Hi everyone. I was accepted to both, Colgate and Middlebury, and am trying to choose one. I am leaning towards Middlebury, as according to other threads it is slightly better school academically. (I am not concerned with sports, or party scene) I intend to major in physics. Does anyone know which school is better in terms of physics?
Colgate has produced an Apker Award winner, the top recognition for undergraduate research in physics:
http://news.colgate.edu/2007/10/alumnus-wins-prestigious-physi.html/
Appears here in a list of colleges strong in sciences in general:
And Compares favorably (44th below) to Middlebury (51st) by entering statistical factors (in this case standardized scoring):
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-610-smartest-colleges-in-america-2015-9
Middlebury has amazing science faculty, great opportunities for research and a terrific science center. My thesis advisor allowed all student contributors to be full authors on the paper we collaborated on. I was not a physics major, but I loved my physics professor, was on a first name basis with the entire faculty and they were all friendly and approachable.
Both schools can provide excellent undergraduate-level instruction in physics. I would not choose one school or the other on this basis.
One exception: if you are particularly interested in astronomy/astrophysics, then Colgate might be better. Their department is “Physics and Astronomy”, and they offer majors in “Astronomy-Physics” and “Astrogeophysics”, as well as “Physics”. Middlebury only offers a major in “Physics”, although they do have some astro-related classes.
quote
[/quote]
You should be. At a small, isolated school like Middlebury or Colgate, the differences in the local sports scene (D1 vs D3) and social scene (Greek vs. non-Greek) will affect your four-year college experience much more than than the differences in the Physics departments.
Check how often the usual upper level physics courses are offered.
Statistical and thermal physics
Intermediate and advanced mechanics
Electromagnetism and optics (often 2 semesters)
Quantum mechanics (often 2 semesters )
Intermediate and advanced lab
Electives of interest
Upper level math courses like real and complex analysis and abstract algebra csn also be of interest.