<p>I am currently a high school senior looking who will attend a small liberal arts school next fall. I love math and science and am planning on majoring in physics, or something similar. However, I discovered that my first choice school (Colgate) only offers BA's as opposed to the other schools I was accepted to (Bucknell, Lehigh, Richmond) which all offer BS's in whatever science major I choose. Will having a BA hold me back later in life in terms of careers or possibly grad school?</p>
<p>Depends on the school. You will want to look at the exact schedules (what classes are required) included in each of the degrees. BS degrees are generally more geared towards grad school, BAs are usually more concept-based rather than quantitative, but don’t get me wrong there’s still just as much math and stuff in a BA physics as a BS physics.</p>
<p>Especially at a school like Colgate, Grad schools know the name and they won’t really focus on if you have a BA or a BS - more so that you maintained a high GPA and got research done and whatnot.</p>
<p>The degree title BA vs. BS does not matter; the course work behind it matters.</p>
<p>For example, undergraduate physics majors at Princeton and Berkeley receive Bachelor of Arts degrees at graduation.</p>
<p>Colgate does appear to have the usual core physics major courses, but some of them (431 Classical Mechanics, 432 Electromagnetism, 433 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, 434/434L Quantum Mechanics) are only offered once every two years, so you need to watch your scheduling carefully. A department small enough for that many core major courses to be offered so infrequently may mean lots of personal attention for the few physics majors, but may not be optimal in some other aspects.</p>
<p>ScienceGuy97,</p>
<p>If you still need reassurance that Colgate is a superb choice then by all means reach out to the Admissions Office for advice or go directly to the department heads of the various departments. That effort will serve you well!</p>
<p>I wish you every success too.</p>
<p>Go 'gate!</p>
<p>After looking at the courses offered at Colgate, the physics program looks pretty good. I would not see a reason to worry about the BS vs. BA. In general, as long as the program offers the appropriate depth of courses, there will be no difference between the BS and BA. </p>