Penn for Physics?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I am thinking of applying to UPenn this year. I know a little about Penn, but I would like to know more to see if it is a right fit. My interests are in mathematics and physics (more so physics). I would like to later on pursue a PhD in physics, and I would like to be able to conduct undergraduate research for at least 3 if not 4 years. I like urban campuses, but I like campuses that aren't...faceless. I haven't visited Penn yet so I cannot make any decisions on the campus just yet. If you would like to know, my other three top choices are Princeton, MIT, and Harvard; and I am also applying to Brown, JHU, Carnegie Mellon, and then some other schools. I would like to know a little about penn, such as what the atmosphere is like there, what types of people attend, if it is a good school for physics and math, etc...</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Penn is a great school for physics. We aren’t as strong as Princeton or MIT, but we are still pretty darn good at it. You can pursue undergraduate research in physics and I have several friends who are doing so. I’m not sure how easy it is to get a physics research position right when you start freshman year (depends on area of interest, etc.), but have several friends who have research positions in physics the summer after sophomore year. If your interests lie in biophysics, it is easy to start out in a bio lab freshman year and then move on to a lab that fits closer in your interests sophomore year.</p>

<p>In terms of atmosphere, Penn is an urban campus. It is like a 10-15 minute cab ride out of Center City (maybe 30 minute walk). For a city school it has a very strong campus life. The center of campus is on Locust Walk and on that stretch Penn looks like any other colonial college (brick walkway, old buildings tho there are some very new ones). However, once you walk a few blocks away it looks like a city. Penn is a bit preprofessional which can be seen as good or bad. With its strong connections in the business world, if you change your mind about a PhD or just want to work for a few years in between, you’ll be set up very well for a well paying job.</p>

3

<p>[sujit</a> s. datta: about me](<a href=“http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~ssdatta/about.html]sujit”>http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~ssdatta/about.html)</p>

4

<p>When it comes to Physics, Penn is definitely not as strong as Princeton MIT and Harvard, but stronger than Brown, and probably similar to CMU and JHU</p>

5

<p>What you have to realize is the physics you study at the undergraduate level is so basic that you will learn the same material anywhere you go</p>

<p>I would be more concerned with this topic when you are pursuing a graduate degree</p>