If anyone has insight regarding the quality of physics programs at the following schools, I'd be interested in what you have to say:
-Colgate
-Boston College
-Dartmouth
-Tufts
Also, the above are my target schools with the exception of Dartmouth. Are there any similar colleges (difficulty to get in wise) that offer good physics programs? Thank you! :D
From your group, Colgate’s physics department has produced an Apker Award recipient (for undergraduate research in physics), which would tend to indicate a complete, supportive department.
These other undergraduate-oriented colleges have also produced Apker recipients and would fit your indicated selectivity range (includes reach schools):
Williams
Swarthmore
Amherst
Haverford
Hamilton
Wesleyan
Reed
Macalester
Middlebury
None of your target schools listed (BC, Tufts, Colgate) are known for being particularly special in STEM. I think it would be a mistake to attend these schools and pay more in tuition if you have a strong in state option, like Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Georgia Tech etc. that have much better physics programs than the schools you listed.
As an opinion, I’ll state that Colgate would appear to be a better place for an undergraduate to study physics than any of the schools listed in post 2.
Echoing the other responses that Dartmouth, Tufts and in particular BC are not particularly strong in Physics. I know less about Colgate although there definitely are LAC’s with strong STEM bends like Lafayette. If you are looking in Boston Northeastern and BU would both be stronger physics programs. If you are looking for a campus culture more similar to the schools you listed then UVA, UNC, WUTSL, even Brandeis may be better bets. RPI/WPI also probably worth looking into.
^^^ I totally agree with this – that BC could not be strong in physics – after all, it IS a Catholic college so what could ‘they’ possibly know about such a non-religious subject?!
^ Apparently BC has a top ranked physics program that nobody knows about LOL. I’m glad you support your alma matter, but I work in the tech industry, and BC is a not-target school for top STEM candidates. Maybe if you distinguish yourself there, places like Google will take a look.
Staying with the small/mid university theme of the OP, University of Rochester has historically had a very good particle physics program. Not sure how it stacks up in 2016 though. Probably a little easier to get into than BC/Colgate.
The Apker Award is named for a U Rochester grad after all.