Physics at Berkeley, Penn, etc.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Hey!</p>

<p>I was recently admitted to UC Berkeley, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell University for Fall 2011 entry as an undergraduate. Because I was not admitted to my first choice college at Cornell, I would be studying Urban and Regional Studies in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (although a five-year double major program could be pursued with the College of Arts and Sciences). At Penn and Cal, I was admitted to study physics.</p>

<p>As everyone knows, May 1st is right around the corner, and I'm starting to get nervous about my decision (between the three schools). I was wondering if I could get some advice regarding the physics programs at Cal and Penn and the merits of possibly attending Cornell (and trying to pull off a double major there). </p>

<p>Here's a little bit of background:</p>

<p>I'm a California resident. I love San Francisco and Ithaca, but Philadelphia was a little overwhelming at times.</p>

<p>I'm a financial aid applicant. It would cost $34k a year to go to Penn, 28k to go to Berkeley, and 25k to go to Cornell.</p>

<p>My priority is getting the best education possible in my first choice field of study (physics). I know that the Gourman Report ranking of undergraduate physics programs places Cornell ahead of Berkeley (although I wouldn't be entering Cornell as a physics major), and Berkeley ahead of Penn- but I'm not quite so clear as to what that all means in the midst of the California budget crisis and cuts to the University of California system.</p>

<p>I feel as if Berkeley is a great combination of what Cornell and Penn have to offer- world-class education, beautiful campus in one of the greatest locations in the States, and a great reputation in physics. That being said, I'm worried about budget cuts and what they will mean in the future for undergrads at Berkeley, and the prospect of smaller class sizes at Cornell/Penn is very attractive.</p>

<p>In conclusion, I'm kind of lost. My primary focus, like I said, is to get a great education in physics (although it might be important to note that I would feel most comfortable at Berkeley, then Cornell, then Penn). Any advice would be extremely appreciated. Thanks! :)</p>

2

<p>You are actually admitted to Berkeley as L&S undeclared, although you can declare the physics major after completing the prerequisites (physics is not currently a capped major).</p>

<p>If you are interested in Cornell, you may want to ask on the Cornell forum how easy or difficult it would be to change major there.</p>

<p>It does not sound like you find Penn that attractive – lower ranking, like Philadelphia less, more expensive.</p>

<p>As far as Berkeley class sizes go, [Home</a> Page - Online Schedule Of Classes](<a href=“http://schedule.berkeley.edu%5DHome”>http://schedule.berkeley.edu) reports that Physics 7A has two 220 student lectures, each with 20 student lab and discussion sections. Physics H7A (the honors version) has a 50 student lecture and 25 student lab and discussion sections. A similar pattern holds for Physics 7B/H7B and 7C/H7C.</p>

<p>Freshman and sophomore math courses like 1A, 1B, 53, and 54 are also typically hundreds of students, but H1B, H53, and H54 (honors versions) are typically 25 students.</p>

3

<p>Berkeley! Budget cuts aren’t actually impacting the quality of education here, the only thing people are complaining about are the tuition raises and those are never going to get close to private school costs anyway. I never see any real students complaining about the budget crisis, it’s mostly the media and parents.</p>

4

<p>^ exactly - not reported by students because the cuts are only affecting hours at some cafeterias, funding for some sports programs (which were replaced by private funding almost fully), and the like, NOT quality of staff or education. Nobody is having any (additional) challenges getting classes and there are no signs that anybody will be forced to take an extra year for their degree. All the budget crisis talk comes from outsiders (and as a way to lobby for increased state funding through dire talk and predictions). Except for tuition increases, which DO hit students.</p>

5

<p>It might not be too hard to switch colleges at Cornell, but it’s not automatic or absolutely guaranteed either. Personally I wouldn’t want to take a gamble like that.</p>