments would be great.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I can't answer this question because I don't know you. It all depends on your intelligence and work ethic. It's OK if you didn't take physics in high school, you should be fine.</p>
<p>Top schools like Cornell and others offer a regular intro chemistry course and a fast-paced in-depth intro chem course. No matter where you end up, take the advanced/honors version and if you like it then you'll be fine in the major.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Shizz, what is your opinion on ILR students (undergrad)? I do not see many posts regarding ILR. In comparison to the other schools, would you consider ILR to be more demanding and more competative to get into?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>In comparison to the other schools at Cornell, admissions is not as competitive and is on par with the statutory schools. ILR = I Love Reading so if you have the patience then you'll be fine.</p>