I want to study Applied Physics. Is Rutgers a good option? Are there any downsides of Rutgers physics?
My son graduated from a similarly ranked (USNews) undergrad physics program, from a similar school (large east coast state university with engineering). Assuming you plan to go to grad school, the key is getting into the grad program you want. My son started doing research his freshman year and had a great resume (several research papers with his name included as well as some posters and experience in labs world wide). When he applied to grad schools, he got into 5 of the 6 he applied, the one he did not get into was an Ivy, but the others were all top 20 programs.
Look into their undergrad research opportunities and as long as you can get started, Rutgers should be a good program.
I am currently an engineering student and I took honors analytical physics with a horrendous professor. My friends in regular analytical physics also had a bad professor. Much of the physics learning that you do will be self-studying. I don’t know too much beyond that.