<p>I think topic is enough. Can anybody answer?</p>
<p>I know half a dozen physics majors. They all love it. Can’t really speak much on it though, as I’m an engineer. Is there anything in particular you’re wanting to know?</p>
<p>^Thanks! I wanted to know how rigorous are the classes and about research opportunities for undergraduates. Also, how flexible are the courses? Actually, I e-mailed the physics department one month ago but I haven’t got any reply yet.</p>
<p>From the “for what it’s worth” department …</p>
<p>My son was a Wash U grad (2008) and toyed with majoring in physics before entering Wash U. In the end, he opted for BME, but at many other colleges – those without BME programs – he would have majored in physics with an individual slant toward applied physics of a biomechanical nature.</p>
<p>I’ve got a college roommate who is a physics professor at a major research uni with plenty of “name” physics environments on his resume – UIUC, Cal-Berkeley, etc. We asked him about Wash U physics and the physics departments at other “top” unis who aren’t necessarily “known” for their physics departments. His take (again, for what it’s worth)? Virtually ANY top American university will give you an excellent grounding in undergraduate level physics. Just make sure the course offerings are comprehensive enough and cover any specific areas you want. But more important than the perceived quality of the undergraduate physics department per se is the overall “fit” of the university for you personally. Can you succeed there at a high level? Will you be happy there?</p>
<p>His main point seemed to be to understand why you are in physics. If you’re going forward in physics, then the grounding you get at virtually any top uni – Wash U, Yale, Penn, UChicago, NU, etc. – will position you towards graduate study at a major physics “player.” It’s much more about how you do as an undergraduate; how you added to your major via research and so forth. If you’re using physics for something like med school or law school, then the true emphasis is on where you’re going to get a solid background PLUS excellent grades (since grades mean a LOT in professional school apps).</p>
<p>Hope this helped.</p>