Physics at a LAC... chances please?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Well, I’m a longtime lurker, and finally I’ve joined!!!</p>

<p>Caucasian Female interested in a Physics Major (will the major help at all?)
Public School in Upper-Middle Class Suburbia </p>

<p>Academic Classes I Have Taken/ Am Taking/ Plan to Take
Honors Level: World Literature, American Literature, European Literature, World Cultures, European History, Latin One, Spanish One, Two, and Three
AP Level: Language And Composition, US History, US Gov, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics 1, Physics 2, Alg 2, Math Analysis, Calc BC
Diff EQ at local (somewhat prestigious) university</p>

<p>GPA:
3.48 UW, 4.59 W :(
Borderline top ten percent – no rank
Grades shaky fr and soph,
Straight As in 5 APs Junior year. Will the upward trend help at all?</p>

<p>SATs:
2140 (760 M, 720 V, 660 W) (soph) (will retake)
770 Bio M (frosh)
218 PSAT (jr)</p>

<p>EC’s
I’m a bass player. Could that be a hook?
Concert choir, Select choir, Marching Band, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Handbells, Musicals… every music group the school offers (loads of leadership)
Volunteer at Science Museum in nearby city- nearly 500 hrs.
12 Yr Girl Scout, President of REACH (drug prevention)
Work part time at bagel shop</p>

<p>Essays and recs are superb.</p>

<p>I do have ADD, but I don’t plan to let colleges know (No Accommodations at school, I never asked for them)</p>

<p>So, I want to study physics in a small atmosphere.
Brown is my dream (ED). I’m also looking at Vassar, Swarthmore, Bard, and Brandeis. I think I may be in need of some safties!</p>

<p>Suggestions and chances are much appreciated!
Enjoy what’s left of your summers!</p>

2

<p>Your ECs reflect music and you want to do physics?</p>

3

<p>yeah. i guess it did come off that way.
but i'm absolutely sure i want to do physics. i'm completely in love.</p>

4

<p>My friend applied to MIT this year and he was stellar guitar player, and a prospective math/physics major. He scored a 1550 old SAT and yet, he was rejected.</p>

5

<p>Would you consider a single sex school? Bryn Mawr (strong in physics)and Wellesley might be matches. You should also look at Oberlin, Carleton and Williams. Williams is said to have a strong physics dept and music is big there.</p>

6

<p>I don't know anything about physics because I'm persuing biology. I'm just throwing in my support because my ECs are almost entirely flute/pinao/choir related, I got an 800cr and 720 math and everything about me is incongruous. Best of luck to you.</p>

<p>Swathmore?</p>

7

<p>Sorry, that's "Swarthmore," I think.</p>

8

<p>Not sure that it would be good for someone with ADD...its really fast-paced and intense.</p>

9

<p>mommamia, you're probably right. That was the only LAC I knew that had a definite science reputation.</p>

10

<p>Definitely look into Wesleyan. I visited there last winter and all I kept hearing was how amazing the science programs were and how it was the best LAC for science, including Physics. My AP Physics B teacher also attended Wesleyan. So if you want the LAC atmosphere with a good Physics department you really should check out Wesleyan.</p>

11

<p>Funny how most people don't think music and physics go together; in my mind they compliment perfectly. ;)
If you've put Swarthmore onto the list I'd be obliged to tell you to check out Haverford as well, great physics there. Bryn Marr is also a sister school albeit a little easier to get into, but realize if you apply there you will lose your edge as a physics major since all the applicants are girls anyway (but then it's not a huge edge to begin with since so many kids switch from intended majors). Just a thought.</p>

12

<p>Look into Harvey Mudd. Although it is more science and engineering focused than most LAC's, you do have courses from Pomona, Pitzer, Scripps, and Claremont McKenna to choose from if you want more diversity (and Mudd does require that at least a third of your courses be humanities). And the physics program at Mudd is as good as it gets. These are the comments that a team of three external reviewers of undergraduate physics programs across the country had to say about it:</p>

<p>“The physics program at Harvey Mudd College is truly excellent and among the very best at undergraduate institutions across the country. The curriculum has been carefully conceived and is effective in providing an outstanding education to students, the faculty are skilled teachers who are extremely accessible and wonderfully supportive to students, the research experiences offered to students are top-notch, the department is an important contributor to the excellence of the institution, and the people in the department enjoy an esprit de corps that allows them to work together quite effectively. In short, the department enjoys the admiration of the administration, the faculty in other departments, the students, and now this review team.</p>

<p>“In reviewing one of the best if not the best physics program at an undergraduate institution, there are no major problems for us to address. ...”</p>

13

<p>I do not doubt what you say but what is the source of the very positive quote? Thanks.</p>

14

<p>It is from the Harvey Mudd Physics dept. website. However, the physicists from leading grad and undergrad institutions who wrote the comments are not affiliated with Mudd in anyways. And furthermore, I am sure if you looked at some other sources that are not directly affiliated with Harvey Mudd, they would have similar things to say.</p>

15

<p>smith's physics department is small and very nurturing. the college is focusing its fundraising and development programs on the sciences. I think it's a really wonderful school.</p>

16

<p>thanks for all the suggestions guys-</p>

<p>any additional advice, especialy chances at some of these schools would be appriciated!</p>

17

<p>HM and Wesleyan would be at the top of my list of suggestions, and if their is any chance you could visit both, please try to do so. Your GPA does not help your chances, of course, but the schools suggested on this thread are not so insanely competitive that a wart or two on your application is going to completely do you in. </p>

<p>HM, Wes, and Smith are realistic reaches (or reachy matches). Havorford and Bryn Mawr are a bit more certain. You might also consider U of Rochester - it is affiliated with Eastman!</p>

18

<p>Yes, being a female who wants to be a physics major (and who also has strong math scores) would make you very desireable at many places.</p>

<p>For those who aren't aware of the strong correlation between musical ability and physics and math interests, Einstein was an excellent violinist.</p>