<p>I am interested in Physics as my major and eventual Ph.D. I have reason to believe that I can get accepted to any of these schools, just not schools like MIT, Caltech, or Harvard. I want upward mobility when applying to grad school so I want to know which undergrad school would look best/most "prestigious" for applying to grad school so that maybe on the second time around I MIGHT get into one of those top schools. How might grad school admissions officers' idea of the most "prestigious" school differ from the general public's?</p>
<p>I doubt there is any significant difference among these schools with respect to graduate admissions in physics. Your performance and research interests will play a far more important role than any statistical differences among them. </p>
<p>A higher percentage of Chicago grads do complete PhDs in physics and math than students at the other 3, but that may be due in part to self-selection (if students at the other 3 choose different post-graduate paths more often.) </p>
<p>All 4 are good. You can safely choose based on personal preferences or costs after aid. If costs turn out to be equal I’d recommend Chicago for its small average class sizes and well-designed curriculum, but you may have any number of good reasons to pick a different one.</p>
<p>If you are OOS, pick one of the privates – any of them.</p>
<p>“OOS”? what doees this mean?</p>
<p>Out of state - OOS - I agree there is no real academic difference but what is the cost difference? Personally I would opt for U of Chicago, but it would depend on $</p>
<p>“want to know which undergrad school would look best/most “prestigious””</p>
<p>I think you would choose the Ivy League school. (pssss. Cornell)</p>