<p>Grad school for me too. How tough is the graduate admissions process? Where did you apply? How much does the name "Cornell Engineering" help you in this process? How much work does it take to get into a top 10 physics program? Just wondering!</p>
<p>CNCL:</p>
<p>OK sorry for making yet another post but I didn't address a certain part of your question.</p>
<p>As a physicist, you are not relegated to simply grad school. A lot of companies hire physicists for stuff. If I didn't delete all of my Engineering Career Services emails, I'll post a few examples of what's available. A lot of companies like Tektronix, National Semiconductors, Microsoft (provided you know some CS), etc etc recruit physicists. You can also go to law school and become a patent lawyer if you are addicted to cash and working long hours, or you can work for big Investment Banking firms like Merrill Lynch if your grades are good. National laboratories (think Los Alamos and Oak Ridge) recruit physicists very heavily. You can also work for defense companies like Boeing (one of my friends will be doing this).</p>
<p>You're right - there isn't too much of a difference between what you learn in physics and in applied physics. It's not very "applied" in that sense.</p>
<p>Ahh ok, so there really isn't much of a difference. Because I don't have any plans for grad schools immediately after college and the AEP website basically said the demand for AEP grads are pretty high, so I figured there probably shouldn't be much difficulty finding a job with an AEP degree, I don't know if you can verify this though because as you said there isn't a shortage for physicists, so the same applies to AEP graduates?</p>
<p>Grad school admissions is very tough because you are competing against the best and brightest from the entire world for spots at the top universities. </p>
<p>I actually applied to chemistry phd programs and will be going to a Top 10 school next year. It isn't so much the name of Cornell that helped as much as it was the people at Cornell. I am convinced of this because my GPA is crap (at least for admissions to top schools), but I was somehow able to pull it off somehow. Grad schools care about 3 things: research, recs, and grades. Recs are the deal breaker. Grad school admissions are very informal. If a well-known professor vouches for you, then other people will listen. Research shows that you can do research at a advanced level, and grades show that you know the material and are not dumb. Although my grades sucked, I happened to have decent research experience. The prof I do research for loves me and he happens to personally know a lot of the professors at the school I will be going to. I'm sure his word carried a lot of weight. It's in instances like these that going to a prestigious/well known school REALLY pays off.</p>
<p>So to answer your question, yeah it's difficult to get into a T10 program, but as long as you work hard you should be okay. The Cornell name does carry some weight. A lot of people here on CC insist that it doesnt matter where you go to undergrad because grad schools don't care. They're both right and wrong. Yes, tons of people get into top grad schools from 3rd tier undergrads, but they also usually distinguish themselves somehow and it's also a tougher process.</p>
<p>CNCL: I would say that yes the same applies to AEP grads</p>
<p>Sorry for having so many questions. Did any of your fellow AEPers or anyone you know in any engineering majors have/had trouble finding a satisfying/good-paying job after graduating (provided their GPAs are pretty good)?</p>
<p>I'll have to get back to you on that one, I haven't really recently talked to classmates about their job offers.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help so far.</p>
<p>ye man shizz is the best...lol...before i updated myself here i was set on switching to physhics after one yr of engineering....but shizz brought me back to the engineering side...llool..although im still weary and i just feel that physics will be "easier" and i can take more of my favourites like quantum and cosmology/astrophysics! Im afraid i will bomb out of engineering.. shizz i read u wanted to know wut day im coming for for cornell days, im giong for teh ninth, just from about noon-7 is my approximation...and what grads chool u attending again? columbia? ttyl</p>
<p>I don't mean to bring back anyone to the engineering side per se. I have no vested interest in what major anyone chooses. All I'm trying to do is give the facts.</p>
<p>Don't worry about bombing engineering ... if you can handle physics, you can definitely handle engineering. And don't get me wrong. Physics is just as difficult as AEP. You should definitely talk to profs in physics and AEP. They'll give you better advice than what I give.</p>
<p>edit: yeah, columbia</p>
<p>ok..b u mp[ppppp</p>
<p>This is hardly scientific or really indicative of anything, but it's just to show that you can get non-research/non-gradschool jobs after graduating with a Physics or EP degree. I'll copy/paste some recruitment emails I got recently. <a href="http://www.aip.org%5B/url%5D">http://www.aip.org</a> has good information and I encourage you to sift through there.</p>
<p>
[quote]
</p>
<p>If interested in the Hardware Engineering position listed
below, please email a copy of your resume to
<a href="mailto:careers@brontes3d.com">careers@brontes3d.com</a>.</p>
<p>About Brontes Technologies:</p>
<p>Brontes Technologies has developed a unique optical system
that can transform any 2D imaging device into an accurate,
high-speed 3D imaging device. Brontes patented technology
was developed over four years by a team of engineers at MIT
and is led by experienced entrepreneurs and imaging experts.
The company was a recipient of a prestigious Deshpande Center
grant at MIT and was a Finalist at competitions at both MIT
and Harvard Business School. The company is funded by leading
venture capitalists, including Bain Capital, Charles River
Ventures and IDG Ventures. Brontes is based just outside of
Boston, in Woburn, Mass.</p>
<p>About the Position:
The Hardware Engineer will perform the following tasks:</p>
<p>Configuring, supporting and using various hardware
components of the system which include:
*Cameras and image collection software
Illumination sources
*Motors and Encoders
*Lenses and light guides
*Collection and analysis of images
*Running various Performance tests
*Researching different hardware components
*Working with software (Data collection, control, drivers,
MATLAB, etc)
*Prototyping electronics</p>
<p>Required Qualifications
*A BS (or higher) degree in Mechanical Engineering,
Electrical Engineering, Physics or related field
*Some familiarity programming in MATLAB, C or C++, LabView
required
*Some Experience working with cameras, sensors and other
imaging hardware, motors and motor controllers, light sources
and drive electronics highly desired
*Comfortable working in an early stage environment,
demonstrated initiative
[/quote]
</p>
<p>All from engineering listserv. I'm sure there would be more on a physics one.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Credit Suisse First Boston/Securities has set up a resume
drop on InterviewTrak with an event date of 3/7. If
interested, please view their detailed job description there
and submit your resume no later than 3/7. They are seeking
engineers to work with their Global Modelling and Analytics
Group Division.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
MITRE is a not for profit systems engineering firm that
provides technical support for the Department of Defense, the
Federal Aviation Administration, the Internal Revenue Service
and other government organizations. Our major strength is the
objectivity with which we are able to pursue technical
solutions, unencumbered by the need to make a profit. MITRE
conducts technical investigations, prepares systems
requirements and prepares its sponsor organizations for the
utilization of emerging technologies. We hire for wide
ranging technical positions in numerous disciplines. A
complete description of MITRE and typical work opportunities
is viewable at <a href="http://www.mitre.org%5B/url%5D">www.mitre.org</a></p>
<p>Duties & Responsibilities:
Looking for systems engineers in the following areas:
Enterprise Information, AWACS/AEW&C, Interoperability,
Software Systems, Internet Application,and User System
Interface
This is an Equal Employment Opportunity
Qualifications:
Majors: CS, ECE , MATH, PHYS, AEP</p>
<p>Work Authorization: U.S. Citizen</p>
<p>Familiarity with some or all: web information management
standards, artificial intelligence, information fusion,
computational intelligence, distributed systems.cognitive
engineering, COTS information technologies, RF communications
theory, digital signal processing, human factors or
visualization and collaboration technologies.
Applicants selected for this position may be subject to a
government security investigation and must meet eligibility
requirements for access to classified information. Only US
citizens are eligible for a security clearance. For this
position, MITRE will consider only applicants with security
clearances or applicants who are eligible for security
clearances.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
</p>
<p>You are invited to attend KLA-Tencor Day
Thurs, March 3</p>
<p>10-4pm
Upson Lounge
Come learn more about KLA-Tencor, our technology and our
opportunities.
Talk with technical reps and check out our demos.
Bring your resume to enter to win an iPod! (Raffled off at
Info Session. Must be present to win.)</p>
<p>Info Session
6-8pm
Upson Lounge
Corporate presentation, dinner (chinese food!) and raffles</p>
<p>KLA-Tencor has opportunities for BS/MS/PHDs in EE, CS, ChemE,
MechE, MatSci, and Physics.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kla-tencor.com/college%5B/url%5D">www.kla-tencor.com/college</a></p>
<p>When We Accelerate, You Advance
Are You Advancing?
[/quote]
</p>